Title: BCE board elects officers
Date: December 27, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
99a-83
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Election of two new board members and new board officers were among the actions approved by the governing body of Board of Church Extension (BCE) during its December board of directors meeting.
Gregory C. Smith, a certified public accountant and attorney from West Lafayette, Ind., and the Rev. Gilberto Collazo, minister, University Gardens Christian Church, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, were elected chairperson and vice chairperson of the board, respectively.
The Rev. Alice H. Bolen, Perry, Iowa, and the Rev. Frank A. Mullen, Jamaica Estates, N.Y., were elected as new board members. Bolen is minister of First Christian Church in Perry. Mullen is a retired Yale University official and retired pastor of St. Marks United Church of Christ in New York City.
Also during the meeting, three directors were re-elected to three-year terms. Those named were: Linda S. Carlson, a certified public accountant from Shawnee, Kan.; Murvin S. Enders, vice president of human resources at IWC Resources, Indianapolis, Ind.; and W. Gordon Hamlin, Jr., an attorney from McDonough, Ga.
Two retiring directors were honored during the meeting. The Rev. Marvin K. Eckfeldt, outgoing BCE board chairperson and senior minister of First Christian Church, Kent, Wash., and Susan L. Morris, president, Heritage Services, Omaha, Neb., received certificates of appreciation for their six years of service.
Also honored were two BCE staff members. The Rev. Deborah R. Thompson was honored for her nine years of service as director of New Congregation Establishment and her recent service as director of Vision Builders!. In addition, the Rev. Neil E. Topliffe was honored for his eight years as director of public relations and marketing project manager, and 30 years of general unit ministry. Effective Feb. 1, Topliffe will become senior associate minister of Geist Christian Church, Indianapolis.
Loan approvals of $7.1 million reported to BCE directors will finance expansion and improvement projects for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations and other organizations. The projected loans, ranging in size from $7,000 to nearly $1 million come from 21 states plus Puerto Rico. They will finance 47 building projects valued at $12.5 million for new construction, remodeling, and debt refinancing. Nearly $27 million was confirmed by BCE staff and directors this year for 148 loans.
As of Nov. 30, reports showed loan balances of $100.5 million while the Board's assets stood at nearly $115 million. Investments placed with the Board, a primary source of loan funds, totaled more than $90.4 million.
In other board highlights, directors:
-- continued discussion on BCE's ministry planning process as long and short-term goals are developed;
-- approved an operating budget of nearly $10 million for 2000;
-- reviewed new BCE loan guidelines and policies;
-- heard reports on implementing a comprehensive marketing plan in the year 2000;
-- received reports showing 126 visits by staff members to Disciples congregations and organizations during August, September, and October.
--30--