October 2010

Reflections

GC 2010 website features expanded coverage

Check out the General Conference 2010 website for:

• Video of the evening speakers
• A report on the last decade of ministry within the Brethren in Christ Church
• Moderator Warren Hoffman's introduction to Transformation 2020
• Conference photos, audio, and a whole lot more!

New Executive Director of Finance announced

In September, Joy Bochniak joined the staff of the General Church as the new executive director of finance. Read more »

New information about the BIC Health Insurance Plan

A number of churches have asked about 2011 health insurance rates. In October, packets will be sent to each church with the new rates and with new options such as a 90% health reimbursement. We are in a season of extreme volatility in terms of health insurance. While rates may vary according to demographic changes in any given congregation, our overall rate increase is competitive with what is happening across the industry in many locations.

In November, Doug Sider, bishop of the Susquehanna Conference, will be traveling to the various Regional Conferences to walk pastors and / or treasurers through the impact of health care reform, to provide an update on the BIC Health Plan, and to answer any questions related to our health insurance program.

Church leadership teams hold first meetings of new biennium

The September meeting of Leadership Council (LC) was divided into two primary segments, one day on vision and a second on finances. The timely addition of Joy Bochniak, the newly appointed Executive Director of Finance, to her first Council meeting was helpful in addressing both short- and long-term financial issues.

Immediately afterward, the General Conference Board (GCB) met for 1 1/2 days. The meeting began with a welcome to new members: Carlos Alfaro, Karl Brummer, Ethan Gruen, Christa Hesselink, Steve Lane, Layne Lebo, and Cathy Musser. Because of this influx of new members, the agenda was constructed to provide orientation and background on issues, projects and tasks that the GCB hopes to address during this biennium. Read more »

BIC World Leaders converge!

On September 10-11, members of the International Brethren in Christ Association's (IBICA) Executive Council met in Madrid, Spain, for their semi-annual meeting. Among the important decisions made at the gathering:

• Kenneth O. Hoke accepted a one-year renewable term as executive director for IBICA, replacing Darrell Winger, who was recently named director of the Canadian Conference of the Brethren in Christ Church in North America;
• A petition for General Conference status from the Brethren in Christ churches in South Africa was approved;
• Fifty-one congregations in Kenya were adopted into the Brethren in Christ church family as a General Conference.

For more information, visit the IBICA website. See pictures from the meeting in this photo gallery »

International pastor/teacher reflects on first year with IBICA

Having completed his first term as international pastor/teacher with the International Brethren in Christ Association, Terry Brensinger looks back at the experience, calling it “one of the most exciting but also challenging years of my life.” Read his reflection »

Call to a day of prayer

Rob Patterson, bishop of the Allegheny Conference and the denomination's point-person for prayer, is calling Brethren in Christ churches across North America to a church-wide day of corporate prayer on Sunday, October 31.

Bishop Rob has identified four areas of urgent concern:

• Lynn and Amy Myers, former BICWM missionaries to Thailand, and their five children, as Lynn continues his battle against Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease).
• Global workers Todd and Shelly M., and family, as they grieve the loss of their 23-month-old son, Elijah.
• Global workers Chad and Beth L., and family, as they walk with their 18-month-old son, Joseph, who was recently diagnosed with liver cancer and has just begun chemotherapy.
• Denominational leaders, as they strive to faithfully lead the Church into its Transformation 2020/Transformación 2020 vision.
• Due to the sensitive nature of their ministry, the full names and locations of these workers cannot be disclosed.

Please take some time on Oct. 31st to gather with your church, small group, Sunday school class, or family to lift up the Brethren in Christ Church in these areas of need.

For additional resources on personal and church-wide prayer, visit the BIC Prayer Center.

planning ahead

Now available to order: Guide to the 2011 BIC Week of Prayer and Fasting

The 2011 BIC Week of Prayer and Fasting (Jan. 2-9) is fast approaching. This year's guide, “Mosaic,” is a weeklong devotional that celebrates how diversity within the BIC Church family enriches our outreach to the world. Written by BIC leaders from across North America, the guide features daily Scripture readings, meditations, and prayers in both English and Spanish.

Last year’s prayer guide sold out quickly, so now is the time to order! Visit the BIC Church website for more information, to order the guide, or to see additional resources for the 2011 Week of Prayer and Fasting.

Diversity vs. demographics in church

In 150 words or less, respond to IN PART magazine's next "To the Point" question:

In our Core Values, we say that we “value an active and loving witness for Christ to all people.” In response, some church families seem to make decisions (about décor, worship music style, ministries, etc.) in order to appeal to a specific demographic (young adults, families, people from particular backgrounds, etc.). But sometimes, these decisions exclude, alienate, or fail to welcome those outside of that demographic. Do you sense this tension between witnessing to all people and tailoring your ministries to meet the needs/tastes of a particular group? If so, how does your congregation navigate this?

Email your contributions to inpart@bic-church.org by Monday, November 1st.

Resources

Catch the vision of Transformation 2020/Transformación 2020

Learn more about Transformation 2020/Transformación 2020, a comprehensive vision for ministry in the Brethren in Christ Church family over the next 10 years. Read the basics of the plan, download a brochure, or watch video explaining the vision.

Money Well-spent

"Imagine What 10% Can Do"

Learn more about BIC Cooperative Ministries and how your congregation can get involved in planting churches, equipping leaders, and sharing the Good News.

BIC WORLD

BIC Foundation releases first funds from new Matching Grant Program for churches doing ministry »

Contact Information:
Email: bic@bic-church.org
Phone: 717.697.2634
Fax: 717.796.4781

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