USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Germantown > Minutes of the session of the Ohio Miami Conference, successor to Miami Conference, of the United Methodist Church, 1969 > Part 5
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Dr. William K. Messmer, outgoing Conference Superintendent, offered words of greetings and welcome to those present and expressed the appre- ciation of the Conference for the leadership of Bishop F. Gerald Ensley throughout the sessions of this the One Hundred Sixtieth and final session of the Ohio Miami Conference.
The Rev. Maurice D. Gribler presented four men to Bishop Ensley to receive certificates of recognition as retiring Elders of the Conference: The Rev. Dr. Emerson Bragg, The Rev. Harold Brown, The Rev. Dr. Roy D. Miller, and The Rev. Ralph Tinsley.
An offering was received on behalf of the continuing Education Fund of the Conference for Ministers. An organ offertory, "Traumerie" by Boehm was played by the Rev. H. Eugene Risch.
Bishop Ensley preached on the topic, "Owe No One Anything" based on the text in Romans 13:8, "Owe no one anything, except to love one an- other .. . " His remarks were addressed primarily to the clergy of the Con-
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
ference. He suggested first of all that this text applies to money. It takes dis- cipline and skill to handle money these days, but be honest and above board in money matters. "Pastors, pay your debts!" Secondly, pastors were cau- tioned to avoid plagiarizing. The purloining of other men's outlines and stories should be studiously avoided! "Learn to read not for our sermon's sake, but for our self's sake." Thirdly, consider the opposite of the text, "owe no one anything." We all always are in debt. We are born with a debt to others we can never repay. We all are in debt so much that we are em- barrassed. The difference is that some recognize their indebtedness and others are indifferent to the priceless heritage which is theirs.
The Rev. Maurice D. Gribler presented William M. Zeller, whose home church is the Belmont United Methodist Church, Dayton, Ohio to be ad- vanced to the order of Deacon, and Carl A. Synan of the Middleburg United Methodist Church, State Line, Pennsylvania, to be advanced to the order of Elder. Sponsors for Mr. Synan were The Rev. Charles Loveless, Pastor of the Church of the Cross, The Rev. John K. Bergland, Director of Admission, United Theological Seminary, and Dr. Harold H. Platz, Professor of Biblical Literature, United Theological Seminary. (See Report No. 24)
Dr. James E. Flinchbaugh, Registrar for the Board of Ministry, led the congregation in a unison reading of the Collect, invoking God's blessings upon the ordinands. Dr. Walter R. Dickhaut, Sr., District Superintendent of the Springfield District of the Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church read Ephesians 3:7-9, 4:11-14 as the Epistle Lesson. Dr. Carl B. Eschbach, newly appointed District Superintendent of the Ohio Miami Con- ference, read John 10:9-16 as the Gospel Lesson. Following the examining of the ordinands by the Bishop, the candidates were advanced to their re- spective orders and were presented with copies of the Holy Bible, thus being granted the authority to preach and teach God's Holy Word. Mr. Synan was presented a stole, now being yoked with Christ. He was also presented "A Book of Worship" of The United Methodist Church. The impressive ordina- tion service was concluded by a prayer of blessing upon the ordinands by Bishop Ensley.
The Church of the Cross choir sang Handel's "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs," after which Bishop Ensley read the appointments of charges to pastors. As was the practice in the early days of Methodist, the Confer- ence was concluded by singing the hymn, "And Let Our Bodies Part." The Benediction was prayed by Bishop Ensley, and the congregation retired to the social room to greet the ordinands and to enjoy light refreshments. The Rev. H. Eugene Risch played Handel's "Postlude in G Major" as the post- lude to our evening's worship.
SPECIAL SESSION of the
OHIO MIAMI CONFERENCE of the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Held in
Columbus, Ohio November 7, 1968
Mershon Auditorium, Ohio State University Bishop F. Gerald Ensley, presiding.
A joint session of the former Evangelical United Brethren Conferences -Ohio Miami, Ohio Sandusky and Ohio Southeast-with the Ohio Confer- ence West Area of the former Methodist Church. The assembly met and acted as the United Methodist Church, the Ohio West Area. Bishop F. Gerald Ensley, Episcopal leader.
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CONFERENCE E PROCEEDINGS
MORNING SESSION - 10:00 A.M.
The organ prelude by the organist, Mr. Kenneth Axelson, was variations on "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God". Bishop Ensley called the Conference to order.
"I hereby call to order this special session of the Ohio West Area Con- ference of the United Methodist Church as ordered by the several bodies at their regular sessions past."
The Conference sang the hymn entitled: "And Are We Yet Alive?" Dr. William K. Messmer, Superintendent of the Ohio Miami Conference prayed the invocation. The Ohio Conference Ministers' Choir sang "The Feasts of Feasts" by Arnold Williams. The Choir was directed by Rev. Marvin Peter- son. The Scripture Lesson, Acts 27:22-44, was read by Dr. Messmer.
Bishop F. Gerald Ensley gave the devotional message, using the Scrip- ture reading as a text on the facing and handling of a crisis. He said St. Paul was (1) a take charge individual; (2) he resolved to help; and (3) he had confidence in the outcome. Bishop Ensley reminded the Conference that life is a series of crisis that begin with birth. The present situation in our country is a crisis in which the United Methodist Church has resolved to have a hand and is confident of the outcome.
A brief intermission gave time to complete physical arrangements for the business session to follow. Bishop Ensley presiding, again called the Conference to order and gave instruction concerning registrations and lunch period. He stated that under the direction of the General Conference meeting in Dallas, Texas, each Annual Conference is to hold a special session for the consideration and implementation of the Fund for Reconciliation in its re- spective area.
Dr. Raoul Caulkins moved that this joint session of the Ohio Conferences of the former E.U.B. Church and the Ohio Conference of the Ohio West Area of the former Methodist Church reaffirm the action of the General Confer- ence and designate the first Sunday of Lent, February 23, 1969, as the date to officially launch the Fund for Reconciliation in the local churches through- out the area. The motion was properly seconded. A number of speeches in support of the action were heard. It was voted unanimously to support the motion.
Dr. John Seay spoke of possible projects for Conference concern related to the Fund for Reconciliation and urged that national guidelines for ad- ministering the Fund be followed by advisory groups on the Area, District and Local levels.
Mr. John Rowan spoke on problems and possible projects related to the inner city.
Mrs. James Leonard spoke on problems and areas of need related to family life.
Rev. Robert Weaver called attention to the needs of volunteer workers, and the opportunity for volunteer service as a meaningful part of the Fund for Reconciliation effort.
Mr. Clifford Carter, a lay leader in the Ohio Conference, spoke in sup- port of the Fund for Reconciliation and closed saying that problems not ade- quately dealt with will ultimately consume us.
A recess was declared for lunch. The Conference to reconvene at 2:00 P.M.
AFTERNOON SESSION - 2:00 O'CLOCK
The organist, Mr. Kenneth Axelson, played "Hymn Preludes" by Seth Bingham as the Conference assembled. The Conference sang the hymn "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life" after which we were led in prayer by Dr. Donald W. Cryer, Superintendent of Toledo District and Chairman of Ohio Conference Cabinet.
The United Theological Seminary Choir of Dayton directed by Rev.
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Aaron Shaffer sang two numbers: "I Will Extol Thee" by Daniel Moe and "One Lord" by Porter.
The Conference was addressed by Bishop W. Ralph Ward, Episcopal leader, Syracuse Area of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Ward was the one to make the first proposal of a Fund for Reconciliation. Following the address, the Conference sang the hymn "God of Grace and God of Glory."
A very effective Pledge Service was presented by Mrs. Sumpter M. Riley and the United Theological Seminary Choir. Mrs. Riley gave a splendid reading of "The Creation" from James Weldon Johnson's work God's Trom- bones, against a musical background by the Choir. The Choir then picked up the theme with a choral reading dramatized by other students of the Seminary. Following this, all in attendance at the Conference were urged to make their own pledge toward the Fund for Reconciliation as an incentive to the local church.
The pledge cards were gathered by ushers who presented them to Bishop Ensley for a prayer of dedication at the altar. The Conference united in singing the hymn entitled "Rise Up, O Men of God."
The benediction was pronounced by Dr. S. Lee Whiteman, Administra- tive Assistant to Bishop Ensley.
REPORTS
(ANNUAL SESSION)
Committee on Assignments
No. 1
Conference Superintendent for the Staff No. 2
Council of Administration No. 3
Committees of the Conference
Nos.
4-11
Boards, Commissions, Societies
Nos. 12-19
Officers of the Conference
1. Statistician (Summary) No. 20
2. Treasurers
Nos. 21-22
Plan and Basis of Union
No. 23
Miscellaneous Reports, Resolutions, Greetings
Nos. 24-28
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
REPORT NO 1
Appointment of Ministers in The Ohio Miami Conference - 1969-1970 May 22, 1969
(* New Assignments)
(Number following name indicates years in present appointment.)
Special Appointments
John K. Bergland Director of Admissions, United Theological Seminary
James Bergland Assistant Professor, Union Theological Seminary
Professor, United Theological Seminary
E. Edwin Burtner
Philip O. Deever Professor, Evangelical Theological Seminary
James H. Legg Financial Administrator, United Theological Seminary
* William K. Messmer Administrative Assistant to Bishop F. Gerald Ensley *H. Eugene Risch .. Executive Coordinator, Southeastern Ecumenical Ministry Robert C.Ryder .. Executive Secretary, Attleboro, Mass., Council of Churches
Chaplains
U.S. Army
W. Richard Waddle
U.S. Army
Supernumerary
Raymond Merz
Assigned to attend school
Students - Probationers and Deacons
John S. Boyd
United Theological Seminary
Paul D. Robinson
United Theological Seminary
Kelly D. Silvers
United Theological Seminary
David E. Stichweh
United Theological Seminary
Richard C. Storment
United Theological Seminary
David C. Trout
United Theological Seminary
William M. Zeller
Conference Staff
Conference Superintendent
Carl B. Eschbach
Charles C. Messmer Director of Camp Program and Management Director of Development
Louis O. Odon
Director of Program Council Owen Delp
NORTHWEST GROUP
Abbotsville-Caylor Chapel
Larry F. Beman 2
Castine-Savona
Arnold S. Kastner 2
Eldorado
John E. McRoberts 9
Evangelical, Union City
Paul E. Chastain 13
Faith, Arcanum
*Gordon Byrum (Indiana South) 1
Ithaca
Ivan E. Jenkins 4
Nashville
*Edward G. Wallen ('Ohio Sandusky) 1
New Madison
R. David Kitzman 2
Otterbein-Yankeetown
(to be supplied)
Rose Hill-Yorkshire
*M. Ray Deeter (Indiana South)
Ware's Chapel
1 Waterhouse, yoked to Lightsville-Raper Chapel
(to be appointed by Ohio Conf.) *Ted Lynn Sauter (Florida) 1
West Manchester
*Ted Lynn Sauter (Florida) 1 West Sonora
*Ira C. Clark 1
Evangelical, Greenville
James H. Riley 2
George R. Young
United Theological Seminary
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
WEST CENTRAL GROUP
Antioch
*David W. Schneider 1
Arlington
Fred V. Brown 3
Christ, Verona
Robert L. Anderson 5
Clayton
(to be announced later)
Community, Brookville
Harry W. Deaven
11
Englewood
James B. Duvall
6
Memorial, Lewisburg
Ronald Keebler
3
New Lebanon
Kenneth L. Jenkins
7
New Hope
* John Halderman (Susquehanna)
1
Phillipsburg
Fred Luzader 4
Potsdam
Harry T. Sinks 3
Pyrmont
*James H. Legg, Jr. (Virginia) 1
WEST GROUP
Faith, Middletown
Assistant
J. Lowell Lakes 3
Farmersville
Howard L. Hahn 5
Good Shepherd, Germantown
J. C. Herbert 7 1
Greenbush
*John D. Hall (Indiana North)
Hamilton Ninth Street
James M. Farrell
5 1
Millville, yoked to McGonigle
Edgar R. Farmer
4
Oregonia
*Jose D. Estoye
1
Otterbein Home
Charles W. Packham
4
Park Avenue, Hamilton
Demi E. Edwards
6 5
Springboro
* Walter W. Arnold
1
St. Marks
Robert A. Long
3
State Road
*Thomas England (Ohio Southeast)
1
Union Chapel
Clifton W. Hatfield 12
West Elkton
Paul Price 2
CENTRAL GROUP
Aley
Richard E. Hedges 7
Beardshear
C. Edwin Pellett 3
Church of the Cross
Charles W. Loveless 3
Associate *Gary L. Eubank 1 4
Belmont
James E. Flinchbaugh
Associate
Brooks W. Heck
3
Associate
David L. McRoberts
Eastmont
*J. Eugene Griffith
Evangelical, Xenia
*Charles F. Ruth
Fairview
*Kenneth W. Krueger 1
Associate
* Everett H. Aldstadt 1
Faith
*Charles R. Muller
1
First Church
C. Willard Fetter Emerson D. Bragg J. Lee Kreider
11
Parkside Parish
George H. McAhren Maurice D. Gribler
11 5
Liberty
*Ralph W. Tinsley
Normandy
Milford E. Ater 15
Associate
Harvey B. Smith 5
Oak Street
Gordon C. Core 6
4 3
Good Shepherd
Hope
James B. Kendrick, Sr. 13 Carl R. Robinson Paul E. Westbrook 2 1
8
Fort McKinley
William J. Miller 3 4 1 1
Drexel Park
*Wendell L. Butt
Jacksonburg
Joe M. Miller 2
Pleasant Ridge
Frank E. Robinson
Hunter Community
Clifford D. Stearns 11
Miami Chapel
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Oakwood
Otterbein Parish Pastor
Harvey C. Hahn 41
Parkview, Miamisburg
Donald L. Irvin 7 Frederick Heath, Jr. 3
Residence Park
James K. Wagner 6
Sulphur Grove
Joel S. Baer 3
Trinity
Walter N. Miranda 16
Vandalia
Robert Copeland 7
NORTHEAST GROUP
Bowlusville
Murn B. Klepinger 3
Columbus Avenue
Frank L. Gross 5
Evangelical, Piqua
Carl W. Hahn, Jr. 2
Fletcher Kyle G. Phipps 2
Ginghamsburg
Gerald Geiger 11
Lagonda
New Hope, yoked to Hardin Methodist .. William A. West (Western Penna.) 2 Sherwood T. Barnette 3 Rosewood
SOUTHWEST GROUP
Cherry Grove
Wendell W. Freshley 9
Cheviot
James V. Frazier, Jr. 10
Clough
William D. Worth 6
College Hill
Dana R. Heaton 2
Crosby
(to be supplied)
Dunlap
* Carl A. Synan 1
Evangelical, Clifton
A. Kent Adams 3
Faith, Batavia
Donald W. Rossman 1
Harrison, yoked to Harrison Methodist
Herman A. Emmert 8
Heritage
William E. Hensley 11
Mt. Airy
Ronald R. Hill 7
Ninth Street, Newport
Eugene E. Purdy 8
Prince of Peace
Howard R. James 3
SOUTHEAST GROUP
Bloom Rose
*H. Douglas Shriner (Ohio Southeast) 1
Browntown-Union Plains Carroll E. Jay ('West Virginia) 2
East Danville, yoked to Sugar Tree Ridge Fred W. Doverspike (West. Penna.) 2
Mowrystown-Ketterman
Carl M. Cotrone 5
Second Creek, yoked to Edenton *Harold J. Messmer 1
GROUP LEADERS
Group
Ministerial Leaders
Lay Leaders
Northwest Paul E. Chastain
Heber Gauch
West Central Harry W. Deaven
Dan Williams
West Clifton W. Hatfield
Dr. L. M. Bremer
Central Walter N. Miranda
Jay Jacoby
Northeast
Gerald Geiger
Ernest Saul
Southwest
William D. Worth
Milton Knollman
Steve Sonner
Southeast none
*Forrest M. Garner 1
Roy W. Fisher 5
Southern Hills
Grover D. Letner 9
Wayne Avenue
Charles E. Selby 2
Zion
North Bend
James R. Stewart 2
H. Dale Morse 2
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
REPORT NO 2 The Conference Staff Report
To our esteemed Bishop F. Gerald Ensley, my brethren in the ministry, lay members and friends of the one hundredth and sixtieth session of our Ohio Miami Conference: greetings in the name of Christ.
I present herewith my twentieth annual report and while I may use the personal pronoun "overmuch," I insist that this report is a reflection of the combined and individual stewardship of my three colleagues on the Con- ference staff.
The passing years have not dimmed my gratitude to God's abiding love and care. The inadequacies of us all are made more bearable by God's in- creasing grace.
"I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge-even as the testimony to Christ was con- firmed among you-so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
I Corinthians 1:4-9
May I offer in behalf of us all the warmest possible greeting to Bishop and Mrs. F. Gerald Ensley. Since last July when the North Central Juris- dictional Conference placed us in Bishop Ensley's charge, and even prior to that we have appreciated his developing acquaintance and understanding of our conference and its work. Bishop Ensley is an experienced episcopal leader and I know your respect and regard for his ability and dedication will continue to grow. We welcome you both, Bishop and Mrs. Ensley into our circle and into our hearts.
IN MEMORIAM
Two members of our retired ministerial group passed away during the year. Mrs. Don E. Gillespie passed away at her home in Florida after a quite brief illness. Crystal was known to most of us as a gracious person who in every way contributed to the ministry of her husband. The parishes which they served together were West Elkton, Otterbein (Darke County), North Bend, Miamisburg and Residence Park. She was the mother of three fine sons, each of whom found a place in the life and work of our church as good laymen. One son, John, preceded his mother in death. Two sons, Eldon and Chuck, survive along with her husband Don. We give thanks for her life and service. She passed away September 27, 1968.
Mrs. W. E. Ward, (Amy), a widow of one of our pastors, passed away September 17, 1968. Mrs. Ward served with her husband in several parishes in our conference, namely Fairview, Otterbein (Darke County), Vandalia and Residence Park. Prior to this service they served in Ohio Sandusky Con- ference and for a period of time on the Field Staff of United Theological Seminary. Mrs. Ward gave abundant evidence of her Christian faith and devotion as a pastor's wife, and following retirement to the work of the local churches where she and her husband affiliated-Sulphur Grove and lastly, Dayton First Church. She was the mother of three daughters, all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Helen Kinzinger, Mrs. Frances Coleman and Miss Marian Ward.
We joyfully record our appreciation of these fellow Christian leaders and commend those who survive to God's continuing comfort.
THE MINISTRY
We have had only a few pastoral changes since our last annual session. In spite of a vote by both the local church and the Annual Conference, the members of the Oregonia Church called me shortly after conference last year
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
and expressed a desire to continue services. I was able to secure the leader- ship of Jose Estoye and the church has continued its activity.
Douglas Shriner, a United Seminary student, was assigned to the Bloom Rose Church last summer.
Jerome Schultz resigned the Greenbush Church and John Hall, also a United Seminary student, was assigned to this church.
Philip Shafer, who recently completed his theological course, resigned the Ware's Chapel appointment to enter industry and the church has been under the care of James Legg for the final weeks of this conference year.
The march of the years leads five of our stalwart and faithful brethren to request superannuation at this session of our Annual Conference. They are Emerson Bragg, who will retire effective October 1, 1969, after 43 years of service; Harold Brown after 40 years of service; Carl Eschbach after 16 years in the mission field, five years with the General Board of Missions, and 19 years as a pastor in Ohio Miami Conference; Roy D. Miller with 16 years in the pastorate and 27 years as a Seminary Professor; and Ralph Tinsley with a 37 year record of pastoral experience. We will miss these men from the active ranks but wish for them many years of life under less demanding responsibilities. We are sure they will continue to render service in effective ways. These men are hereby referred to the Board of Ministry for appro- priate recommendation to the Conference.
Carl Synan, having completed his Seminary course, is referred to the Board of Ministry for appropriate recommendation for ordination as an Elder. Likewise, William Zeller is referred for consideration to be ordained a Deacon.
The probationers and those applying for credentials as ministerial stu- dents and license to preach are referred to the Board of Ministry for review and subsequent report to the Annual Conference.
Plan and Basis of Conference Union
This has been a year of tremendous activity bringing into fruition the Plan and Basis of Conference Union. The Committee which has served as the authority to prepare and present the document on Conference Union has been: Mrs. Darwin Medkeff, Jay Jocoby, William Hensley, Carl Robinson, Louis Odon, and W. K. Messmer, with Charles Messmer and Owen Delp serving as alternates. The eight persons, however, are by no means all the persons who have been working on the preparatio of this eventful document. There have been a total of forty-two of our people involved in the develop- ment of the Plan and Basis of Conference Union. I would like to list for the record the individuals who were invited and who for the most part attended the sessions which developed the Plan and Basis of Union. In addition to the above named persons, there were the following:
Kent Adams Marjorie Frazier
David Schneider
Walter Miranda
Hubert Fellers
James Flinchbaugh
Maurice Gribler
Edwin Pellett
Lowell Bowers
Harold Boda
Harvey Hammink
Clifton Hatfield
Hazel Dover
Mark Beachler
Carl Eschbach
Milford Ater Charles Peckham
Herman Emmert
Joanne Reason
Herb Henderson
Ruth Moody
James Wagner
Howard Hahn
Robert Gray
Gary Eubank
J. C. Herbert
Demi Edwards
Charles Loveless
Wendell Freshley
Emerson Bragg
Marjorie Knecht
Edna Marie Rhodehamel
James Scholl L. L. Huffman
It is a well known fact that a great number of meetings and many miles were traveled to develop this Plan and Basis of Union. May I say that we have experienced cordiality and brotherly consideration in every instance. You must recognize also that correspondingly large and representative mem- bers of all the conferences participated in this endeavor. In order to acquaint the members of the Conference with the details of the Plan, the Conference
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
staff conducted a review of it in six different locations in the Conference to which the pastors and lay members were invited. Several weeks ago our Board of Trustees reviewed the document and voted according to the State of Ohio Constitutional Law to pass it on to our Annual Conference for con- sideration.
This afternoon we will present the Plan to you for your vote. I per- sonally feel the Plan is worthy of your affirmative vote.
Activity of the Year
During this year we have planned and carried out a major financial program. I refer to the Otterbein College and Fund for Reconciliation Cam- paign. Later in this Annual Conference we will make a progress report. As I write this report I am aware that there are some churches still working on the goals which were assigned by the Campaign Committee under au- thority granted by the Conference Council of Administration. We cannot settle for partial success when we realize the importance of these objectives. We will expect each church to press for their goals until all is paid in full.
The statistics of the year deserve some observations. There are encour- aging data as well as some facts which cause us apprehension. We have had a decline in church membership. Part of this fact is attributable to the transfer of membership caused by local church unions and we transferred the Wrightsville and Liberty Chapel churches to the Portsmouth District of the Ohio Conference. We suffered a net loss in membership of 443. This net loss figure is in spite of the receipt of the former Fletcher Methodist Church membership.
Another disturbing statistic is the record of a net loss in average wor- ship attendance of 1085. A careful review of the detailed record when the Conference Journal is published will show that most of the churches had a slight decrease in average attendance. Hence the problem is quite general. Church school attendance will show a further decrease of 607. It is my hope that the new Council on Ministries will be able to enlarge the program of Christian education to help offset the decreasing response to the Sunday Church School, although we must make every effort to increase participation in this vital part of our church life.
An interesting statistical fact that I think can be attributed to church union is that we received more than twice the number by transfer from other United Methodist Churches in 1968 than we did in 1967. Other mem- bership figures indicate that we received 173 more members in 1968 than we did in 1967. Members received on confession of faith were almost identi- cal for the two years mentioned above.
As you are probably aware our membership and attendance records are the same as reflected in national statistics of our own denomination as well as many others. This comment is not meant to ease our sense of urgency in dealing with these matters but at the same time, not to depress us over much. Never before have we had better facilities or better materials to carry on our task, but the intrusion of our secular culture challenges us to be inno- vative and faithful.
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