General Board Challenged to Rethink Church
July 6, 2009
The 114th session of The Wesleyan Church General Board was characterized by a reflection on its rich heritage and an excitement about its promising future. Board of General Superintendents Chair, Dr. Jerry G. Pence, said following the May 5-6 meetings. "From personal testimonies of healing to accounts of dramatic church growth, from stories of baptisms to stirring examples of Christ-followers of all ages who are on the frontlines of Kingdom ministry, the Board rejoiced over evidence of lives being transformed by God's grace through Wesleyan ministries." A live video feed from Dr. Benji Kelley, senior pastor of NewHope Church in Durham, North Carolina, which has doubled in size since moving to its new facility, was typical of the reports.
The first session included a personal testimony by board member Rev. Patty Bray, followed by the State of the Church address by General Superintendent
Pence on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents: www.wesleyan.org/bgs. He called on the Church to ask itself three questions:
- Who are we?
- Where are we headed?
- How are we going to get there?
He also challenged the General Board to rethink the purpose and direction of The Wesleyan Church.
Afternoon sessions of the General Board included the meetings of the Church's Priority Functions Task Forces:
- Core Theology and Value
- Vision Alignment and Accountability
- Leadership and Ministerial Development
- Healthy Churches
- Internationalization
In other business, the General Board received reports from:
- General Treasurer
- Wesleyan Investment Foundation
- Wesleyan Publishing House
- Communications/General Secretary
- Education and the Ministry
- Evangelism and Church Growth
- Global Partners
- Spiritual Formation
- Wesleyan Pension Fund
- Wesleyan Women
- Wesleyan Medical Fellowship
- Hephzibah Ministries
Honored Dr. David S. Medders, who is resigning after 19 years as president of Bethany Bible College in New Brunswick, Canada.
Adopted the 2010 fiscal year budget (that is 7.4% less than the 2009 fiscal year budget and includes a wage and salary freeze for The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters employees).
Approved a restatement of the Articles of Incorporation.
Approved an Investment Committee Policy update.
Approved Rev. C.K. Chitty as new CEO/General Director for Hephzibah Ministries.
Elected members of a Faith and Public Life Think Tank:
- General Superintendent Jo Anne Lyon, Chair
- Charles Massey, professor of urban ministries, Houghton College
- Peter Gillotte, recent seminary graduate with concentration in social justice, in transition for urban ministry, and member of Spring Lake Wesleyan Church in West Michigan District
- Anthony Graham, pastor, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Jon Wiest, church planter,
The Colony, TX
- Mike Fullingim, professor of global ministries, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Mindy Dunn, social worker, Indianapolis
- Chris Accornero, chair of religion department, Southern Wesleyan University, Urban Specialist
Elected college and university trustees:
- Rev. Robert MacCallum, Bethany Bible College (alumni representative)
- Mr. John Lee and Mr. John M. Lyon, Houghton College (representative-at-large)
- Dr. Steven DeNeff, Indiana Wesleyan University (General Board nomination), Mr. Donald Thomason, IWU (representative-at-large)
- Mr. John Powell, Southern Wesleyan University (district representative nomination), Mr. D. Ken Whitener (representative-at-large)
In a meeting with world headquarters employees following the Wednesday conclusion of General Board business sessions, General Superintendent Pence highlighted Board action and then reminded them that they are a "mission force that is spreading hope and holiness that transforms Christians, communities and cultures." •
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