Western

Minutes of the

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHTH SESSION

of the

ORIGINAL FREE WILL BAPTISTS

Convening at

PLEASANT GROVE OFWB CHURCH

PIKEVILLE, NC

October 19, 2024

The One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Session of the Western Conference was called to order by the Clerk.  The Rev. Barry Stallings welcomed everyone followed by a congregational Hymn of Praise, “Praise Him, Praise Him”.

Our opening Scripture and Prayer was delivered by the Bro. Dylan Price.

Rev. Eric Narron recognized all of our visitors followed by his address to the Conference.

The Clerk called the roll for the churches and our Pastors.  

Rev. Eric Narron, Moderator, appointed the temporary committees as follows:

Nominating Committee:  Rev. Terry Ellis, Rev. Lloyd Hargis & Rev. Greg Stancil

Resolutions Committee:  Rev. Howard Scott and Rev. Ray Wells

Memorial Committee:  Rev. Brian Davis

The Conference Clerk gave the Executive Committee Reports. 

Treasurer’s Report:  

Beginning Balance: $  8,160.44

Total Deposits $  5,895.00

Disbursements $  5,204.50

Board of Ordination Funds $  2,725.00

Ending Balance: $  6,125.94

Rev. Barry Stallings gave the Board of Ordination Report followed by welcoming  the newly licensed minister, Dylan Price.  The Board of Ordination report was accepted as read.

There was no Old Business to discuss.

NEW BUSINESS:  

A Motion was made and seconded to move the conference meetings going forward back to the First Thursday after the Second Sunday.  Motion carried.  Our next Annual Meeting will be October 16, 2025.

The location of our next meeting has yet to be determined.

A recommendation was made that the Western Conference needs to have information on our website.  After some discussion it was decided that it would be turned over to the Executive committee  for them to research this matter further.

There being no further business to discuss during this session, we took a 15 minute break and reconvened at 10:00 AM.

Reports from our Denominational Ministries:

Rev. John Hill reported on behalf of our Foreign Missions and he stated that all of our churches overseas are thriving.

Rev. John Hill also reported on behalf of the Press that the Press is going into its 151st year debt free.  He also stated that the FWB Community Magazine will no longer be in print but can be read online at OFWBCommunity.org.  Beginning November 1st, there will be a free app to download on your phone with everything that’s available at the press including the current revised Articles of Faith and the Principles of Church Government.

Andrew Alphin reported on behalf of the Student Ministries.  The old Youth Commission has been dissolved and a new connection Task force has been formed with the objective to carry out the transition and restructure and improve communications; to train and develop intergenerational ministries.  There will be a spring event on May 17, 2025.

The Children’s Home currently assists 110 children daily and they are now serving some youth from the Western part of the state who have been displaced due to Hurricane Helene.

Convention Services:  Unite 25 Opportunity.  They are going to host a Community Prayer retreat for all the Executive Committees and Ordination Boards from every Conference.

There were video reports from Church Finance Association, Cragmont Assembly who reported that the donations and volunteers have been awesome and they are in the process of repairing the damages that were caused by Hurricane Helene, Church Planting and Renewal, Retirement Homes, FWB Minister’s Program, University of Mount Olive (Dr. Croom is  very excited about their new and improved Agricultural program) and CBIS who will be having their Friendship Banquet on November 9th hosted by Branch Chapel FWB Church.

Following all the Denominational Ministry Reports, special music was provided by Mrs. Dana Sawrey followed by our offertory hymn and  the taking up of the offering.

Rev. Barry Stallings introduced our speaker, Rev. Al Warrick who spoke about Leadership in our churches.  The churches need leaders; lay people are important, but the leader has to have vision.  You lead through Trust, a positive attitude, must have a mission and empowerment.

Following the message, the Nominating Committee made the following recommendations for officers:

Executive Committee Members 

Moderator:  Rev. Eric Narron (2026)

Vice Moderator:  Rev. Greg Stancil (2025) Unexpired term of Rev. Al Warwick

Clerk:  Mrs. Kathryne Parnell (2026)

Treasurer:  Rev. Sherman Dilley (2025)

Member at Large:  Rev. Lloyd Hargis (2025)

Board of Ordination

Rev. Todd Sutton (2025)

Rev. Barry Stallings (2026)

Rev. Stanley Kirby (2027)

Rev. De Wayne Eakes (2028)

Rev. Ray Wells (2029)

Rev. Howard Scott (2030)

Rev. Kelly Smart (2031)

Board of Trustees:

Rev. John Davis

Rev. Walt Tyndall

A Motion was made to accept the nominating committee’s recommendations.  Motion seconded.  There was no discussion and motion carried.

Credentials Committee Report:  

There were 30 pastor’s present, 2 visiting pastors present and 20 delegates present.

Resolutions Committee:

The Resolutions Committee thanked Pleasant Grove for hosting this year’s Conference.

Memorial Committee:  

Rev. Brian Davis read scripture and although we have had no deaths this past year, we did remember all those that have gone before us.

New Business:

Rev. Sherman Dilley, Treasurer, made a motion to let the Ordaining Council Funds pay for the Ordaining Council and the Executive Committee to attend the Community Prayer Retreat and that $250 go to each denominational ministry and $1000 to Cragmont (this will come out of the general funds of the conference).  Motion received a second; motion carried.

Rev. Ray Wells made a motion that the Western Conference rescind a previous order that barred women from being ordained.  The motion received a second.  After much discussion, a motion was made to table this motion until such time as there were more members in attendance.  This motion received a second; however, this motion did not pass.  The floor reverted back to the original motion to allow women to be ordained in the Western Conference and called for a vote.  The motion carried.

There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Eric Narron, Moderator

Kathryne Parnell, Conference Clerk

Western Conference of OFWB