CGCM Conference 1956
GENERAL CONFERENCE Convened at the Lone Tree Church, Galva, Kansas Aprn16-19,1956
Moderator: Reuben J. Koehn Asst. Moderator: Harry D. Wenger Secretary: Perry E. Johnson Asst. Secretary: Frank P. Wiebe
1. Four-Voice Singing
Article 1 of the 1939 Conference Council concerning four-voice
singing is replaced by the following resolution:
We encourage the ministry of singing. It shall be done in simplicity and humility, guarding against carnality and worldliness, that the ~e of God may make this ministry increasingly fruitful for the cause of Christ. We encourage in particular the singing of the leading voice of soprano or the melody.
2. Choir Singing at Funerals, etc.
Upon the adoption of Art. 1 on singing, it was resolved to repeal Art. 6 of the 1933 Conference Council regarding choir singing at funer-als, etc.
3. Bible Study Course
Resolved, That the Historical and Doctrinal Writing and Proving
Committee compile a course of study containing the Principles of Faith, which may be used for instructing converts and young people.
4. Amending or Repealing Conference Articles
Resolved, It requires the votes of two-thirds of the delegates present to amend, repeal, or adopt Conference articles, the same as Conference Council articles.
Article 1 of the 1950 Conference was repealed. (Refer to Art. 1, 1962
Conference.)
5. Relative Lightning Rods
Article 10 of the 1909 Conference was repealed.
1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE 65
6. Concerning the Recorder
Resolved, We adhere to our former decision relative to the recorder
(Art. 11, 1950 Conference). (Refer to Art. 4, 1959 Conference; Art. 14,
1962 Conference.)
7. A Building for Future General Conferences
Resolved, That we have a centralized place for future Conferences;
however, not eliminating a Conference in outlying districts.
Also resolved, we pledge an appropriation of $2.00 per member
(excluding Lone Tree) to help finance a new church building at the
centralized place.
8. General Conference Convening Date
General Conference shall convene every three years in the month of October. The General Annual Meeting is to be combined with Conference in those years when Conference convenes. (Refer to Art. 26, 1959 Conference.)
9. Church Incorporation
A report and explanation were brought in behalf of the incorporat-
ing of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, resulting in Conference approval. I
10. Term of General Conference Moderator
No brother shall serve as General Conference moderator for more
than three consecutive Conferences.
11. General Mission :
An extensive review of our general mission program presented for
deliberation.
Resolved, We stress scriptural evangelism with greater zeal and use the medium of schools and hospitals, etc., only as may be required to achieve the above.
Tent Evangelism: Resolved, We encourage the use of our Conference-owned tent in evangelistic work where appropriate, leav-
ing it to the discretion of the tent evangelism directors and the Genera!
Mission Board in which fields to labor.
The Lord's Project Plan: General Conference recommends that the
66 1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Lord's Project Plan of raising money be encouraged and that every congregation organize this plan.
Financial reports of the General Mission Board were read by Albert E.
Koehn of the u.s. treasury and by Walter Unruh of the Canadian treasury.
12. Disaster Relief
Resolved, That the Western District Disaster Relief Work becomes a
general program under the direction of the General Mission Board.
Resolved, Upon the available information, we consider it inconsis-tent to participate in Civil Defense because of its close connection to the military and the probable use of force.
13. Preparation for Christian Service
Resolved, We accept Art. 20 of the 1947 Western District Conference, relative preparing for Christian )'ervice, which reads as follows: "We recommend that members Wtrcrare sincere and burdened for the cause of Christ make the proper preparation for various lines of work they are called to do. We further recommend or advise that brothers or sis-ters desiring such preparations seek the advice of their home ministers to approve or disapprove their undertaking. In cases where such mem-bers do not have a pastor, they should seek the approval of the Church Problems Committee." (Refer to Art. 19, 1959 Conference.)
14. Photography
Resolved, We strengthen ouriattitude in objection to photographs by adding the following Scripturd references: "Then shall ye drive out all the inhabitants of the land froin before you, and destroy all their pic-tures." Exod. 20:4; Num. 33:52; Deut. 5:8; Isa. 2:11-16; Rom. 1:21-23;
1 John 2:15-17. (Refer to Art. 15, 1967 Conference.)
15. Recording the Conference Decisions
Resolved, We use the Confession of Faith booklet, which contains articles of faith, for general distribution; we use the Conference Reports booklet, which records Conference reports and Conference Council decisions, for distribution among the membership only.
16. Divorce and Remarriage
Resolved, We retain our former Conference resolution on divorce and remarriage as stated in Art. 11 of the 1896 Conference, leaving it
1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE 67
open for further prayerful study. (Refer to Art. 3, 1983 Conference; Art.
9, 1993 Conference.)
17. Mirror of Truth
Resolved, We print some articles of the Mirror of Truth in pamphlet form, leaving it to the discretion of the Publication Board which arti-cles to print.
18. Christian Hymnal
Resolved, That we have a new edition of the Christian Hymnal
printed. This is to be a revised edition and, if necessary, printed by a
different company, using larger plates. A hymn book committee of ten
brethren was chosen. .
19. Hospitalization Plan
The Hospitalization and Medical Plan, as proposed by the
Charitable Institutions Board, was presented to the Conference in accordance with a resolution of the Special Delegate Conference of 1953. The Conference did not accept the plan as presented.
20. War Securities
We do not believe it to be consistent in view of the teaching of the
Scriptures and our historic principles of nonresistance, to purchase war
securities.
21. Labor Unions
A committee was chosen to endeavor to find a way, consistent with
our nonresistant pr(ncw.les, to work inoffensively in union shops as
nonmembers of the union. This committee is to consist of five mem-
bers, one from the East, three from the Midwest, and one from the
Pacific Coast.
22. Devotional Covering
The Conference favors our present devotional covering and encour-
ages a more general wearing thereof. 1 Cor. 11: 1-16. (Refer to Art. 2,
1974 Conference.)
23. Designation of Schowalter Benefits
The committee members of the Church of God in Christ,
68 1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Mennonite, Inc., were chosen to designate where our portion of the Schowalter Foundation benefits may be used.
24. Concerning the Mustache
Resolved, We amend the former Conference article of 1896, regarding
the mustache, to read: "In the Mosaic Law we read that we are not to mar the corner of our beards, but regarding the mustache we find no clear word. However, we feel to encourage the wearing of an orderly mustache."
25. Aging and Overloaded Committeemen
Conference recommends that aging brethren or brethren who are overloaded resign from some responsibilities upon the approval of their fellow board members.
26. Criticism of Evangelists, etc.
When it becomes necessary to expose 6r criticize publicly evange-lists and other denominations teaching questionable doctrine, we do
we do so with charity and prudence.
27. Concerning Ministers Engaged in Evangelistic Work
All ministers engaged in evangelistic, mission, or church work away from home shall have proper approval of home ministers and congre-gation.
28. Election of Conference Officials
Each convening Conference shall elect the moderator, assistant moderator, and secretaries for the next General Conference before adjournment. (Refer to Art. 1, 1993 Conference.)
29. Term of Office of Committee Members
The election of board members and committeemen shall be held at every General Conference, and the expiration and term of office shall be set in order by the respective committees and recorded for reference.
30. Christian Public Service
A. We encourage our 1-W brethren to serve in our Church-operat-ed
projects.
B. The levy of $1.00 per member per month shall continue until
January 1, 1957.
1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE 69
31. Concerning Sisters Teaching
We approve of sisters teaching women and children in Sunday
school classes.
32. Concerning Large Dinners, etc.
Article 11 of the 1933 Conference Council was repealed, and the following was adopted: We shall use Christian discretion and simplici-ty in all gatherings, such as, weddings, reunions, etc., guarding against carnality and abuses.
33. Social Security
This Conference was noncommittal on the receiving of Social
Security benefits.
34. Workers'lnsurance
In regards to life insurance policies issued to workers by employ-ers but paid by the workers: Because of insufficient information no decision was reached.
35. Concerning the R.S. V. Bible
This Conference does not accept the Revised Standard Version Bible to be used or read as our standard or authoritative Bible. (Refer to Art. 16c, 1974 Conference.)
36. Mennonite Union Aid
A. The Mennonite Union Aid gave a short report and presented
sev-eral resolutions and amendments which were accepted as presented.
B. The Automobile Aid Plan, which provides coverage for collision, theft, and bodily injury to automobile owners by furnishing a special certificate with special assessments, was presented for Conference approval but failed to carry.
37. Ordering of Bibles, Books, Tracts, etc.
All publications, Bibles, books, tracts, etc., shall be listed in one cat-alog and be ordered from one place, namely, The Publication Board, Hesston, Kansas. The catalog is to be ready in the fall of 1956. Orders or donations to this organization now are to be sent to Hesston.
However, the Free Tract and Bible Society, Moundridge, Kansas, continues as the tract-sponsoring agency and is to encourage an ever-
70 1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE
increasing distribution of tracts, Bibles, Gospels, etc. The superinten-dent
is A. L. Yost, Moundridge, Kansas; assistant superintendent, Perry
Johnson, Galva, Kansas. Canadian representative, Walter Goossen, Rosenort, Manitoba, Canada. Correspondence concerning tracts, such as new tracts, printing of more tracts, and Bible distribution work, etc., shall be addressed to A. L. Yost.
A report of the Messenger work was given by Jonas B. Koehn. A report of the Mirror of Truth was given by P. G. Hiebert. It was decid-ed to reprint A History of the Church of God by John Holdeman.
38. Nominating Committee
As an aid to the work of General Conference, a nominating com-mittee
was appointed, composed of the members of the General Mission Board and the General Conference Arrangements Committee. This nominating committee shall have nominees available for the vacancies which occur on the various committees as the respective terms of the members expire.
The various boards and committees were asked to submit their sug-gested
nominees to the noinating committee. (Refer to Art. 3, 1962
Conference.) I
39. Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital report brought by Ed Becker.
The following resolution was reaffirmed: That we collect of all members
of the seven churches surrounding Mercy Hospital, 20 cents per member per month; and 10 cents per member per month from all other members in the United States.
40. Western District Mission and Charities Board
Western District Mission and Charities board reports brought by
C. C. Wedel and L. F. Becker.
41. Sewing Circle Report
A report of the Sewing Circle work was brought by Sis. Vada
Johnson.
42. Annual Meeting Invitation
An invitation for next year's Annual Meeting was extended by the Fairview Congregation.
1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE 71
Ministers and Deacons Present MINISTERS
Jake H. Loewen, Glenn, Calif.; Jesse Koehn, Atwater, Calif.; John A. Koehn, S. A. Nichols, Livingston, Calif.; Edward Jantz, D. H. Dyck, John Esau, John Wiens, Winton, Calif.; A. 1. Koehn, Ordway, Colo.; Francis Peters, McDavid, Fla.; P. G. Hiebert, Harry Harms, Atmore, Ala.; Reno 1. Hibner, Stapleton, Ga.; Ernest Dirks, Eddie Justus, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Jona Dyck, Hillsboro, Kans.; Lincoln Jantz, Haviland, Kans.; Norman M. Eicher, Dennis Smith, Alvin Koehn, Burns, Kans.
Vernon Giesbrecht, Cimarron, Kans.; Samuel Jantzen, Ingalls, Kans.; Lee Shultz, Elk City, Kans.; Arnold Wiggers, Carl Dirks, Kenneth Smith, Halstead, Kans.; Paul Becker, Sedgwick, Kans.; Claude Unmh, Jacob N. Yost, Durham, Kans.; Frank Unruh, Jonas B. Koehn, Arverd Wiggers, Herman Nightingale, Glenn Unruh, Abe D. Koehn, Galva, Kans.; John A. Becker, Canton, Kans.; F. H. Wenger, Moundridge, Kans.; Harry Wenger, Hesston, Kans.; Milferd Wenger, Paul Wenger, Newton, Kans.; David J. Koehn, Cimarron, Kans.; Willard Johnson, Copeland, Kans.; Daniel Koehn, Ervin Harms, Albert Unmh, Earvey Unruh, Montezuma, Kans.; Vernon Nightingale, Orlan Wedel, Copeland, Kans.; John Nightingale, Sublette, Kans.; Ervin Nightingale, Albert Dirks, Scott City, Kans.; John A. Ensz, John N. Penner, Inman, Kans.; Abe R. Toews, Windom, Kans.
Chester Johnson, DeRidder, La.; F. F. Haynes, Glenn Litwiller, Middleton, Mich.; Newell Litwiller, Carson City, Mich.; Harvey Yost, Henry Dirks, Rich Hill, Mo.; Clifford Mastre, Grafton, N. Dak.; Peter P. Toews, Dresden, N. Dak.; Paul Swartley, Berlin, Ohio; Dan Smith, Fairview, Okla.; George Nichols, Sam Koehn, Elmer Boehs, Isabella, Okla.; Reuben Koehn, Lahoma, Okla.
Eddie Boese, F. F. Hiebert, Albert Toews, Swalwell, Aha.; Isaac Toews, Jacob 1. Baerg, Linden, Aha.; Peter I. Thiessen, Alvie Esau, Crooked Creek, Alta.; Frank P. Wiebe, Abbotsford, B. c.; A. J. Wilson, Mt. Lehman, B. c.; John M. Penner, John' P''I[)ueck, Clifford Penner, Ste. Anne, Man.; John I. Penner, Joseph Isaac, Kleefeld, Man.; John D. Penner, Morris, Man.; John P. Isaac, Rosenort, Man.; H. H. Barkman, Ewart, Man.; A. P. Barkman, Steinbach, Man.; M. P. Barkman, Whitemouth, Man.; Henry B. Koehn, Cuauhtemoc, Chih., Mex.; Juan Estrada, Tucumcari, N. Mex.
DEACONS
David 1. Giesbrecht, Glenn, Calif.; Alfred Koehn, Livingston, Calif.; C. 1. Koehn, John B. Koehn, Clyde Jantz, Winton, Calif.; Raymond Schneider, Atmore, Ala.; Lloyd C. Gearig, Louisville, Ga.; Henry Amoth, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Henry W. Penner, Hillsboro, Kans.; Jacob Wadel, Archie Schmidt, Greensburg, Kans.; Raymond Becker, Burns, Kans.; Ivan Schmidt, Clarence
72 1956 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Wadel, Fredonia, Kans.; Jacob J. Unruh, Menno Dirks, Abe Schmidt, Halstead, Kans.; C. C. Wedel, Montezuma, Kans.; Henry Redger, Durham, Kans.; Fred B. Ratzlaff, Jonas W.
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