AGENDA. 23 rd Biennial Session of the General Conference July 13-14, 2015

Transcription

1 AGENDA Missionary Church, Inc. (USA) 23 rd Biennial Session of the General Conference July 13-14, 2015 Monday, July 13, :00 am Conference Registration/Information 1:00 pm Business Meeting #1 o Call to Order o Greetings/Announcements o Opening Prayer Time o Credentials Committee Report o Rules of Order o Establishment of Conference Bar o Approval of Agenda o Policy on Motions and Resolutions o Appointment of Committees o Reports General Oversight Council (written) President & Directors Treasurer (written) Distributed Reports o Constitution Committee (First Reading) o Nominations (First Reading) o Recognition of Special Guests of Honor o Presentation of Outgoing Director/Spouse o Recognition of GOC and MLC members o Presentation of Former Presidents/Spouses 2:30 pm Break/Exhibits 3:00 pm Business Meeting #1 (continued) o Call to Order o Announcements o Bethel College Report o Presentation of Service Awards o Presentation of Memorials 3:45 pm Building a Prayer Foundation for Our Future 5:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Evening Service (Keynote Address: President Steve Jones) 9:00 pm Bethel College Reception

2 Tuesday, July 14, :00 am Prayer Meeting 8:30 am Worship & Devotional Time 9:30 am Business Meeting #2 o Call to Order o Announcements o Credentials Committee Report o Minutes of Previous Meeting o Constitution Committee (Second Reading and Vote) o Nominations (Second Reading and Election) o Agenda Items 10:30 am Break/Exhibits 11:00 am Business Meeting #2 (continued) o Call to Order o Announcements o Election Results o Introduction of Chaplains o Explanation of Chaplain Summit o Introduction of Evangelists o Agenda Items 12:15 pm Lunch Break 1:30 pm Business Meeting #3 o Call to Order o Announcements o Credentials Committee Report o Minutes of Previous Meeting o Possible Discussion of Supreme Court Ruling o Additional Items of Business 3:00 pm Break/Exhibits 3:30 pm Business Meeting #3 (continued) o Call to Order o Announcements o Final Items of Business 5:00 pm Dinner 5:15 pm MLC/GOC Dinner (invitation only) 7:00 pm Evening Service (Sammy Tippit speaking)

3 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE Constitutional Change Recommended by the Constitution Committee Possible Vice President Consideration and Addition of Presidential Ex officio Status: Article VI - GENERAL CONFERENCE Current Proposed E. DUTIES E. DUTIES 5. General Conference shall elect two of the four denominational officers the president and the secretary for four-year terms from candidates presented by the Nominating Committee. Terms shall be staggered, but the elected shall not serve for more than three full terms consecutively. 6. General Conference shall elect all eleven members of the General Oversight Council for four-year terms from candidates presented by the Nominating Committee. (In addition, the president and the secretary shall serve as members by virtue of their office.) Terms shall be staggered, but the elected shall not serve for more than two full terms consecutively. 5. General Conference shall elect three of the four denominational officers the president, the vice president and the secretary for four-year terms from candidates presented by the Nominating Committee. Terms shall be staggered, but the elected shall not serve for more than three full terms consecutively. The terms of the president shall be staggered with the terms of the vice president and secretary. 6. General Conference shall elect ten members of the General Oversight Council for fouryear terms from candidates presented by the Nominating Committee. (In addition, the president, vice president and secretary shall serve as members by virtue of their office.) Terms shall be staggered, but the elected shall not serve for more than two full terms consecutively.

4 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE Constitutional Change Recommended by the Constitution Committee Possible Vice President Consideration and Addition of Presidential Ex officio Status: ARTICLE VII OFFICERS Current Proposed A. GENERAL OFFICERS A. GENERAL OFFICERS The general officers shall be president, secretary, treasurer, and General Oversight Council moderator. No person may be elected to more than one office. B. PRESIDENT The president shall be a man elected for a four-year term, by the General Conference from candidates provided by the Nominating Committee. Terms for the president and secretary shall be staggered, but the elected shall not serve for more than three full terms. He must be a good listener; able to maximize the talents, skills, and effectiveness of others; proficient in communication; possessing a record of integrity; and capable of leading others in framing, implementing, and guiding a ministry vision for the Missionary Church. The president shall serve as Chairman of the Ministry Leadership Council and Chairman of the General Conference. The general officers shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and General Oversight Council moderator. No person may be elected to more than one office. B. PRESIDENT The president shall be an ordained man elected for a four-year term, by the General Conference from candidates provided by the Nominating Committee. Terms for the president and secretary shall be staggered, but the elected shall not serve for more than three full terms. He must be a good listener; able to maximize the talents, skills, and effectiveness of others; proficient in communication; possessing a record of integrity; and capable of leading others in framing, implementing, and guiding a ministry vision for the Missionary Church. The president shall serve as Chairman of the Ministry Leadership Council and Chairman of the General Conference. He shall be a member ex officio (voting) of all district and regional conferences and all denominational boards and committees. Add new C. with subsequent letter changes to read: VICE PRESIDENT The vice president shall be an ordained man elected for a four-year term by the General Conference and shall perform such duties as are delegated to him by the president. In case of the death, resignation, or removal of the president, the vice president shall become the president until the next General Conference.

5 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE Constitutional Change Recommended by the Constitution Committee Possible Vice President Consideration and Addition of Presidential Ex officio Status: ARTICLE VII OFFICERS Current Proposed D. GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL MODERATOR The General Oversight Council moderator shall be elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Oversight Council from among the members of the council other than the president, secretary and treasurer. The term of the General Oversight Council moderator is for two years. The elected shall not serve for more than four full terms consecutively. D. GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL MODERATOR (Delete along with other references to moderator?) The General Oversight Council moderator shall be elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Oversight Council from among the members of the council other than the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The term of the General Oversight Council moderator is for two years. The elected shall not serve for more than four full terms consecutively.

6 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE Constitutional Change Recommended by the Constitution Committee Possible Vice President Consideration and Addition of Presidential Ex officio Status: ARTICLE VIII GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL Current Proposed A. COMPOSITION A. COMPOSITION 1. The General Oversight Council shall be composed of thirteen members (eleven members plus the president and secretary of the denomination), requiring a quorum of nine members. Seven of the thirteen shall be ordained ministers. 1. The General Oversight Council shall be composed of thirteen members (ten members plus the president, vice president and secretary of the denomination), requiring a quorum of nine members. Seven of the thirteen shall be ordained ministers. Possible Change to Add an Executive Committee: Add new Article VIII. C. C. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The general officers shall constitute an Executive Committee to which the General Oversight Council may delegate authority and unfinished business. When a vacancy occurs during the biennium, a replacement may be appointed at the next meeting of the General Oversight Council. It shall have authority to transact emergency business and such other matters not deemed of sufficient cause for the calling of a meeting of the council. Such transactions shall be reported promptly to the other members of the General Oversight Council by sending them a copy of the minutes of the session. The actions, except those related to due process, shall be subject to the approval of the General Oversight Council at its next session.

7 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE Current Constitutional Change Recommended by the Constitution Committee Possible Change to Include the Bethel College President on the Ministry Leadership Council: ARTICLE IX MINISTRY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL A. COMPOSITION Proposed A. COMPOSITION 1. The Ministry Leadership Council shall be composed of the president, director of U.S. Ministries, director of World Partners, regional and district directors, two representatives of World Partners, and a Bethel College vice president. The director of U.S. Ministries and the director of World Partners shall be nominated by the president. In consultation with the director of World Partners, the World Partners representatives shall be nominated by the president. The Bethel College vice president shall be nominated by the president in consultation with the president of Bethel College. All nominations shall be presented to both the General Oversight Council and the Ministry Leadership Council for ratification. 1. The Ministry Leadership Council shall be composed of the president, director of U.S. Ministries, director of World Partners, regional and district directors, two representatives of World Partners, and a Bethel College representative (either the president or an appointed representative). The director of U.S. Ministries and the director of World Partners shall be nominated by the president. In consultation with the director of World Partners, the World Partners representatives shall be nominated by the president. If the Bethel College president does not serve, the Bethel College representative shall be nominated by the president in consultation with the president of Bethel College. All nominations shall be presented to both the General Oversight Council and the Ministry Leadership Council for ratification.

8 Sexuality and Creation A proposed replacement for the homosexuality position paper adopted in PROPOSED POSITION PAPER ON HUMAN SEXUALITY So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27) The Bible begins its discussion of human sexuality in the book of Genesis with the account of Creation. Jesus himself rooted his teaching on marriage and divorce in Genesis 2, citing the creation account as both authoritative and forever binding (Matt. 19:4-6; Mk. 10:6-9). The Apostle Paul reasoned likewise, anchoring his exhortations concerning Christian marriage in the specific language of Genesis 2:24 (Eph. 5:31). In Genesis 1-2 sexuality figures prominently in a larger conversation concerning God's original intention for humankind--his crowning creative achievement. God, we are told, created human beings "male and female," indicating that gender distinctions are part of the created order itself, not mere culturally conditioned artifacts. Gender supplies, then, an important component of what it means to be human. Furthermore, gender distinctions prove essential for the fulfillment of God's purposes for humanity. Indeed, the fulfillment of God's initial mandate requires humankind to be both male and female. We read in Genesis 1:28: "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.'" Obedience to this original divine directive would be impossible without God creating and blessing innate gender distinctions. Gender enables the wonderful mix of likeness and difference that makes sexual intimacy and procreation possible. Gender and sex are both divine gifts, part of a finished creation that God pronounced "very good" (Gen. 1:31). However puzzling and problematic human sexuality may have become--especially in our day--god did not intend it to be this way. Sexuality is a divine blessing. God created human beings, not only for spiritual intimacy with himself, but also for an extraordinarily rich intimacy within marriage. We read in Genesis 2:24: "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). This same truth we find underscored in the New Testament (Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31). The creation account lays the foundation for a consistent and comprehensive theology of sexuality that will be developed throughout the rest of sacred Scripture. We may summarize the biblical understanding in brief: Human sexuality is a divine gift, by which human beings, created male and female, may experience within marriage a deep and multi-faceted union--one that is physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual--and fulfills the divine mandate to "be fruitful and increase in number" (Gen. 1:28).

9 Before we conclude this overview of sexuality and creation, however, we should interject one important observation: while the Bible consistently celebrates the gift of marriage (Gen. 2:18; Gen. 2:24; Pr. 18:22; Pr. 19:14; 1 Cor. 7:2; Heb. 13:4), it also celebrates the gift of celibacy (Matt. 19:10-12; 1 Cor. 7:25-38). Both are divine blessings. Both provide a context for human flourishing. Sexuality and the Fall God's initial created order was, indeed, "very good" (Gen. 1:31), but the Fall changed everything. It disrupted, first of all, the spiritual intimacy that God intended human beings to enjoy with Him. It disrupted, secondly, the intimacy that God intended us to enjoy within marriage, including its sexual dimension. In a word, since the Fall, our sexuality is broken. The Fall left no aspect of human nature or human experience uncorrupted. Human nature fell; and human sexuality fell with it. It should come as no surprise, then, that we find such sexual disorder in the world. God's original design for sex--that it thrive within the context of a marriage between one man and one woman--has been thwarted in countless ways. Pre-marital sex, co-habitation without marriage, adultery, pornography, and various forms of sexual abuse are rife in contemporary culture. Sadly, we witness these disorders even in the church. On rare occasions, even some pastors have succumbed to sexual immorality. Sexual abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy is but one of the more egregious signs of the depth and pervasiveness of human sin. Disordered sexuality is not a uniquely contemporary problem. It was a plight in the biblical world as well. Many biblical passages clearly forbid particular sexual practices (Ex. 20:14; Ex. 22:19; Lev. 18; Lev. 20:10-21; Deut. 22:13-30; Deut. 23:17-18; Matt. 5:27-30; Mk. 7:21-23; Jn. 7:53-8:11; Acts 15:20; Acts 15:19-20; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 5:11; 1 Cor. 6:13; 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Cor. 10:8; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5-6; 1 Thess. 4:3-5; Rev. 2:20 ). Other texts catalogue the egregious consequences of disordered sexuality (Gen. 19:1-29; Gen. 19:30-38; Num. 25; 2 Sam ; 2 Sam. 13; 1 Ki. 11; Pr. 2:16-19; Pr. 6:30-35). From almost the beginning of the human story, God's gift of sexuality--which He intended for our good-- has been misused by us to our own detriment. Even the most illustrious Old Testament heroes--abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon--practiced polygamy, though God originally intended marriage for one woman and one man. David himself was an adulterer. Biblical spirituality, in both its Old and New Testament manifestations, has been threatened with destruction by disordered sexual desire in its myriad forms. We should not think, then, that our contemporary sexual chaos and confusion are somehow unique. They are evidence of the fallen human condition. Disordered sexuality is a problem both for believers and unbelievers. It is a problem for both men and women. It is a problem for those with both different-sex and same-sex attraction. Clearly disordered sexuality is a universal human problem. But we currently find ourselves at a cultural crossroads. Two particular expressions of sexual disorder have come to occupy center stage in the contemporary debate on human sexuality, namely homosexuality and transgenderism. These have always been part of the fallen human condition, but the widespread clamor for their acceptance as morally appropriate lifestyle choices is unprecedented. It is incumbent upon the church, then, to think about such disorders--and those who wrestle with them--as deeply, biblically, and compassionately as possible.

10 Homosexuality Homosexuality has become a hotly-contested topic in recent years. Matters of great import hinge on this debate, including the nature of human sexuality and the nature of biblical authority. So we must think deeply and speak clearly to the issue. We are, however, called as Christians to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). That requires us to carefully navigate the narrow space between two different errors. On the one hand, we cannot accept the growing cultural consensus regarding homosexuality. More and more people accept homosexual behavior as a valid personal choice, exempt from any kind of moral censure. Same-sex marriage is becoming commonplace. Increasingly, objection to homosexual practice--no matter how charitably expressed--is characterized as hateful and "homophobic." We cannot simply adjust our theology to accommodate the changing moral climate. We must not exchange conventional "wisdom" for the truth of God's Word. On the other hand, we must not overreact. We cannot single out homosexual practice, as if it were uniquely subject to divine denunciation. Indeed, the Scriptures clearly indicate God's disapproval of homosexual behavior (Gen. 19:1-22; Judges 19:1-21; Lev. 18:22; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:24-28; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:10). But the Scriptures are equally clear about God's disapproval of heterosexual immorality. (See previously cited Scriptures.) Sexual immorality of all kinds contradicts clear biblical teaching, distorts the divine gift of sexuality, and stands under the righteous judgment of a holy God. The Scriptures warn us: "Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Cor. 6:18), in whatever form that immorality may take. While we find ourselves in the midst of a cultural debate on homosexual practice, we also find ourselves debating sexual orientation itself. Some see sexual orientation as a matter of biological determinism. People are prone to same-sex attraction because of genetics, they say. Others think that it is conditioned by initial sexual experiences. Still others think that same-sex attraction is purely voluntary. At this point, thoughtful Christians may have more questions than answers. Human sexuality is a remarkably complex phenomenon with biological, psychological, emotional, and spiritual components. To explain samesex attraction over-simplistically--as merely nature, merely nurture, or merely an act of the will--fails to do justice to sexuality's complexity. But we do know this: we live in a fallen world in which much is not as it was supposed to be. Disaster, disease, death--none of these accord with God's original intent. They are part and parcel of a creation in "bondage to corruption" (Rom. 8:21). In a fallen, disordered creation, it should come as no surprise that human desires become disordered, that sexual desire--which was designed to blissfully propel us toward sexual intimacy and procreation within marriage--gets bent out of shape. Some people, through no fault of their own, find themselves struggling with same-sex attraction. This fits with what we know about our fallen world and our falleness within it. Creation is broken, waiting to be restored. We are still waiting for Jesus to make "all things new" (Rev. 21:5). Nonetheless, we do not need to fully understand the origins of same-sex attraction to insist that God both demands and divinely enables obedience to his commands. The Bible clearly prohibits sex beyond the bounds of heterosexual marriage. So even if the Bible has little to say directly about sexual orientation, that is something of a moot point. What the Bible prohibits is sexual immorality. Sexual attraction is not the issue; sexual behavior is.

11 Transgenderism Though God originally created two distinct and complementary sexes (Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4), a distinction evident in the physiological makeup of the human race, one of the effects of the Fall is that some persons experience gender confusion. They perceive their gender to differ psychologically from their gender biologically. This differs from the rare condition of intersexualism or hermaphroditism, conditions in which a person's sex is biologically ambiguous--that is, a person possesses both male and female primary sexual traits. In the case of transgenderism, an individual's sex is biologically clear but psychologically unclear. It is an issue, not of physiology, but of self-perception. Recently, the American medical community has begun providing a range of treatment options for what is technically called "gender dysphoria," including hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery. Many LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender) advocates are seeking to normalize transgenderism, insisting that individuals have a right to define gender according to their self-perception, rather than according to their biological makeup. Furthermore, many public schools are encouraging parents and staff to validate the feelings of those with "gender dysphoria." Nonetheless, any understanding of gender as self-defined or self-determined stands in sharp opposition to the created order and to the Word of God. God, in his wisdom, made humankind "male and female" (Gen. 1:27). That order, and each individual's participation in it, must be valued and affirmed. Gender is an important component of human personhood and cannot be tampered with without individuals suffering untold harm. How gender roles should be understood and appropriately expressed may vary from culture to culture, but gender itself remains rooted in Creation rather than culture. While gender embraces more than mere biology, it cannot be determined apart from it. It is indeed tragic that the Fall has introduced biological anomalies like intersexuality into human experience. It is tragic that some individuals suffer from gender identity confusion. We look longingly for the liberation of creation from its current "bondage to corruption" (Rom. 8:21) and the "redemption of our bodies" (Rom. 8:23). In the meantime, we must show love and compassion to those struggling with gender identity confusion and invite them to share in the hope for wholeness held out in the gospel. While we cannot condone the actions of those who seek to chemically or surgically alter their biologically indicated gender, we must sympathize with the profound "gender dysphoria" that inclines them to do so. Some of those who wrestle with this issue are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must embrace them in the bonds of Christian affection and fellowship, following the example of Jesus, of whom it was said: "A bruised reed he will not break" (Is. 42:3; Matt. 12:20). As believers, we are called to extend to our neighbors love and compassion. We are called to affirm the worth of every person as an image bearer of God. We are called to invite them into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet we also insist that individuals should not seek to alter their biologically indicated gender in order to align it with their gender as self-perceived.

12 Sexuality and Redemption (Present and Future) Disordered sexuality remains a deep and pervasive problem, but God has provided a redemptive remedy in the gospel of Jesus Christ. God created us for wholeness as human beings including sexual wholeness. This wholeness, so tragically distorted by sin, can be restored by God s grace. Our fallen sexuality can be redeemed in Christ. We can be redeemed from the penalty of sin. Jesus bore all of our sins on the cross. Christ died for those with same-sex attraction and gender confusion just as he died for those of us whose lives are sexually broken in other ways (Rom. 3:23). There is no sin, sexual or otherwise, that cannot be forgiven by God for those who trust in Jesus. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) When we are in Christ, sin s penalty is cancelled. We can now also be redeemed from the power of sin. God s moral demands are impossible to meet in our own strength. But Jesus breaks the power of cancelled sin. With the divine aid of God s indwelling Holy Spirit, God s grace enables those who follow Jesus to live lives of moral purity and holy sexuality. This does not mean that grace necessarily eliminates the desire for sexual expressions God has ruled out of bounds. It does not mean, for example, that God will necessarily eliminate a person s same-sex attraction or gender confusion. God has clearly forbidden adultery, and yet the Scriptures and Christian experience make clear that Christians still wrestle with adulterous desires. Temptation to sin remains a characteristic feature of the Christian life. But while temptation may be inevitable, succumbing to temptation is not (1 Cor. 10:13). God provides us freedom from sin s enslavement (Rom. 6:6). But, as followers of Christ, in order to experience this freedom, we must continue to resist the dangerous undertow of our sinful nature (Gal. 5:17, Col. 3:5). We are enabled to resist the power of sin, sexual and otherwise, as we walk in the Spirit sustained by God's strength (Gal. 5:16, Php. 4:13). Those in Christ will ultimately be redeemed from the presence of sin. While we can, by God s grace, progressively overcome the power of sin during this life, we will not attain complete perfection until our bodies are fully redeemed and glorified (Rom. 8:23). Then we will forever dwell, sin-free, in the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21:1-5). While gender distinctions will remain in eternity we will still be male or female human sexual expression was designed by God only for the current created order, where it serves as a symbol of the spiritual intimacy between Jesus and his bride, the Church (Eph. 5:31-32). Once Jesus has been fully united with his bride, marriage and sexual expression, as we now know them, will be replaced with the higher pleasures and the perfect intimacy of the new creation (Matt. 22:23-33).

13 Human Sexuality: Core Affirmations Therefore, the Missionary Church, in faithfulness to the Scriptures, and in concert with historic Christian orthodoxy, affirms the following truths: We affirm that God's intention for sex is that it adorn the institution of marriage--a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. We affirm that sex is a divine gift, given to seal the marriage covenant, and intended both for pleasure (Pr. 5:18-19) and for procreation (Gen. 1:28). We affirm that sex is part of the current order of creation, where it serves as a symbol of that glorious spiritual intimacy by which it will be subsumed in the new creation (Matt. 22:23-33). We affirm that God intends heterosexual marriage to serve as a living symbol of the relationship between Jesus and his bride, the Church (Eph. 5:31-32). We affirm that God declares all sex outside the boundaries of marriage--whether pre-marital or extramarital, whether heterosexual or homosexual--as sin. We affirm that sexual disorder is a universal human problem and that all sexual disorder lies under the judgment of God. We affirm that God calls all Christians, whatever the nature of their sexual attraction, to "holy sexuality." 1 We affirm that homosexuality is contrary to God's original design for human flourishing and that homosexual behavior is clearly forbidden in the Scriptures. We affirm that homosexual marriage, even though it may be sanctioned by the State, remains forbidden by God. We affirm that gender is a divine gift, essential to both our humanity and personal identity. We affirm that God s design was the creation of two distinct and complementary sexes, male and female, a distinction evident in physiological makeup of the human race. We affirm that gender identity is biologically (physiologically) determined, rather than being dependent on self-perception. We affirm that sexual sin--in whatever form it manifests itself--cannot efface the image of God. All human beings--whatever the precise nature of their sin--remain worthy of our compassion and respect, just as they remain the object of the lovingkindness of God (Rom. 5:8). We affirm that God calls us to love sinners, even as we grieve for their sin. We affirm that we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23), in need of the redeeming and restorative grace of God. We affirm our confidence in the saving power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16) and the life transforming power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). God intends grace, rather than sin, to have the last word in the lives of his children. "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57). Note: The current position paper provides a brief overview of biblical teaching on human sexuality. For additional resources, along with specific recommendations and guidelines, refer to "Ministry Leadership Council Policies" on the denominational website at mcusa.org. 1 The phrase is Christopher Yuan's from Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God, A Broken Mother's Search for Hope.

14 BALLOT FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2015 WITHOUT THE ELECTION OF A VICE PRESIDENT There is a constitutional proposal for the addition of a vice president to the officers of the Missionary Church. If the proposal is approved, there will be an election of a vice president. Vote for one (1) for a 4-year term: DENOMINATIONAL SECRETARY Rev. Tim Valentino (Eastern) GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL ORDAINED MINISTERS Vote for two (2): Rev. Rodney Arnold (Ignite) Dr. Kent Eby (North Central) Rev. Edwin Colon (Eastern) Rev. Sam Gallucci (Western) Vote for three (3): GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL LAYPERSONS Dan Bridges (North Central) Dr. Steve Cramer (North Central) Brian Habegger (Central) Nicky Nuñez (Central) NOMINATING COMMITTEE Vote for three (3) to be elected The two individuals receiving the most votes will be elected for six (6) year terms. The person receiving the third highest number of votes will be elected to complete two (2) years of an unexpired term. Terry Bley (North Central) Jose Mendez (Mid-South) Edwin Colon (Eastern) Joe Wenger (North Central) Tim Johnson (Central) Phil Whetstone (Michigan) CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE Vote for four (4) to be elected The three individuals receiving the most votes will be elected for six (6) year terms. The individual receiving the fourth highest number of votes will be elected to complete two (2) years of an unexpired term. Gary Aupperle (Central) Bob Ransom (Central) Steve Bagdanov (Western) Tim Valentino (Eastern) Dennis Engbrecht (North Central) Matt Woodburn (Michigan) Jason Nicholls (North Central)

15 BALLOT FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2015 WITH THE ELECTION OF A VICE PRESIDENT Vote for one (1) for a 4-year term: DENOMINATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Rev. Chris Knight (North Central) Rev. José Mendez (Mid-South) Vote for one (1) for a 4-year term: DENOMINATIONAL SECRETARY Rev. Tim Valentino (Eastern) GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL ORDAINED MINISTERS Vote for two (2): Rev. Rodney Arnold (Ignite) Dr. Kent Eby (North Central) Rev. Edwin Colon (Eastern) Rev. Sam Gallucci (Western) Vote for three (3): GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL LAYPERSONS Dan Bridges (North Central) Dr. Steve Cramer (North Central) Brian Habegger (Central) Nicky Nuñez (Central) NOMINATING COMMITTEE Vote for three (3) to be elected The two individuals receiving the most votes will be elected for six (6) year terms. The person receiving the third highest number of votes will be elected to complete two (2) years of an unexpired term. Terry Bley (North Central) Jose Mendez (Mid-South) Edwin Colon (Eastern) Joe Wenger (North Central) Tim Johnson (Central) Phil Whetstone (Michigan) CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE Vote for four (4) to be elected The three individuals receiving the most votes will be elected for six (6) year terms. The individual receiving the fourth highest number of votes will be elected to complete two (2) years of an unexpired term. Gary Aupperle (Central) Bob Ransom (Central) Steve Bagdanov (Western) Tim Valentino (Eastern) Dennis Engbrecht (North Central) Matt Woodburn (Michigan) Jason Nicholls (North Central) *In the event the vice presidential election creates a vacancy on the General Oversight Council, the individual with the second highest number of votes will be elected to serve the two remaining years of the term.

16 BIOS FOR BALLOT NOMINEES NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2015 CANDIDATES FOR DENOMINATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT CHRIS KNIGHT Chris is a third generation Missionary Church pastor whose passion is to assist people in committing their lives to Jesus Christ and helping them to mature in their personal relationship with Him. Chris has led in a variety of capacities in his 19 years of full-time ministry. He has served in associate pastor roles in Flint, Michigan (Faith) and Fremont, Indiana (Zion). Chris has been a senior pastor in Sturgis, Michigan (Sturgis) and served a term as the North Central District Superintendent. He is currently a member of the Missionary Church General Oversight Council, the chairman of the Hubbard Hill Estates board and is an associate pastor at the Nappanee Missionary Church where he oversees adult discipleship and is a part of the teaching team. Chris has been married to Shana (Miller) for 20 years. They have a son, Corbin (14) and a daughter, Brenin (12). JOSE MENDEZ Jose is the Cultural Ministries Director of the Missionary Church. His ministerial emphasis is with the growing Hispanic community of the Missionary Church. As director of the Houston District, he has extended its ministry to the flourishing Hispanic groups in El Valle TX, El Paso, Dallas, and Louisiana. He leads the Spanish PLI. Using this platform he opened the School of Prayer (an intensive one-year program teaching concepts of prayer and its practice). CANDIDATE FOR DENOMINATIONAL SECRETARY TIM VALENTINO Tim has been part of the Missionary Church since For the past 23 years, he has served as the senior pastor of Fleetwood Bible Church in Fleetwood, PA. He also serves as the M.Div. Program Director at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, PA, as well as an Affiliate Professor of Pastoral Ministries, and an Adjunct Lecturer in Old Testament. He currently serves as the secretary of the Missionary Church Constitution Committee, and Secretary of the General Oversight Council. He also serves as the Eastern Regional Administrator. Tim earned a bachelor s degree from West Virginia University, a master s degree from Evangelical Seminary, and a doctoral degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has authored numerous articles for scholarly journals and popular Christian publications. Once an NCAA Division 1 swimmer, Tim now just floats and blows bubbles. He has been married to Sonya for 27 years. They have two children Andrew (25) and Bethany (23). CANDIDATES FOR GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL ORDAINED MINISTERS RODNEY ARNOLD Rodney is the founding pastor of OneLife Church in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in communications and moved on to receive his master s in church planting from Liberty Theological Seminary. OneLife Church has grown from 12 people in his living room in 2009 to two Knoxville campuses, and has helped to launch three autonomous church plants. OneLife s passion for church multiplication has led Rodney to be a coach and speaker for Leadership Network s Multisite Innovation Lab, Missionary Church s Ignite Church Network, and the Church Multiplication Training Center s Generate Training Intensives. Rodney has a passion for church plants & church planters desires to see a discipleship movement that is so great that only God could get the credit for it. EDWIN COLON Edwin Colón is the senior pastor of Iglesia Primera de Corintios 13 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. As the Regional Pastor for the Eastern Region, Rev. Colón provides care and counsel for pastors and leaders and assists with churches in crisis. For many years, he has been an executive board member, assistant sistrict superintendent, and worked as a corporate chaplain for a large company. He moved from Puerto Rico to the U.S. in His family includes his wife Carmen, three children,josue,caleb and Keila,who have been church planters with the Missionary Church.

17 KENT EBY Kent serves at Bethel College as Assistant Professor of Mission and Director of the Intercultural Studies program. He also serves as chair of the MCNCD Prairie Camp Board and as an active member on the LCC International University board in Klaipeda Lithuania. Prior to Bethel College, his family served for 13 years with World Partners in Russia. He earned a BBA from James Madison University, his MMin from Bethel College and his PhD from Trinity International University. Kent is married to Linda and they have one son, Everett. They are members of Benneman Memorial Missionary Church. SAM GALLUCCI Sam is engaged in his second career that begin in He currently serves as the senior pastor of The Harbor, a Missionary Church located in Ventura California. He successfully re-launched the church in He has led the efforts to develop a new model for reaching the homeless population in Ventura County and has launched a new project called The Kingdom Center, a transitional living center. He is leading an effort to bring 30 churches together to fund and resource the center in a new model of unity. He has learned the business of the church running the largest ministry area of Calvary Community Church and has applied several business principles and ministry principles together. He built up a depleted team and led the effort to find and implement a whole new direction of visual media and stage integration into the services to reach the un-churched. Attendance has grown from 2500 a weekend to over 4200 in two years. He is a published Author and featured speaker in the area of business travel and faith. His recent book Road Warrior was published by Random House in CANDIDATES FOR GENERAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL LAYPERSONS DAN BRIDGES Dan has served as treasurer for Missionary Church, Inc. since He is married to Renee, who is an RN at IU Health- Goshen Hospital, and they have two daughters. Dan taught in the public school system for 8 years, served as a church consultant with Church Growth Services, and most recently, works as the assistant superintendent in the North Central District of the Missionary Church. He has a B.A. in Biology from Goshen College and a Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) degree from the University of Notre Dame. Dan serves on multiple North Central District boards and committees and is a deacon at California Road Missionary Church in Elkhart. STEVE CRAMER Dr. Cramer has been a member of the Missionary Church for 43 years and currently attends the St. Mark Missionary Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. During that time he has served the denomination in a number of board and committee capacities including 3 local church boards, United Missionary Loans and Investments, North Central District Youth Ministry Committee, Missionary Church Investment Foundation, Missionary Church Governing Board and most recently as Moderator of the General Oversight Council. Dr. Cramer was the president of Bethel College from 2004 to 2013 when he retired. He has been married to his wife Terri for 43 years. They have 3 adult children who are married and (along with their spouses and the Cramers 5 grandchildren) also attend Missionary Churches. BRIAN HABEGGER Brian and his wife Denise attend First Missionary Church in Berne, IN. He graduated from Bethel College in 1979 with a degree in business management and has taken that degree along with other business experience back to Berne to join his family s Ace Hardware and Lumber Yard that serves the Berne and surrounding areas. At First Missionary, he has served on and chaired the church board for several terms and is currently serving as a deacon in the church as well as being an active participant in the Worship Arts ministry. Brian currently serves as a lay member of the Missionary Church Central Region Executive Board. Brian and Denise enjoy camping and traveling together. They also enjoy pouring energy and love into their two granddaughters! NICKY NUNEZ Nicky was born and raised in Chicago IL giving his life to the LORD at the age of 10. After ups and downs, he recommitted his life at the age of 20. At that same age, he was married (Yamilette) and had a daughter- Tatiana. His son, David, was born 4 years later. He was at Iglesia Evangélica Misionera (IEM) from He was a teacher, deacon, group leader, and elder during his time there. He is currently at Ciudad de Adoración. He has had the privilege of being a member of the DEB/REB of the Central Region Missionary Church over the last 4 years. He has been employed as a deputy sheriff for the last 17 years.

18 CANDIDATES FOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE TERRY BLEY Terry has a ministry passion for all age groups which is reflected in his 23 year tenure with Nappanee Missionary Church. After 13 years as NMC s Student Ministry Pastor, he transitioned away from working directly with Middle School and High School students into a role that coaches staff who provide oversight to children, youth, and adult programming. In addition, Terry oversees the on-campus video venue services known as Connection, summer internships, and adult community formation. Terry and his wife Kelly have four children...savannah (21), Mikayla (18), Dawson (15), Olivia (12). EDWIN COLON (see bio with General Oversight Council) TIM JOHNSON Tim serves as regional pastor for the Central Region of the Missionary Church. Much of this role involves his mentoring and encouraging pastors, a longtime passion of his. He and his wife Jeannie served for 25 years with TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) as missionaries in Tokyo, Japan where they served in the arenas of international church ministry, missionary children s education, and missionary member care. They have two children - Julie a first grade teacher at the school for missionaries children in Tokyo and Jared a recent graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University. JOSE MENDEZ (see bio with Denominational Vice President) JOE WENGER Joe has been a lifelong member of the Missionary Church. He came to faith in Christ as a child and desired, for as long as he can remember, to be a pastor. He graduated from Fort Wayne Bible College in 1971 with a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministries, and from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1975 with a Master of Divinity Degree. He has served four Missionary Churches and has served as the district superintendent of the East Central District. In May 2013, he was elected to be the superintendent of the North Central District. He has been married to his wife, Dianna, for 43 years. He has three children- -Jennifer, Matthew, and Benjamin, and 8 grandchildren Joshua, Megan, Caleb, Marissa, Aiden, Ethan, Olivia, and Eliana. PHIL WHETSTONE Phil has been a pastor with the Missionary Church since 1989 pastoring 3 Missionary Churches as well as serving on numerous district and national boards and committees. He has been the senior pastor of Colonial Woods Missionary Church in Port Huron, Michigan since He has been married to Tammy since 1987, and together they have 3 children. CANDIDATES FOR CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE GARY AUPPERLE Gary has been serving as the senior pastor of Hope Missionary Church since Previously, he ministered at Colonial Woods Missionary Church in Port Huron, Michigan; and before that at Avalon Missionary Church in Ft. Wayne. Gary holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fort Wayne Bible College, and a Master s of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Gary has also served as an adjunct professor at Taylor University Fort Wayne, where he taught a Variety in Preaching course. He and his wife Kay were married in They have three grown children and 7 incredibly cute and unbelievably smart grandchildren! Gary enjoys jogging and of course Detroit Tiger Baseball! STEVE BAGDANOV Steve is the pastor of Olive Grove Church formerly known as Nuevo Community Church in the Western Region. Prior to that he was the pastor of Canyon Hills Evangelical Free Church in Anaheim Hills, CA. He is a graduate of Westmont College (BA in Religious Studies/Philosophy, 1981), attended seminary at Westminster Seminary in CA (Fall 1982) and graduated from Talbot Theological Seminary and School of Theology (Master of Divinity, 1985). He is married (Kelly, 1981) with four grown sons. Steve has served on the Credentials Committee since 1995, has been a member of the Church Multiplication Committee and the Hispanic Ministries Committee. He started and is an instructor for the Western Region Pastoral Institute. He was recently appointed director of the Inland Empire Mission District. DENNIS ENGBRECHT Dennis has been married to Karla for 41 years. They have 3 adult children and are members of Nappanee Missionary Church. He has served in various ministry capacities over his 43 years including Professor of History at Bethel College and Senior VP/ VP for Student Development He is beginning his 30th year at Bethel College. Dennis is a frequent speaker in local churches, camp meetings, and public gatherings and served as denominational director of youth ministries for 8 years. He has also served on the MLC for 4 years and on the Constitutional Committee for 14 years, 8 of which as chairman.

19 JASON NICHOLLS Jason serves as pastor at Redeemer Missionary Church in South Bend, IN, where he has ministered for over 12 years. He has worked on a variety of teams and committees for the North Central District, and currently serves on the Governance Board (as secretary) and the Committee on Credentials. Jason s theological training includes a B.A. from Vennard College (Bible and Pastoral Ministry), an M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Christian Thought), and a Ph.D. from Marquette University (Religious Studies). Jason has presented papers at a number of conferences and published several reviews and a journal essay in the areas of systematic and historical theology. Recently, Jason was a Cohort member with the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program (funded by the Lilly Endowment), and is currently a Fellow with the Center for Pastor Theologians (based out of Chicago, IL). BOB RANSOM Bob has been married to Donna for nearly 43 years. They have two children and six grandchildren. Bob has served in the Missionary Church for 40 years and has served in the national office for more than 25 years. He is the US Ministries Director and focuses much of his ministry on multiplying disciples, churches, leaders and networks. He has served with the constitution committee for 38 years TIM VALENTINO (see bio with denominational secretary) MATT WOODBURN Matt is the planter and lead pastor of VOX Church in Chesterfield, Mi. VOX Church has grown quickly in the past 5 years under the mission to overcome religion through Christ-centered relationships resulting in changed lives. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries and Masters of Ministries from Bethel College. Matt, his wife Katie, his daughter Noelle, and son Roman live in New Baltimore, Mi.