June 9 2007 -- Report from the State Meeting

The 94th Annual Session of the Missouri State Association of Free Will Baptists convened on June 4-6, 2007 at the Clarion Hotel in Springfield, Missouri. The theme for the convention was “By Faith…” taken from chapter 11 from the book of Hebrews. Speakers for the worship services included Victory’s former pastors, Rev. Glenn Rehkop and Dr. Timothy Eaton. The Christian Education Board hosted a seminar for those in attendance with Dr. H. B. London, vice-president at Focus on the Family ministries in Colorado Springs, CO.

Business began in the Tuesday afternoon session. Delegates heard annual reports from all of our state boards and several national entities. Officers and board members were elected to the state boards. Our pastor was elected to a term expiring in 2012 on the Christian Education Board.

The following two items of business presented from the General Board:

Item 1: We recommend that the subscription price for the GEM magazine be increased to $6.00 per subscription for the church plan and $6.50 per individual subscriptions.

After a motion and second and a question regarding when this would take effect the item passed without opposition. The change will take place after the next billing cycle, and is necessary both to offset the rising costs and to accommodate some upcoming changes including some special editions of the magazine.

Item 2: We want to remind the General Board of their motion (made at our Nov. 2006 meeting) to the State Association regarding the change to By-law #66. The proposed By-law #66 reads:
We believe that Paul’s statement in 1 Tim. 3.2,12 and Titus 1.6, namely “the husband of one wife,” be looked upon as making ineligible as pastors or deacons anyone who has been divorced and remarried, or who marries a divorced woman, regardless of the cause of the divorce or the guilt or innocence of either partner.
We believe that said persons, whose marital status disqualifies them to be pastors or deacons, not be discouraged in their Christian lives or Christian service, but that they be encouraged to live faithfully for Christ and serve Him in the ministry of the local church; and that such be reminded that pastors and deacons are the only church officers for whom the “husband of one wife” prohibition is given.
While certainly it is the ideal for all believers, it is biblically insisted upon as a requirement for deacons and pastors.
While not insisting that this bylaw be made retroactive, we do establish this standard to be upheld for all new candidates for pastors or deacons.

As this recommendation was a proposed constitution and by-law change it was tabled until the next day as the by-laws demand. There was some opposition to bringing the item off the table. Once on the floor for discussion there was some debate regarding the recommended change. Among the voices in opposition to this measure was our pastor. After some debate a vote was called for and the measure passed, although there were several who stood in opposition.

The delegates were also informed of plans to change the format for State Meeting beginning next year. The plan is to hold the state CTS competition at the State Meeting. The meeting will begin with a Youth Service at 6:00 on Sunday evening, followed by CTS competition until Monday afternoon. The Christian Education Board speaker will speak on Monday evening instead of Tuesday morning. The W.A.C. and General Board will meet on Tuesday. The report from the General Board will be given after the Tuesday evening service and the business session will be held on Wednesday.
The convention will conclude with the Wednesday evening service. These changes were coordinated by the Executive Director, WAC, and Youth Ministries Board and were not subject to approval by the delegates. The delegates did approve to hold the annual meeting at the Clarion Hotel in Springfield again in 2008 and 2009.

During the Wednesday evening session, the delegates heard from missionary Micah Derby via video teleconference, and from Eddie Bowerman, missionary to Panama. Rev. Dale Skiles was honored for his years of service as the Director of Missouri State Home Missions. Rev. Frank Webster was introduced as the new Director of Missouri Missions. Bro. Webster is the first director under the new unified mission board. He also brought the message for the evening service.