BETHEL MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION - BOARD MEETING
Spring Mill State Park, Mitchell, IN
October 7, 2020


Those present: Chairman Rev Steve Owens, Vice Chairman Rev John Wongler, Treasurer Rev Phil Frye, Secretary Rev David Matthews, Rev Don Horath, Rev Joe Greene.

Chairman Owens called the meeting to order and Rev Wongler led in prayer. Chairman Owens expressed his appreciation to Rev Matthews for his coordination, planning and leadership in this annual BMA Conference. He felt it had been a great time of fellowship and refreshing.

Secretary Matthews was asked to read the minutes from the June 25 Board Meeting on Zoom. After summarizing what had been discussed in the previous three board meetings since the Corona Virus had caused us to meet only on Zoom, and since everyone had previously read the minutes from those meetings, Rev Frye moved that the minutes be accepted as written. Rev Greene seconded the motion and all approved.

Treasurer Frye was asked to review the financial report for 2020. The balance at the start of the year was $27,690. Noted expenditures included $18,147 spent on re-roofing the All Weather Dorm and installing a new HVAC system and $8891 for utilities throughout the year, notably without having held either of our youth camp programs. The bank balance at the end of the quarter was $3817. Rev Frye warned of two insurance bills coming due at the beginning of next year. He also noted two major contributions from two of our churches through the summer but again, pleaded that each of our churches consider including the BMA in their budgets and giving. Rev Greene moved that the report be accepted, Rev Wongler seconded the motion and all approved.

Foreign Missions Secretary Rev Joe Greene was called upon to present the Missions report. He reported that giving to missions through this quarter was $22,850, which was $610 more than last year. Rev Frye moved that the missions report be accepted. Rev Horath seconded the motion and all approved.

Rev Matthews submitted the report from Bethel Publishing House. He reported that materials purchased from our churches came to $105 while amount submitted to BPH was $120. This resulted in a balance so far this year of $83. Everyone was encouraged to use BPH to purchase their Sunday School literature. Rev Frye moved that the report be accepted, Rev Greene seconded the motion and all approved.

Meeting dates for 2021. Chairman Owens led in a discussion of meeting dates for next year’s conferences. Rev Matthews mentioned that Rev Don Matthews had checked with the pastor of Tallwood Chapel where we have met in January for the last two years and they invited us to use their facilities again. However, because we always tend to be hindered by snowy weather every year and because we already have the Zoom Conference procedure established, it was decided that we would conduct our annual January Planning Meeting via Zoom Conference January 9th at 9am Central Time, 10am Eastern Time. Rev Horath moved that we accept this plan, Rev Frye seconded the motion and all approved.

Chairman Owens asked Rev Wongler to brief the board on plans for the Spring Conference. He stated that the conference would be held at Hatfield Bethel Church, April 12-14, 2021 in combination with commemoration of the church’s 75th anniversary. Rev Wongler will brief the board on further details at the January meeting and coordinate all details for the conference.
ACTION: Rev Wongler will coordinate details for the April Spring BMA Conference and further brief them at the January Planning Meeting.

Chairman Owens asked Rev Horath to brief the board on plans for next year’s Fall/Annual Conference. He stated that the conference would be held at Decatur Hillside Bethel Tabernacle, October 4-6, 2021 in combination with commemoration of the church’s and pastor’s 60th anniversary. He noted that the theme is planned to be “Stay the Course.” Rev Horath will brief the board on further details at the January meeting and coordinate all details for the conference.
ACTION: Rev Horath will coordinate details for the October Fall BMA Conference and further brief them at the January Planning Meeting.

Chairman Owens led the discussion to confirm leadership, anticipated registration costs and dates for our summer Youth Conferences. It was confirmed that Rev Wongler and his wife, Jenny, would lead the Junior Conference, June 21-24. Cost will be planned to remain as last year, $135 for early registration by May 24 and $170 per camper after that date. Rev Smith and Rev Powell will lead Senior Conference, July 12-16. Cost will also be planned to remain as last year, $180 for early registration by June 14 and $200 per camper after that date.
ACTION: Rev Wongler and Rev Smith will brief the board and membership on details for each of their respective conferences at the January Planning Meeting.

Chairman Owens asked Rev Wongler to lead discussion on recent concerns and issues with the caretaker at the Bethel Conference Center, Brother Jeremy Howell. After considerable discussion and expression of concerns, especially about his performance of duties and willingness to pay his contractual portion of utilities, Rev Frye moved that we terminate his contract with us effective at the end of the year and give him notice of our intention to pursue the contract with someone else. Rev Wongler seconded the motion and all approved.
ACTION: Secretary Matthews will prepare a registered letter for his and the Chairman’s signature to be delivered, as per contract wording, to Jeremy Howell this month. Upon delivery, Rev Wongler, his pastor, will visit Jeremy with another member to answer any questions Jeremy may have about the board’s decision and to coordinate his departure.

As it was time to start the annual membership meeting, Rev Greene moved that we adjourn the meeting and continue the board’s business after the membership meeting. Rev Owens seconded the motion and all approved.

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Chairman Owens reconvened the board meeting immediately following the annual membership meeting.

Chairman Owens reminded everyone of the BMA website at www.bmaministries.com and briefed all board members on access to password restricted portions of the site. Everyone was reminded to check the website frequently as updates are always being made.

Chairman Owens noted that the membership had voted in that meeting to continue the board membership of Rev Matthews, Rev Wongler and Rev Smith for another three years on the board. He then advised the board that the position of secretary expires at the end of this year. Rev Frye moved that Rev David Matthews be re-elected to serve in this position for another three year term. Rev Horath seconded the motion and all approved.

Chairman Owens opened up nominations for the chairman position, which is renewed each year. Rev Matthews moved that Rev Wongler be elected chairman and Rev Frye seconded the motion. The vote carried unanimously. Rev Frye then nominated Rev Owens as the Vice Chairman. This was seconded by Rev Wongler and all approved. Everyone joined together in expressing their thanks to Rev Owens for his year of service to the BMA as its chairman. Both Rev Greene and Rev Frye noted that, because of serious needs and considerations in their lives, we would need someone to replace them as Missions Secretary and Treasurer in the very close future as well. Because of these needs and the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of several on the board, we concluded the meeting with fervent prayer for each other.

No further business coming before the board, Rev Greene moved that we adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Rev Horath and all approved.

Submitted by Secretary Rev David Matthews