Thursday Morning at General Conference
The 30th General Conference of the IPHC reconvened Thursday morning in Mobile. By the time the session adjourned at 10:47, delegates had worked through a lengthy and detailed debate to adopt Section G of the proposed new structure and roles — completing a piece of business that had begun the afternoon before.
The session opened again with Scripture and prayer led by Rev. Ben Crisp. Gary Burd took a moment to recognize the 250th anniversary of the United States and the conference recognized and honored veterans and first responders for their service to the nation.
The bulk of the morning was given to Section G, moved by Rev. Greg Hearn and the Bylaws Committee. Delegates worked carefully through a series of questions and proposed amendments.
Section G defines the new structure’s leadership roles and responsibilities. As determined on Wednesday, the elected General Superintendent will identify and nominate the Executive Director of World Missions, and the newly created Executive Director of Church Ministries. The conference discussed specific concerns related to the merger of Evangelism USA and Discipleship Ministries, especially the transition of responsibilities for already planned events (e.g., YouthQuest). The Committee clarified that current leaders will continue serving until a successor is appointed and approved; all executive directors will remain amenable to the Council of Bishops; and financial matters shall remain with the Chief Financial Officer. (The officer roles of Secretary and Treasurer are corporate titles required by the State of Oklahoma.)
Several amendments were debated on the floor. One, clarifying the role of the Executive Director of Church Ministries in fulfilling the Great Commission in Matthew 28, was accepted. Others did not pass — including a motion to make Executive Committee and Council of Bishops reports public on the IPHC website, a proposal to add “church planting” explicitly to the Church Ministries mandate, a motion to strike the honorary title of bishop from the Executive Directors of World Missions and Church Ministries, and proposals requiring specific departments of Evangelism and Discipleship within Church Ministries. On that last point, Rev. Hearn clarified that as Evangelism USA and Discipleship Ministries will merge under Church Ministries, U.S. missionaries will fall under that division.
With the questions addressed, delegates adopted Section G in its entirety. The session adjourned at 10:47 a.m. cst. Thursday morning’s minutes are available here.