Title: BCE reports record loan amounts in 1997
Date: December 22, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
97b-68
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- "It is another record year for loan disbursements to Disciples congregations and organizations," reported the Rev. James L. Powell, president, to the Board of Church Extension directors during their Dec. 16-17 board meeting.
A total of $24.1 million was approved by BCE staff and directors this year for 135 loans to assist Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations and organizations with building and other improvements. This record exceeds the 1996 total of $23.6 million for loans approved in one year.
"Such high loan levels reflect the increased activity of congregations as they seek to deal with their building and accessibility issues," Powell explained. Total loans during the past five years exceeded $95 million.
Fourth-quarter loan requests of $2 million were approved by staff and directors to finance 28 projects in 19 states for new construction, remodeling and debt refinancing. Included were three interest-free loans totaling $164,250 for congregations in Texas and Kentucky.
Connie Inglish, Stillwater, Okla., director of stewardship and development for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma, was elected chairperson of BCE's board of directors. The Rev. Marvin Eckfeldt, Kent, Wash., senior minister of First Christian Church, was chosen vice-chairperson.
Four new persons were elected to three-year terms. Those named were: the Rev. W. Darwin Collins, Pittsburgh, regional minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania; and the Rev. Joyce Frame, pastor of Keizer (Ore.) Christian Church. Also named were: Marian P. Hamlett, Flower Mound, Texas, a certified public accountant; and the Rev. J. O. Williams, Sr., Wilson, N.C., associate regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina.
Gregory C. Smith, West Lafayette, Ind., a certified public accountant and attorney, was reelected to a three-year term.
Directors named the Rev. Eugene Randall, II, to the position of BCE corporate secretary. He will take over responsibilities from Erick D. (Rick) Reisinger who will continue as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Randall's new staff position will include planning board meetings and maintaining board records, in addition to continuing his consultant role with congregations.
In other staff announcements, the Rev. Deborah R. Thompson will become director of Vision Builders, a development arm of New Congregation Establishment, effective June 1998. Powell told directors that a search has begun for Thompson's successor as director of New Congregation Establishment.
Powell also noted in his report to directors that Reisinger will coordinate the consultant services to congregations, succeeding the Rev. Gary W. Kidwell who moves Jan. 1, 1998, to the Christian Church Foundation staff.
In other action the directors:
-- approved reports showing 146 staff visits made to congregations during August, September and October.
-- approved an operating budget of $8.7 million.
-- approved Kevin R. McGuire, AIA, Lexington, Ky., as a special architectural consultant for BCE.
Four retiring directors were presented with certificates of appreciation: Sally H. Blowitz, Studio City, Calif., deputy director of Health Sciences Development at UCLA; the Rev. Rene Rodgers Jensen, Omaha, Neb., co-minister of First Christian Church; Jane D. Lollis, Louisville, Ky., attorney; and Eldredge M. Williams, Memphis, Tenn., executive vice president, Universal Life Insurance Company.
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