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BCE board elects officers


From "Office of Communications"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>
Date 27 Dec 1999 12:57:32

Date: December 27, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.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--

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