Convention Workbook

Report from Rev. Richard Burkey
Secretary Board of Directors,
Pacific Southwest District
Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your
leaders, those who spoke to you the word
of God. Consider the outcome of their way
of life, and imitate their faith.” (English
Standard Version)
One of the leaders we remember is the
faithful and dedicated work of Jim Hallman as
Board of Directors secretary. First elected in
2006, he served us with dedication, honor, a
love for God and for all, and with a humble
heart of service.
As we remember his passing and give thanks
for how God used Jim to connect people to
Christ, we also remember that he now enjoys
his home in heaven. We pray for those who
still mourn his passing. We give thanks for
those who were touched by his life and
ministry. We rejoice with those who look
forward to that great reunion in heaven.
During September 2010, I joined the Board of
Directors in place of Jim. Big shoes to fill,
that I still find plenty of room for me to grow.
In the past 3 years, the Board of Directors has
dealt with the financial challenges of a down
economy and the fantastic opportunity to
reach our ministry area and beyond to those
who do not know Jesus.
Each time the Board of Directors have met,
we have always begun and ended with prayer.
We feed together on God’s Word and pray
together that the Holy Spirit will lead us in the
decisions that need to be made.
The mission of the Pacific Southwest District
is to effectively resource congregations and
school to fulfill the Great Commission. The
Board of Directors follows guiding principles
to provide encouragement, accountability and
support as we seek to develop healthy
Board of Directors
congregations reaching their communities and
beyond for Christ.
The challenges of the past triennium have
been not only a down economy but also a
decrease of funding. Part of that challenge is
119 of our 310 congregations gave no
financial support of the work we do together.
As a result of this trend, positions in
administration were cut back. Mission and
Ministry Facilitators vacancies were not filled.
Mission grants to congregations decreased,
and debt levels increased.
In seeking to reduce District debt from nearly
$8 million to $2 million, in January this year,
the Board thoughtfully and prayerfully
decided to list all district owned properties for
potential sale to pay off $6 million in debt. As
part of our fiduciary responsibility to the
district and to you, we recognized the need to
act now.
Though never intended to be a fire sale, this
started a fire storm in two ways. 1 st , numerous
individuals were motivated to address the
potential listing and sale of specific properties.
2 nd , the Holy Spirit moved among us in the
answer to the prayers of God’s people and
provided a way for certain properties to be
potentially sold, while persevering the
outreach campus ministry at UCLA and
UCSD.
The board has also affirmed and encouraged
the life transforming work that God continues
to do in our midst:
Dr. Dave Rueter was added in conjunction
with Concordia University – Irvine to
enhance our ministry for and with DCEs.
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