Ministers' Business Meeting: Surprises Sprinkle the Routine

By John Ivan Byler, Greenwood, Delaware; pastor Laws Mennonite Church

When CMC ministers gathered for their semi-annual business meeting, they knew what to expect, but were surprised with some unexpected extras. On Friday, August 1, the usual was expected and experienced: With the Executive Board seated on the platform, Moderator Phil Stutzman called the meeting to order. The usual agenda included numerous reports from the Executive Board regarding ordinations, licensures, ministerial assignments, congregational membership, and finances. Ballots were received to elect ministers to conference committees. RBC and RMM boards and other committees shared their reports.

Several surprises punctuated the meeting with laughter and smiles:

• A stringed quintet provided special bluegrass music following the intermission-certainly a first for a CMC Business Meeting, but a clever ploy to get talking preachers to re-convene!
• John Gingerich spoke up during a spirited discussion, suggesting that speakers stand when sharing so they can be heard. Sitting, short, and nearly invisible in the crowd, John was promptly asked to stand and share his request again so he could be heard!
• Jon Showalter gave an unforgettable way to distinguish him from his nearly identical brother Joe: Joe at RMM is more handsome, well-suited for winning people to the Lord; Jon at RBC wears glasses, expected of the academic type.
• Perhaps of most significance for Conference was the vote that approved the creation of a new staff position to serve CMC as Secretary of Congregational Resources. Responding to the needs of pastors expressed in a 2000 survey, CMC is now planning to provide a servant to help our churches in the area of nurture materials and resources.

Finally the usual occurred again. The moderator's hopes of having a short meeting were dashed by the many comments from the floor. As the business meeting adjourned, supper was already being served!

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