ABC-USA June 2008
General Board Report
Complete Version Of This Report Downloadable & Printable
Northwest Election District Representative from the American Baptist Churches of
Rev. Dr. Charles R. Case
Telephone (814)-825-3198
E-Mail REVDRCRC@AOL.COM
Dear Friends in Christ,
I was asked by our ABCOPAD Region Representatives to the General Board, to write a report germane to the meetings which were held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in
Three meetings that took place before the beginning of the GB meetings were; the International Ministries Investment and Finance Committee, which I am on, and the Credentials and Caucus Committee, which I chair, and also the World Relief Committee, of which Frank Vucic is a part.
International Investment and Finance Committee – In spite of the roller coaster ride of the stock market, our brokerage firms reported that we had an increase in the IM investment portfolio. However, the increase was not sufficient to balance our budget. Therefore, after much discussion, we were forced to increase the draw from our investment income for the coming year. I noted for the committee, that not only are we feeling the continued decrease in UM giving, but also the result of the changed distribution formula of ABCUSA of the UM dollars, giving a larger percentage to the regions, which ultimately cut back the percentage going to International Ministries, National Ministries, and the Office of the General Secretary. Our brokerage firm related some possible good news, “by the end of the year, we should see an upturn in our economy”.
The Credentials and Caucus Committee, met for an extended length of time. On the credentials side of our work, we dealt with the report of the changed relationships of local churches. This takes into consideration churches received into membership by regions, those withdrawn from regions, those that have disbanded or ceased to exist, and those that have merged. The total count of congregations as of
The World Relief Committee deals with establishing policy with respect to the distribution of funds received from the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, including the funding of the World Relief Officer subject to budgetary provisions voted by the GB Executive Committee; determining the allocations to be sent to cooperative bodies such as Church World Service and the Baptist World Alliance; delegating to National Program Boards and to Regional Boards, the administration of funds within the policies adopted by the Committee; and performing such other functions as the GB, the Executive Committee, the Revised Bylaws, or the Standing Rules may from time to time specify.
The General Board
Mary Armacost Hulst, President
Frank Christine, Jr., Vice President
“American Baptists Serving as the Hands and Feet of Christ”
Scripture Focus: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Focus Statement: American Baptist Churches are Healthy Missional Churches that Nurture Devoted Disciples of Jesus Christ who Live their Lives in
In preparation for our work together, the Rev. Dr. Dennis L. Johnson, a pastor from
At
In Christ,
Charles R. Case
Regionally Elected
Charles Case(NW) Frank Vucic (SW) Eleanor Siegrist (CTR)
revdrcrc@aol.com pastorfv@alltel.net siegrise@pennswoods.net sharonstradling@joimail.com
Nationally Nominated
Tim April
Our Executive Minister
Rev. Frank Frischkorn
ABCOPAD Office
-7-
American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware
106 Revere Lane, Coatesville, PA 19320