American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains - Region Board Meeting Newsletter

Highlights of the Region Board Meeting
April 29-30, 2005
Embassy Suites, Centennial, CO

The ABCRM Board met in its regularly scheduled session in a hotel adjacent to the building that houses the Region offices. The session was convened by Jan McCormack, President. Ingrid Dvirnak led a spiritual focus on the theme of living stones and structures.

Task Force Reports

Task Forces have been working hard since the beginning of the year. A synopsis of each groups’s report follows:

Vision
Reported by Richard Schweissing, chair

The Task Force affirmed that anything we do in terms of a vision needs to be bathed in prayer. We will work toward collaborative decision-making and idea sharing among churches. In addition, we are determined to reach beyond our own Region to partner with others.

The purposed vision statement for our Region is as follows: The ABCRM is a supportive relational community of churches and spiritual leaders, committed to Jesus Christ, collaborating to motivate, stimulate, and encourage each other to discern, discover, and obey the call of God in their sphere of influence.

Camps
Reported by David Sullivan, chair

The question driving the work of the Camps Task Force is, "Should we be in the camping business?" After discussion and study, they have determined that the status quo will remain for Grand Mesa on the Western Slope in Colorado. A committee has been formed to study the future of Camp Wyoba on Casper Mountain in Wyoming. Black Forest Camp and Conference Center near Colorado Springs, Colorado is no longer viable.

Finances

The report of this task force was folded into the Treasurer’s Report given later in the session.

Administration
Reported by Jackie Arnold, chair

Six Ministry Clusters (replacing three Areas) are the first major proposal coming from this task force. The "boundary lines" of the new clusters have been determined by the location of mountain ranges and ease of travel, types of churches, and where residents do business. However, the lines are flexible and churches are encouraged to make suggestions as to where their affiliations will work the best. (Maps of the suggested new ministry clusters have been distributed at Area meetings.) By-law changes will be the next step undertaken by this task force.

Pastoral
Reported by Tom Wheeler in the absence of the chair, Kevin Lowe

Realizing that ABCRM pastors operate largely in isolation, the Pastoral Task Force affirmed the development of Ministry Clusters and further encourage the formation of "pastor clusters" in geographical areas. They are continuing to work on assessing the needs of pastors. They support Area III’s Pastor to Pastors program.

Vice President, Richard Schweissing (left) and President,
Jan McCormack (right) co-chair executive session.

Interim Executive Minister to Become Transitional Executive Minister

The Board met in executive session to extend the term of our Interim Executive Minister and to rename his position. President Jan McCormack explained that requests have come from the grass roots of our Region calling for the extension of Desmond Hoffmeister’s term, originally set at two years. After checking with Jeff Woods in the national office of the General Secretary of ABC/USA, she spoke with Rev. Hoffmeister to ask him to consider serving in our Region for a longer term. He concurred with the premise that his gifts and interests lie in the area of time- and task-specific assignments. With the high level of change taking place in the Region, it will be difficult to "finish" in the two-year period originally agreed upon. He asked for time to pray about his decision and to consult with his family. After receiving word that he was interested in extending his term, Jan spoke with the officers of ABCRM and later with the Executive Committee. All favored a longer term. The Executive Committee brought a motion to the ABCRM Board resulting in the termination of interim executive minister position as of July 1, 2005 and the creation of a four-year Transitional Executive Minister term. Desmond Hoffmeister was asked to take the position contingent upon proof of the status of his immigration visa. (It should be noted that his immigration visa is currently in process.)

Rev. Hoffmeister later accepted the invitation to serve four more years on one condition: that we become a relevant, responsive Region and set in place a new model of ministry.

Castle Pines Property Update

The sale of the Castle Pines property continues to move forward. The projected closing date is May 6 at the latest.

Quarterly Financial Report
Reported by Bob Blake, Treasurer

Bob presented a detailed explanation of the printed financial reports. In summary, he said, "As of March 31st, the finances of the Region as basically on target. Variance of income and expenses from budget are minimal. The closing of the sale of Castle Pines next week will eliminate the debt and interest payment. This will provide considerable relief in the finances. I am very pleased at the financial health of the Region at this time."


Kirk Douglas shares his expertise and experience with ABCRM Board.	Desmond Hoffmeister explains decision-making process to board members.

Decision Day: BFCCC

Kirk Douglas, president of Colorado Realty Consultants, Inc. and independent appraiser, presented his findings related to the Black Forest Camp and Conference Center property, and left the Board with a question: "If you had 10 million dollars, would you buy the property today? If not, you should sell. If you don’t sell, you are, in effect, buying it."

Desmond Hoffmeister spoke to the Board of the process that brought him to the present decision to recommend the sale of BFCCC. The process included numerous individual consultations, task force meetings, gatherings with pastors, presentations to churches, and resolutions from various leadership groups.

The following resolution was adopted by the ABCRM Board:

We, the ABCRM Board, meeting to consider the sale of the Black Forest Camp and Conference Center,

Note with gratitude the visionary foresight of the young men who purchased the property for ministry.
Acknowledge the many members who volunteered at the site, staffed activities, and served on the BFCCC Board, thereby contributing countless hours to build this invaluable ministry.
Thank God for the many lives changed through a commitment to Jesus Christ, for those who responded to the call to ministry, and for those who formed lasting friendships while at the camp.
Give thanks to God for the beautiful memories of an awesome place where the presence of God is obvious.

Recognize the deep emotional attachment to the place, people, and ministry of the last five decades.

Notwithstanding this, we recognize the need to exercise good stewardship and responsible leadership by facing the changing circumstances experienced by camping ministry, in general, and denominational camping, in particular.

We note the significant decline in usage by our member churches, encroachment, increased liabilities, financial strain on limited resources, new opportunities for ministry, and better use of God’s resources.

In discerning, how to be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves" (Matthew 10:16), we have sought to discern God’s mind. We have attempted to answer the question: "What has God called us uniquely to do?"

We have received the resolutions of the Black Forest Board of Mangers, the Department of Administrative Services and New Church Development, the ABCRM Officers, and the Executive Committee of the ABCRM Board recommending that we sell the property immediately. We have heard the responses of constituents at the Area meetings.

We, therefore, resolve to

Sell the Black Forest Camp and Conference Center immediately with the condition that camping continues at the Black Forest location until December 31, 2005.
Offer fair severance compensation to staff in accordance with their time and quality of service.
Invest the principal to provide a vibrant and viable camp and youth ministry and enable the Region to fulfill its mission.
Appoint an investment committee to manage the fund according to guidelines approved by the ABCRM Board.
Appoint a committee comprising persons with skills and expertise in working with youth to direct the camping and youth program.

We pray that God will help us make this emotional transition by recognizing that God closes one door and then opens another. We pray for understanding and acceptance as we seek God’s direction for a future that will enable us to respond to the pressing challenges and the many new opportunities for collaborative ministry for our day.

The vote was 25 in favor, 6 in opposition, 0 abstentions.

Investment Policy

A fourth draft of a proposed investment policy was discussed. Desmond Hoffmeister was instructed to come back to the next meeting with wording that will clarify the Carl Bennett Youth Fund and the Ministry and Mission Fund. (The text of the proposed policy is available through the Region office upon request.)

Temporary Investment Committee Named

A temporary Investment Committee for the Region was named. Members are Ann Mills (Calvary/Denver), Jim Odell (Crossroads/Denver), and Charlie Angell (FBC/Colorado Springs). They have agreed to serve and will be officially elected at the 2005 Annual Session.

Ecumenical Task Force members (left to right): Gordon Kieft, Barbara Graham, Mark Jervis, Jonathan Miles, Dan Vincent, and facilitator, Wayne Dvirnak

Ecumenical Task Force

At the 2004 ABCRM Annual Session in Ft. Collins, a motion to withhold payment of dues to the Colorado Council of Churches was referred to the Region Board for more adequate discussion, investigation, and action. At issue is the Council’s receipt of funding from the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado. The Ecumenical Task Force was assigned the stipulated tasks: discussion, investigation, and recommendation of appropriate action.

On Friday evening, Ecumenical Task Force members Dan Vincent, Jonathan Miles, Barbara Graham, Mark Jervis, Gordon Kieft, and facilitator, Wayne Dvirnak reported to the Board.

Jonathan Miles presented views from the position, "Why ABCRM should become an observer on the Colorado Council of Churches."

Dan Vincent presented a statement/report from the Task Force encouraging the Region to remain an active member of CCC, intensify involvement, and evaluate after three years. In addition, the formation of a Peace and Justice Council to advise the Executive Minister was suggested.

Other members of the task force spoke from their personal points of view.

A motion was made to withdraw from the Colorado Council Churches. A subsequent motion was made and passed to table the issue until August.

Sale of BFCCC Property

Four unsolicited offers were considered. The motion was made to empower the ABCRM Region staff and the ABCRM President to negotiate and accept the offer from Classic Homes for a minimum of $14,000,000 with a closing date of July 30, with a provision for a BFCCC Memorial and a 5-acre tract designated for the future site of an ABCRM church, and report back to the ABCRM Executive Committee the results of this action. Should this offer fail, the staff will report back any changes and make further recommendations to the ABCRM Board.

The motion passed, with 31 votes in favor, 1 vote in opposition, and 0 abstentions.

Debts Forgiven

Action was taken to remove $158,042.79 from Interfund Receivables on the Region Statement of Financial Position. This amount includes, but is not limited to, $25, 272.80 from Wyoba liabilities and $112,830.64 from BFCCC liabilities.

Task Forces Reconfigured

While the Vision, Administration, and Pastoral Task Forces will continue, the Camps and Finances Task Forces will be discontinued. Board members serving on those task forces will be reassigned. The Ecumenical Task Force will continue with a narrowed focus. Having heard the discussion within the Board on Friday night, they were instructed to come back with a recommendation on one of three options: stay in CCC, remove ourselves from CCC, obtain observer status within CCC. A new task force will be created to study the issue of homosexuality.

Acceptance of Ministry Clusters

The Board accepted the formation of Ministry Clusters with the provision that churches may opt to affiliate with a different cluster as needed or desired.

Reversionary Clause Released on Glenwood Springs/New Castle Property

The Board received information about the Glenwood Springs/New Castle property, Midland Street property, and Apple Tree Community Church, and New Hope Church in New Castle which is incorporated as FBC of Glenwood Springs and Apple Tree. New Hope Church intends to sell property and build a new facility. It was noted that the Region has a reversionary clause giving ABCRM legal rights to the property. However, we want to help and encourage churches, rather than impede and discourage them. To that end, ABCRM will release the reversionary clause on the properties. In gratitude for this release, New Hope will pay to ABCRM 10% of the proceeds of the sale, with 50% of the amount designated by New Hope Community Church, and the other 50% to be used as determined by the Region Board. Upon the sale of the Midland Street Property, New Hope will immediately pay back the loan to ABCRM of approximately $50,000.

Staffing Expanded

Desmond Hoffmeister declared that the purpose of the Region is to provide services and reach out to our churches. He noted that we need to improve our communication and build relationships.

Communication will continue to expand making full use of electronic media along with printed materials. Pastoral support and placement need our full attention. He expressed gratitude for the work of the Senior Resource Team’s continuing role.

In order to expand our services to Region churches, the Board voted to hire Wayne and Ingrid Dvirnak beginning June 20, 2005. They will each work a minimum of 20 hours/week. Wayne’s ministry will focus on pastoral placement and support; Ingrid will working in the expanding field of communications. They will complete their ministry at First Baptist Church in Pueblo, Colorado on June 7, 2005.

ABCRM Staff: (left to right) Mike Oldham, Richard Salcedo, Desmond Hoffmeister, and newly hired Wayne and Ingrid Dvirnak

Action on the BFCCC Porch Fund

Jackie Arnold, President of ABW Ministries/CO reported that they raised $2059 for the BFCCC Porch Fund. Approximately $22,000 has accumulated in the Porch Fund and $2,000 has been identified in a restricted BFCCC fund. In view of the forthcoming sale of the BFCCC property, the Region Board determined that all donors to the BFCCC Porch Fund need to be made aware that they should redesignate their donation. It will be suggested that they redesignate their Porch Fund donations to the Carl Bennett Camping and Youth Fund. If they have not redesignated their Porch Fund donations by December 31, 2005, the undesignated funds will be transferred to the Carl Bennett Camping and Youth Fund.

ABCRM Board Covenant

The proposed ABCRM Board Covenant was discussed. The document will be revised to become a Code of Ethics for Board Members. An orientation document for new members will also be developed as well as a Code of Ethics for staff persons.

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