November 2007

General Conference 2008 to focus on Jesus worshipped in the nations

The 2006 General Conference in Miami will be a hard act to follow, but based on early reports from the 2008 planning team, the upcoming conference promises to be a time to remember as we focus on the goal of “Jesus worshipped in the nations.” Along with selecting the theme for General Conference, Leadership Council has approved a fee schedule for the biennial meeting. Find out more »

Resolve now to begin the New Year with prayer

For almost a decade, the General Church has been encouraging congregations to devote the first week in January to prayer and fasting. And it seems the message is being heard. As the number of congregations resolving to begin the New Year with prayer continues to grow, so does the list of BIC-specific resources available to assist pastors and other congregational leaders in planning their prayer focus. Find more »

A 2 percent correction 

This is the season when church boards and other congregational decision-makers are thinking about their 2008 ministry spending plans, including (we hope) what the congregation anticipates contributing to Cooperative Ministries. We praise God for the amazingly high level of congregational participation in this year’s shared giving program (more than 90 percent of all U.S. congregations have contributed to CM in 2007), but at the same time, we are concerned that too many congregations are lagging behind the suggested 10-12 percent level—a situation that can be reversed in 2008 through the application of 2 percent increases. Read more »

Paying tribute to John Byers

On Tuesday, October 16, the Brethren in Christ Church lost a valued leader when John A. Byers was welcomed into his eternal reward by the One whom he had claimed as Lord and Savior for virtually the whole of his life. A pastor, a bishop, a director of bishops, a bishop, an associate bishop, and back to being a pastor, his more than 40-year ministry spanned our church family from coast to coast and from north to south. Read more »

Announcing the nominee for Atlantic Conference bishop

In early February 2008, delegates to the annual meeting of the Atlantic Conference will have the opportunity to bring to a successful conclusion the search for their next bishop as they vote on nominee Nathan Yoder, senior pastor of Palmyra (Pa.) BIC Church. Nathan has accepted the nomination, believing this opportunity is consistent with his life purpose of “joyfully stewarding the resources, talents, and opportunities that God gives to me so that my life will advance the kingdom of God.” Read more »

Welcoming new pastors and spouses to the BIC Church

In late October, forty-nine leaders who are new to ministry within the Brethren in Christ Church gathered in Grantham, Pa., for the annual New Pastors and Spouses Orientation. Six of our seven regional conferences were represented in that number (with one couple traveling 1,195 miles to attend), and the age of persons in the group ranged from 26 to 62 years old. But despite the geographic and demographic differences among them, all are determined to have maximum impact for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. And that’s good news for the future vitality and effectiveness of the BIC Church. Read more »

A near miss for Evangel Press

On Thursday evening, October 18th, an EF3 category tornado tore through the southeast part of Nappanee, Ind., coming precariously close to Evangel Press. But within mere feet of the Press’s building, the tornado shifted course, and Evangel was spared extensive damage. Other businesses in Nappanee were not as fortunate, however, and in the aftermath of the tornado, Brethren in Christ congregations joined with area churches in the clean-up efforts. Read more »

The benefits of a grateful spirit

Research studies tell us that a daily dose of gratitude helps keep selfishness, materialism, and a host of other spiritual and social problems away. A grateful outlook promotes health, happiness, and social relationships. Grateful people are optimistic and energetic. They deal better with stress and illness. Socially, gratitude builds connections. When parents teach their children to say thank you, they are not only teaching good manners, but also fundamental ways of getting along with other people.

Researchers also point to mental and physical health benefits for those who make a habit of “counting their blessings.” For example:

• People who kept a gratitude journal on a weekly basis, compared to members of a control group, ended up exercising more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole and were more likely to reach their personal goals (whether health-related or academic).
• Young adults who took part in self-guided daily gratitude exercises, as opposed to members of a control group who focused on hassles, reported higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness, energy and were more likely to help someone.
• People who report high rates of gratitude are less likely to judge their success based on their material wealth and success.

Excerpted from “The Meaning of Gratitude” by Douglas Todd in the Vancouver Sun, October 5, 2007

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Don McNiven and Warren Hoffman
General Church Leaders

Contact Information:
Email: bic@messiah.edu
Phone: 717.697.2634
Fax: 717.796.4781

Web: www.bic-church.org

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