26 Jun 730 People Now Registered for US National Conference

As of Friday, June 26, we have 730 people registered for the upcoming US National Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Some things to point out:

• Registration starts at noon on Wednesday, July 15.
• Nearly all reports for the Thursday business session are available on the conference website. Delegates need to download and print out the reports (or get your pastor or somebody else to do it).
• Most information about the conference is available on the UB App. This includes links to view the various reports. You can use the app on smartphones and tablets for both Apple and Android, and also on the Kindle.

22 Jun Deadline for Proposals for National Conference

Todd Fetters, Director of National Ministries

Our practice since 2007 has been to go light on conference business every other year. We handled over 20 proposals in 2013, but this year is the “off” year. However, the docket has been filled with 13 proposals, some of which may generate considerable discussion.

We posted the Rules & Procedures for the upcoming US National Conference. The first order of business will be to officially adopt these rules.

Please note rule 17, which states, “Any item of business, petition, or Discipline revision proposal must be submitted to the Bishop’s Office no later than Wednesday, July 1, 2015.”

Report 41, “Proposals,” contains the official list of proposals which will go before the delegates. Any proposals you wish to have included in Report 41 must reach the Bishop’s Office by July 1. The final version of Report 41 will be posted on July 3.

Of course, parliamentary procedure allows for setting aside Rule 17 to consider new proposals from the floor. Any delegates wanting to do this will need to take responsibility for duplicating the proposal for all 300+ delegates.

Most reports, along with all of the proposals submitted thus far, have been posted on the conference website. You can view them online or download them as PDF files.

29 May Luncheon for Retired Ministers & Missionaries at NC

The Bishop’s Office is sponsoring a luncheon at noon on Friday for retired ministers and missionaries, and their spouses. Thus far, 25 people have signed up.

The speaker will be Dr. Michael Wanous, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Huntington University. As Dean, Dr. Wanous supervises faculty, plans and operates academic programs, and oversees the library, student registration, and academic facilities. He is responsible for creating, updating, and overseeing the academic strategic plan for HU as well as providing leadership for assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, faculty development, faith-learning integration, and the use of educational technology.

Dr. Wanous holds a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science degree in plant breeding from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and international agriculture from the University of Minnesota.

Prior to his work at Huntington, he served at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He chaired the natural science division and biology department, in addition to teaching biology and genetics classes. He then became associate academic dean at Augustana, the position he held before coming to HU.

His research efforts have focused on plant molecular cytogenetics and gene expression. Dr. Wanous spent a sabbatical in Norwich, United Kingdom, working at the John Innes Centre, an independent, international center focusing on plant science and microbiology. He also served as President of the South Dakota Academy of Science.

20 May Proposals Discussed at Regional Meetings May 18-19.

Bishop Phil Whipple speaking to the group in Sunfield, Mich.

In Sunfield, Mich.

Bishop Phil Whipple presenting the proposals in Willshire, Ohio.

On May 18 and 19, regional meetings were held in Michigan and Ohio as a prelude to national conference. Pastors and others interacted over several proposals which will come before the US National Conference, which meets July 15-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Bishop Phil Whipple presented a new statement on Cohabitation, which was developed by the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team.

Cohabitation is an unmarried, unrelated couple living together. Cohabitation circumvents God’s plan for family life by simulating the marriage relationship without the covenantal commitments associated with marriage (Genesis 2:18). Even when celibacy is intended, cohabitation increases the temptation for sexual sin and fails to avoid the appearance of evil (1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:22). Members must avoid cohabitation prior to marriage. We urge our leaders to teach and counsel about the hazards of cohabitation. We also recognize that there may be situations in which a platonic, cohabitating relationship may be necessary, such as a caregiver-patient relationship.

Another proposal from the PMLT would create a centralized UB Ministerial Association, which satisfies a variety of practical problems concerning retired and inactive ministers.

A third proposal, from the Executive Leadership Team, would increase term-length from two years to four years, and would institute staggered terms (so that only half of the elected members would be chosen every two years).

A fourth proposal would eliminate the provision in the Discipline for nominating candidates for bishop from the floor of the National Conference.

On Monday, May 18, about 25 people met at the Sunfield UB church in Sunfield, Mich. Bishop Whipple presented the above proposals and led a discussion time about them. Then Jeff Reser, senior pastor of the East Washington UB church (Ashley, Mich.), presented a new proposal dealing with same-sex marriage. It emphasized providing legal protections to pastors. There was considerable discussion about his proposal.

The next day, about 25 people met at Praise Point UB church in Willshire, Ohio. All of the proposals, including the new one from Jeff Reser, were presented to the group. The same-sex marriage proposal didn’t receive as much discussion, but a new issue arose: removing the requirement that ministers totally abstain from consuming alcohol. In 2005, we removed the requirement that laypersons abstain from drinking alcohol, and there has been some desire to do the same for ministers. However, this idea has not been put forward as an actual proposal.

When the proposals are in final form, they will be published on the USNationalConference.com website.

One more regional meeting remains: 7-9pm on Monday, June 8, at the UB church in Lancaster, Ohio.

20 May Five Attend UB History Course in Fort Wayne, Ind.

L-r: Jim Olinger, Elliott Ripley, Paul Burrus, Michael Seigel, Matt Coppess, Bob Bruce.

Bob Bruce teaching the May 20 class.

Five persons are attending a one-day UB Church History course at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.). Bob Bruce, pastor of Spiritual Care at Emmanuel, is teaching the course, which is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the United Brethren church.

The attendees are:

• Paul Burrus, pastor of Corunna UB church (Corunna, Ind.).
• Michael Seigel, youth pastor of Corunna UB church (Corunna, Ind.).
• Elliott Ripley, youth director of Monroe UB church (Monroe, Ind.).
• Jim Olinger, Connections Pastor at Hillsdale UB church (Hillsdale, Mich.).
• Matt Coppess, pastor of Family Ministries at Heart O the Lakes UB church (Brooklyn, Mich.).

12 May Ignite 2015: a UB Missions Event on August 29

Ignite a passion for God and His mission!

Ignite 2015 is a one-day get-away to grow in knowledge of God’s mission. Join Global Ministries for inspiring plenary sessions, informative workshops, intimate fellowship, and moving worship focused on God and His mission around the world.

Registration

You can register in two ways:

• Online. Use the registration form.
• Call: 1.888-622-3019 or 1.260-356-2312.

Early registration: $45 (ends May 29). Regular registration: $65 (ends August 10)
Registration includes lunch on August 29. It does NOT include overnight hotel reservation.

Lodging

If you will be staying overnight before the conference, contact the Blue Gate Garden Inn at 1.800-545-4725. Free full breakfast and wifi included. Mention that you are a part of the “UB Mission Conference.” Rooms are guaranteed only until July 30, unless they sell out for the Ignite conference. August is peak tourist season, so rooms may not be available beyond July 30.

About Shipshewana

Close to one million people are drawn to picturesque Shipshewana every year. You will find memorable shows, over 150 specialty shops, delicious restaurants. Shipshewana is the third-largest Amish community in America. It is the only Indiana site listed in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

11 May Lancaster, Ohio: Regional Meeting on June 8

Regional meetings are being held as a prelude to this summer’s national conference. They will give pastors and laypersons a chance to interact about some proposals which will come before the conference, and to hear updates on happenings across the denomination.
One meeting occurred this morning (May 11), in Chambersburg, Pa. Two more will occur next week:

• Monday, May 18, at the UB church in Sunfield, Mich., 9am – noon.
• Tuesday, May 19, at Praise Point Church in Willshire, Ohio, 1-4 pm.

An addition meeting has been set for Monday, June 8. It will be held 7-9 pm at Lancaster UB church in Lancaster, Ohio.

06 May Seven Attend May 4-5 UB History Class in Akron, Ohio

Kyle Timmis, C.J. Clymer, David Dakin, Thomas Shunk, Mark Self, Ted Rankin, and Scott Budde.

Seven persons attended the UB History Course May 4-5 in Akron, Ohio, Daryl Elliott, pastor of Fountain UB (Keyser, W. Va.), was the instructor. The attendees were:

• Kyle Timmis, Discipleship Ministry intern at Element Church (Blissfield, Mich.).
• C.J. Clymer, Adrian Campus Pastor at Element Church (Blissfield, Mich.).
• David Dakin, from Kenton, Ohio.
• Thomas Shunk, from Park Layne UB church (New Carlisle, Ohio).
• Mark Self, senior pastor of Trinity UB (Fostoria, Ohio).
• Ted Rankin, youth pastor at Atlantic Avenue UB (Franklin, Pa.).
• Scott Budde, senior pastor of Mt. Carmel UB (Fulks Run, Va.).

06 May National Conference Workshops Tackling Big Issues

A full slate of exciting workshops is schedule for Friday morning of National Conference. They include several workshops which tackle important current issues, getting beyond political rhetoric to at least begin a conversation for United Brethren on these issues.

Who is My Neighbor? A Christian Discussion on Immigration. Matthew Soerens of World Relief specializes in helping churches understand the complexities of immigration from a biblical perspective. Matthew will take a step back from the political rhetoric to examine immigration issues from the perspective of Scripture,. He will address common concerns about immigration issues and provide practical ideas for how churches can respond to the opportunities presented by the arrival of immigrants into our country.

The Church, Same-Sex Attraction, and Homosexuality. How does the church uphold biblical values without alienating those we are trying to reach? How do we respond as individuals and churches? Persons struggling with SSA and homosexuality are people with souls, loved by God and searching for their place in God’s family. This workshop looks at what the Bible says about SSA and homosexuality, attempts to understand their struggles, and considers how the local church can respond with grace, compassion, and truth. The workshop will be led by Robert Bruce, associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

Transitioning to Multiethnic Ministry. It’s rightly been said that despite the progress that has been made toward racial integration, Sunday morning at 11:00 is still the most segregated hour of the week. Dr. Wayne Schmidt, our keynote speaker, intentionally moved his church from being a predominantly white congregation to one with a 30%+ minority/ethnic constituency. This workshop will share the principles and practices that helped get them there, and what they encountered along the way.