Annual Conference Update for July 3, 2014

Andy Murray chosen as moderator-elect, delegates begin consideration of the revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity

Church of the Brethren Newsline
July 3, 2014

Photo by Glenn RiegelModerator Nancy Sollenberger Heishman leads the business session at the 2014 Annual Conference

Andy Murray has been chosen as moderator-elect of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, in an election of new denominational leadership. He will serve as moderator-elect for next year’s Annual Conference, and as moderator for the 2016 Conference.
Murray is a member of Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa. He is a retired minister, chaplain, college professor and administrator. He was founding director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Juniata College. His involvements in peace and conflict studies have included service on the United Nations/International Association of University Presidents’ Commission on Arms Control and Disarmament Education, service as director of the International Seminar on Arms Control and Disarmament, service on the UNESCO/IAUP Planning Team “The Role of Higher Education in Promoting a Culture of Peace” roundtable for UNESCO World Conference on High Education, and more.

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However, Murray is best known to Brethren as a singer and songwriter who along with his wife Terry performs songs such as “Sister Anna Beauty Queen” and the National Youth Conference theme song “Goodbye Still Night.” Their album “Summertime Children” recently was re-released.
Other election results
Rhonda Pittman Gingrich of Minneapolis, Minn., was elected to the Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Committee.
Eric Bishop of Pomona, Calif., was chosen as a Bethany Theological Seminary trustee, colleges.

Carla Gillespie of Dayton, Ohio, was elected to the On Earth Peace board.

Dennis Kingery of Centennial, Colo., was elected to the Brethren Benefit Trust board.

David K. Shumate of Roanoke, Va., was elected to the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee.
Later in the Conference business agenda, agency board-elected members will be brought for confirmation by the delegate body.

Photo by Glenn RiegelDelegates gathered around tables to conduct the business of the Annual Conference

In other business
The first full day of business at the 2014 Annual Conference included few surprises but many of the usual treats, including the moving Memorial Tribute presented by Brethren Benefit Trust. The Memorial Tribute remembers denominational leaders--pastors, spouses of pastors, denominational staff, and others--who have died during the past year.
Following a greeting from moderator Nancy Sollenberger Heishman and secretary Jim Beckwith’s recognition of the over 200 volunteers who help support the Annual Conference, new fellowships were introduced by Jonathan Shively, executive director of Congregational Life Ministries (see separate story: “Three new fellowships welcomed into the denomination”).
The first Order of the Day was the presentation and approval of the ballot. Introduction of international guests from India, Nigeria, and Brazil followed.
An hour of Bible study was part of the morning business session, led by Linda Alley. She invited the delegate body into a time of “sacred reading and sacred listening” using Philippians 2:1-11 as the Bible text for study and contemplation in table groups.
The major business of the afternoon was the introduction of the revision to the Ministerial Leadership Polity document. The revisions were presented by associate general secretary Mary Jo Flory-Steury, who leads the Ministry Office, and by Dana Cassell, who also has been working on the document, which has been in process for some seven years.
Additional input to the document has come from the Ministry Advisory Council, the district executives, the Mission and Ministry Board, and through meetings with intercultural ministries leaders in the denomination and leaders in the sector of the church served by the free ministry or plural nonsalaried ministry.
A process of “discovery and discussion” ensued, including a time for table talk and questions of the presenters. Action on the revision was intentionally deferred to the next day to allow for time for discernment.
“Ministry in the Church of the Brethren begins with ministry of all,” Cassell said, explaining foundational understandings of the Ministerial Leadership Polity paper. “Calling is real, important, and belongs to all of us.” The intent of the polity revision, she said, is “to surround ministerial leaders with people from call to ordination.”
-- Frank Ramirez and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford contributed to this report.

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