50th Annual District Conference

May 4, 2018 Nappanee Missionary Church

HANDBOOK

Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc.

3301 Benham Ave. Elkhart, IN 46517

574.293.1332 866.993.7777

Fax: 574.293.1478 www.mcncd.org

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS Section One 2018 District Conference Agenda Section Two 2018 District Conference Ballot .................................................................................................................. 1 Conference Committee Appointments (during Conference) ....................................................................... 7 Committee Appointments (during 2018-19) ................................................................................................ 7 Section Three Report of the District Governance Board .................................................................................................... 9 Report of the District Superintendent ........................................................................................................ 12 Report of the Assistant to the District Superintendent .............................................................................. 15 Report of the Bridge Fund ........................................................................................................................ 16 Report of the Bylaws Committee .............................................................................................................. 17 Report of the Children’s Ministry Director ................................................................................................. 19 Report of the Hispanic Ministries Director ................................................................................................. 20 Report of the Conference Historian .......................................................................................................... 21 Report of the Hubbard Hill Estates Executive Director ............................................................................. 22 Report of the Hubbard Hill Estates Board of Directors .............................................................................. 23 Report of the Memorials Committee ......................................................................................................... 24 Report of the Pastoral Salary and Benefits Committee ............................................................................. 30 Report of the Prairie Camp Board Chairman ............................................................................................ 33 Report of the Prairie Camp Executive Director ......................................................................................... 34 Report of the Student Ministries Director .................................................................................................. 35 Report of the Treasurer ............................................................................................................................ 36

 

Report of the President of United Missionary Loans & Investments ......................................................... 37 Report of the Women’s Ministries Director ............................................................................................... 38 Report of the Women’s Ministries Treasurer ............................................................................................ 39 Section Four Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., Auditors Report .............................................................. 40 United Missionary Loans & Investments Auditors Report ......................................................................... 49 Budget 2018 ............................................................................................................................................. 63 Assessments 2018 ................................................................................................................................... 64 Section Five Bylaws ...................................................................................................................................................... 65 Section Six Attendance Statistical Report ................................................................................................................... 94 Annual Statistical Report ........................................................................................................................ 103 Pastoral Placement for 2018 .................................................................................................................. 104 Non-Missionary Church Roster ............................................................................................................... 105 Note Page ............................................................................................................................................... 106

 

SECTION ONE

AGENDA

 

Missionary Church, North Central District 50th Annual District Conference

May 4, 2018 Nappanee Missionary Church

Nappanee, IN

8:15 a.m. Registration Begins

9:00 a.m. Conference Convenes

Worship

DS Challenge

Prayer

Opening Business

Reports

Elections

MCUSA – Rev. Steve Jones

Bylaws, 1st Reading

Bethel College

11:00 a.m. Break

Election Results

World Partners

Bridge Fund

Bylaws, 2nd Reading

Prairie Camp

Devon Oasis

Generate

Memorials

Closing Business

1:10 p.m. Dismiss for lunch (RSVP required) 2:00-3:00 p.m. Workshop w/ Dr. Terry Linhart, The Self-Aware Leader (book provided, RSVP required)

 

SECTION TWO

BALLOT &

APPOINTMENTS  

 

RATIFICATION BALLOT 2018 District Conference

Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. The District Nominating Committee presents the following nominations in accordance with Article III, rule 8, of our Standing Resolutions:

HUBBARD HILL ESTATES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To be ratified for a three year term - Class of 2021

Names submitted by Hubbard Hill Board of Directors for District Conference ratification. Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Randy Myers Dr. Doyle Yeager Ron Clark Norman Reimer Dr. Deb Gillum Ken Fervida J.R. Rohrer Rev. Phil Jerome Bruce Korenstra Joe Wenger Shirley Marks John Speicher

UNITED MISSIONARY LOANS AND INVESTMENTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Three to be ratified for a three year term - Class of 2021

Names submitted by the UMLI Board of Directors for District Conference ratification.

Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020

Gary Martin Steven Cramer Donna Rohrer David Sjoberg Connie Crum Greg Taylor

Ron Stichter Ron Stump Richard Longcor       

Proposed Class of 2021: Randy Myers Norman Reimer J.R. Rohrer

Proposed Class of 2021:

Gary Martin David Sjoberg Ron Stichter

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PRAIRIE CAMP BOARD Three to be ratified for a two year term

Italicized = Layman

Class of 2019

Josh Fisher Peter Metzger

Bob Rude Kathy Ryman Denny Yoder

                

Proposed Class of 2020:

Gregg Cole

Amber Kreider Martha Penner Richard Witmer

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BALLOT

2018 District Conference Missionary Church, North Central District

The District Nominating Committee presents the following nominations in accordance with Article V, Section 3 of our District Bylaws:

Vice District Superintendent Shall be elected for a term of four years by the District Conference – 2022 Dan Miller ________ Pat Puglisi ________ _______________ ________  

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BALLOT

2018 District Conference Missionary Church, North Central District

  

GOVERNANCE BOARD 

The District Nominating Committee presents the following nominations in accordance with Article VII, Section 2 of our District Bylaws:

(At each annual District Conference two members shall be elected for two year terms, and two members shall be ratified for two year terms. Of the four elected or ratified, at least two must be Lay Persons.) Italicized = Layman (at least two and a maximum of four must be lay persons) Current Officers Class of 2018 Class of 2019

D. S. Joe Wenger (2021) Matt Maloney Chris Beall Vice D.S. John Gregory (2018) Pat Puglisi Joel Greenwood Secretary Jason Nicholls (2019) Dr. Dave Dyck Mike Meyer Treasurer Randy Myers (2020) Edie Sutton Ron Wiseman     

          

Governance Board Proposed Class of 2020 Ratification Ballot Ryan Flemming _________ Eric Hoppstock      ________  

Governance Board Proposed Class of 2020 Nominating Ballot One to be elected - Credentialed Bob Andrews _________ Terry Bley     ________    ____________________  ________ 

Governance Board Proposed Class of 2020 Nominating Ballot One to be elected - Layman Robbie Gingrich _________ Edie Sutton     ________    ____________________  ________  

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INFORMATION CONCERNING 2018 NOMINEES

VICE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT: Rev. Dan Miller: Dan serves as the Lead Pastor at Summit Church in Niles, MI. He has served in

this position for the past 26 years now. Currently, he is a member of the Nominating Committee and is an E-3 Cluster Leader for the district.

Rev. Pat Puglisi: Pat is the Lead Pastor at Plymouth Missionary Church where he has served for

almost 21 years. He is also the Department Chaplain for Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. Pat currently serves on the Governance Board, Bridge Fund Board, and the Finance Team. Previously he served with a discipleship committee.

GOVERNANCE BOARD (RATIFIED) Rev. Ryan Flemming: Ryan is the Lead Pastor at The Revolution Church located in Gary, IN, where he

has pastored for about 13 years. Ryan has served in previous years as a youth pastor, Associate Pastor, and as a World Partners Missionary. Ryan is married and has two children, ages 11 and 13.

Eric Hoppstock: Eric is an Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer of Berrien Regional

Education Service Agency. He is a member of Summit Church. Currently, Eric serves as a Sunday School Teacher and is a member of Team Nehemiah (Building Committee). He has formerly served as a board member, Board Chairman, Finance Committee Member, and Missions Committee Member.

GOVERNANCE BOARD (ELECTED) Robbie Gingrich: Robbie is employed by Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. He is a Reading

Strategies and World Languages Teacher at Grissom Middle School. Robbie is a member of Redeemer Missionary Church, where he serves as Vice Chairman of the Board, as well as a Care Group Leader. Previously, he has served as Secretary of the Board.

Edie Sutton: Edie is employed at Purdue University and works as the Regional Supervisor for the Nutrition Education Program. She is a member of Granger Missionary Church

where she serves as the Church Board Chair. She’s also currently serving as a Ministry Leader for Life Groups. Previously, Edie has served on the Evangelism & Discipleship Team, and has experience as a Children’s Church Coordinator as well.

Rev. Bob Andrews: Bob Andrews directs Devon Oasis Ministry in Chicago. He has lived and

ministered in the same urban community since 1986 and has been part of the Missionary Church since 2008. He served on the NCD Governance Board from

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2013-2017. Bob also teaches as an adjunct professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago. He completed an MDiv from Moody Seminary, an MA in Historical Theology from Loyola, and a PhD in Constructive Theology from Loyola. His wife, Lynne, is a Bethel College graduate. The Andrews have four sons.

Rev. Terry Bley: Terry is an Associate Pastor at Nappanee Missionary Church. He serves in the

area of Leadership and Life Development. Presently, Terry is a member of the Bridge Fund Board for the district. Formerly he has served on the youth committee for the district. Terry is married and has four children, ages 15 -23.

PRAIRIE CAMP BOARD (RATIFIED) Rev. Gregg Cole Gregg is the Lead Pastor at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church. He is currently

serving as a member of the Prairie Camp Board. Amber Kreider: Amber is the Children’s Ministry Director at Redeemer Missionary Church, where

she is also a member. She also works as an Administrative Assistant at Keller Park Church. Currently, she is the District Children’s Director, is on the Prairie Camp Board, and is a member of the Discover Conference Team.

Martha Penner: Martha works as a substitute teacher in the Goshen Community Schools. She is a

member of Nappanee Missionary Church. Martha serves as a Sunday school teacher as well as an Oasis Discussion Leader at Nappanee. Martha is currently on the Prairie Camp Board.

Rev. Richard Witmer: Richard is a retired World Partners Missionary to Brazil and Bulgaria. He has been

involved in a Christian camping ministry for 30 years in the USA, Brazil, and internationally. He is a member of Wakarusa Missionary Church, where he serves as facility director, adult Sunday school teacher, on the Missions Management Team, and is a leader for the high school boys’ small group.

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2018 District Conference Individual or Committee Appointments

(day of conference)

Conference Coordinator: Lisa Burns Floor Coordinator: Andrea Helmuth Parliamentarians: Dale Gadd, Dick Matteson Committee of Registration: Gregg Cole (chairman), Ryan Busse, Matt Kitsos, Chuck Lambdin, Alan Stover, Richard Witmer, Brent Wolfe Committee on Resolutions: Darren Pettifor, Paul Loucks Committee on Tellers: Norm Dial (chairman), David Cramer, Josh Fisher, Gary Hinkle, Gabe Reed, Jason Rhode, Jason Thompson, Jim Wisler Conference Historian: Bernice Pettifor

2018-2019 District Conference Year Committee and Team Appointments (District Conference 2018 to District Conference 2019)

COMMITTEES: Committee on Bylaws and Standing Rules (Appointed by the Governance Board):

Assistant to the District Superintendent, chairman; District Superintendent, Dave Binkley, Gerrod Hampel, Phil Jerome, Jon Ranous

Committee to Certify Accurate Copies of the Journal (Appointed by the Governance Board): LaVerne Blowers, Don Severance Committee on Credentials (Appointed by the Governance Board): District Superintendent, chairman; Jason Dickinson, Joel Gentz, Keith Koteskey, Mike Peters, Earl Smith Committee on Finance (Appointed by the Governance Board – 3 layman and 3 ministers): District Treasurer, chairman; District Superintendent, Assistant to the District Superintendent, Laymen: Ken Fervida, Mark Osborn, Rod Hooley Pastors: Ken Bontreger, Johnny Raber, Bob Renner

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Committee on Memorials (Appointed by the Governance Board): Joel Gentz, Josh Fisher Committee on Nominations (Appointed by the Governance Board): District Superintendent, chairman; Governance Board, Brian Baughman, Ken Chupp Committee on Pastoral Salary and Benefits (Appointed by the Governance Board): Assistant to the District Superintendent, chairman; Matt Kitsos, Kurt Litwiller, Ron Wiseman DIRECTORS (Appointed by the Governance Board): Director of Camping Ministries – Ben Hahn Director of Children’s Ministries – Amber Kreider Director of Hispanic Ministries – Dave Dyck Director of Student Ministries – Brad Thornton TEAMS: Management Team (Appointed by the Governance Board): Assistant to the District Superintendent, chairman; District Superintendent, District Treasurer, Laymen: Ernie Hall, Mark Osborn, Travis Vander Reyden Pastors: Matt Kitsos, Byron Maynard, Earl Smith BRIDGE FUND (Formerly NCMEF): Dan Bridges (ADS, Chairman), Steve Cramer (Director of Development), Joe Wenger (DS),

Terry Bley, Pat Puglisi, Bill Rieth, Brad Thornton, Michelle Marshall (Secretary), Sara Baylis (Bookkeeper)

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SECTION THREE

REPORTS

 

2017 REPORT OF THE NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT GOVERNANCE BOARD The NCD Governance Board serves the churches of the NCD by exercising oversight and handling the business of the District throughout the conference year. This Board ratifies the decisions of all other teams, boards and committees. Between its scheduled meetings, the Executive Committee may work to carry out business on behalf of the Governance Board. This report summarizes and highlights some the most significant business since our last District Conference. As of the writing of this report, the Governance Board has met four times since our 2017 District Conference: June 27, 2017; August 22, 2017; October 24, 2017; and February 27, 2018. The Executive Committee of the Governance Board also met on December 7, 2017. Credentials Awarded Pastor Ryan Busse Licensed (St. Mark) Pastor Josh Brueck Licensed (Sturgis M.C.); hired as Assoc. Pastor Pastor Jacob LaBounty Ordained (Zion Elkhart) Pastor Robby Rasbaugh Licensed (Crystal Valley) Pastor Gabe Reed Licensed (Nappanee) Pastor Brent Wolfe Licensed (Granger) Pastor Thomas Maxwell Specialized license; hired as Sr. Pastor (College Park) Pastor Lindsay Fisher Specialized license; youth ministry (Nappanee) Rev. Joshua Hilty Previous Ordination approved; hired as Assoc. Pastor (Brenneman) Transitions Approved Rev. Dave Blue Approved ministry (pulpit supply) Rev. Brenton Reimer Approved ministry (Mission Team Leader w/Pioneer Ministries Intn’l) Rev. Jeff Truex Approved ministry (pulpit supply) Dr. Dale Gadd Hired as Sr. Pastor (Galien) Rev. Jason Thompson Moved back from Atlanta, serving with NG3 Ministry (Jimtown Schools) Rev. David Ashley Transferred into the NCD (retired) Rev. Donald Snell Transferred into the NCD (retired) Rev. Gregg Cole Transferred from Brenneman to Pleasant Hill (Sr. Pastor) Rev. Harold Knight Transferred from Brenneman to Wakarusa (Pastoral Care) Pastor Ryan Dalrymple Transferred to Central Region Rev. Lance Witham Transferred to Michigan Region (New Faith Chapel) Pastor Glenn Snapp Transferred to Michigan Region (Faith Missionary) Rev. Matt Maloney Transitioned to Sr. Pastor (Brenneman) Rev. Ken Bontreger Retired from Chapel Hill Missionary Church Rev. Chris Garner Resigned at College Park Rev. Justin Lamason Resigned at Nappanee Missionary Church Rev. Bob Loar Retired from Solid Rock Church Rev. Bill Richardson Retired from Brenneman Pastor Linda Hartman Credentials lapsed due to inactivity

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Rev. Jorge Maldonaldo Credentials recalled and filed Rev. Bryon Smith Credentials recalled and filed due to transfer Pastor Cory Weatherton Credentials lapsed due to inactivity Rev. Ryan Yazel Credentials lapsed due to inactivity Significant Action & Discussion Items 2018 District Budget – In consultation with the NCD office staff, the Finance Committee put together a new budget for 2018. This budget was presented, discussed and adopted in our August meeting. Executive Committee – Rev. Patrick Puglisi was appointed member at large for the 2017-18 year. Orientation Manual – In June, DS Wenger presented the manual for the benefit of newer members of the Governance Board. This manual includes a wealth of information relative to the NCD and its makeup, procedures and policies. Local Ministry Grants – These grants continue to be offered to help any of our district churches with outreach ideas. This past year, grants were awarded to Bremen, St. Mark, New Hope (Valpo), and New Paris. Thrive Tour – Since our last District Conference, stops have included a seminar with Terry Smith at Cedar Road (October), as well as visits to St. Mark (November), Mill Creek (February) and Summit Church (April). Estate Planning – ADS Bridges shared tabulated results from the initial three workshops (California Road, Gospel Center and Redeemer). Of the participants, 29 wills were created, representing 57% of the attendees. $4,500 in rebates was paid out from the sponsoring organizations, of which the NCD contributed $1,500. Response was overwhelmingly affirmative when participants asked, by survey, “How much did the rebate offer affect your decision to take action now in producing a will?” Feedback from several pastors at the RPMs also revealed strong interest in future workshops. Thus, with rebate funding for up to 100 wills already approved by the NCD and other supporting organizations, we are able to move forward with plans for two additional workshops at Beulah and Fairview. Bethel College Endowed Chair of Theology – A proposal was put forward earlier this year for several Missionary Church organizations (including the NCD) to take on a portion of funding toward creating a potential ten-year, full-time Professorship at Bethel College. This position would serve to strengthen the connection between Bethel College and the Missionary Church. Specifically, the candidate for this professorship will be a person who has high theological consistency with the Missionary Church, and thus be able to facilitate a greater alignment with the denominational outlook among ministry graduates. MCIF and the East Central Region had already made financial commitments. In February, the Governance Board voted to approve this proposal, with the NCD contributing $250K over this ten-year period. Moving from District to Region - The Governance Board has been in discussion regarding the possibility of changing the name of the NCD to “Region” for compatibility of nomenclature within the denomination. There may also be structural changes to a “Regional” format, which are currently under consideration. DS Wenger has commissioned a small team of district leaders to consider possible ramifications.

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Pastor’s Prayer Retreat – Our annual retreat was held April 9-10 at the Amigo Center in Sturgis, with Pastor Don Williams sharing. District Succession – As our current DS finishes his role in 2021, this may be an opportune time to consider the overall vision of the role itself. Several questions are being posed. Might this role need to change, and if so, how? Will our bylaws need revision in order to facilitate such changes? What kinds of skills do we think that the next DS will need? What does this process look like in our sister regions? Financial Help for Puerto Rico – In October, the Board authorized up to $20,000 from the General Fund for Puerto Rico Relief. At this point, half of these funds have been sent on to the denominational office, designated to be split between community development and church relief. Work teams are also being organized. Iglesia Restauracion Dissolution – This church has gone through a couple of difficult situations related to pastoral leadership. Many former attendees of this church have now assimilated into the Granger Missionary Church, and all accounts have been liquidated and transferred to “Granger en Espanol.” We have now officially dissolved this church. Encounter Charter Application – Our church plant in Elkhart has been worshiping publicly for 2 years. They are now meeting in the Teen Challenge facility (chapel), and have officially chartered with 16 members. Respectfully Submitted, Jason A. Nicholls North Central District Secretary

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2017 REPORT OF THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

The theme for this year’s conference is “Mind the Gap.”

This theme arose from a book I was reading entitled, Daring Greatly, How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. In it, the author, Brene Brown, talks about “minding the gap.” She wrote:

Minding the gap is a daring strategy. We have to pay attention to where we’re actually standing and where we want to be. More importantly, we have to practice the values that we’re holding out as important in our culture…The gap has to do with the difference between “what we say” and “what we do, or between the values we espouse and the values we practice.”

I had been thinking about gaps in church ministry. We all know that we fall short. The very definition of the word “sin” is “missing the mark,” and oh, how we miss the mark in our lives! There are gaps between what we say and what we do, between the behavior we aspire to and how we really behave. There is the love gap, the faith gap, the power gap, the saying and doing gap, and… the list could go on, couldn’t it? We need to give attention to the gaps in our personal lives and in our ministries. May God give us grace not only to be aware of the gaps, but to see them narrowed and even closed. CHURCH TRANSITIONS In 2017, by God’s grace, we were able to facilitate the following transitions in leadership in our District. In February, I commissioned Dr. David Cramer and Ms. Carrie Badertscher to be the Pastoral leadership team at Keller Park Missionary Church. That same month I also commissioned Rev. Steve Galloway to be the Pastor at LaPorte Missionary Church. In March, I commissioned Rev. Jason Dickinson to be the Pastor at Granger Missionary Church. In October, I commissioned Dr. Dale Gadd to be the Pastor at Galien Missionary Church. Throughout the latter half of 2017, Chapel Hill Missionary Church, Lake Missionary Church, and Solid Rock Missionary Church have been seeking their next pastor. Sturgis Missionary Church was seeking an associate pastor who would serve alongside Rev. Bob Renner in a transition year. They have called Pastor Josh Brueck who will serve as Associate Pastor and then become Pastor when Pastor Renner retires at the end of 2018. In November, I discovered that Rev. Chris Garner would not be continuing as pastor at College Park Missionary Church beyond December 31. College Park has called Pastor Tom Maxwell, a recent graduate of Bethel College’s Adult Education Program, to become their Pastor. The job of seeking applicants for open pastor positions has been an ongoing challenge throughout my tour of duty as your superintendent. Since I became District Superintendent in 2013, I have actively helped 20 of our churches in their search for a pastor.

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THRIVE This year we began a series of workshops that we called the “Thrive Tour.” The idea was to visit four of our churches who had experienced a pattern of growth each year over the past four years. In 2017, we visited Redeemer Missionary Church and St. Mark Missionary Church. We also held a day-long workshop that featured Terry Smith, the author of Changing Course: Leading Older Churches in a New Direction. It was my desire that the pastors who participated might be inspired and challenged by hearing the stories of God’s work through their colleagues and thus be encouraged and re-invigorated for advancing the gospel in their own ministry locations. We have maintained a steady attendance of 35-40 participants for the tour. It is my desire that each of our churches would thrive. Here’s how the dictionary defines that word: to grow vigorously, to flourish, or to prosper. Some of the synonyms that the thesaurus suggests for “thrive” are succeed, bloom, blossom, or to be healthy. It is my desire that each of our churches--whatever its size, wherever it is located, and to whatever degree it is able, God helping it—will be vibrantly engaged in being what the church is called to be and doing what the church is called to do. For that to happen, church leaders have to know what that looks like for their church and then intentionally lead toward it. We must keep our focus on helping people who have yet to believe in Jesus come to believe in Him, and having come to believe in Him, to follow Him completely. Having come to follow Him, they are in the process of becoming more like Him and are becoming more and more engaged in his mission. This is the mission of the smallest of our churches. This is the mission of our largest churches. How we do that is as varied at our 65 churches in the 65 locations where we are placed, but do that we must. It’s what Jesus asks of us. I’m thankful for our faithful pastors who are leading their flocks toward this day by day. I’m thankful for the 11,000 people who regularly worshipped in our churches in 2017. I’m thankful for the 269 conversions and the 168 baptisms that were reported in 2017. I’m thankful for the 1000 people who were reported to be in intentional disciplemaking relationships in our churches. I’m thankful for the $23,550,000.00 that the people of the North Central District gave in 2017 for advancing the gospel in our local areas, throughout our region, and to the end of the earth. I’m thankful for our faithful people who are serving according to their giftedness in a multitude of ministries to help the hurting, to instruct the young, to feed the hungry, to advocate for justice, to visit the sick, to meet people’s needs, and the list could go on. I’m thankful that God is being worshipped, that the Bible is being taught, that people are being held accountable for their walk with the Lord and discovering their places of service in and through the church, and that lost people are being reached with the good news of Jesus and the life that is to be found only in Him. MULTIPLICATION We need to do all of this in more places. There are 2.1 million people who live in the area that we define as the North Central District. According to ARDA (The Association of Religious Data Archives) 1.2 million of those people are unclaimed by any religious group (54%). 377,000 of that number would be identified as Evangelical Protestant (17%). The churches of the Missionary Church North Central District accounts for 11,000 of those 2.1 million people. I’m working with a coach through our Denominational Office to help me better lead the process of church multiplication in our district. Will you pray with me about this? What would God have the churches of the Missionary Church North Central District do to reach into this unclaimed population in our district? What part of this is our responsibility? What concern do we have for the alienated and fragmented lives that these demographics represent? What is the Lord of the Harvest birthing in your own heart for reaching these unreached people?

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BETTER Can we do this better? Do we have room to improve? Do we need to do this in more locations around our district? I think you know the answer to that. There is always room to do better. There are always more people and more places to be reached. The resources that we have for doing what we are called to do are the same as those that were available to the first century church. We have the living and active Word of God. We have the Holy Spirit. We have prayer. We have people who are gifted in various ways. I’m reminded of what Peter said to the man who was lame from birth as he went up to the temple to pray. The man asked Peter and John for money. Here’s what Peter told him, “I do not have silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk.” Then he reached out his hand and helped him to his feet. We may have some silver and gold, but we need to be as sure as Peter was of what we really have that will make an even greater difference in the lives of the people among whom we live. We need to be as sure as he was of the life-changing power that is in the name of Jesus. GRATITUDE I’m thankful to you for giving me the opportunity to serve the church as your District Superintendent. I love the people I work with. Dan Bridges, Kathy Ryman, Lisa Burns, Michelle Marshall, Sara Baylis, and Jane Anderson make it a joy to come to work each day. They have you all on their hearts. I am thankful for their faithful service to the Lord and to the churches as they do their work. We really do enjoy working together. As we work together, please pray for Dianna and me that we would have the strength, the wisdom, and the courage to be what the Lord would require of us, that we might please Him in every way, and that we might be the greatest blessing possible to the churches of the North Central District. With great affection, Joe Wenger District Superintendent Missionary Church North Central District

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2017 REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT TO THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT New Paris Cabin Renovation New Paris was able to renovate their cabin (fellowship area) through a generous donation. I was able to help them get the required building permits as well as help them through the district approval process. They have done a terrific job of planning and execution. They now have full use of the beautifully improved facility. Zion (Elkhart) Roof While replacing their roof, Zion discovered that roofing nails from a prior installation were driven through the decking and into the electrical conduit. This was posing a safety threat and needed to be addressed. Unfortunately, this caused a significant increase to the cost of the project. I was able to work with Zion leadership to do some financial evaluation and restructuring. The Management team was then able to help in the form of a short-term loan. Estate Planning- Phase II Last year we offered a Will Workshop in three district churches. Tied to the workshop was an incentive for attendees to take legal action on their own estate plans. After presenting the results, the Governance Board decided to continue the experiment with a few more churches. The planning and preparation for Phase II were completed in 2017 and the workshops at Beulah and Fairview were held in early 2018. Results will not be available until summer 2018. JOY Dissolution The JOY Committee invited me to participate in their meeting in September. Ron and Bev Rowan were stepping down as leaders and moving to Florida. The committee discussed the need and purpose of JOY. They believed that many of our local churches were providing activities, programming, and care for their senior populations. The committee determined to dissolve JOY. They did, however, make provision to continue holding a senior rally at Family Camp each year. New Pastor/Spouse Retreat Format I proposed a new format for the Pastor/Spouse Retreat in 2017. It was more of a “design your own” format, rather than planned activities and required sessions. Participants made activities known and issued invites to each other. Feedback from the participants was good, but with only seven couples choosing to attend, we are further evaluating this event. I spoke at six MCNCD churches in 2017. I serve on eleven district or denominational boards, and chair four of those. Respectfully Submitted, Dan Bridges Assistant to the Superintendent Missionary Church, North Central District

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2017 REPORT OF THE BRIDGE FUND DIRECTOR Through the investment partnership with many individuals and churches in our district, the Bridge Fund continues to be a blessing to our pastors and their families. Over the past year, the Bridge Fund was able to award $28,141 in grants to pastors in our district to assist with the retirement of a portion of their college debt, deal with unexpected life difficulties, and be proactive in dealing with the stress created with other financial difficulties. It has been wonderful to see financial stress alleviated and ministries enhanced. The board has also been involved in facilitating financial counseling for grant recipients as needed. The Bridge Fund has been blessed by the guidance and stewardship of a volunteer board consisting of Joe Wenger, Dan Bridges, Terry Bley, Brad Thornton, and Bill Reith. In addition, Michelle Marshall provides valuable support for us in the District Office. The wisdom of all these individuals has not only been invaluable in the Fund’s ability to care for the needs listed above, but to also grow the corpus of the fund to $618,000 to care for these needs into the future. It was with those future needs in mind that the Bridge Fund established the Legacy Society. This is a program to encourage and assist our partners in considering the potential of estate and planned gifts to help grow the fund for the next generation. It is our hope that over the years the Legacy Society can be the major thrust in totally endowing this ministry. This year, the Bridge Fund also began a new program in hopes of being proactive in helping promising ministerial students not incur as much debt during their college years. To that end, we were able to award our 1st grant to a Bethel ministerial student who shows great promise. In conjunction with District and Bethel leaders, we were able to award $2,500 yearly renewable grant to Michael Fortmeyer. Our goal, over the next several years, is to increase that to four student awards per year. Again, it is wonderful to see the way ministries have been saved and enhanced as pastors have been freed up from some of the financial burdens that have put strain on their families and, in some cases, their ministries. We praise the Lord for the continued partnership with many of you as we care for those who endeavor to care for us. Please feel free to contact Dr. Steve Cramer through the district office if you wish to learn more about the Bridge Fund, its ministry and how you might partner with us. Respectfully submitted, Dr. Steve Cramer

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2017 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BYLAWS AND STANDING RULES

Article II, section 3: Conference Year

Current Reading:

The Conference Year shall be July 1 – June 30.

Article IV, section 4: Functions of the

District Conference

Current Reading:

A. The District Conference shall elect by

ballot its own officers and committees

including the District Superintendent,

Vice District Superintendent,

Treasurer, the Secretary, the additional

members of the Governance Board and

such other officers, boards and

committees as may be deemed

necessary. A majority of votes cast

shall be required for election of the

officers.

Article V, section 2: District Superintendent

Current Reading:

A. The District Superintendent shall be

elected for a four-year term by the

District Conference from among the

ordained ministers of the Missionary

Church in a Special Conference in

February preceding his taking office on

July 1 of that year. In case of special

need, the District Governance Board

may request assistance from the

General Oversight Council and the

Ministry Leadership Council of the

Missionary Church.

Proposed Reading:

The Conference Year shall be January 1 –

December 31.

Proposed Reading:

A. The District Conference shall select by

ballot its own officers and committees

including the District Superintendent,

Vice District Superintendent,

Treasurer, the Secretary, the additional

members of the Governance Board and

such other officers, boards and

committees as may be deemed

necessary. A majority of votes cast

shall be required for election or

ratification.

Proposed Reading:

A. The District Superintendent shall be

elected for a four-year term by the

District Conference from among the

ordained ministers of the Missionary

Church in a Special Conference in

February preceding his taking office on

July 1 of that year. In case of special

need, the District Governance Board

may request assistance from the

General Oversight Council and the

Ministry Leadership Council of the

Missionary Church.

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B. In a situation where the sitting District

Superintendent is running unopposed,

the vote shall become a referendum on

whether the sitting District

Superintendent shall stay in office.

After the first four-year term, a simple

majority of votes is necessary for

reelection of the sitting District

Superintendent. After two four-year

terms have been served, a two-thirds

majority of votes is necessary for

reelection of the sitting District

Superintendent. Should the above

thresholds not be reached, then the

sitting District Superintendent shall not

be eligible to run in the following

election. The Nominating Committee

for the District Superintendent shall

then be reactivated and must again

make every possible effort to submit at

least two qualified nominees to the

Governance Board. An election for the

District Superintendent will then be

held at District Conference.

Appendix 1, section 1: Appointments By

The Governance Board

Current Reading:

A. Directors

Expansion Ministries

Hispanic Ministries

Student Ministries

Children’s Ministries

JOY Ministries

Historian

B. In a situation where the sitting District

Superintendent is running unopposed,

the vote shall become a referendum on

whether the sitting District

Superintendent shall stay in office.

After the first four-year term, a simple

majority of votes is necessary for

reelection of the sitting District

Superintendent. After two four-year

terms have been served, a two-thirds

majority of votes is necessary for

reelection of the sitting District

Superintendent. Should the above

thresholds not be reached, then the

sitting District Superintendent shall not

be eligible to run in the following

election. The Nominating Committee

for the District Superintendent shall

then be reactivated and must again

make every possible effort to submit at

least two qualified nominees to the

Governance Board. An election for the

District Superintendent will then be

held at District Conference.

C. In a situation where the sitting District

Superintendent does not complete a

full term, the Governance Board shall

establish a timeline for the mid-term

election and transition process,

including the start date and length of

term.

Proposed Reading:

A. Directors

Expansion Ministries

Hispanic Ministries

Student Ministries

Teen Quizzing

Children’s Ministries

Children’s Quizzing

Historian

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2017 REPORT OF THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR “If you want big-souled, large-hearted men or women, look for them among those who are much engaged among the young, bearing with their follies, and sympathising with their weakness for Jesus’ sake.” -Charles Spurgeon This past year I have gotten to meet so many “big-souled, large-hearted men and women” who are engaged with the young in our district. In 2017, we hosted another training, “GROW,” aimed more at the whole children’s ministry team, than just the director. It was a great way for smaller churches like my own to provide easy, quality training to as many volunteers as they could wrangle. I enjoyed meeting not only those who run the ministries, but those who volunteer in their churches each week. I took Dan Bridges with me to visit a few churches looking to renew and refresh their children’s ministry. It was fun to walk around and dream with those working hard to provide quality ministry to our kids with whatever resources they have. We also had a time to connect and brainstorm together at “Pie and Lattes” at Bethel College’s BIG Idea room. We enjoyed chatting about what’s going on in our ministries, struggles we have, and dreaming about new events and programs (Also eating pies from Rise and Roll..yum!). We have our next “GROW” training event scheduled for Saturday, September 8th (Check out more info at www.growtraining.org). I hope to also start an online library database of children’s ministry resources that can be shared among churches in the next few months. I’m grateful for this opportunity to engage with, support, and encourage others who are working in Children’s Ministry in our district. Amber Kreider

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2017 REPORT OF THE HISPANIC MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Once again, I want to express my gratitude to our District Superintendent, Joe, to his Assistant, Dan, and to those who serve in the District office for their help, wisdom, and counsel again this past year. I am also grateful to the several District pastors and churches who have opened their church facilities and their hearts to the Hispanics among us. It is indeed an extra responsibility and I thank you! My goal continues to be to visit every Hispanic ministry between two and three times a year, and everywhere I go the pastors and their families, not to mention the congregations, have been very kind and welcoming. In every instance, I am finding pastors and their wives who are strongly committed to Biblical truth and to seeing their congregations grow in the Lord. The services are loud, sometimes long, and yet very energetic, and I am deeply encouraged by what I see and experience. Each month we meet for fellowship and mutual encouragement. This past year these meetings have been for the most part, held on a rotation basis between the Hispanic congregations that are able to host us, with their Annual Pastors’ Christmas Dinner held at the Divino Redentor church, which is on the campus of the Zion Missionary Church in Elkhart. Thank you, Rev. Evelio Quiñonez, for your vision and work in hosting this event. I would ask for your prayers on behalf of the Hispanic pastors and their families in our District who have labored this past year under the whispers of deportation if documents are not up to date. After being in the States all these years, we are hopeful that those affected would be cared for in a most compassionate manner. The Instituto Bíblico Betel (Bethel Bible Institute) meets on the campus of Bethel College and continues to provide a strong training program for Hispanic church leaders throughout Michiana. Rev. Roberto Gonzales, Director of the Institute and pastor of the Hispanic Church Casa del Alfarero in South Bend, is looking for more students to take advantage of this opportunity. Last year I mentioned that one of my goals is to provide pastoral training workshops to the church leaders which I represent. Most of them are working full-time to provide for their families, so time is a critical factor in their being able to participate. This year we will be incorporating this kind of training as a part of our monthly pastors’ meetings. Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. Respectfully submitted, Dave Dyck Hispanic Ministries Director

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2017 REPORT OF THE DISTRICT HISTORIAN The District Superintendent and Governance Board Secretary may provide additional information regarding churches and workers in the district. Please refer to their reports. Some of the information below was taken from the monthly District Newsletters: Pastors Credentialed

Pastor Christian Brenner (St. Mark Missionary Church) Pastor Glenn Snapp (Lockwood Community Church) Pastor Gabe Reed (Nappanee), Middle School pastor Pastor Ryan Busse (St. Mark Missionary Church), Pastor of Discipleship Pastor Thomas Maxwell (Summit Church), Missions Pastor

New Senior Pastors and Installations:

Dr. David Cramer (Teaching Pastor) and Carrie Badertscher (Community Pastor) have been confirmed as the leadership team at Keller Park Missionary Church (South Bend).

Jason Dickinson (Christine) was installed as senior pastor of the Granger Missionary Church on March 12.

Gregg Cole began his ministry as senior pastor at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in June Dr. Dale Gadd transitioned to Senior Pastor at Galien Missionary Church in October.

Ordinations:

Pastor Eliorgy Guerrero (Associate Pastor, El Divino Redentor)

District/Church Information: Rev. Joe Wenger had a favorable vote to continue another four year term as District

Superintendent in February. Rev. Dan Miller, Senior Pastor, completed 25 years of ministry at Summit Church (Niles). A

celebration took place June 11.

Pastoral Updates: Rev. Jose and Lislibeth Hernandez (Iglesia Misionera Getsemani, Elkhart) celebrated their 25th

wedding anniversary. Rev. Ken Bontreger (Chapel Hill) retired from full-time ministry. Rev. Bob Loar (Solid Rock) retired from full-time ministry. Rev. Ken and Jo Fetter (Senior Pastor, Community Cornerstone Fellowship) celebrated 50 years of

marriage on August 4. Rev. Lloyd George (Galien) retired from ministry October 1, following 60 years of ministry.

Respectfully submitted, Bernice Pettifor Conference Historian

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2017 REPORT OF THE HUBBARD HILL ESTATES BOARD As the Missionary Church North Central District, we name Hubbard Hill Estates as one of our Partner Organizations. We state in our by-laws that “Hubbard Hill Estates is a separate corporation from the Missionary Church, North Central District. The purposes for which the corporation exists are to provide elderly persons with housing facilities and services especially designed to meet their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs; and to promote their health, security, happiness, and usefulness in longer living.” As the Chairman of the Hubbard Hill Board, I can attest to the fact that that is happening at Hubbard Hill. Our CEO, Patrick Pingel, and his dedicated team work hard to provide the best multi-dimensional care possible. As a board, we are always being challenged to think about what is next on the horizon of long term care, what our gaps in service are, and how we are going to position ourselves to be on the cutting edge of those changes that we might more adequately serve our residents and our community. Hubbard Hill continues to be a recognized leader as a provider for elder care. Throughout the year we consistently heard about the high ratings that Hubbard Hill was receiving, and at our December 2017 meeting, we celebrated the fact that Hubbard Hill has once-again achieved a 5-star rating. For the fifth year in a row, Hubbard Hill was awarded US News Best Nursing Home rating for 2017-2018. Indiana has 79 “Top Performing” facilities with four of them in this region. Hubbard Hill is the only facility in Elkhart that received this rating. At last year’s District Conference, you heard about the planned expansion of Hubbard Hill’s facilities with the addition of more Assisted Living space and the addition of a Memory Care Unit. One of the big agenda items for this calendar year was hashing out the final details of the construction plans and financing for this project. We hit a snag in the fall of the year over some Environmental Protection Agency issues. In a land survey as we were preparing the details of our HUD loan, it was determined that we might have a wet-land issue. This slowed the process so much that our intended start time for the project was delayed from the fall into the early part of 2018. As you pass by the Hubbard Hill property, you can now see evidences of land preparation for the beginning of our facility additions. We have much to be thankful for concerning our Hubbard Hill partner. They are advancing the gospel person by person as they care for the needs of our aging population. I think Jesus would be pleased as He looks upon the work being done there and sees people that He loves dearly being so well cared for. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Joe Wenger Board Chairman  

 

 

 

 

   

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Founded by Children of Faith

to Honor Their Parents*

*Sponsored by the Missionary Church

North Central District

Over 40 years ago, Hubbard Hill was founded

by a group of Missionary Church leaders. They

believed God called them to love and honor

their parents by providing a continuum of living

opportunities and services in a Christian,

holistic environment. Their philosophy and

values continue to guide us today.

We are part of the Missionary Church.

The majority of our Board of Directors is

comprised of Missionary Church members.

Hubbard Hill reports to the Missionary Church

North Central District Superintendent and has

an on-site, full-time chaplain who provides 24

hour pastoral care. Multiple services are

conducted weekly in the beautiful 150 seat

Chapel on campus.

Why come to Hubbard Hi l l ?

• 84 Independent Living

Maintenance-Free Duplexes

& Three Homes for adults 55

and older in a tranquil

neighborhood setting

• 98 Assisted Living Apart-

ments with varying floor plans

and licensed, supportive assisted

care including meals and cleaning

• 38 Private Rehabilitation

Suites and 28 Semi-Private

Suites with 5-Star rehabilitation

and nursing care services

• In 2017, served 408

rehabilitation residents

• Dynamic rehabilitation team

provided 704,221 minutes of

professionally delivered inpatient

& outpatient therapy to

rehabilitation, health care &

Assisted Living residents enabling

the majority to return to their

prior residence

• The Sailor Community

Center is a 150 seat facility,

including audio/visual equipment,

available for $60 to residents and

for a nominal rental fee to the

community

Rev. Joe Wenger – Chairperson

Mr. Bruce Korenstra – Vice Chair

Mr. Randall Myers – Secretary

Mr. J.R. Rohrer – Treasurer

Mr. Ron Clark

Mr. Ken Fervida

Dr. Deb Gillum

Rev. Phil Jerome

Mrs. Shirley Marks

Rev. Norman Reimer

Mr. John Speicher

Dr. Doyle Yeager

Dr. Gordon Bacon*

Dr. James Miller* *Director Emeritus

W ha t do e s t he f u tu re ho l d fo r H ubba rd H i l l ?

With the ever-growing need for

dementia care in Elkhart County,

and Alzheimer’s disease being

the 6th leading cause of death in

the United States, plans are

underway to add a memory

care center to Hubbard Hill.

Noteworthy Highlights

• Best Nursing Home rating by U.S. News &

World Report for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, &

2017-2018!

• Rehabilitation, Healthcare and Assisted

Living 5-Star rating from the Centers for

Medicare and Medicaid Services

• Competitive Assisted Living Rates

• Offering 10% retired pastors discount for

assisted living apartments

• We will break ground on a state of the art

Memory Care Center that will include four

households with nine individual bedrooms,

common living rooms, dining rooms and

kitchens, opening onto a 10,000 square foot

glass-domed “Neighborhood” with walking

paths, patios, trees and lawns to allow

residents access to nature all year round.

Likewise, as assisted living

continues to be an attractive

option for many, 18 apartments

will be added to meet the

growing need. Our 5-Star

rehabilitation will be

enhanced by remodeling both

the in– house and out-patient

facilities. Health care services

will be enhanced with upgrades

including sky lights & a new

dining room. This multi-phase

project will begin spring of 2018.

Hubbard Hill 2017-18

Board of Directors:

New Memory Care with

neighborhood design

Hubbard Hill

At a Glance

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2017 REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE The Scriptures promise us that because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, we too have the full assurance and hope that we will be raised with Him also. Since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, this perishable body must put on the imperishable and this mortal body, immortality. And so as Christians, clothed in this promise and hope, we do not grieve like the rest of mankind without hope, but we celebrate and rejoice for those who have entered into eternal rest. But even so, we do grieve, we do mourn, because we miss those that we dearly love. As we gather together once again at this district conference, we want to take the moment and opportunity to respectfully honor and to celebrate our brothers and sister who have finished well, but also acknowledge that for those still with us, there have been, and there will yet be more tears shed. We miss our loved ones, and now life is going to be different without them here with us, so let us also remember to keep these families and friends in our prayers. Rev. Charles Daniels September. 1, 1926 - January. 15, 2017 Rev. Charles S. Daniels, Jr., 90, residing in Mishawaka, Indiana passed away Sunday evening, January 15, 2017 at his home. Charles was born on September 1, 1926 in Bellefontaine, OH. He attended school at Bellefontaine High School and worked at the Springfield, Ohio Mettalix Casket Company prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Charles served our country in the United States Marine Corps and was a veteran of World War II. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946. While in the Marines, he was a Golden Glove Boxer. Charles also attended and graduated from Bethel College. On May 13, 1983 in Toledo, OH, he was united in marriage to Norma J. (Wertz) Daniels, who survives. Previously he was married to Arnelda (Pencil) Daniels, who preceded him in death in January of 1983. While living in Pennsylvania, Charles was a Supervisor with the Pennsylvania State Welfare Department. For 36 years, Charles served in pastoral ministry, serving congregations in Pennsylvania and Indiana, and most recently serving as pastor at the Country Church, Bourbon, IN. He and his wife, Norma, attended Gospel Center Missionary Church, South Bend. He is survived by his loving wife, Norma Daniels of Mishawaka and six children, several wonderful grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Phyllis Marie Bacon September 24, 1924 - January 16, 2017 Phyllis Marie Bacon, 92, of Elkhart, formerly of Goshen, passed away Monday, January 16, 2017 at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community. Phyllis was born September 24, 1924 near Colgate, North Dakota. She graduated from Colgate High School and attended Chicago Evangelical Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Phyllis was united in marriage to R. Gordon Bacon on June 2, 1944 in Sharon, Wisconsin. She was an excellent hostess, musician, cook, and entertainer, allowing her to be the perfect wife for Gordon, as they pastored several churches in Michigan and Indiana. When her children were in school, Phyllis became a substitute teacher, and then a sales representative for Field Enterprises, winning many

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awards and achieving position of Regional Manager. In 1969, Phyllis and Gordon moved to Carol Stream, Illinois. Phyllis worked for many years as chief receptionist for the National Association of Evangelicals in Wheaton, Illinois. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Goshen where they lived for 22 years, traveling throughout the world and spending time with family. They moved into Hubbard Hill in Elkhart in 2014. Phyllis was always happiest when surrounded by her friends and family. She was a gifted pianist and singer but above all, Phyllis loved singing the praises of God. Phyllis is survived by her husband, Dr. R. Gordon Bacon, three sons and daughters-in-law, one daughter and son-in-law, 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and four nephews. Diane M. Chupp April. 11, 1959 - February. 07, 2017 Diane M. Chupp went to be with Jesus on February 7th, 2017, at the age of 57, after an 18 month battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family as she passed from this world to the next. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. Diane was born on April 11th, 1959, in Mishawaka, IN. She was the second born of five children. She graduated from Bethel College in 1979 with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. In 1978, she met Ken Chupp on a blind date, and on June 16, 1979, they were married. They had three children together, Diane's pride and joy. Many people would describe Diane as confidant. She always had time to listen, and genuinely cared about people. As the pastor's wife at Warsaw Missionary Church, she partnered with her husband, Ken to serve the congregation there, and many lives were touched and changed by her kindness. Diane's other endeavors allowed her to touch peoples' lives as well. Over the course of 20 years, she ran a daycare in her home, was a substitute teacher, and worked as a seamstress out of her home. Her sewing business, Diane's Sewing, allowed her to do alterations for many people, mostly for special events such as weddings and prom. She had a very loyal customer base, and she even won local awards for her business three years in a row. She cared about her work and loved everyone she came in contact with. More than anything, Diane was most proud of being a mother and grandmother. Her love for her children and grandchildren was very evident. She passed onto them her creativity, her love of learning, and her graceful love. Diane's faith in and love for God, even in the midst of her cancer battle were extremely admirable. She never wavered in her faith, which is a beautiful testimony to those who survive her. She clung to God's promises and truly had peace that passes understanding. She has left behind a beautiful faith-filled legacy for the next generation. Diane loved greatly, was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed. Her gentleness, joyful spirit, grace, and quiet strength is unmatched. She pointed everyone she met to Jesus, and now she is with Jesus. Rev. Dale E. Gerig Nov 13, 1929 - Feb 12, 2017 The Rev. Dale E. Gerig age 87 of Sturgis, Michigan went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday evening February 12, 2017 at the Sturgis Hospital. Dale was born November 13, 1929 in DeKalb County, Indiana, the eighth of nine children. He attended the one room school just down the road from the family farm, and graduated from Spencerville High School in Spencerville, Indiana and then from the Fort Wayne Bible College. Dale married his high school sweetheart, Beth Cornell on June 12, 1952 in a double wedding ceremony with his brother, Zenas

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Gerig and his bride Esther Lehman. He was ordained to the ministry in June of 1955, after serving two years as an assistant pastor at Humboldt Park Tabernacle in Chicago, Illinois. Dale and Beth moved to Sturgis in 1955 to re-open the Missionary Church which had been closed for a few months. Boys and Girls Clubs were a big part of their 14 years in Sturgis. Moving to Allentown, Pennsylvania, Dale became the pastor of the Missionary Church and was there for 20 years. His last pastorate was the Jamestown Church near Fremont, Indiana for 18 years. The Gerigs then moved back to Sturgis in 1989 to manage the Christian Supply Center until the sale of the business. Dale became the Director of the Area Super 60's and had to resign in 2014 due to health issues. He enjoyed visiting "shut-Ins" and those in nursing homes to share with them God's love and God's word. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 64 years: Beth, one daughter, three grandsons, and two great grandchildren Rev. Robert L. Harle October 26, 1921 - March 24, 2017 Robert went to be with his Lord on Friday, March 24, 2017, at the age of 95. Bob is survived by his wife of 38 years, Arlene J Harle, two children, four step-children, a brother, five grandchildren; six step-grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Neva M. Harle, and son, James R Harle. Mr. Harle attended Ft Wayne Bible College where he studied the ministry and went on to pastor churches in Toledo, OH and Fleetwood, PA before moving to Jackson, MI in 1950 to dual pastor South Street and Vandercook Lake Missionary churches. In 1966 Reverend Harle founded and built what is now known as New Hope Community church in Jackson and pastored it as a "Labor of Love" for several years. In 1955 Bob formed a painting/decorating business and was later joined by his son John as "Harle Professional Painters". Bob worked regularly in his painting business until the age of 90. In his younger years Bob enjoyed bowling and playing/pitching church softball. He was an avid Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers & Ohio St Buckeye fan and was thrilled to see his Indians and Cavs win titles in 2016. Jean Marie Griffin May 30, 1949 - May 1, 2017 Jean Griffin, 67, of Bristol, IN passed away peacefully May 1, 2017 at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart, IN, after a brief struggle with cancer. She was born on May 30, 1949. She graduated from Bethany Christian High School in 1967 and Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario in 1971. She married Danny R. Griffin on June 6, 1976. Left to cherish all their memories is her husband, Danny; her three daughters, her sister and brother Alan, two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Throughout her life, she applied herself to being a loving and devoted pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother, “GiGi.” She served with her husband at churches in MI, IN, and PA. Her life patterned after Christ is a beautiful legacy for all of us to follow. Jean worked for Harman International for over 20 years. She was an amazing hostess and always enjoyed family gatherings for holidays and birthdays. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and spending time with family who will miss her dearly.

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Rev. Donald L. Conrad August 15, 1927 - May 22, 2017 Donald Conrad, age 89, of Elkhart, passed away on May 22, 2017, at 6:00 a.m. at Hubbard Hill Estates Retirement Community. He was born the second of seven children on August 15, 1927. Donald attended school in Dunlap, Goshen, and Topeka. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1944 where he played basketball and ran track. His family owned a gladiola farm and he worked on the farm and various odd jobs growing up. Don enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 where he served honorably as a Yeoman at Camp Penn in Virginia. In 1947, he attended Bethel College and was in the first class. Don was the first graduate of Bethel College. He graduated in 1950 Cum Laude, completing his Bachelor's degree in only three years. In August of 1950, Don married Ruth D'Arcy and she preceded him in death on January 4, 2004. Don pastored in the Missionary Church from 1950-1962 and was ordained in 1955. His first church was in Ligonier, IN, then Lansing, MI, and finally Yale, MI. In 1962 he and Ruth moved to Mishawaka and he began teaching at Bethel College. Over the span of 35 years, Don served in various capacities at Bethel including: Sociology Division Chair, Registrar, Director of Admissions, and Director of Adult Programs. He attained full Professor status and retired Professor Emeritus. Don earned his Master's degree from Michigan State and his PHD from the University of Notre Dame. He also taught at Asbury Seminary and Purdue North Central. Don travelled extensively with his family, providing them with the opportunity to see most of the continental United States. He also travelled to Mexico, Jamaica, Hawaii, Ireland, Scotland, England, Alaska, and Norway. Don had a great love for stamp collecting, coin collecting, postcard and postmark collecting, antiques, garage sales and auctions, and all-around “treasure collecting”. He loved hunting, fishing, and morel mushroom hunting. He was an avid reader and loved to edit errors in the local newspaper. Don served on the Board of Trustees at Hubbard Hill for 15 years, was the interim Village Manager and Don lived at Hubbard Hill for the past 4 years. He also served on various committees within the Missionary Church - both on the District and National level. Don is survived by his children, eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and two brothers. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ruth, and his grandson. Rev. Venus J. Arnold January 15, 1927 - July 16, 2017 Pastor Venus J. Arnold, 90, Goshen, died 5:10 a.m. Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Greencroft Healthcare. He was born January 15, 1927 in Stanton, Michigan. He married Arlene Emma (Hewitt) Arnold on June 12, 1948 in Elkton, Michigan. Surviving are his wife, children, 9 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, brother, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pastor Arnold served as a Minister in the Missionary Church for over 50 years, most recently retiring as an Associate Pastor at New Paris Missionary Church, where he was a member. He loved woodworking, hunting and golfing.

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Rev. Ralph E. Strome March 8, 1934 - August 8, 2017 Rev. Ralph Edward Strome, 83, Goshen, formerly of Troy, Ohio, died 5:35 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 at Courtyard Healthcare of Goshen. He was born March 8, 1934 in Springfield, Ohio. He married Mary E. (Journey) Strome on June 12, 1954 in Shambaugh, Iowa. Surviving are his wife, son, daughter, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and a brother. Rev. Strome retired from the Missionary church in 1996, after almost 40 years and was a member of the Liberty Community Church. He was a 1952 graduate of Troy (Ohio) High School; attended Bethel College from 1952-1957; and was a graduate of Ohio State with a degree in accounting. James "Jim" Lee Ditmer July 27, 1932 - August 21, 2017 James “Jim” Lee Ditmer, age 85, died August 21, 2017 in Goshen, Indiana. Jim passed through Heaven’s Gates peacefully from his home in Goshen, Indiana, surrounded by his wife of nearly 64 years, Joanne (Jay) Ditmer, and his daughters. Jim was born on his family farm in Ludlow Falls, Ohio, on July 27, 1932. There he enjoyed farm life until his graduation from West Milton-Union High School in 1950. He attended Bethel College in Mishawaka, briefly, traveled westward and worked in sugar beet fields in Wyoming until enlisting in the Armed Services Army Division where he served in Korea. He married Joanne Jay in 1953, settled down first in Piqua, Ohio and then in Kettering, Ohio, employed by NCR until 1972. He then moved his family to Strongsville, Ohio, employed by A.A. Brolin of Cleveland, Ohio until his move to Goshen as a caretaker of the Prairie Street Missionary Church Camp in 1988. After his retirement he couldn’t just sit around and stayed busy working in various jobs, such as with Sears, in the van industry and a duck farm – just to name a few. Jim was a lifelong member of the Missionary Church serving in various capacities as Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee, Board member, youth director and Deacon in congregations in Potsdam, Piqua, Dayton, Strongsville in Ohio and Bethel and Liberty in Indiana. He loved people and serving the Lord wherever needed. Even while stationed in the military, he would seek out Youth for Christ rallies in whatever city he was near. Jim determined early in life to be “a fun guy to be around” and he will be remembered fondly for his ornery humor; he added a spark of fun wherever he was. He loved the Lord, his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, grand and great-grandkids, dogs (he had many “dog friends”), gardening, traveling (especially train trips), John Phillip Sousa marches, the old classical hymns, church camp, hike-outs, and family gatherings. Anne Viola Engbrecht November 3, 1921 - November 4, 2017 Anne Viola Engbrecht, of Nappanee, departed this world on November 4, 2017, one day after her 96th birthday. Born on November 3, 1921, Anne was the youngest of 7 children. On December 25, 1942 she was married to Marvin Edward Engbrecht in her parents' home. Early in her life Anne taught in a one room schoolhouse in South Dakota. Throughout her life, she assisted her husband in church ministries in Dolton, SD, South Bend, IN, Huron, SD, Trenton, IA, Lincoln, NE, Goshen, IN, and Nappanee, IN. Anne was active in women's Bible studies, church quilting, supporting

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foreign missions, teaching Sunday School, Director of Children's Choir, and leading VBS in the various churches she and Marvin served in, for over nearly seven decades of ministry. She touched many lives, none more than those of her four children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. James L. Breniser February 18, 1950 - December 9, 2017 James L. Breniser, 88, of Goshen, formerly of Middlebury, died at 11:15 am, on Saturday, December 9, at Courtyard Of Goshen. He was born on April 8, 1929, in LaGrange County. On February 18, 1950 in Goshen he married B. Jean Shoemaker, she died November 22, 2015. Surviving are two daughters, two sons, 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren; two sisters, and two brothers. Jim had been a member of New Paris Missionary Church, Liberty Community Church and served as a Pastor for 23 years. He was an US Army Veteran and a brick layer for 40 years. Together as we remember and as we celebrate those who have faithfully served their Lord Jesus Christ, and have now entered into their heavenly reward, we who remain are challenged to follow their example set before us. “Therefore my beloved brothers, be, steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” With great honor we respectfully submit, Rev. Joel Gentz Josh Fisher

 

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2017 REPORT OF THE PASTORAL SALARY AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE Missionary Church Board Chairmen, Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. -1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Greetings! The scripture above sums it up well. As church leaders, you have been entrusted with a holy responsibility to care for your pastor. In that context, the Salary and Compensation Committee for the North Central District of the Missionary Church passes along the following information and recommendations for the churches of the North Central District. We are sending this letter to both you and your Senior Pastor and we request that you put Salary Considerations on your Church Board or Finance Committee agenda as part of your 2018 budgeting process. Local Comparisons Attached is a table breaking the churches of the North Central District into six different categories by worship attendance. This table shows the range from high to low, as well as an average, for the actual NCD churches in each category. This is not a recommendation of where we “should” be, but data on where we actually are. Also attached is a study of Nonprofit Salaries from Northern Indiana. It is a couple of years old now, but very good data. If you prefer to see the national numbers from a Christianity Today survey, we would be more than happy to provide you with those upon request. There is also a comparison tool used by the Southern Baptists that can be accessed free of charge at http://compstudy.lifeway.com Secular Salary Comparisons It is crucial that when your church considers ministerial salaries that they do so in a fair, “apples to apples”, manner. Too often a church compares the COST OF EMPLOYMENT (everything the church pays out tied to employment) for their pastor to the SALARY of a secular employee. June 2017 data from the Midwest Census Region shows the average COST OF EMPLOYMENT for a full-time, private industry worker was $63,585. The average SALARY for that same group was $44,283. Please don’t compare your pastor’s COST OF EMPLOYMENT to someone else’s SALARY. (www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t07.htm) Standard Benefits The following are considered standard benefits for our pastors:

Health Insurance (or salary adjustment commensurate) Long Term Disability Insurance Continuing Education Allowance Professional Expense Reimbursement Mileage Reimbursement

Professional Allowance Although not considered part of compensation, we recommend that churches cover expenses incurred by pastors in the normal course of their ministry. This may include mileage, meals, parking costs, conference costs, etc. Reimbursement for these expenses is not taxable income for your pastor if part of an accountable reimbursement plan.

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Increases We recommend some measurement of inflation or cost of living adjustment be considered. You want to know if you are really providing your pastor an increase or just providing him with the same level of buying power (or less) as the previous year. Some resources can be found at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/news/cola/ or www.bea.gov (for personal consumption expenditures). A pastor who has earned an additional degree or educational milestone should also be considered for an increase commensurate with the achievement. Vacation According to the Bylaws of the North Central District, all credentialed ministers shall be granted vacation according to the following schedule: 6 months - 1 year = 1 week 1 - 5 years = 2 weeks 6 - 12 years = 3 weeks 13 - 19 years = 4 weeks 20+ years = 5 weeks “These years of service shall be interpreted as meaning years served in full-time ministry while credentialed. A week is defined as seven to nine days, including one Sunday and at least one Wednesday. This will be exclusive of Denominational and District Conferences, Camps, Pastors’ Retreat, etc. Pastors shall be responsible for arranging the time of vacation and the selection of the pulpit replacement for the Sundays, subject to the approval of the Church Board. The honorariums for the guest speakers shall be cared for by the church treasury unless otherwise agreed upon. This schedule is a minimum and a church may grant additional vacation if it so desires.” -MCNCD Bylaws Pulpit Supply Several churches have inquired about the going rate for pulpit supply. Of course it can range depending on travel distance, number of services, etc. We have found that the normal amount tends to fall between $150 and $250 with mileage reimbursement offered to someone traveling beyond 20-30 minutes. Worker’s Compensation Policy The North Central District purchases Worker’s Compensation Insurance for all NCD church employees. The premiums for this policy are paid out of the annual district budget, which your church helps to fund by paying district assessments. We are able to save 25%-30% versus what it would cost for each church to purchase their own individual policy. Please make sure that any workplace injury is reported to the District Office (or directly to Beth at Synergy) within 24 hours. Fair Labor Standards Minimum Salary for an Exempt Employee The Federal Government has withdrawn the minimum annual salary amount for full time salaried employees, and pastors were exempt from the requirement anyway. However, the intent of the law was to guard workers from being taken advantage of, and we need to evaluate that with our pastors as well. The minimum SALARY of $47,476 was based on a “living wage” for a family of four, and that salary did not include typical benefits such as health care, Social Security, retirement, etc. Churches Struggling Financially Financial struggles are a reality for most churches at some point in their history. The committee noted that even during a time where a church isn’t able to fairly compensate their pastor, when he knows that you are

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considering it and doing the best you can, it makes a big difference. There may also be some non-monetary forms of compensation that could be offered, such as additional time off. This represents our best efforts to be relevant and helpful, The Pastoral Salary and Benefits Committee, Bill Rieth (Brenneman Memorial) Ron Wiseman (St. Mark) Pastor Matt Kitsos (Redeemer) Rev. Dave Binkley (Camden) Dan Bridges (MCNCD/California Road)

NCD Church Attendance Range for NCD Churches in 2016 Salary Cost of Employment

< 50 NCD max $56,930 $64,030

Average $34,452 $41,404

NCD min $18,200 $18,200

50-79 NCD max $60,506 $73,753

Average $42,627 $52,003

NCD min $21,500 $23,000

80-124 NCD max $79,100 $98,086

Average $51,262 $60,523

NCD min $36,515 $41,550

120-250 NCD max $73,000 $80,495

Average $56,916 $72,920

NCD min $41,282 $53,432

300+ NCD median (511 attendance) $84,758 $103,545

Part Time Senior Pastors NCD max $26,500 $45,890

Attendance < 50 Average $16,073 $15,323

NCD min $7,800 $7,800 Data from 56 MCNCD Churches from fiscal year 2016, as reported in February 2017. NCD max is the largest number reported in that category for any church falling within the stated attendance range. NCD min is the smallest number reported in that category for any church falling within the stated attendance range. Salary includes cash salary and housing allowance if applicable. Cost of Employment includes all church provided fringe benefits.

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2017 REPORT OF THE PRAIRIE CAMP BOARD CHAIRMAN

We thank God and you for the many ways you have supported Prairie Camp and helped its ministry in 2017. Your partnership with this ministry is a great blessing. As you know, God has blessed Prairie Camp with an influx of donations. As the churches of this district have come around Prairie Camp with their support, many exciting things are continuing to develop. One of the most exciting things happening is the main bathrooms are being renovated. Also exciting is the continued influx of young children at our camp. Families are connecting with Prairie Camp and finding it a place to refresh their soul. Camp rentals are up, filling the Retreat Center almost every weekend of the year. We also welcomed Josh Fisher (Bethel M.C.) in 2017 as a new Board member. Again, we thank you, because without you, this camp would not be successful. What is next? There are many plans being discussed for the continued improvement of camp. It is amazing to consider what those who founded the camp, 138 years ago, would think about how it is still helping people meet with God. There is a sense of hope and expectancy on the Board and in the Camp Staff as we see our big God continue to do big things. 2018 dates for Family Camp will be July 15-22. Ben Hahn and his family have been a continued blessing as they work tirelessly, overseeing camp rentals, building projects, camps, and maintenance. Their dedication to Prairie Camp and passion for it helps drive this ministry forward. For this, we publically thank them. Prairie Camp Board Chairman, Gregg Cole

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2017 REPORT OF THE PRAIRIE CAMP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kids need Camp. Today, like never before, teens and pre-teens are under tremendous pressure. Self-doubt, peer pressure, substance abuse, self-injury and a myriad of harmful voices nag at teens every day. Even kids who have a strong support structure face giant obstacles. And please don't think kids are the only ones that need camp. Adults need camp for many similar reasons too. God uses camp to provide opportunities for students of all ages to pull away and get a breather—to catch a vision for the bigger picture of their lives. That is the Power of Camp. This past year was an amazing year for Prairie Camp. In February of 2017, Prairie Camp was blessed with a gift of $100,000 from Galien Missionary Church. This blessing, along with several wonderful and faithful gifts from other churches/individuals, has allowed Prairie Camp to begin a large bathroom renovation project that is currently underway. The spring of 2017 brought many volunteers to camp to help with our spring cleaning. We are so grateful for the many hands that volunteered their energy and time to help camp be ready for the camping season. The summer was another blessing with many campers making first time commitments or recommitments to Jesus during our summer camps. The kids learned how Jesus is our Hero and we all have special abilities God has given us to use for His Glory. It is amazing when the staff and counselors get as much or more out of the lessons as the kids! During Teen Camp and Family Camp, God used specific speakers and worship leaders to help us learn how to love with a REVOLUTIONary kind of love: A Jesus kind of love. Even with all of the hopeless news stories and downcast public opinions for this upcoming year, Prairie Camp is full of Hope for 2018. Our God is no less than He was last year, and I believe He has great plans for His people. We are hoping to have the bathroom remodel completed by this summer and believe this is only the first of many improvements we will be making in the near future. My prayer requests for Prairie Camp would be for more campers and a consistent group of devoted donors. The future of Prairie Camp depends on these two very important groups of amazing individuals. Please, never stop praying for the ministry at camp as we continue “Impacting lives for Christ”. Please stay tuned to newsletters, postcards, and www.prairiecamp.org for more info about the potential ministry growth of Prairie Camp. Your ministry partner, Ben Hahn Executive Camp Director Prairie Camp

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2017 REPORT OF THE STUDENT MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

On behalf of our entire District Youth Team, let me say THANKS to everyone who has allowed us to serve the district in this capacity. Our team members are honored to be doing so. We continue to do our best to provide the district youth workers with opportunities to learn from one another and network together in order to provide training and teaching for anyone who will participate. Annually, we hold our Youth Worker and Spouse Getaway in Ft. Wayne. We always have a wonderful time relaxing and fellowshipping with other adults who are working with the youth of our churches. We were once again led into the presence of God through our times of worship and had a guest speaker that encouraged and challenged our hearts. This event always proves to be beneficial in helping to renew our spirits as we continue our ministry. We would like to encourage ALL of our youth workers throughout the District to join us for this time together in 2018. Kathy Ryman, our District Resource Center Office Administrator, keeps our team in the digital world by handling all of our technology communications. She has served so faithfully on our team, and has done so for a great many years. Again, we truly couldn’t do any of the things we do without her support and organizational prowess. Thank you, Kathy, from the bottom of my heart! Our team meets once a month to discuss, plan, and brainstorm future events and opportunities. We always look for new and exciting things for our teens to become involved with. After our team meetings, we gather at a local restaurant to meet with other district youth workers and network together. These luncheons are a great way to keep informed as to what is happening around our district. Mayhem, which is an annual sports-themed event held at the Kroc Center in South Bend, was a great success this past year. We were able to get a few more churches to attend than the previous year. We are looking forward to Mayhem 2018 at the Kroc Center once again, and we hope to see many new faces and churches getting involved. Discover Conference moved to a later date this year than last. It proved to be a benefit and a bit of a curse. In 2017, we had no snow for the kids to enjoy at the camp, while this year, 2018, we were overwhelmed with snow and had a few of our registered churches that couldn’t make it for the event due to the hazardous weather. Many students have grown closer to Jesus during this time away. We have a couple of our team members that are serving on the Discover Team as well. God is continuing to bless and do great things with this conference and we look forward to what He has in store for it in the future. During this past year, we have held training events for our youth workers at the District Resource Center. We provide the pizza and snacks and drinks, as well as bring in a speaker to cover a topic that is pertinent to the lives of our area youth workers. So far, attendance has been good and we are planning to continue with them for our future training events. We also have been able to help send an area youth worker to the National Youth Workers Conference. Respectfully submitted, Brad Thornton

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2017 REPORT OF THE DISTRICT TEASURER It has been a good year. The economy has recovered, which is a big factor for our churches. The Resource Center staff have continued to be very supportive. I am very appreciative for Dan’s stellar day-to-day work. It also has been rewarding to work directly with the Governance Board, Management Team, and Finance Committee. These volunteers are to be commended for their service. God has abundantly blessed this District over the years and I look forward to His continued blessing. Thank you for your support. Below is the Treasurer’s financial report for 2017:

Respectfully submitted,

Randy Myers District Treasurer

Budgeted Actual % of Budget Assessments $433,040 $423,458 97.79% Expenses $435,045 $420,191 96.59% Other Income Investment Earnings $60,589 Donations $2,110 Total $62,699 Funds Fund Income $335,025 Fund Expense $213,293 Fund Net $121,732

General Fund Balance $298,343

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2017 REPORT OF THE UNITED MISSIONARY LOANS & INVESTMENTS

2017 was another solid year for your United Missionary Loans and Investments. Our assets continued to grow to $11,630,500. Of that amount, we currently have $4,163,460 loaned out to 13 churches and Prairie Camp. The UMLI Board has also been cautious and prudent over several decades in building up undesignated reserves of $3,544,720 as security for our investors and to provide additional resources that have been available to help build other District ministries. This year the UMLI Board was able to tithe on those reserves back to the district to assist Bethel College, local church ministry grants, Prairie Camp, The Bridge Fund and Devon Oasis Center. UMLI currently provides loans to our churches and interest rates to our investors on their certificates of deposit as follows: Loan rate @ 4.5% Investment Rates 12 month @ 1.75% 24 months @ 2.25% 36 months @ 2.75% The current members of the UMLI Board are Gary Martin, Ron Stichter, Greg Taylor, Connie Crum, Dick Longcor, Ron Stump, Dave Sjoberg, Donna Rohrer and Joe Wenger. Dan Bridges and Sara Baylis serve in advisory capacities. All of these individuals deserve your gratitude for their dedication and faithful service on behalf of our District. Sara Baylis also continues to do an outstanding job of handling the day to day details related to the operation of UMLI. Please review the 2017 audit for UMLI contained in the handbook and feel free to contact me or any board member if you have questions. Respectfully submitted, Dr. Steven R. Cramer

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2017 REPORT OF THE WOMEN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR

The theme for the NCD Ladies Winter Retreat was “Be a Light.” It was held at the Farmstead Inn and Conference Center in Shipshewana, IN, on February 23 - 25, 2018. There were 123 ladies registered for the conference! Friday evening Rowena Miller led us in a couple of fun mixer games, including making and flying paper airplanes! Ann Werner shared a devotional on light. The Friday night Movie was “A Question of Faith.” On Saturday we were privileged to hear from several of our own North Central District pastors’ wives! Thanks to Christine Dickinson from Granger Missionary, Cris Waterhouse from California Road in Elkhart, Johanna Flemming from The Revolution in Gary, Lynne Andrews from Devon Oasis in Chicago, and Missy Bayer from Gospel Center in South Bend. Each one shared their own “story” and someone who was a light to them on their journey. They also chose a song to be sung at the close of their talk. We were led in beautiful music by Kelli Armentrout and Emily Bayer, with excellent media help from Jeanne Weaver. Workshops were offered in jewelry, decorative writing, doodle art. making lotion and sugar scrub, iPhone tips, making tutus for kids, plus manicures and massages were offered. Thanks to Alicia Esseltine, Barb Esseltine, Linda Esseltine, Beth Kroa, Barbie Whitfield, Cyndi Poe, Rowena Miller, Renee Wise, and Brittany Beehler for leading these classes. We visited a new Amish home for our Saturday evening meal. Henry and Carolyn Yoder served us a fantastic meal in their large, unique home. The food was delicious and the pies were especially yummy. Our Sunday gathering included Cyndi Poe sharing her story, and aspects of being on a mission field. Missy Bayer led us in a Bible Study & discussion based on John 16:33 and Galatians 6:2. The special Missions Project this year was for The Revolution Church to give a special Spa Day to bless and encourage single moms in their area of Gary, IN. Donations filled a table which included lotions, candles, nail polish, candy, etc. We again had the Book Table where you could donate books as well as buy some for any donation. We raised $231 to go toward our NCD Missionaries. Thanks to a wonderful committee: Renee Wise - from Nappanee Church

Cyndi Poe - from Crystal Valley Rowena Miller - from Beulah Ann Werner - from California Road Thanks, also, to extra helpers: Barb Strahm (Koontz Lake), Diane Martin (St. Mark), and Sharon Steele (College Park) Missy Bayer Retreat Chair

Women’s Ministry at Prairie Camp

The Women’s Ministry Meeting for 2017 at Prairie Camp was held on Tuesday. Our speaker was Carrie Gaul from Nappanee Missionary Church. Carrie is a biblical correspondent for Revive Our Hearts. Carrie has a deep love for God’s Word and a passion to see women grow in ever-increasing intimacy with Jesus through the study and application of His Word. Carrie is the author of Joy in the Midst, a Bible study on Philippians. Carrie also does a retreat for women called Thrive at Life Action Camp. Special music was provided by Lynne Andrews and Alisa Bennett. Refreshments and fellowship were provided in the Century House. Respectfully submitted, Dianna Wenger

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2017 REPORT OF MISSIONARY CHURCH NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT WOMEN’S MINISTRIES TREASURER

STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017

2016 Balance transferred (Checking and Savings) $2,463.67 (General $498.00, Retreat $1,965.67)

Income

Received from churches, other 220.00 Budgeted amount received from NCD 1,500.00

Interest 0.37 Retreat 5,150.67 Offering at Camp Rally 338.00

Total Income 7,209.04 _________ Total Income plus Balance Transferred $ 9,672.71

Expense

Missionary Support (World Partners, Key Concepts) 1,815.21 Prairie Camp Event Expense 219.52 Offering to Devon Oasis 258.00 Total Prairie Camp 477.52 Retreat (Spring 2017) Conference Center Expenses 3,531.12 Speaker 1,250.00 Other expenses 278.86 Offering to RETA, Hannah’s House 320.00 Total Retreat 5,379.98

Total Expense $ 7,672.71 _________

Balance on Hand December 31, 2017 $ 2,000.00 (General $500.00, Retreat $1,500.00) The NCD Women’s Ministries Board requests that designated money’s for specific missionaries be sent directly to World Partners or Key Concepts. NCD Women’s Ministries will continue to raise money for, accept offerings, and support our missionaries. Please send your offerings to me at the address below, or bring to a Women’s Ministries event. Respectfully Submitted, Renee M. Wise Treasurer PO Box 370 Nappanee, IN 46550 574 536-5214

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SECTION FOUR FINANCES

MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH

CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC.

(A Nonprofit Corporation)

FINANCIAL REPORT

(Reviewed)

December 31, 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Independent Accountant’s Review Report 1 Financial Statements:

Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Assets – Modified Cash Basis 2 Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Other Changes in Net Assets – Modified Cash Basis 3 Notes to Financial Statements 4 - 6 Statement of Fund Activities – Modified Cash Basis 7

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1

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT’S REVIEW REPORT

To the Board of Directors Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. Elkhart, Indiana We have reviewed the accompanying financial statements of Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. (A Non-profit Corporation), which comprise the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Assets – Modified Cash Basis of December 31, 2017, and the related Statement of Revenues, Expenses and other changes in Net Assets- Modified Cash Basis. A review includes primarily applying analytical procedures to management's financial data and making inquiries of company management. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with cash basis of accounting; this includes determining that the cash basis of accounting for the preparation of financial statements in the circumstances. Management is also responsible for the design, implementing, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statement that are free from material misstatement whether due to fraud or error.

Our responsibility is to conduct the review engagement in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services promulgated by the Accounting and Reviews Committee of the AICPA. Those standards require us to perform procedures to obtain limited assurance as a basis for reporting whether we are aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial statements for them to be in accordance with the basis of accounting the company uses for income tax purposes. We believe that the results of our procedures provide a reasonable basis for our conclusion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying financial statements in order for them to be in accordance with the basis of accounting the company uses for income tax purposes.

We draw attention to Note 1 of the financial statements, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the basis of accounting the company uses for income tax purposes, which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our conclusion is not modified with respect to this matter.

The supplementary information included in the statement of fund activities is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basis financial statements. The information is the representation of management. We have reviewed the information and, based on our view, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the information in order to be in accordance with the tax basis of accounting. We have not audited the information and, accordingly, do not express an opinion on such information.

Loucks & Weaver CPA Elkhart, Indiana 03/18/2018

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MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC. Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Assets – Modified Cash Basis

December 31, 2017

See Accompanying Notes and Independent Accountant’s Review Report 2

ASSETS

Cash and Cash Equivalents District $ 391,178 NCMEF 54,867 Campground 167,979 614,024 Prepaid expenses 6,433 Notes Receivable 42,496 Investments 1,288,423 Property and Equipment, net 1,420,127 Total assets $ 3,371,503 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities: Prepaid income $ 42,579 Notes payable 28,284

Total liabilities 70,863 Net Assets: Restricted Church extension 38,328 Fisher unitrust 182,608 NCMEF 590,731 Unrestricted 2,488,973 Total Net Assets 3,300,640 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND ASSETS $ 3,371,503

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MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC. Statements of Revenues, Expenses and Other Changes in Net Assets – Modified Cash Basis

Year Ended December 31, 2017

See Accompanying Notes and Independent Accountant’s Review Report 3

REVENUE District NCMEF

Campground Fund Total

District assessments $ 423,458 - - $ 423,458Donations 2,110 214,091 216,201Grant Income - 35,950 - 35,950Rentals - - 52,045 52,045Family camp - - 98,558 98,558Summer camp - - 31,722 31,722Investment earnings 60,589 54,005 - 114,594

Total revenue $ 486,157 89,955 396,416 $ 972,528 EXPENSES

Salaries and benefits 300,131 12,027 87,482 399,640MEF distribution - 28,141 - 28,141Family camp - - 41,643 41,643Summer camp - - 30,425 30,425Children’s director 1,200 - - 1,200Director of Spanish ministries 3,639 - - 3,639Director of prairie camp 6,421 - - 6,421Youth director 2,100 - - 2,100Payroll taxes 15,151 - - 15,151Interest expense - - 1,325 1,325Employer annuity share 3,000 - - 3,000Utilities and telephone 10,664 - 29,679 40,343Postage 2,914 - - 2,914Insurance 26,967 - 20,827 47,794Floral 1,599 - - 1,599Conventions and conferences 5,410 - - 5,410Meetings 3,283 - - 3,283Professional fees 5,622 350 - 5,972Repairs and maintenance 12,652 - 22,043 34,695Office, computer supplies and printing 6,467 754 8,307 15,528Rentals - - 3,375 3,375Christian education 8,179 - - 8,179Depreciation 4,087 - 4,123 8,210Miscellaneous 705 1,193 6,371 8,269

Total expenses $ 420,191 $ 42,465 $ 255,600 $ 718,256OPERATING INCOME 65,966 47,490 140,816 254,272Designated fund revenue in excess of expenses 121,732 - 24,526 146,258Increase in net assets 187,698 47,490 165,342 400,530Net assets, beginning 1,333,515 543,741 1,023,354 2,900,110Net assets, ending 1,521,213 590,731 1,188,696 3,300,640

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MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC. Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2017

4

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc.’s (the “Organization”) District operations consist of collecting district assessments and incurring necessary expenses to carry out the objectives as stated in the Organization’s bylaws. Other operations consist of a loan agency to guarantee loans of local churches and to borrow on its own behalf, and a church extension department to help local churches become self-sustaining. Also, the Organization acts as a trustee for various funds and activities of local churches and organizations. The North Central Ministerial Excellence Fund (NCMEF) was organized to educate and address pastors facing economic challenges and was funded by a gift from the Lilly Endowment. The Campground Fund provides for operation, maintenance and improvement of the Organization’s campground facility.

Basis of Accounting The accounts are maintained and presented on a modified cash basis, reflecting only cash received and disbursed. Therefore, accrued income and expenses, which may be material in amount, are not reflected and the accompanying statement of activities and related schedules are not intended to present the overall financial position in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation on property and equipment are recorded.

Cash and Cash Equivalents The Organization has cash and cash equivalents on deposit in one financial institution which, at times, may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.

Note 2. Transactions with Affiliates The District is affiliated with the Missionary Church, Inc. and with all members of the Missionary Church group. United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc. exists solely for the purpose of borrowing funds from individuals and making mortgage loans to affiliated churches to finance construction of church buildings and church-related buildings within the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. Transactions with United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc. have occurred only during the normal course of business. Note 3. Cash and Cash Equivalents, District

Only one account is maintained for District Operations, Loan Agency, Church Extension Department, Funds Held in Trust, and Fisher Unitrust. Separate accounts are maintained for NCMEF and the Campground Fund. The District cash and investment accounts are segregated into the following fund balances as of December 31, 2017:

General Operating Fund $ 298,343 Church Extension Fund 38,328 Fisher Unitrust Fund 131,042 Board Designated Funds 650,994 Christian Education Funds 31,463

$ 1,150,170

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MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC. Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2017

5

Note 4. Notes Receivable

Notes receivable at December 31, 2017 consist of the following:

Church Extension Department Loans La Casa del Alferero $ 37,728 Luz y Vida 4,768 $ 42,496

The related liability for this note is included in notes payable to local churches.

Note 5. Investments

Investments at December 31, 2017 consist of the following:

District, certificates of investment to fund Fisher Unitrust with United $ 182,608 Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc.

Marketable equity securities 1,100,815 Miscellaneous 5,000 $ 1,288,423

Note 6. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at estimated current value at December 31, 2017 consist of the following: District, land, buildings, office equipment, and furniture $ 371,126 Campground Fund, buildings, equipment, transportation, equipment, and furniture 1,049,001 $ 1,420,127

Note 7. Income Taxes The Organization is recognized as a tax exempt organization in accordance with the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c) (3). As such, only unrelated business income would be subject to taxation. All income derived through its normal activities is not subject to federal income tax.

Note 8. Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the modified cash basis of accounting can require the use of management supplies estimates. Actual results could vary from said estimated amounts.

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MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC. Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2017

6

Note 9. Basis of Marketable Securities

The cost basis of marketable securities contained in the investments is $942,869.

Note 10. Pledged Assets and Notes Payable Notes payable at December 31, 2017 consist of the following: Missionary Campgrounds $ 28,284

Note payable, United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc., payable in monthly installments of $290 including interest at 4.5%, collateralized by property and equipment. Final payment due April 2028.

Note 11. Transactions with Affiliates

The Organization is affiliated with Missionary Church, Inc. and with all members of the Missionary Church Group. United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc. exists solely for the purpose of borrowing funds from individuals and making mortgage loans to affiliated churches to finance construction of church buildings and church-related buildings within the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. Transactions with United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc. have occurred only during the normal course of business. During February 1992, the Organization received and sold a parcel of land as part of the Fisher Unitrust agreement with an individual. The trust agreement specifies that the donor receive quarterly payments equal to 5% of the trust balances at the beginning of the each year. The Organization has invested money in certificates of investment with an affiliate, United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc., which mature March 2020 and earn 3% interest. The excess of investment earnings above the trust payment is added to the restricted fund balance and to the investment with the affiliate.

Note 12. Subsequent Events

The Board evaluated all events subsequent to the date of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Assets – Modified Cash Basis and determined as of March 15, 2018, the date of issuance of the report, there are no subsequent events requiring disclosure.

47

MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC. Statement of Fund Activities – Modified Cash Basis

Year Ended December 31, 2017

See Accompanying Notes and Independent Accountant’s Review Report 7

INCOME

Children’s quizzing $ 1,260 Teen quizzing 920 Leadership development 1,946 JOY 2,332 Church planting 75,610 In/ Out 231,440 Discover Conference 1,895 Fisher Unitrust interest 5,447 Ministers Christmas banquet 3,215 Ministers and wives retreat 58 Miscellaneous 10,902

335,025 EXPENSES

Children’s quizzing 1,119 Teen quizzing 911 Partners ministry fund 12,800 Youth scholarship 497 Ministers and wives retreat 627 Minister Christmas banquet 521 Retired pastors scholarship expense 403 Miscellaneous 3,790 Healthy church 16,388 Leadership development 3,924 JOY 2,350 Church planting 82,895 Church extension 28,000 Prayer retreat 1,310 Fisher unitrust interest 6,998 Youth Worker Training 588 West Africa 3,194 Local Quick Start 4,937 Discover conference 42,041

213,293 FUND REVENUE IN EXCESS OF EXPENSES $ 121,732

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

1/1/2017 1/1/2018

to to Change % Change

12/31/2017 12/31/2018

District Superintendent

Salary $64,992.00 $69,471.20 $4,479.20 6.89%

Housing $25,563.00 $25,000.00 ($563.00) -2.20%

TSA $7,975.00 $8,000.00 $25.00 0.31%

Health Insurance & HSA $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

LTD $380.00 $380.00 $0.00 0.00%

District Superintendent Travel $5,500.00 $5,500.00 $0.00 0.00%

District Superintendent Continuing Education $500.00 $500.00 $0.00 0.00%

Assistant to the District Superintendent

Salary $76,775.00 $80,050.00 $3,275.00 4.27%

TSA $5,113.00 $5,113.00 $0.00 0.00%

SS/Medicare $6,264.43 $6,514.97 $250.54 4.00%

Health Insurance $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.00%

ADS Travel $2,400.00 $2,400.00 $0.00 0.00%

ADS Continuing Education $500.00 $500.00 $0.00 0.00%

District Compensation (Staff & Directors) $137,468.61 $130,911.82 ($6,556.79) -4.77%

District Operating Expenses $64,214.00 $66,364.00 $2,150.00 3.35%

Youth Ministries $4,000.00 $4,000.00 $0.00 0.00%

J.O.Y. Ministries $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $0.00 0.00%

Children's Ministries $2,900.00 $2,900.00 $0.00 0.00%

Women's Ministries $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $0.00 0.00%

Worker's Compensation $27,500.00 $27,500.00 $0.00 0.00%

$435,045.04 $438,104.99 $3,059.95 0.70%

2018 BUDGET PROPOSAL

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Missionary Church North Central District

2018 Assessment Proposal

2018 Rate 2.75%

Total Assesments $439,039.00

Budget $438,104.99

Congregation Calculated Congregation Calculated

2018 2018

Assessment Assessment

Asi es $84.00 Koontz Lake $9,217.00

Bethany $2,653.00 LaGrange $3,968.00

Bethel $5,117.00 Lake $4,204.00

Beulah $13,580.00 LaPorte $10,683.00

Bremen $7,554.00 Liberty $1,478.00

Brenneman $24,457.00 Living Waters $760.00

Bristol $2,596.00 Luz y Vida $779.00

Burr Oak $748.00 Mill Creek $6,340.00

California Road $5,389.00 Nappanee $98,500.00

Camden $6,256.00 New Hope - Jackson $2,597.00

Casa de Alferero $825.00 New Hope - Valparaiso $1,741.00

Cedar Road $3,802.00 New Paris $8,840.00

Chapel Hill $4,208.00 Northeast $1,474.00

College Park $3,087.00 Oak Grove $2,081.00

Cristiana la Restauracion $258.00 Our Savior $0.00

Crossroads $5,015.00 Pleasant Hill $2,994.00

Crystal Valley $8,450.00 Plymouth $5,904.00

Deaf Michiana $477.00 Prairieview $4,065.00

Diamond Cove $1,740.00 Redeemer $6,610.00

East Gilead $1,117.00 River of Life $1,219.00

El Divino Redentor $2,016.00 Solid Rock Church $2,715.00

Encounter $964.00 St. Mark $25,243.00

Fairview $40,117.00 Sturgis $7,734.00

Forestbrook $915.00 Summit $18,360.00

Galien $2,186.00 Trinity $2,563.00

Gospel Center $9,901.00 Vandercook Lake $1,626.00

Granger $11,318.00 Wakarusa $17,664.00

Hillside $2,577.00 Warsaw $4,347.00

Iglesia Getsemani $1,120.00 West Eckford $1,806.00

Iglesia Restauracion $715.00 Zion - Elkhart $7,532.00

Keller Park $1,324.00 Zion - Fremont $5,429.00

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SECTION FIVE

BYLAWS

 

BYLAWS Policies & Guidelines

Revised 5/5/2017

Missionary Church,

North Central District

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DISTRICT BYLAWS as approved at District Conference 5/5/2017

ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1: Name

The name of this organization shall be MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC.

Section 2: Purpose

The Missionary Church, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, in obedience to Jesus Christ her Lord, is committed to being holy people of God in the world and to building His Church by worldwide evangelism, discipleship and multiplication of growing churches, all to the glory of God. As a family of churches that is biblically grounded, we exist to inspire, challenge, and resource one another in that task.

ARTICLE II – CORPORATION

Section 1: Corporation

A. Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., is an Indiana Corporation, and as such is incorporated also in Michigan.

B. The geographical area of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., shall be generally northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Specifically, the boundary between the North Central District and the Central District in the State of Indiana shall be from east to west, U.S. Highway 6 from the Indiana/Ohio state line to Indiana S.R. 13; south to Indiana S.R. 14; west to Indiana S.R. 15; south to U.S. Highway 24; west to the Indiana/Illinois state line. The greater Chicago metropolitan area shall be shared by the North Central District and the Central District of the Missionary Church.

C. The North Central District shall include the portion of Indiana north of the boundary stated above, and a portion of southern Michigan. The eastern boundary in Michigan is U.S. Highway 23; the northern boundary is I-94 to the Berrien County line, and shall include Berrien County.

Section 2: Home Office

The Home office of the Corporation is located at 3301 Benham Ave., Elkhart, Indiana 46517-2247.

Section 3: Conference Year

The Conference Year shall be July 1-June 30.

ARTICLE III – RELATIONSHIP

Relationship

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This organization is a subsidiary of the Missionary Church, Inc., with headquarters at 3811 Vanguard Drive, P.O. Box 9127, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46899, and as such is responsible for the promotion of the work and objectives of the parent organization within the borders known as the MISSIONARY CHURCH, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, INC. It shall be governed in all matters pertaining to doctrine, polity and practice by the Constitution and Bylaws of the parent organization.

ARTICLE IV – DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Section 1: Jurisdiction

A. The Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., shall be governed by a District Conference which shall function in accordance with the authority delegated to it by the Constitution and General Conference of the Missionary Church and by the Missionary Church, North Central District Bylaws.

B. The District Conference shall include all churches and district institutions within its borders. (A district institution is any institution within the district controlled by the district and used for district purposes.)

Section 2: Composition

The District Conference shall be constituted of only members of the Missionary Church. The District Conference shall be composed of: the Denominational President, member ex officio; all ordained and licensed ministers resident in the district; the members of the District Governance Board; one lay delegate for each 50 members or major fraction thereof from each full member church; all members of the District Boards; all members of related boards; Bethel College President; Administrator of Hubbard Hill Estates, Inc.; and Directors of District Ministries.

Section 3: Time of Meeting

The District Conference shall meet annually at the time and place decided by the District Conference. All Conferences shall be governed according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 4: Functions of the District Conference

A. The District Conference shall elect by ballot its own officers and committees including the District Superintendent, Vice District Superintendent, Treasurer, the Secretary, the additional members of the Governance Board and such other officers, boards and committees as may be deemed necessary. A majority of votes cast shall be required for election of the officers.

B. It shall approve new churches for membership in the Missionary Church and request that a certificate of membership in the denomination be issued by the proper denominational officers.

C. It shall license and ordain ministers in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution of the Missionary Church and shall certify such to the proper denominational officers.

D. It shall conduct conferences, conventions and camps in the district as practical and shall take steps as are necessary to implement and to promote the missionary programs of the denomination.

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E. It shall receive the reports of the District Superintendent and other officers, pastors, other ministers, boards and committees; and submit to the General Conference such reports as may be required.

F. It shall be the prerogative of the District Conference to make recommendations to the General Conference.

Section 5: Special Conference

A Special Conference may be called by the District Governance Board. The membership of the Special Conference shall follow the guidelines outlined in Article IV, Section 2 of the District Bylaws. Churches shall report names of delegates to the District Resource Center no later than 14 days prior to the Special Conference.

Section 6: Special Conference Chairman

The District Superintendent shall serve as the Chairman of the District Conference and Special Conference, and Vice Chairman shall be the Vice District Superintendent.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1: Executive Officers

The Executive Officers of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., shall consist of a District Superintendent, Vice District Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer and the Assistant to the District Superintendent. All officers must be members in good standing of a full member Missionary Church.

Section 2: District Superintendent

A. The District Superintendent shall be elected for a four-year term by the District Conference from among the ordained ministers of the Missionary Church in a Special Conference in February preceding his taking office on July 1 of that year. In case of special need, the District Governance Board may request assistance from the General Oversight Council and the Ministry Leadership Council of the Missionary Church.

B. In a situation where the sitting District Superintendent is running unopposed, the vote shall become a referendum on whether the sitting District Superintendent shall stay in office. After the first four-year term, a simple majority of votes is necessary for reelection of the sitting District Superintendent. After two four-year terms have been served, a two-thirds majority of votes is necessary for reelection of the sitting District Superintendent. Should the above thresholds not be reached, then the sitting District Superintendent shall not be eligible to run in the following election. The Nominating Committee for the District Superintendent shall then be reactivated and must again make every possible effort to submit at least two qualified nominees to the Governance Board. An election for the District Superintendent will then be held at District Conference.

Section 3: Vice District Superintendent

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The Vice District Superintendent shall be elected for a term of four years by the District Conference from among its ordained ministers.

Section 4: Assistant to the District Superintendent

The Assistant to the District Superintendent shall be recommended by the District Superintendent and approved by the Governance Board for a four-year term coinciding with that of the District Superintendent.

Section 5: Secretary

The Secretary of the District shall be elected for a term of two years by the District Conference.

Section 6: Treasurer

The Treasurer of the District shall be elected for a term of three years by the District Conference.

Section 7: Election of Officers

All elected and appointed officers and committee members shall take office at the close of the annual District Conference, with the exception of Prairie Camp, whose officers and board members shall take office within 30 days of the conclusion of Family Camp.

Section 8: Vacancies

Any vacancies occurring among executive officers, boards or committees not otherwise provided for shall be filled by appointment by the District Governance Board. Such appointees shall serve until the next District Conference.

ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: District Superintendent

The District Superintendent shall:

A. Have supervision of all the churches and ministers within his jurisdiction; B. Uphold the Constitution of the Missionary Church; C. Arrange for conventions and conferences within the district; D. Arrange for meetings in each church in the interests of denominational programs; E. Emphasize the duties of churches to their pastors and pastors to their churches; F. Take such steps as necessary in the change or transfer of ministers; G. Serve as the chief liaison officer between the Governance Board and pastors and

congregations in all pastoral relations; H. Submit to the General Conference a full report of the work of his district, including a

summarized statistical report of the General Conference term;

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I. Maintain healthy relationships with the denomination and its entities; J. Accept such other assignments as may be outlined from time-to-time by the District

Conference; K. Recommend an Assistant to the District Superintendent to be approved by the Governance

Board; and L. At his discretion appoint Vice District Superintendent or Assistant to the Superintendent to

serve as his representative at any board or committee meeting he is unable to attend.

Section 2: Vice District Superintendent

The Vice District Superintendent shall perform such duties as delegated by the District Superintendent. In case of death, resignation or removal of the District Superintendent, the Governance Board shall appoint the Vice District Superintendent to serve as District Superintendent until a Special Conference.

Section 3: Assistant to the District Superintendent

The Assistant to the District Superintendent shall be recommended by the District Superintendent and approved by the Governance Board. His term of office shall coincide with that of the District Superintendent who recommended him. His duties shall be those defined by the District Superintendent. He is an advisory member of the Governance Board and its Executive Committee.

Section 4: Secretary

The Secretary shall record and keep the minutes of the District Conference and District Governance Board and perform such other functions as are outlined by the Conference or Governance Board.

Section 5: Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive such monies as the District Conference shall determine and make payments in keeping with its policies and directives. He shall submit such reports as the District Conference, District Governance Board and District Superintendent shall require.

ARTICLE VII – DISTRICT GOVERNANCE BOARD

Section 1: Role

The affairs of the Corporation shall be administered by a Governance Board.

Section 2: Composition

The composition of the Governance Board shall be:

A. The Governance Board shall be the highest decision-making body apart from District Conference.

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B. The size of the Governance Board shall be a total of 13; with one advisory member and 12 voting members, of whom at least two and a maximum of four must be Lay Persons.

C. The Governance Board shall consist of: District Superintendent; Vice District Superintendent; Assistant to the District Superintendent (advisory member); Secretary; Treasurer; four elected members; and four appointed members.

D. At each annual District Conference two members shall be elected for two year terms, and two members shall be ratified for two year terms. Of the four elected or ratified, at least two must be Lay Persons.

E. Board Members appointed by the Governance Board shall be presented to District Conference for ratification by a simple majority vote.

F. All terms shall begin following the adjournment of that District Conference. G. The District Superintendent shall be Chairman of the Governance Board; the Vice District

Superintendent the Vice Chairman of the Board; the District Secretary the Secretary of the Board; and the District Treasurer the Treasurer of the Board.

Section 3: Term Limitation

Non-salaried ratified or elected members of the Governance Board who have served for four consecutive years shall be ineligible for one year to be ratified or elected for another term.

Section 4: Executive Committee

A. An Executive Committee of the Governance Board shall be composed of the District Superintendent, Vice District Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer, and one person annually elected from the Governance Board by the Governance Board. The Assistant to the District Superintendent shall be an advisory member.

B. Any four (4) members of the Executive Committee may call a meeting of the Executive Committee or Governance Board. Any two officers of the district may sign official papers in behalf of the district. In the event a member(s) of the Executive Committee is unable to attend a specific meeting, the District Superintendent may appoint, from the Governance Board, a temporary member(s) to serve for that meeting.

Section 5: Duties

A. It shall be the responsibility of the Governance Board to conduct the necessary business of the District Conference in the intervals between Conferences; it shall deal with all emergency matters and shall call a special session of the District Conference when necessary. Its actions shall be subject to ratification by the next District Conference.

B. The Governance Board has the authority to delegate some of its business to teams composed of a minimum of three Governance Board members and any other individuals appointed by the Governance Board. All teams shall report to the Governance Board.

C. The Governance Board shall conduct a minimum of two meetings annually.

Section 6: Emergency Powers

A. When there are irreconcilable differences within a local church after counsel by the District Superintendent and his representatives has been unsuccessful in resolving the issues affecting church health, and when at least two of the following conditions are met:

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1) The local church board supported by a majority vote request emergency assistance. 2) The Senior Pastor requests emergency assistance. 3) The District Executive Committee believes significant problems exists that warrant

emergency assistance. 4) The District Superintendent believes significant problems exists that warrant

emergency assistance.

B. The following steps shall be taken: 1) The District Executive Committee shall call a congregational meeting or a local

church board meeting to gather information in order to understand the issues involved. The District Superintendent shall chair the meeting.

2) The District Superintendent shall give a report to the Governance Board. The District Governance Board, by two-thirds majority vote, shall assume the temporary decision making authority in a local church, to make pastoral changes, exercise church discipline, suspend the local church bylaws or assume responsibility over the local church finances. These decisions will be made for the long-term benefit of the local church, the district, the denomination and the Body of Christ.

Section 7: District Superintendent Performance Review

The Governance Board shall annually conduct a performance review for the District Superintendent.

Section 8: District Teams, Committees, and Boards

The following teams shall operate under the authority of the Governance Board but shall act as decision making bodies. Each team, committee, and board is accountable to the Governance Board as outlined in the organizational structure of the Missionary Church North Central District.

Section 9: Management Team

The Governance Board shall hold in trust any properties owned by the District Conference and have authority to receive and hold in trust monies, convey or exchange real estate held by the District Conference or other property such as stocks, bonds, mortgages and other securities; issue annuity agreements; and serve as the trustees for estates and gifts in conformity with civil laws in keeping with authority delegated by the District Conference. The Board shall appoint a Management Team to serve as agents to carry out any of the foregoing authorizations.

Section 10: Committee on Credentials

The Governance Board shall appoint a Committee on Credentials to recommend all ministerial candidates for credentials. The Governance Board shall certify to the proper denominational official annually a list of all ordained and licensed ministers under the jurisdiction of the district.

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Section 11: Finance Committee

The Governance Board shall serve as, or may appoint, the Finance Committee.

Section 12: Nominating Committee

A. The Governance Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee of seven members. B. It shall submit nominations to the Conference for the following district officers, directors

and committees: Vice District Superintendent; Secretary; Treasurer; additional members of the Governance Board; and such others as may be delegated to them.

C. Whenever feasible, the slate of candidates for each standing committee shall include at least one more name than the number to be elected.

D. In each of these elections, additional nominations may be received from the floor.

Section 13: Nominating Committee for the District Superintendent

A. The Governance Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee, for the District Superintendent, of seven members. At least three of the seven members must be members of the Governance Board.

B. This shall be a vetting committee to determine that candidates have the qualifications, skills, and gifts required to fill the position of District Superintendent.

C. The sitting District Superintendent shall make his wishes regarding being on the ballot known to the Governance Board in writing by September fifteenth of the year prior to the election. If so indicated, his name shall appear on the ballot.

D. Candidates for nomination must be submitted to the Nominating Committee for the District Superintendent by October fifteenth of the year prior to the election to allow for the required vetting process.

E. The Nominating Committee for the District Superintendent shall make every possible effort to submit at least two qualified nominees to the Governance Board.

F. The Governance Board shall have the authority to set the final ballot for the election of the District Superintendent.

Section 14: Appointments

The Governance Board shall appoint the Directors, Teams, and Committees necessary to conduct the business of the District Conference (see Appendix 1, Section 1)

Section 15 Quorum And Electronic Participation

A. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business provided due notice of the meeting has been given. While physical presence at all meetings is generally required, in special circumstances Board members may participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all members participating may simultaneously communicate with each other during the meeting.

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B. A Board action by electronic means is acceptable in situations where the vote is unanimous and a response has been received from each member of the Board. Electronic decisions shall be ratified at the next physical meeting of the Governance Board.

ARTICLE VIII – CAMP BOARD, HISTORIAN, AND WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

Section 1: Camp Board

A. The Camp Board shall be composed of nine members who shall be ratified by District Conference for two-year staggered terms. Besides these, the District Superintendent is a member by virtue of his office and shall be allowed to appoint a representative to attend in his absence. The Camp Board will annually elect its officers.

B. It shall be in charge of maintenance of the entire camping ministry including maintenance of the campground and Family Camp. It shall be responsible to the Governance Board of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. for capital investments, including erection of buildings, purchase of property and major improvements.

C. It shall appoint the Camp Director. The Camp Director shall oversee the camp ministry, appoint directors and assistant directors, and hire camp staff.

Section 2: District Historian

A. The District Historian shall be appointed by the Governance Board for a two-year term. B. It shall be the duty of the District Historian to submit an annual report to the Conference of

the significant events of the year.

Section 3: Director of Women’s Ministries

The Director of Women’s Ministries and other officers shall be elected by the members of the Women’s Ministry at their annual meeting and shall fulfill the duties as stated in Article XIV, A. in the Constitution of the Missionary Church.

ARTICLE IX – PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Section 1: United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc.

A. United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc., is a separate corporation from the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. Membership in this corporation is on an annual basis and each year every person, who is a voting member of the District Conference of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., shall automatically, by virtue of this designation, become a member of this corporation and shall remain such until the next District Conference is convened. All annual meetings of the members shall be held at the same place and time as the District Conference of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc.

B. The number of Directors of this Corporation shall be nine (9). The Directors shall be apportioned into three classes, with the terms of the Directors in each class expiring at different times. All Directors, excepting cases of election to fill unexpired terms, shall be elected for a period of three years.

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C. The Directors shall be ratified at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the members of the Corporation. Membership on the UML&I Board shall be limited to those persons who are members of churches in the North Central District.

D. The District Superintendent shall serve as an additional member by virtue of his office and shall be allowed to appoint a representative to attend in his absence.

Section 2: Hubbard Hill Estates, Inc.

A. Hubbard Hill Estates, Inc., is a separate corporation from the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. The purposes for which the corporation exists are to provide elderly persons with housing facilities and services especially designed to meet their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs; and to promote their health, security, happiness and usefulness in longer living.

B. The Corporation is irrevocably dedicated to and operated exclusively for non-profit purposes; and no part of the income or assets of the Corporation shall be distributed to, nor inure to the benefit of, any individual.

C. Members of the Hubbard Hill Estates Board of Directors shall be of one class with equal rights and privileges, and shall be limited to individuals who have the approval of the Governance Board of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. In the event that aforesaid approval is withdrawn, then and in that event, shall such constitute automatic resignation as a member and director of the Corporation.

D. The initial Board of Directors is twenty-five. The exact number of Directors is not stated; the minimum number shall be twelve and the maximum shall be twenty-five, the exact number being prescribed in the Bylaws of the corporation. The Board of Directors shall be ratified by the District Conference of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., and shall serve for three years in staggered terms. The District Superintendent of the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc., shall be a member of the Board of Directors by virtue of office and shall be allowed to appoint a representative to attend in his absence.

ARTICLE X – DISTRICT FINANCES

Section 1: District Finances

A. FINANCIAL STATEMENT – The Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc. shall care for the funding of all its activities, ministries and programs and shall be self-supporting.

B. FISCAL YEAR – The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31. C. FUNDING:

1) The District Governance Board shall serve as, or may appoint, a Finance Committee.

2) The District Superintendent and District Treasurer shall be members of the Finance Committee by virtue of their office and shall be voting members.

3) The Finance Committee shall be composed of eight members – three layman and three pastors, the District Superintendent and District Treasurer.

4) The Finance Committee shall present the proposed budget for the next fiscal year to the Governance Board.

5) The Governance Board shall annually set the assessment cap on any and all churches in the district.

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6) The approved district budget for the next fiscal year shall be reported to district churches.

7) Assessments shall be given by the individual churches using the standard percent of total church receipts.

8) Total receipts shall include all monies which are eligible for tax-deductible receipt, except building/capital fund monies.

9) The assessment from each church shall be proposed by the Finance Committee at the time the proposed budget is drafted.

10) Exceptions to the percent rule shall be as follows: a. Established churches which choose to become a part of the Missionary

Church, North Central District, Inc., and new church plants, shall be phased into a full assessment over a period of three years (year one, 1/3 share (33.3%) of full assessment, year two, 2/3 share (66.6%) of full assessment, year three, full assessment).

b. Extenuating circumstances as noted by the Management Team. 11) Each church should forward its assessment in 12 equal payments beginning January

15th and continuing each month with a payment by the 15th to the district office. 12) Appeal process shall include the following:

a. A written statement of the reason why the assessment cannot be fulfilled and the amount in question. This statement shall be properly signed by any two officers of the local church board. This statement shall be sent to the District Superintendent.

b. A copy of the minutes that record the decision of the local church board to exercise their right to appeal.

c. All financial records requested by the District Superintendent. d. The pastor and other persons from the church may be requested to be

present when the appeal is discussed and may be asked for their input. e. The final decision rests with the Governance Board. f. A letter will be issued to the pastor and the local church board after a

decision has been reached by the Governance Board. 13) It is imperative that the local church and district understand that their ministries

are the same and together each is working to build the greatest kingdom in the world. Everything should be done to encourage a cooperative spirit between the district and local church.

Section 2: District Assessments

District operating budget shall be raised through an annual Conference Assessment which shall be forwarded to the Conference Treasurer in twelve (12) monthly installments beginning in January. Assessments shall not exceed 3% of the total offerings of each local church. The district budget shall be presented to the district pastors as approved by the District Governance Board.

Section 3: World Missions

All monies for World Missions shall be sent directly by the churches to the Denominational Treasurer. The District Superintendent shall receive appropriate reports from the Denominational Treasurer of the district churches’ giving.

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Section 4: Expansion Ministry

All Expansion Ministry Funds shall be sent monthly to the District office.

ARTICLE XI – MINISTERS

Section 1: Educational Requirements

Candidates for the ministry shall be expected to fulfill the requirements stated in the “Constitution of the Missionary Church, Article XII”.

Section 2: Procedure for Credentials

A person seeking ministerial standing in the Missionary Church should counsel with his pastor and District Superintendent or with the Director of World Partners in the case of a missionary candidate. If his qualifications are acceptable, he may submit a final application, which shall be duly considered by the respective bodies authorized to approve candidates and confer ministerial credentials. Candidates who are approved for ministerial service shall be granted a license only upon being duly appointed to active service.

Section 3: Licensed Ministers

A. Candidates shall be approved by the District Conference or the Governance Board after satisfactorily passing an examination and being recommended for licensing by the Committee on Credentials.

B. Any licensed minister in the district who is actively engaged in full-time Christian work AND who has completed two consecutive years of satisfactory ministry may be a candidate for ordination. His request should be made to the District Superintendent in writing at least six months in advance of the desired ordination date. He shall then be interviewed by the Credentialing Committee as to doctrine, practices, and ministry. The Credentialing Committee may recommend the approval to the Governance Board.

C. If a minister who has been ordained by another denomination desires to join this District Conference, he shall make application to the District Superintendent. He shall give full particulars as to previous ordination, reasons for withdrawal, intention to join the church, and acquaintance and agreement with the Constitution by an examination. This information shall be presented to the District Conference, which shall take one of the following actions:

1) Recognize the previous ordination and accept the candidate at once as an ordained minister of the church;

2) Provisionally recognize his previous ordination until such time as the District Conference can fully recognize him as an ordained minister or advise his reordination;

3) Delay action in view of further investigation; or 4) Deny the application.

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Section 4: Evangelists

A. A Missionary Church minister duly credentialed by his District Conference, feeling the call to a full-time evangelistic ministry, may be certified as an approved district or denominational Evangelist.

B. It shall be his duty to do the work of an Evangelist and to make full proof of his ministry by preaching the Word and exhorting with all long-suffering and doctrine. II Timothy 4:2-5

C. He shall uphold the doctrines and practices of the Missionary Church, and keep himself above reproach in all matters of conduct and finance.

D. He shall make an annual report to the President of the Missionary Church.

Section 5: Duties of Credentialed Ministers

A. Credentialed ministers are given the authority to administer communion and baptism, and to solemnize marriage.

B. All ministers in the homeland shall submit an annual report to the respective District Superintendent; all foreign missionaries shall submit their reports to the Director of World Partners.

C. All active credentialed ministers shall meet the annual continuing education requirements as set forth in the Continuing Education Strategy.

Section 6: Discipline of Ministers

Any minister against whom a charge is made for unwise or unbecoming conduct of ministers departing from any doctrine or practice of the Constitution of the Missionary Church, Inc., shall be admonished by the District Superintendent; in the event no satisfactory adjustment is made, the District Superintendent shall bring the matter to the attention of the District Governance Board for appropriate action. If the charge is of sufficient magnitude in the estimation of the District Superintendent, he may temporarily suspend the minister. Final action shall be taken by the Governance Board.

Section 7: Inactive Ministers

Ordained ministers who have discontinued active ministry shall be put on an inactive list. After three years of such inactivity in Christian service, the issuance of credentials shall be discontinued. Exception to this shall be those who retire after having served 25 years of approved ministry; those for whom valid circumstances have interrupted their ministry; and those whom the District Governance Board may recommend for continuing certification. Reinstatement to ordained status is possible if the minister resumes active service. He must make application to the District Governance Board who will appoint a committee to interview him. The District Governance Board will take final action upon the recommendation of this examining committee. Credentials will be restored if such action is favorable.

Section 8: Women Ministers

A. Women who feel called of God to a Christian ministry and who desire ministerial standing shall follow the same procedure as men.

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B. See Missionary Church Constitution (Article XVII “Local Church,” Section D. “Officers,” 1. “Pastor,” a.) and also the position paper, “The Role of Women in Ministry.”

Section 9: Calling a Pastor

A. The District Superintendent shall make available to each church desiring a change of pastor, a list of all approved ministers.

B. A local church seeking a new pastor shall work through the District Superintendent. Under no circumstances may candidates be summoned without his prior approval.

C. From the list of approved and available Missionary Church pastors and workers, the church may, through the District Superintendent, make preliminary contact with the desired prospect.

D. The Church Board or the Pastoral Search Committee, exclusive of the pastor, shall bring to the Local Conference the name of a candidate which it considers advisable.

Section 10: Tenure and Votes of Confidence

A. When a pastor is called by a church, the call shall require at least a two-thirds majority vote of the Local Conference. They are committing to one another for the foreseeable future. This shall be considered an indefinite call; the relationship is not to be entered into on a trial basis.

B. An indefinite call shall be understood to mean that so long as relationships are good and the work of the church is progressing well, no pastoral vote of confidence will be called.

C. Annually, between October 1 and December 31, the relationships between pastor and church shall be assessed by conducting a pastoral and church board review. Both the pastor and the church board shall submit copies of the reviews to the District Superintendent within 10 days of the reviews being completed.

D. On or before February 15 of each year, each minister shall express to the District Superintendent, via the Annual Ministerial Report, his desire regarding his field of service for the next Conference term. If the pastor thinks that a change of pastors is advisable, he shall inform his Church Board.

E. Should relationships break down or the progress of the church be questioned, either pastor or board may request a vote of confidence from the church board. The vote of the board shall be taken not later than January 31.

1) If an incumbent pastor receives less than a majority of the votes cast by the church board, consultation with the District Superintendent is required.

2) After consultation with the District Superintendent, either pastor or board may call for a pastoral vote of confidence by the Local Conference. A vote shall be taken not later than February 28.

3) A pastoral vote of confidence shall be announced at least two Sundays prior to the vote. Absentee ballots are not permitted.

4) If an incumbent pastor receives less than a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, the advisability of the pastor remaining at the church shall be determined by the District Superintendent, pastor and the Church Board in consultation. The final determination shall rest with the District Superintendent.

5) The District Superintendent shall be informed of the result of the vote within 48 hours by either the church secretary or the Board Chairman.

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Section 11: Pastoral Changes

A. Pastors, candidates, and/or churches shall consult with the District Superintendent regarding all matters of pastoral transition such as timing, compensation, and process.

B. Whenever a minister resigns his pastorate, that pastor shall not be eligible for a period of one year to candidate in the same church from which he resigned.

C. Whenever a minister is candidating in a church, the current pastor and his immediate family shall not be present. Further, any additional credentialed ministry staff should consider, under the guidance of the District Superintendent, the advisability of being present.

D. Whenever a church is without a pastor, the District Superintendent may at his discretion and in consultation with the local congregation appoint an interim pastor until the new pastor arrives.

Section 12: Pastor’s Compensation Review

Each year when preparing the budget for the coming year, the Church Board shall review the pastor’s salary and benefits. The District Superintendent shall be available for consultation with the church board in establishing a fair compensation package.

Section 13: Vacation of Credentialed Ministers

All credentialed ministers including Pastors, District Superintendent, and Assistant to the District Superintendent shall be granted vacation according to the following schedule:

6 mos.-1 year = 1 week 1-5 years = 2 weeks 6-12 years = 3 weeks 13-19 years = 4 weeks 20+ years = 5 weeks

These years of service shall be interpreted as meaning years served in full-time ministry while credentialed. A week is defined as seven to nine days, including one Sunday and at least one Wednesday. This will be exclusive of Denominational and District Conferences, Camps, Pastors’ Retreat, etc. Pastors shall be responsible for arranging the time of vacation and the selection of the pulpit replacement for the Sundays, subject to the approval of the Church Board. The honorariums for the guest speakers shall be cared for by the church treasury unless otherwise agreed upon. This schedule is a minimum and a church may grant additional vacation if it so desires.

Section 14: Ministry Staff

A. All ministry staff members must be approved by the District Superintendent prior to being hired by a local church.

B. A minister who has been credentialed by another denomination must have approval of the transfer of credentials before being hired.

C. Ministry Staff are selected by the Senior Pastor with the approval of the Church Board and are not subject to congregational vote.

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D. At the installation of a new Senior Pastor all ministry staff members, as a matter of protocol, shall offer their resignation in writing to the incoming Senior Pastor.

E. In the absence of a Senior Pastor, the Church Board shall consult with the District Superintendent before implementing any changes in Ministry Staff.

ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

In the event it becomes necessary to dissolve or terminate the Missionary Church, North Central District, Inc.; by unanimous vote of the North Central District Governance Board, all assets, if any, after all expenses and debts have been paid, shall be transferred to The Missionary Church, Inc., which qualifies under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1984 or amendments thereto.

ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the Bylaws may be adopted at any session of the District Conference by a two-thirds majority vote of the Conference, provided they do not conflict with the Constitution of the Missionary Church.

Appendix 1

Standing Rules North Central District, Inc.

SECTION 1 – APPOINTMENTS BY THE GOVERNANCE BOARD:

A. Directors Expansion Ministries Hispanic Ministries Student Ministries Children’s Ministries JOY Ministries Historian

B. Teams and Committees Bylaws and Standing Rules Certify Accurate Copies of Journal Committee on Credentials Finance Committee Management Team Memorials Nominating Committee Parliamentarian Pastor’s Salary and Benefits Registration (Credentials) (District Conference) Resolutions Committee Tellers

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SECTION II – BOARDS ELECTED/RATIFIED BY THE CONFERENCE:

Camp Board Governance Board Hubbard Hill Board United Missionary Loans and Investments, Inc. Board

SECTION III – STANDING RESOLUTIONS:

PART 1 – FINANCES

1. All treasurers who report to District Conference; namely, District Treasurer, Prairie Camp, Women’s Ministries, and any other treasurers shall close their books as of December 31 each year, and shall submit the same to an auditor.

2. The Governance Board and the District Superintendent shall secure proper information from local church officials concerning an annual statement of assets and liabilities for the District. This information shall be compiled with the assistance of a public accountant, if necessary, and a report presented to each District Conference.

3. Local churches shall close their fiscal periods on December 31 of each year and reports of officers and treasurers shall be reported as of these periods.

4. It is recommended that each church select a competent general treasurer from its membership, by election, at the local Conference or by appointment of the local Church Board, to care for the funds of the church. Other treasurers of various departments shall be elected from competent and reliable members of the church.

5. Each church wishing to engage in new building or remodeling shall submit to the Management Team for approval in accordance with Appendix 5.

6. All local church treasurers’ books shall be audited by a public accountant, if possible, or by a committee appointed by the chairman or the Church Board.

7. All churches shall report the pastor’s salary for the coming fiscal year to the district office by February 15th of each year.

8. Any church seeking to purchase or sell real estate must obtain prior approval from the Management Team.

PART II – MINISTERS

1. Pastors shall encourage the system of tithing among their members and shall preach at least one sermon on tithing each year.

2. When a minister is stationed on a new field, his membership and that of his wife and minor children (if they are members of the church) shall follow them.

3. No speaker, except a candidating minister, shall be engaged by any person, group or auxiliary in the ministries of the local church without the approval of the Senior Pastor.

4. We recommend that no pastor shall arrange to leave his church for evangelistic work until satisfactory arrangements are made with his church; and that he see that the supply in his church be properly remunerated for his service.

5. The pastoral vacation is a privilege granted to the pastor by the District and recognized by the local church based upon the length of ministry. Since the privilege is based upon length of ministry, the pastor may utilize vacation time without being bound to a year of service at a local church before the vacation is granted.

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6. No minister, besides the pastor, shall be permitted to be a member of the Board of the local church, except those elected to an office where they would be members of the Board by virtue of their offices.

7. All ministers in charge of a Missionary Church or Affiliate Church shall be responsible to have the minutes of their Annual Business Meeting and Annual Statistical Report filed in the district office by February 15th of each year.

8. We recommend that the local church or its designate, exclusive of any paid ministerial staff, shall represent the church in negotiating for a pastor.

PART III – MISCELLANEOUS

1. The local church office shall maintain the records and historical documents of the local church and the pastor shall be held responsible for the same.

2. Organizations having secret meetings with oath bound or password obligations are hereby classed as secret societies and members joining them shall become subject to the “Constitution of the Missionary Church” on the subject of secret societies.

3. When a member is suspended or expelled from any local church for any cause, no pastor or any of our churches shall receive him/her into membership until he has made satisfactory adjustment to the difficulty with the church having suspended or expelled him/her.

4. We strongly encourage our Sunday schools to use literature that is in keeping with our Wesleyan theological position.

5. To assure greatest representation at District Conference, local congregations are advised not to elect as their delegate to Conference the wife of a minister or any layman who by virtue of office already is a member of Conference.

6. Each church is asked to send any recommendations that it has for the coming District Conference directly to the district office.

7. The Committee to Certify Accurate Copies of the Journal shall be appointed a year in advance so that their work may be completed by the coming Conference.

8. The list of nominees presented to the Conference must be distributed to the delegates prior to or at Conference, with a brief statement concerning each of the nominees.

9. Our District Superintendent may be the delegate to the national conventions of the National Association of Evangelicals and the Christian Holiness Partnership.

10. The chairman of the District Conference shall be responsible to appoint a Parliamentarian at every regular or special called Conference.

11. Annually, before the Governance Board meets to prepare the ballot for election of officers, district churches shall be contacted to invite them to submit names for consideration.

12. No published Conference reports are to be read publicly unless requested by a Conference member.

13. All members of District Committees and Boards shall be members of the Missionary Church in good standing.

PART IV – RULES OF ORDER

Rule 1. RESOLVED, That the chairman of the Conference designate the area constituting the Conference Bar.

Rule 2. RESOLVED, That the Conference members retain their respective places with regard to the established Conference Bar throughout the Conference, except by consent of the Chairman.

Rule 3. RESOLVED, That each member desiring to address the Conference shall rise, address the Chairman and speak no longer than five minutes, except by consent of the Conference.

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Rule 4. RESOLVED, That no member shall speak more than twice on the same subject except by consent of the Conference.

Rule 5. RESOLVED, That all ministers from other districts and ministers from other denominations, be admitted as advisory members and they be invited to sit in the first two rows of seats back of the Bar.

Rule 6. RESOLVED, That throughout the Conference when there is a majority of votes for one person on the first ballot, such a ballot shall be considered an electoral ballot.

Rule 7. RESOLVED, That a committee of not more than four be appointed to read and compare the minutes of the Conference.

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Appendix 2

District Conference Composition Worksheet

According to North Central District Bylaws, Article IV District Conference, Section 2: Composition:

Membership Delegates

15-75 1

76-125 2

126-175 3

176-225 4

226-275 5

276-325 6

326-375 7

376-425 8

426-475 9

476-525 10

526-575 11

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Appendix 3

North Central District Organizational Chart

Local Congregations

Once per year

District ConferenceOnce per year

Hubbard Hill BoardUML&I Board

Prairie Camp Board

Governance Board

D.S. - Joe Wenger (2021) V.D.S. - John Gregory (2018)

A.D.S. (Advisory) - Dan Bridges (2021) Secretary – Jason Nicholls (2019) Treasurer – Randy Myers (2020)

Dave Dyck (2018) Matt Maloney (2018)

Pat Puglisi (2018) Edie Sutton (2018) Chris Beall (2019)

Joel Greenwood (2019) Mike Meyer (2019)

Ron Wiseman (2019)

Directors & Committees Appointed by Chairman

Directors & Committees Appointed by

Governance Board

Management TeamEmphasis:

Finance & Operations

Updated March 2017

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Appendix 4

Process and Checklist for Purchasing Property

1.   Notify District office of intent to purchase property.* 

2.   Church board approves pursuing potential purchase.  

3.   Church leadership shares concept of purchase with congregation. 

4. Management Team tours potential purchase to approve or disapprove moving forward. 

5.   Items 6-11 must be completed before a purchase agreement can be signed. 

6. Projected total costs of purchase submitted for district approval.* 

7. Copy of minutes of church board approval of purchase.* 

8. District approval of debt ceiling.* 

9. Notify the District Office of any loan applications.* 

10. District approval of loan(s).* 

11.   Copy of minutes of congregational approval of purchase.* 

12.   Purchase agreement may be signed. 

13. Coordinate with district office to schedule two officers to sign for the purchase of

property. 

14.   Church arranges for insurance for property after closing. 

15. Property is titled in district’s name unless granted waiver by Management Team. 

16. Two District Officers sign for purchase at closing. 

17. Deed is filed at county court house. 

18.   District office applies for exemption of real estate taxes. 

* Items must be submitted to the Management Team as they are incurred.

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Appendix 5

Process and Checklist for Building/Remodeling

1. Notify District office of intent to build or remodel prior to requesting any quotations.*

2. If looking at estimates in the planning stages remember that estimates are not binding

quotes.

3. Minimum 2 written quotations (not estimates) for all work to be done.*

4. References from contractor.*

5. Proof of contractor’s worker’s compensation insurance.*

6. Proof of contractor’s liability insurance.*

7. Copy of minutes of congregational approval.*

8. Notify the District Office of any loan applications.*

9. Building plans for district approval.*

10. Projected total costs for district approval.*

11. District approval of debt ceiling.*

12. District approval of loan(s).*

13. Accepted quotations (signed contracts) must be signed by both parties and a copy sent to

the district office.*

14.  Ensure necessary permits have been pulled.

15.  Any extra work outside of quote (change orders) must be authorized and signed before

work is commenced.

* Items must be submitted to the Management Team as they are incurred.

The checklist for * items to be completed is on page 2 of this document.

Approved by Management Team on March 16, 2006

Revised: June 15, 2006

July 13, 2006

January 18, 2007

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Appendix 5 cont.

Items to Be Submitted To or Approved By Management Team

Church Name: _______________________________________

Project Contact Name: ________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________________________

Item

Date Completed

Notes

District Notified of Project

Two Quotes (not estimates)

Contractor References

Proof of Contractor’s Worker’s Comp Insurance

Proof of Contractor’s Liability Insurance

Copy of Minutes of Congregational Approval

District Office Notified of Loan Applications

District Approval of Building Plans

District Approval of Total Cost of Project

District Approval of Debt Ceiling

District Approval of Loan

Copy of Signed Contract(s)

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Appendix 6

Recommended Sabbatical Leave Guidelines for the Local Church

A sabbatical leave provides an ordained minister an opportunity to reflect on his call to ministry and relationship with God and God’s people. It is expected to be beneficial both to the pastor and the church he serves. The following are guidelines for sabbaticals: There are various kinds of sabbatical leaves:

1) Study Leave... 2) Rest and Spiritual Renewal Leave... 3) Service Leaves... 4) Special Assignment... 5) Pastoral Exchange...

Length: One month of sabbatical time is granted for each completed year of ministry.

1) Sabbatical benefits begin to accumulate during the first year of ministry but can only be activated following the third year of service.

2) Sabbaticals should be granted at regular intervals, preferably within four to seven year cycles, instead of after extended periods greater than seven years.

3) Vacation time shall not be considered as part of the sabbatical benefit, however, vacation time could be added to a sabbatical agreement.

4) Participation in short seminars or conferences throughout the year shall not be considered a part of the sabbatical time.

Specific Agreements: Persons interested in a sabbatical should make application to the church board to

which they are accountable at least six months prior to the planned absence from ministry. This application should include a statement of goals for the intended sabbatical, an outline of proposed activities, and a rationale as to how these activities will help them reach their goals.

Remuneration: During any agreed upon sabbatical time, monthly salary, housing and benefits will

continue at the usual rate. Grant monies received from other sources for salary, housing and benefits shall be forwarded to the church.

Implementation: This sabbatical policy shall normally become part of the salary and benefits package

negotiated at the time the ministering person is engaged. The maximum number of years that can be credited toward the sabbatical program retroactively at the point at which the program is adopted is six years.

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Appendix 7

Guidelines for Treasurers, Bookkeepers, Money Counters and Depositors

The following are guidelines that all churches in the North Central District should strongly consider adopting and monitoring.

1. Church Board shall make provision to purchase bond insurance equal to one month's total regular

financial gifts on all persons who handle the offerings. Note: All churches that currently insure through Brotherhood Mutual already have bond insurance.

2. Church Board shall designate three people that shall sign checks.

3. Church Board shall require double-signature checks.

4. Church Board shall designate as many people as necessary to count the offerings.

5. Church Board shall designate at least two people to count the offerings and record the aggregate

amount. The offerings shall be placed in an appropriate bank bag and given to the person responsible to deposit the money.

6. Church Board shall designate two persons to deposit offerings.

7. Church Board shall require that the day's offerings shall be deposited following the morning service(s)

or the offerings placed in the church safe until after the Sunday evening offerings have been received. The person responsible to deposit monies shall absolutely not take the money home with them so as to be deposited at a more convenient time or at a later date.

8. Church Board shall require that the Financial Secretary records the individual gifts and keeps an

accurate record. Quarterly reports shall be distributed to the donors throughout the year.

9. Church Board shall require that the Treasurer record the breakdown of the offerings into the various accounts in the finance record.

10. Church Board shall require that the Treasurer provide a monthly finance report to the pastor and

board.

11. Church Board shall require that the Treasurer provide a monthly check-register report to the pastor and board.

12. Church Board shall require that an annual audit be performed on all financial records by an in-house or

an independent organization. Approved by the Management Team on March 16, 2006.

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Appendix 8

Process of a Vote of Confidence

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Appendix 9

Suggested Procedure and Timeline for the Nominating Committee for the District Superintendent

August Nominating Committee for the District Superintendent is formed (Art VII, Sec 13, A)

September 15 The sitting District Superintendent declares his intention to run, in writing, to the Governance Board (Art VII, Sec 13, C)

September 16 A letter goes out to Missionary Church, North Central District churches that communicates the decision of the sitting District Superintendent and solicits nominations

October 15 Nominations close (Art VII, Sec 13, D)

November 15 The Nominating Committee for the District Superintendent confers with the President of the Missionary Church, Inc. and submits a list of vetted, qualified candidates to the Governance Board (Art VII, Sec 13, D)

Nov/Dec Governance Board sets the ballot for the election of the District Superintendent

Dec/Jan Confer with the President of the Missionary Church, Inc. on the determination of nominees. Nominees ratified by the Ministry Leadership Council and General Oversight Council of the Missionary Church, Inc. (MCI Constitution Art XV, C, 1, b)

February Special Conference for the election of the District Superintendent

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SECTION SIX MISCELLANEOUS

94

95

96

97

98

99

100

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2017 ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT

As reported on Denominational Annual Reports

EVANGELISM

2016 2017

Professions of conversion 557 342 Baptisms 234 232 Conversion growth 5.1% 3.1%

MEMBERSHIP

2016 2017

Total current membership 4,935 4,878

ATTENDANCE

2016 2017

Worship average attendance 10,818 11,157 Educational ministries 4,884 4,382 Children (other than Sunday School) 1,116 1,048 Youth (other than Sunday School) 1,106 1,253

CHURCH FINANCES

2016 2017

Contributions (other than Building fund and Bequests) 19,869,831 21,868,859 Building fund 960,886 1,180,610 Bequests 167,655 17,663 Subsidies 7,000 13,321 Other receipts 1,367,675 1,733,293 Membership per capita giving 4,221 4,725

Total receipts 22,373,047 24,813,746

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2016 2017

Local expenses 15,839,083 16,023,108 District support 1,113,108*1 1,267,739*1

U.S. support 280,296 279,005 World Partners 578,110 665,317 Bethel College 60,232 48,455 Other missions agencies 1,590,808 1,485,893 Other expenditures 1,530,354 1,479,346

Total Expenditures 20,991,991 21,248,863

CHURCH PROPERTY

2016 2017

Total value 151,138,760 146,126,117 Property insurance coverage 144,863,099 165,060,512 Liability insurance coverage 104,311,000 81,170,000

INDEBTEDNESS

2016 2017

Total indebtedness 6,189,657 4,915,041

*1 This number does not just represent district assessments. Some churches reported giving to district ministries (i.e. Prairie Camp and Devon Oasis) in this line. Total district assessments paid by NCD churches in 2016 were $418,567 and in 2017 were $423,458.

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2017 PASTORAL PLACEMENT REPORT FOR NEXT CONFERENCE YEAR

Asi es .......................................... Evelio Quinonez Living Waters ........................................................ Bethany ............................................. Mike Peters Luz y Vida ....................................... Amado Lopez Bethel .................................................. Joel Gentz Luz y Vida, Warsaw ........................ Amado Lopez Beulah ................................................. Earl Smith Mill Creek ............................................. Chris Beall Bremen ............................................. Kurt Litwiller Nappanee ................................... David Engbrecht Brenneman Memorial ..................... Matt Maloney New Life Fellowship ............................. Drew Ryall Bristol................................................ Terry Powell The Revolution ............................ Ryan Flemming Burr Oak ..................................... George Milliman New Hope-Indiana ............................. Alan Stover California Road ..........................Bud Walterhouse New Hope-Michigan ..................... Byron Maynard Camden ........................................... Dave Binkley New Paris ..................................... David Hackney Casa del Alfarero ..................... Roberto Gonzalez Northeast ....................................... Darren Pettifor Cedar Road .................................... Dale Hamrick Oak Grove ...................................... Kevin Skaggs Chapel Hill ............................................................ Pleasant Hill ........................................ Gregg Cole College Park .............................. Thomas Maxwell Plymouth.............................................. Pat Puglisi Cristiana la Restauracion ................ Angel Crespo Prairieview ......................................... Phil Jerome Crossroads ...................................... Bryan Balasa Presence Ministries ......................... Paul Metzger Crystal Valley ................................. Dave Rowland Redeemer ...................................... Jason Nicholls Deaf Michiana Missionary Church . Randy Pringle Diamond Cove ................................ Charlie Keller River of Life ........... Roscoe Hoffman (Lay Pastor) East Gilead ................. Harry Squires (Lay Pastor) Solid Rock ............................................................ El Divino Redentor ...................... Evelio Quinonez St. Mark .......................................... John Gregory Fairview ...................................... Joel Greenwood Sturgis ............................................... Bob Renner Forestbrook ......................................... Ron Drake Summit Church ..................................... Dan Miller Galien .................................................. Dale Gadd Trinity .......................................... Terry Neumayer Getsemani .................................. Jose Hernandez Vandercook ...................................... Tom Burgett Gospel Center ................................... Jon Ranous Wakarusa ......................................... Chris Knight Granger ...................................... Jason Dickinson Warsaw............................................... Ken Chupp Hillside .................................................................. West Eckford .................................. Dave Nicholls Keller Park ...................................... David Cramer Zion-Elkhart ................................ Jacob LaBounty Koontz Lake ............................... Brian Baughman Zion-Fremont ...................................... Jon Bruney LaGrange .....................................Brent Danielson Lake ...................................................................... Expansion Projects: LaPorte ........................................... Carl Galloway Encounter Church (Newly chartered)Jared Gregory Liberty ................................................. David Boys Devon Oasis (Chicago plant) ........... Bob Andrews

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ROSTER OF NON-MISSIONARY CHURCHES

OF THE NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

(Pastored by individuals with Missionary Church credentials)

Batavia Community Church (Independent) Coldwater, MI 49036 Rev. Doug Currier/Rev. Don Matteson Burr Oak Church (Independent) Ligonier, IN Rev. Richard Carpenter Jamestown Church (Independent) Jamestown, IN Rev. Paul Metzger Lockwood Community (Independent) Coldwater, MI Rev. Shayne Looper Miami Village Church South Bend, IN Rev. Chuck Lambdin Moorepark Community Church Three Rivers, MI Rev. Bud Granger New Prairie Christian Fellowship (Independent) New Carlisle, IN Pastor Terry Bucholtz

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NOTES

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