BETHEL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION - GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS MEETING
Bethel Community Church, Southport, IN
January 27, 2018
Those present: Chairman Rev Don Horath, Vice Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye; Rev Joe Greene, Rev Josh Long, Rev Don Matthews, Rev Tom Sullivan.

After a good season of praise and worship and a message from Rev Josh Long, Chairman Don Horath called the meeting to order leading in prayer. Chairman Horath expressed his appreciation to Rev Williams and Dan Matthews for hosting us for these two days. Secretary David Matthews was asked to read the membership meeting minutes from the October 4 Annual Business Meeting at Rough River State Park, KY. All members had previously read and reviewed the written minutes. Rev Sullivan moved that the minutes be accepted as written without reading. Seconded by Rev Frye, there being no further questions, all approved the minutes.

Treasurer Rev Phil Frye was asked to review the financial report for 2017. The balance at the start of the year was $1,474. Total income for the year was $51, 794 and expenses were $51,597 leaving a balance of $1671. $7372 was spent during Junior Conference and $14,087 was spent during Senior Youth Conference. Rev Owens moved that the report be accepted. Rev Long seconded the motion and all approved.

Foreign Missions Secretary Joe Greene presented the Missions report for the year. He reported that giving to missions for the year was $45,672, up from last year’s giving of $43,550. The balance of funds waiting to be distributed is $14,063. Rev Frye moved that the missions report be accepted. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Matthews briefed all board members on updates to the BMA website and its new secure section that includes updated rosters and other administrative items. He shared with all members the existing user name and password needed to access this portion of the website. This information will not be included in these minutes due to security, but can be obtained by calling or email to Rev Matthews who will provide it to all members. Rev Matthews also reviewed the current status of members who have paid their annual dues. Several others submitted their dues during the two meetings. He also submitted the report from Bethel Publishing House. He reported that the balance of accounts at the end of the year was $257. He noted that a check for $250 will be sent to Rev Frye for Bethel Youth Conferences as profit from 2017. Everyone was encouraged to use BPH to purchase their Sunday School literature. Rev Greene moved that the report be accepted. Rev Long seconded the motion and all approved.

Chairman Horath announced that First Baptist Church of Summitville, IN and member pastor Rev Alex Beane will be hosting the BMA Spring Conference April 9-11. The theme will be “Ignite the Spark of Generosity”. He discussed some of the details of the upcoming conference and stated that Rev Beane would give further details at Saturday’s Membership Meeting. He also opened the floor to possible invitations for the October General Business meeting.

No further business coming before the membership, Rev Frye moved that we adjourn until Saturday morning’s Conference planning session. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Saturday Morning Youth Conferences Planning Meeting

Also attending the Saturday morning planning session was Rev Alex Beane. Rev Owens who was asked to pray to begin the meeting. Chairman Horath called the meeting to order by asking Treasurer Phil Frye to address the camp budgets for 2018. He pointed out that the average cost per camper for Junior Conference last year was $80, campers were charged $135, adult workers and counselors were charged $67.50, total cost for Junior Conference was $7371 with a budget of $7500. Additionally, average cost per camper for Senior Conference was $86, campers were charged $150, workers and counselors were charged $75, and total cost for Senior Conference was $14,000 although the budget was $11,000. With those figures, workers and counselors were actually paying less than the average cost per attendee. He suggested that if not this year, at least by next year we need to consider increasing the cost for workers and counselors to attend. He recommended that we keep the budget for Junior Ranch at $7500 and Senior Ranch at $11,000, with greater emphasis that directors stay within those budgeted amounts. Rev David Matthews moved that we accept those budgets, Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Frye addressed the need for greater income for the association to maintain the Conference property throughout the year, stating that membership fees and camp registrations have not been enough to offset costs, especially for repairs and maintenance. He recommended that our local churches consider donating monthly offerings toward this need. Rev Horath suggested that our churches consider $75 per month directed toward Bethel Conference Center as a home missions project. Rev Long moved that a letter be sent to all member churches as well as other Bethel members, past members and other interested parties that they consider contributing to Bethel Conference Center with a monthly offering of $75 a month, sent to Treasurer Rev Frye for all those needs. Rev Matthews seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Frye addressed the need for greater income for the association to maintain the Conference property throughout the year, stating that membership fees and camp registrations have not been enough to offset costs, especially for repairs and maintenance. He recommended that our local churches consider donating monthly offerings toward this need. Rev Horath suggested that our churches consider $75 per month directed toward Bethel Conference Center as a home missions project. Rev Long moved that a letter be sent to all member churches as well as other Bethel members, past members and other interested parties that they consider contributing to Bethel Conference Center with a monthly offering of $75 a month, sent to Treasurer Rev Frye for all those needs. Rev Matthews seconded the motion and all approved.
ACTION: Chairman Horath will coordinate a letter to be sent to all member churches, other members, past and present and other interested parties associated with the BMA to encourage them to consider adopting a $75 per month home missions donation toward Bethel Youth Conference Center to help with the financial needs of owning, operating and maintaining it.

Rev Frye was asked to address the current needs of Conference Center repairs and maintenance. He stated that the recently damaged roof on the all weather dorm is scheduled to be repaired soon. It will be replaced with a new metal roof which will last significantly longer. He stated that after a tree fell on the current roof, the insurance policy had paid an adjusted claim of $5,100 and an additional $1,000 had been donated toward the repair, but this was still short of the total cost of replacement. He also stated that work would be completed before Junior Conference to install a window air conditioning unit in the nurse’s quarters to make her work there during conference more acceptable and to add privacy when she needed to see campers in need. Also, there is a requirement for one portable latrine to be rented during conferences this year to be placed at the lake to be used during lake activities (fishing, boating, Blob, etc.). This will cost $75 per conference.

Rev Horath stated that Rev Don Matthews had purchased several “Emergency Flashlights” and that he would give one to everyone who donated $100 toward repair of the roof of the all weather dorm. Everyone interested should contact him for details.

This would normally be the time when directors at both conferences would brief all members on plans, activities and costs of their respective conference programs. Neither director could attend the meeting. Therefore, as much detail as was known about each program was discussed, but it was decided that detailed discussion and planning would be deferred to the conference in April. Rev Frye moved as such, Rev Greene seconded and all approved.
Action: Junior and Senior Youth Conference directors will submit their plans and budgets for respective conferences at the April BMA Spring Conference.

Rev Alex Beane, member pastor of First Baptist Church of Summitville, IN briefed the membership on plans for the Spring BMA Conference, April 9-11. The theme will be “Ignite the Spark of Generosity”. He discussed some of the details of the upcoming conference, volunteers were assigned to teach class sessions as well as minister each evening, and deails about housing and activities were shared. A brochure will be issued with all these details. The King’s Four Gospel Band (www.kingsfour.org) will lead praise and worship and Tuesday afternoon attendees will tour the nearby Gaither Family Resource Center. Rev Beane will need to have a firm number of all those who want to participate in the Gaither Tour one month before the Conference. Membership and board meetings will be conducted Wednesday afternoon of the Conference.
ACTION: Rev Frye will coordinate the list of those going on the Gaither Family Resource Center tour with Rev Beane by March 5.

Rev Horath led a discussion of possible locations and dates for the Fall BMA Conference. Several stated that having a target date for the conference would help for planning with employers and churches to make attendance more likely. So, a target date for the Fall Conference was agreed for October 8-10. Everyone understood that this was contingent on coordination with the host pastor and congregation. Several offers of locations and churches in Texas had been volunteered. It was generally agreed to ask Rev Smith, pastor of Crosby Church, if he would agree to host the conference. More information will be available in the April Conference.
ACTION: Rev Horath will coordinate request to hold the Fall BMA Conference at Crosby Church, Crosby, TX with a possible date of October 8-10.

Chairman Horath announced the BMA officers and board members for 2018 as Chairman Rev Don Horath, Vice Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye, Board Members Rev Joe Greene, Rev Jose Rodriguez, Rev Keenan Smith, Rev John Wongler and Rev Josh Long. Provisional Board Members are Rev Jerry Van Ronk and Rev Brad Kemp. Emeritus Board Members are Rev Buddy Holder, Rev Don Matthews, Rev Oscar Owens and Rev James Wilson.

Rev Joe Greene moved that we adjourn the meeting. Rev Phil Frye seconded the motion and all approved. The membership meeting was concluded.

Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews