The Ohio Independent Baptist, April 1992

It ,1, ()I("' l,1 ,,ll' ( ·n1n1nunit • C'lnn h. \\ ,,,hingh)ll ( 'nu1 l I lnu,l' 111" n"' ' ' l hut" h. undl·r th...• d11cr ti,,n ,,t l )1 l{Plx·1 t ( ,,,,,n,,... k.1 . tl'll' nll) h,,d \ l\,'\\ \Jd ,llt\.'lld,\ll\.C lll I lR Ill cln.• it nu,n11n~ ' l't \'ll' C Havin Impac Ohio an on Larry Fetzer State Representative R ighl no \v it i po~, iblc for ou r Ohio flC()plc Lo have the opportunity to partici– pate in \\'()rld n1i , ion \.ViLl1out even ge tting a pa .:p rt. ',.. ...... . . 1any of our churchc upport m1 10 0 - arics under L11e A ociation of Bapti ts for \\'orld Evange li m (ABWE). Becau e of ..., o,uing hou ing co ts in and around Cherry Hill, ew Jer ey, where the mL ion office i located, ABWE has found it ne e ary to relocate in lfam burg, Penn ylvania . The mi ion ha, purcha ed a b autiful property which \Vtll require on1e major con truction in order to accommodate the need of the gro\ving mi , ion family . 1\B WE h added Pa tor Ralph Gruenbu rg, from Roche ter, New York, lo their taff to uperintend lhe con truc– tion project Before entering the pru torale, Gruenburg had va t experience in the con truction indu try . The mi ion i ruldng for people from all aero our fellow hip who have kill in the trade , or could be general laborer , or cook , to con ider giving a period of tin1e to help in thi project. Work will begin oon and continue for everal month . Perbap you could give a week or a month to thi project to benefi t the Lord ' work and ave the Lord' money for the v. ork over eas. What able ing tbi would be, to you, your church, and the work of the Lord. For information, call Pastor Gruenberg al 717-774-0544. 2 Ouch, It Hurts! The only money available to pay claims Is the money that we ourselves contribute In the form of premiums. P ain, injury, ickne , urgery, hospital bill ; ouch, it hurt . Perhap t11e mo t difficult, painful i ue facing our a ociation bas been the recent problem involving our hospitalization program. Our Ohio ho pilalization plan grew out of a common concern on the part of some of our pa tors 28 year ago. Pastor Harold Green took the leadership to open a group coverage policy which included about 17 churche . Becau e of very high, out-of-control co ts with Blue Cross, and upon the advice of expert consultants, the Council of Twelve voted five years ago to change over to a self-insured plan, and to contract wi th Employee Benefit Manage– ment Corporation of Columbus to handle the day-by-day administration of the plan. Thu the churches of the association became both the owners and the benefici– aries of the plan. The plan today serves not only pas tor , but other workers in our churches, including school teachers and taff people. The Council of Twelve appoints a trustee board of three men to oversee the plan. There are three factors at work that have contributed to our present crisis. 1. Radical ly increasing costs of medical care, far beyond what bad been anticipated. 2. A large number of extremely high claims for major illness within our group. 3. TI1e a umption on the part of our in ured that we were part of a large in urance company that bad unlimited funds to meet all our claims. As a matter of fact, as a self-insured plan, the onl y money available to pay claim i the money that we ourselves contribute in the form of premiums. If claim exceed income, we run but of money. These factors combined to put us into a position of risk. Your Council of Twelve, along with the plan trustees, have met frequenLly in the la t few months, spending many hours trying to stabilize the program. EBMC - Murk the dnt : Nu tionul l)uy of rrnycr 1' hursda , May 7, 1992 ()f all p ·oplc. surely (rod's people should h · faithful in prayer fo r our country. Church Pew Padding • Adds Comfort and Beauty to Old Pews • On-Site Installation • 15 Year Guarantee • Stays in Place . .. Will Not Slip or Slide Like a Loose Cushion • Nearly 50 Colors of Fabric Call 1-800-232-1822 The American Pew Padding Co. 676 E. Sixth Ave. Lancaster, Ohio 43130 Baptist Bible Seminary Ohio Extension Enroll Now For June 8-19 (Dr. Richard Engle) 9 a.m. - 12 noon Exposit.ion of Luke 6 :30-9 :30 p.m. Exposition of Psalms October 12-23 (Dr. John Lawlor) 9 a.m. - 12 noon Intro to OT I OT Literature 6:30 - 9 :30 p.m. Studies in Minor Prophets Call : 800-451-7664 or 717-587-1172 Site: Graham Road Baptist Church 705 Graham Road Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 Some housing available at $7 per night Call Graham Road Baptist for details bas cooperated with us in working out new management procedures to ensure the health of the plan. It has been decided to establish an advisory panel of Regular Baptist men to provide expertise in the oversight of the plan. Good progress has been made in the las t four months in paying up back claims. Crucial to the continuance of the plan at this point is maintaining a sufficient number of policy holders. If too many elect to leave the plan, it will put further pressure on the plan 's ability to pay off claims. The Council of Twelve will continue to keep you informed as to the progress in this facet of our ministry.