United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
December 11, 2007 - Cincinnati, OH

 

Robert Dick called this session to order at 9 a.m. He mentioned that we have a jam-packed agenda that he had e-mailed to the General Conference of Elders. After the opening prayer and the approval of the minutes of the August meetings, he turned the meeting over to the president for his unified report.

 

President's Report

Clyde Kilough began his report by quoting from a written report that he received from the treasurer, Tom Kirkpatrick. Mr. Kilough mentioned that within the report there were indications for encouragement and thankfulness, especially within the last few weeks.

The income for the first four months of this fiscal year (July 1 to Nov. 2) was almost exactly flat, when compared with the same period last fiscal year.

The income for the five weeks ending this past Friday (Nov. 3 to Dec. 7) is a different picture. For that period, the total income is up by 16.57 percent (and Category One income, which encompasses almost three quarters of the total budget) was up by 17.14 percent. Of course, we all understand that five weeks does not a long-term trend make, but neither does four months.

The effect of this very good recent period has been to increase the total fiscal year-to-date income, through Dec. 7, to a positive 2.45 percent growth rate.

For the last 365 days, ending Dec. 7, the total income is a positive 4.56 percent growth. For the two 365-day periods ending Dec. 7, the total income is a positive 6.98 percent per year growth rate.

Mr. Kilough mentioned that it's hard to explain the ups and downs of income. Sometimes finances are seasonal, and so we hope that the first four months were an aberration. Finances can be the easiest part of operations to measure. But, we have to pray for our daily bread. God intended for us to pray often and hard that He would provide us with our daily needs, so we look to Him for our blessings.

 

Media and Communications Update

Mr. Kilough then discussed the activities in the media operations of the Church. We are now moving material such as sermons from the main UCG Web site (www.ucg.org) to the newly created members' Web site (members.ucg.org).

The members' Web site is not password protected, but we don't advertise it to the public. It includes About Our Father's Business, and these programs are new each week. It is a means of educating the Church, and we encourage the members to watch the programs.

The lists of donors and coworkers continue to climb. We have just over 10,000 donors, and just less than 4,000 coworkers. We now need to work on development. More numbers is encouraging, but the development of those people is what is most important.

Thus far in the fiscal year, we are spending at about the same rate as last year. None of the additional funds allotted to media have been specifically designated for new thrusts in preaching the gospel. Rather, we have duplicated our previous efforts while we are focusing on developing long-term revisions of our strategies. In addition to new activities on the front line, we will clearly need to spend a portion of those funds for needed mailing equipment and some anticipated additions to our technical staff.

We have received over 53,000 responses from our three ad campaigns in Readers' Digest, Parenting and American Baby. That takes effort and time to input that information into our systems.

We had two important meetings in media since the last time the Council met. Both led to decisions for short-term and long-term matters in preaching the gospel.

The Media Steering Group met in mid-October to review and crystallize previous discussions, one of which was to identify the Internet as our primary vehicle for reaching the world and to gear up for more effective use.

The Beyond Today planning meeting in late October focused this time, not on productions and scheduling, but on brainstorming better ways to improve effectiveness.

Mr. Kilough mentioned that he had a conversation with someone who believed that we should preach the gospel to the world. In the next sentence the individual mentioned that we should go on national TV. Mr. Kilough shared his enthusiasm with the person, but he also mentioned it is incongruous to state that taking the gospel to the world means to go on national TV. A program on national TV in the United States is a good platform, but that medium doesn't go into the whole world, whereas the Internet does. The Internet is the world. We now have to invest time and energy and resources to it.

Beginning as soon as practical, the media staff will pursue increased effectiveness in our use of the Internet. While we are currently using the Web pretty widely (we have 12 different Web sites already), it is ever changing and there are many more things we can do. For example, here are a few preliminary ideas:

• Create a wider range of Web sites to reach different audiences. The subject matter would be focused on specific segments of the needs people have (family, success, finances, etc.). Answers from the Bible will be the common core.
• Develop Web interactivity. This will take time as it is labor intensive at this point.
• Create "viral" activity by profound postings, blogs, etc. Web users, particularly the young, now share what they find useful or exciting. This is described in the trade as a viral post. For example, here is a comment from one such user who wrote to us in response to the BT program "Christmas Without Christ," which was on the YouTube Web site:

"You guys are Great! This was done gently and backed by THE TRUTH—The Bible not Tradition—Loved it and shared it with many. :)"
Note the comment about sharing—this is not labor intensive, if we allow others to share our videos, etc.

• Create a network of site monitors who interact and share. Many Web sites cater to posting and sharing. It is common for such sites to attract questions about religion or specific entry topics for us. We would have to build a staff of volunteers to monitor these sites and jump in with answers and references to our sites and/or literature as appropriate.
• Develop Web-focused content:
   
  • "Sermons for the world" (this would include short messages on basic doctrinal and Christian living topics intended for a non-church audience).
  • Numerous one- to three-minute videos.
  • Interactive Bible studies.
  • Possible online Bible course.
  • Daily live commentary.
  • Short attention-grabbing articles and stories.
• Improve our visibility to the search engine companies that we pay for advertising.

The Media Steering Group also discussed at length the concept of the "voice of the Church" as a description of the tone and conviction with which we write and speak. This is a critical element of our unified effort to make the truth stand out in a world of religious confusion. It is particularly needful in the absence of an identifiable personality who is the primary voice reaching the world. It is apparent that our message should be recognizable, no matter who is presenting it, or in what form.

We are also in the process of developing a plan to sharpen the focus of the Beyond Today program. This will involve experimenting with various formats. In the next six months, we will be experimenting with different formats on Beyond Today, to see which format might be the best. We will try to use a panel discussion or a discussion before a live audience. There are many formats available. We can have a format that we use for the Feast videos. We can also use a magazine-style format with about eight minutes on a central theme. These play better on the Internet. We are going to try to personalize the program more, such as going out of the studio to a specific location. We have even discussed the idea of interviewing people on the street. We will put every idea on the table. We don't know which idea will work best. We are on cable access, so we can change styles that will work better without a lot of extra effort. The format has been modified to give the host more audience contact. Presenters and guests will speak directly to the audience by looking often into the camera when commenting.

We immediately began to experiment with one format change, and we saw an example in a clip of the recent Beyond Today program titled "Life After Death." The opening segment was shot in a cemetery in Milford, Ohio. Gary Petty was able to give a longer talk at the beginning of the program. The longer and last segments included all three Beyond Today presenters. This approach created a higher energy level among the participants.

After this discussion, Roy Holladay asked if this new type of format will require the hiring of a full-time person. Mr. Kilough mentioned that the three presenters said a year ago that if we are to do television to its greatest potential, we will need a full-time person dedicated to helping in this area. Doing an off-site shoot for this recent program took six people almost half a day.

Mr. Kilough mentioned that Gary Petty commented in the meeting that we now have reached a level of professionalism, and that now we need to reach a level of effectiveness. This will take time and will involve more human resources.

Toward the end of the discussion on media, Mr. Kilough mentioned two terms that we will be hearing in the next few months: "critical success factors" and "barriers." As we develop strategies, we will have to address the positive factors critical to success and how to deal with barriers in the way. Manpower and resources are key to virtually every possible project in furthering media. Manpower means more expense. These jobs are critical for success though. There is a lot of potential in the media area, and we just have to be prepared to carry out these plans.

 

Ministerial Services Update

Program Development

Ministerial Development: The six-week pastoral training program that began in 2007 was hugely successful, and we plan to continue it in 2008. The following men have been invited and are planning to attend in 2008:

• Kambani Banda from Zambia.
• Mike Erickson from Canada.
• Carmelo Anastasi from Italy.
• Angelo Di Vita from Italy.
• Stephen Clark from Australia.
• Larry Roybal from Mexico.
• Shawn Cortelyou (new hire).
• Mark Winner.
• Jack Hendren.
• Kevin Epps.
• Tom Clark.
• Mark Welch.

The list is not yet complete, and we could have a possible total of 15 or 16 for the 2008 class.

Education

Ambassador Bible Center: We are preparing to begin the ninth year of ABC. We have now accepted 34 students for 2008. We still have a few applications to review, and we are expecting a class of 40 or so this coming year. Classes begin on Jan. 7, 2008.

ABC Continuing Education: Ambassador Bible Center faculty members have been quite busy since the Feast of Tabernacles, conducting four ABC Continuing Education seminars, with three more scheduled before the end of the year. As a result, hundreds of brethren from all across the United States have been able to get a little sample of the actual ABC classes.

Education Advisory Task Force: The EATF met in Houston Nov. 16-18 to discuss assessments and outcomes. Five areas of education were specifically discussed: teen camp assessments, women's education survey, preteen camp outcomes, marriage seminar outcomes and race relations outcomes.

We plan to begin marriage seminars in the U.S. regions next year. Ken and Kathy Giese will be taking classes to become certified instructors in "Intimate Life" to train other facilitators for marriage seminars. We are also now ready to begin Focused Education Seminars in various cities in the United States and Canada. Due to an extremely busy calendar, in addition to budgetary considerations, we are tentatively planning to schedule two or three seminars per year.

A subcommittee of the EATF is the Women's Education Task Force. Its major work since its inaugural meeting in late April has been to develop two surveys, which are near completion. The first will be for pastors, to try to accurately "get a handle" on all of the women's activities and programs that have been instituted in various congregations and regions. The aim is to compile a "best practices" clearinghouse for good ideas of programs specific to women's education. The second survey is for the women in the Church to ascertain their needs. This one will be administered only after the results of the pastors' survey are compiled.

World News and Prophecy Seminar Update: Two World News and Prophecy seminars have been held in recent weeks, with an appreciable number of new contacts attending.

Godly Leadership Task Force: This task force has taken up the challenge to research and write a booklet on child rearing for Church members. Several members and elders have requested a booklet for our young families on this vital subject to supplement the Growing Kids God's Way program.

Youth Education Task Force: This task force is developing new Festival Youth Instruction material for the 2008 Feast. They are also beginning the process of reviewing and evaluating the 240-lesson Sabbath youth lessons. When the review is completed, they will recommend changes in the program and material.

Teen and Preteen Camps and Challenger II Programs: The teen camp directors, Challenger II directors and the preteen coordinator met in Cincinnati Oct. 16-19 to review budgets, policies and other topics to plan for the camps in 2008. The camper and parent surveys reported an extremely high satisfaction rating. A new survey to help assess outcomes and effectiveness instead of satisfaction with our camp programs will be implemented. We are expecting a record number of preteens and teens to attend camp next year.

Conferences

Regional Conferences: With the beginning of a new fiscal year on July 1, we began a new round of regional conferences. We have conducted three regional conferences so far this fiscal year, and we have plans for two more—South Central (Houston) in January 2008 and Southwest (Los Angeles) in March 2008—and four for the next fiscal year.

Church Statistics

(Figures from Church Information System—number listed as attending fluctuates from month to month):

U.S. Church attendance according to file December 2006: 15,145
U.S. Church attendance according to file Nov. 30, 2007: 15,485
U.S. baptisms 2005 through December: 171
U.S. baptisms 2006 through December: 181
U.S. baptisms 2007 through November: 173

Festival Attendance

This year's Feast saw the number attending in the United States drop below last year, but the total for all sites was up slightly. We know from registration that 35 percent more U.S. and Canadian members traveled outside their countries for the Feast this year. This was the largest number for any one year in several years. If the additional U.S. members had remained in the United States (that is, if the same number had transferred in 2007 as in 2006), we would have roughly the same number this year as last year.

Total Feast of Tabernacles (all sites) attendance 2004 = 19,765
Total Feast of Tabernacles (all sites) attendance 2005 = 19,765
Total Feast of Tabernacles (all sites) attendance 2006 = 20,436
Total Feast of Tabernacles (all sites) attendance 2007 = 20,476

Toward the end of this discussion, Bob Berendt asked if some of the plans for the international areas could be included in the Ministerial Services report. Mr. Kilough mentioned that the president's report focuses on what is going on in the United States mainly, since that is the primary administrative purview. A lot of what begins in the United States goes to the international areas such as the youth Bible lessons, the leadership training classes, etc.

 

The Urgency of Ministerial Training

Mr. Kilough then turned the floor over to Jim Franks, who presented the challenges and opportunities facing Ministerial Services.

Mr. Franks mentioned that as we near the end of another civil year, Ministerial Services has been very busy. He said that we are seeing the leading edge of a very difficult situation regarding our manpower. We have the potential of 18 pastors retiring in the next three years—assuming age 70 for retirement. Currently, we have no replacements for these men. We currently have six congregations waiting for a pastor—because of health issues, transfers and other reasons. We are also seeing a few more men experiencing serious health situations. All of this leads to the inevitable conclusion—we must develop an aggressive plan for training new men and preparing them to become pastors. If we don't, then it may be necessary within three to five years to close congregations and make others into video groups with no assigned pastor.

The situation in the United States is only the tip of the iceberg. Canada needs help with manpower; Africa is in desperate need; and so on around the world. Canada has six full-time men who cover the entire country, and their average age is 63. Without an aggressive training program, the United Church of God will be unable to fulfill its goal of having pastors for all congregations within the next five years. If we do nothing, within 10 years it is quite possible that the United Church of God will be unrecognizable, having lost as many as 46 pastors to retirement or health problems.

Mr. Franks then showed the Council the presentation he made to the regional pastors, to the Northwest Region at their recent meeting in Portland and to the Canadian National Council. He said that this is a critical issue for Ministerial Services.

At the beginning of the United Church of God, he said that we had a desire to provide each congregation with a full-time pastor. We didn't want to have just video groups. In the first few years of United, we had 125 pastors. We now have 90 covering the same territory. We have hired 17 men from the leadership workshops over the past several years.

Mr. Franks mentioned he had a meeting at the Leadership Training Program last September with four couples, who were in their late 20s to early 30s, and they were making good money—some up to six figure incomes. He asked the men if they would be willing to walk away from their jobs to be a minister. They mentioned that they would be willing to do so because they want to see the Church thrive and grow.

Mr. Franks mentioned that in order to plan for the future, we need to know where we are today. He quoted a Chinese proverb, "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago; the second best time is today."

Most pastors today in the Church have a biblical education that is 30 to 40 years old, and they need updated training. A new pastor today needs training. The pastors are central to the stability of the congregation and Church.

We need to determine where we are and where we are going. We now have six congregations waiting for a pastor and, right now, there is no realistic way to fulfill this need. We are currently covering one area with speakers from the home office. The health of some men is not as good as before, and more are heading very soon for retirement. Not even our best efforts will stem this tide.

Mr. Franks asked, "How do we replace ministers in next three years? Eighteen men will be 70 or above. In 10 years, there will be 46 who will be at retirement age. How and where will we train the ministers? How can we do more? How do we upgrade our ABC program? Where are the ABC graduates? What are we trying to accomplish for seven months with these people who come to ABC? Our goal is to give them knowledge, and that can be done in a number of ways, so why do we bring them here?"

He also asked, how can we retain our youth? He mentioned that we have a whole cadre of young people who are part of the Church. Many have a passion for the Church. Yet, he said, it is sometimes shocking the lack of biblical doctrinal knowledge among the youth. So, how much of the truth is being retained by our young people?

He also asked how we assist in the international areas. We provide money, resources and manpower to help get the areas up and running. But, we need to help more. He mentioned that Ed Macaraeg pastors 16 congregations in the Philippines. Kingsley Mather has the major responsibility for the Caribbean. Africa has serious needs in training issues. Dave Baker has all of Asia. He now has letters from Laos and Cambodia.

There has to be an extensive training program put into place now. Mr. Franks then quoted Paul in Galatians:1:4 and Titus:2:11 and asked how can we provide a community environment in which to immerse these men in training? How do we teach righteousness, godliness in this present evil age without having some type of an immersion program?

Mr. Franks also mentioned that the youth program addressed this to some degree. The summer camps were the start. What is special about the camps? He reviewed the recent camp video that talked about "God's immersion education program." This concept originally came out of Canada in which one learned a new language in an environment 24/7. He asked, doesn't this also apply to ministerial training?

He also asked us to look at Christ and the disciples, Paul and Barnabas, and Paul and Titus. He said it seems to be the model that God gives to us. This is immersion education for the entire ministry.

He then took time to give some historical evidence, and he quoted from Mr. Armstrong in 1953. It was a major announcement in which Mr. Armstrong wrote: "This is not a one man work, but a work that is done through his called, educated and experienced ministers." In the next 20 years, to 1973, the attendance went to 100,000. Mr. Franks went on to mention that new people aren't going to come to just watch a video week after week. Pastors are critical for the stability and growth of the Church.

Mr. Franks also reviewed the registration numbers for the Feast in the United States and Canada: 26 percent are over age 60, 11 percent are young adults, 13 percent are 13 and under and 9 percent are teens (33 percent are under age 30). He said that, in many cases, the young people coming into their best earning years are replacing those who are older, with higher incomes than those who are retiring.

He also mentioned that the mission of ABC is to pass on the truth, but we have to focus more effectively on building character in our students. Currently there is little follow-up with the ABC grads. He felt that with onsite housing, character issues can be more effectively addressed.

We have to provide comprehensive training for our ministers, and ABC needs to be upgraded to a nine-month program with onsite housing to provide that 24/7 environment that focuses on character development. Exceptional students can be further trained.

Mr. Franks also mentioned what Herman Hoeh wrote in 1954, that "salvation is education" and that character development is the most important component in education. We have been passing on knowledge; now we next focus more intently on character development.

Mr. Franks then pointed out that we are in a very good position to begin these changes. For instance, financial reserves were only $37,000 10 years ago; now, they are $7.2 million. He said that last year our income of $23.5 million was the best ever. He said that even with the subprime loan problems, and other issues such as the periodic drops in the stock market, the income of the Church has not been adversely affected in the last 10 years. "We have no long-term debt." He said the plans are now to hire three men per year for the next four years. Then we need to hire six men every year for next six years. And that is just to remain even.

He said that the need for training is now. The elders are aging. The pool of AC graduates is drying up. We need an aggressive program for training. We need to change ABC from a commuter school. We will need to replace almost 50 percent of our current pastors in next 10 years—assuming age 70 for retirement. He closed with the point that now is our window of opportunity. He also said that we all pray that Christ will return before this time, but we have to be prepared as well. He said that the United States has fueled the work of God around the world for the last 75 years, and that United is now in the best financial position we have ever been to implement the changes we need to make.

Mr. Kilough then concluded this report with some comments about the fact that we can all learn lessons, especially about the nature of change itself. Change is coming, and it is real, and change is always difficult. He said that it is critically important that we learn from what we have gone through as we proceed with the changes that will come.

 

Strategic Planning Surveys

In the afternoon session Mr. Dick reviewed the timeline of the strategic planning in which the Council will be involved. He also reviewed each of the questions that will be asked on all the surveys that are designed to gather input regarding our strategic planning. He mentioned that we want to make sure we are asking the right questions. He walked the Council through each set of questions on each of the surveys. There were a number of comments and suggestions from Council members on the clarity of the questions that will be asked on the surveys. There were some ambiguous questions on the surveys that were reworded and clarified. All the instructions and details for filling out of these surveys will be sent out later this week by Mr. Dick and Mr. Kilough.

Four different online surveys will be available to four groups of individuals:

1: The members and attendees of the United Church of God.
2: The General Conference of Elders and home office staff.
3: The employees of the United Church of God, including pastors and office staff.
4: The subscribers of our literature and Web visitors.

 

Resolution to Rescind May 2007 Relocation Ballot

Five members of the Council of Elders (Bob Berendt, Aaron Dean, Bill Eddington, Roy Holladay and Victor Kubik) have submitted to the secretary for inclusion in the agenda for the 2008 annual meeting of the GCE a resolution to rescind the May 2007 relocation ballot.

Mr. Dick asked, with the property approved for purchase and an obligation to act upon a GCE-approved ballot to relocate, "how do we proceed from here?" He then led a discussion on these topics in open session. He felt there was a need to have discussion on both topics, especially since the topics were going in opposite directions.

Mr. Holladay spoke on behalf of the five members who presented the issue. He mentioned that some in the GCE are also bringing forward a similar resolution as well. He believes that they too will come up with enough names to put it on the agenda. He said that a number of elders are not upset where the home office might be, but that they were upset by how things were handled. The thought was that this resolution was a way to bring about peace and unity.

Mr. Dick asked a question. It was an assumption that when this resolution was brought to the secretary by the Council members that the other resolution from the GCE would disappear. But apparently the resolution from the GCE is still moving forward. He also asked if those who are sponsoring the one from the GCE are aware that we can't have two resolutions on the agenda regarding the same matter.

Mr. Holladay believed that the resolution coming from the GCE is still going forward, and they will have until the February Council meetings to reach the number of names necessary to bring forth their resolution. He also said that the ones in the GCE are aware that we can't have two resolutions on the agenda regarding the same issue.

Leon Walker then commented that he was glad that this matter was being discussed in open session. He addressed the proposal itself. A copy of the resolution from the five Council members was then passed to each member by Mr. Holladay.

Mr. Walker then addressed the "second whereas" in this resolution that states the "ballot resulted in an almost evenly divided outcome of those in favor and those against." He said, "The Bylaws define the term 'balloting' as the process to determine whether a spiritual consensus is achieved." He said, "Whether the ballot was close or not is totally irrelevant." He felt that this "whereas" could actually be somewhat misleading. He also felt that the other "whereas" comments are hypothetical, such as "some elders may have" and "it seems likely," etc. He believes that the resolution needs to be factual. A resolution based on hypothetical "whereas" comments is not accurate. He said, "It is wrong to submit a proposal that is based on hypotheticals." He said the ballot was a legitimate outcome verified by an outside accounting firm. He stated that our Bylaws require us to respect that outcome. He also believes that the Council should issue a proposal to reject this resolution.

Larry Salyer said that we operate on the basis of consensus based on the decisions that are made. "I do not understand how we can in good conscience submit a resolution that seeks in plain language to negate a decision duly made and authorized by the GCE." He asked what about close ballots in the future. He said, "Close is not an issue." He also said that the Council has approved the purchase of land. He respectfully requested that those Council members withdraw said resolution because it will tend to work major conflict in our governing process. He believes it will undermine the confidence and trust in the GCE. He believes that those who invested in the balloting and voted in favor and then find out that their ballot was rescinded the following year would probably just throw up their hands and forget about balloting in the future.

Richard Thompson mentioned that we spent a lot of time to develop our documents by which we said we would operate as an organization. He believes that the integrity of the organization could be at stake. He asked, if we don't trust the ballot to move, then why do we trust the rest of the ballot? If we say that God was not involved in one aspect, then how can we say that God was involved in any aspect of the ballot? Do we really believe that God is guiding us? He said if we take God out of the picture and we violate our own documents, then we are headed in a wrong direction. He mentioned that people prayed and fasted. "I am totally opposed to this resolution… We asked God to help us to come to this decision. To question that is not right in any way." Richard Pinelli also mentioned that he agreed with Mr. Thompson's comments.

Mr. Dick then mentioned two or three directions we can go in this discussion. He said we have a paradoxical issue before us, and then he presented a premise: That the resolution before us stands the parliamentary test. Then the question is: How does this body move forward with two legitimate and opposite issues on the table? We are working off a GCE decision that was passed in May 2007. We are obligated to respect that decision. We are looking at two totally opposite directions simultaneously.

Mr. Dick referenced a part in the resolution circulating within the GCE that he said was insightful and completely accurate: "Whereas since the management team of the Church now has no choice but to implement the proposed relocation and the Council of Elders has no authority to rescind the GCE ballot, the relocation must proceed regardless of the aforementioned circumstances." Mr. Dick said that by the rule of law, that is a true and accurate statement.

Mr. Franks then mentioned that the Council signed a code of ethics in which it states, "I will support the consensus of the Council." He said that the Council decided to purchase the property. He then asked, "How can a minority of the Council put forward a resolution to overturn that decision and still say I'm in consensus with the Council?" He mentioned that he received many calls from elders and pastors asking, "How can a minority not support the consensus?"

Aaron Dean mentioned that some came up to him with questions. His main question was whether the GCE gave us a consensus. He is hoping that everyone can move forward. Mr. Franks said that rescinding this decision won't do that.

Mr. Walker mentioned that this resolution would require the new Strategic Plan to be approved by the GCE before we can consider the location of the home office. This could take us into at least 2009 or longer.

Mr. Holladay mentioned that we do need to proceed with the training program. He believes, though, that it is not necessary that this training facility be in Texas. He mentioned that we already have brought 17 men into the field through training.

Mr. Kilough mentioned that John Cotter in the Harvard Business Review said, "In reality even successful change efforts are messy and full of surprises." He believes that this resolution stands to create an even messier situation.

Mr. Kilough also said that we stand to lose money and time and credibility. He said that he worries about that. It will cost us money to just sit. He also mentioned that there is no guarantee that this will create more unity. He said that this resolution holds the potential to create less unity. Also, he asked, "What if this resolution wins by the same narrow margin that it passed by last year? What will that do for us?" He said that there is no guarantee that this resolution is a way to increase unity. He said that we have to look at this long and hard, and that we can't create unity through a format with a divided Council. He concluded by saying that he would like to see a clear-cut way to coalesce the GCE together, but he doesn't see it coming through this resolution.

Bill Eddington stated his concerns that this issue transcended the location and that some had underestimated the unrest and disunity the proposal had generated. He said that this must be dealt with or it would continue long after work on the relocation commenced.

Mr. Dick mentioned that this is still an issue that the Council needs to address. He also thanked the Council members for their decorum and for conducting themselves honorably in these discussions. The meetings for the day adjourned at 5 p.m.

 

John Foster
Council Reporter

 

© 2007 United Church of God, an International Association