German Baptist conference a traditional tie that binds
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Those of the Christ-centered faith cherish the arrival of Pentecost seven weeks after Easter Sunday. Many take advantage of the opportunity to gather and worship. Some, as is the case with German Baptist Brethren, do so on a very large scale.

Fellowship and encouragement among brethren will be a running theme throughout the Old German Baptist Brethren Annual Conference May 26-29 on the Donald L. Hufford farm, 8101N. CR600W., two miles southwest of Rossville in Clinton County.

Each year, brethren from across the nation arrange a weekend of renewal of spirit and friendships to commemorate the anniversary of the Holy Spirit's descent upon the church. The event is held in different regions of the country on a rotation basis.

Preparations for the four-day series of meetings began more than two years ago with the formation of a seven-member committee of arrangements. Since then, 30 more committees were formed, each designed to handle a specific function of the conference.

Before the conference officially gets under way, worship, dining, rest and meeting facilities will be put in place on tentraising day, May 24. More than 35 acres of land surrounding the Hufford farm was sown in grass last year to provide meeting room for the anticipated six to seven thousand visitors. Church members will put final details in place the rest of the day Thursday and all day Friday.

Public welcome to attend

Members of the public are welcome to attend services during the conference that begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and continues each day at designated times. Visitors are asked to wear modest attire and that no photographs be taken inside tents during worship services.

Services on Pentecost Sunday will be held at 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the council tent. Additionally 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. services will be held in the auxiliary tent and Middle Fork meeting house, one-half mile south of the conference site.

A Love Feast involving selfexamination, foot-washing, Lord's Supper, observation of the Holy Kiss, and Holy Communion will occur Sunday at 5 p.m. in the dining tent. Only active church members may participate. However, the public is welcome to observe.

Visitors may also attend Monday preaching services held at 7 p.m. at area churches - Middle Fork, North Fork near Pyrmont, Bachelor Run in Flora and Deer Creek near Camden.

More work to do

Monday morning, 105 delegates representing 54 individual congregations from across the nation will meet to organize the business portion of the conference. Twelve elders will be chosen to preside over a Tuesday night business meeting designed to "address the church's efforts to apply ancient timetested understanding of New Testament teaching to present day living."

The conference will mark the eighth time since 1886 Middle Fork church district has hosted the meeting. The long-standing tradition of these conferences is a lesson in the church's togetherness, according to the brethren.

"The Old German Baptist Brethren people stay aware of the good heritage they enjoy," press committee member Robert Metzger said. "They strive to continue the advice of their forefathers in devotion to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles."

Metzger explained a concern of the church is how to live in ways that minimize damage to spiritual well-being while members participate in modern society. He said that concern consistently poses new challenges for the church, but the unified aim of Christ-likeness helps guide decisions.

"This interest in preserving the ancient order of primitive practice of the apostles is the motivating force behind the church," Metzger concluded.