United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
May 4, 2004—Cincinnati, Ohio

Following immediately on the heels of the annual meeting of the General Conference of Elders, the Council of Elders kicked off an abbreviated three-day session of meetings. Council Chairman Clyde Kilough opened with a brief overview of today's agenda, which included a report from the president, Roy Holladay, a discussion of the just-completed annual meeting of the GCE, a discussion of the Elder's Forum and an update from the Godly Leadership Task Force. The afternoon portion of the meeting consisted of a report from Richard Thompson on the status of the Church's sexual misconduct policy and concluded with an executive session.

Approval of Minutes

The first order of business was the formal approval of the minutes for the most recent Council meetings. The minutes were approved as submitted by Council Secretary Gerald Seelig for the face-to-face meetings on Feb. 25 to March 2, 2004, a teleconference on March 15, 2004, and an executive teleconference on March 25, 2004.

Report from the President

Mr. Holladay opened by expressing his appreciation for the work of the GCE Planning Task Force in preparing for and implementing this year's annual meeting. He mentioned that he had received very favorable comments from several elders on the success of the conference.

Mr. Holladay provided the Council with a handout showing UCG attendance figures for the Sabbath, Passover and Holy Days since 1995. He pointed out that attendance numbers were at their highest from 1995 to1997. There was a decline in 1998 and 1999, followed by a trend of slow but steady increase since then.

For example, average U.S. Sabbath attendance in 1996 was 12,903. In 1999 it was 10,092. Average Sabbath attendance leveled off at just under 10,000 from 2000 to 2001 and increased to 10,377 in 2003.

Passover attendance in the U.S. was 11,124 in 1997. It was 8,209 in 1998 and in 2004 was 9,664, which is about 300 fewer than 2003. There was some discussion as to why the number observing the Passover had decreased slightly this year. One possibility is that some may be observing the Passover on the 15 th day of the first month rather the 14 th ... Jim Franks indicated that the Doctrine Committee is in the process of compiling all the material written on the subject of the Passover so it can be published under one cover as a resource for those who have any questions on that subject.

Holy Day attendance is somewhat higher than the weekly Sabbath. The highest attendance on the First Day of Unleavened Bread was 15,232 in 1997. In 1999 it was 11,947 and by 2003 had risen back to 13,287. Attendance on Pentecost in 1996 was 13,840. In 1999, Pentecost attendance was 11,053 and in 2004 it was 12,015. The highest attendance for the Feast of Tabernacles was 14,250 in both 1996 and 1997. In 1998 attendance was 10,333. And by 2004 it had risen again to 11,489.

Peter Eddington provides the Council with a report each quarter on Church attendance and membership. As of April 2004, 16,590 people claim to be members of or associated with the United Church of God. Approximately 3,000 of that total are children and youth, age 4 to19.

Mr. Holladay commented that Dave Baker's keynote presentation during the GCE annual meeting had focused on the need for the Church to train leaders to serve the members in international areas. Since most of those from areas outside the United States... are not able to secure a visa so they can attend ABC, ministerial services operation manager Richard Pinelli is preparing training materials, including some of the ABC courses, that could be shared with the international areas. Mr. Holladay observed that there are dozens of elders who could teach the material.

Mr. Holladay concluded by reporting some key statistics. Donation and non-donation mail (not including literature request cards) shows an increase of 9 percent through the end of April, 2004 compared to 2003. Total mail (including literature request cards and internet responses) shows a 50 percent increase due primarily to requests for the new booklet about Jesus Christ. The new "first contact" promotion program has so far netted 61 responses. In April of this year 41,361 pieces of literature were mailed out bringing the total for the first four months of 2004 to 153,430.

In March 2004 the home office mailed 165,000 subscriber development letters offering the new booklet about Jesus Christ, resulting in 27,623 responses (16.74 percent). Another 29,858 letters were mailed to Bible Study Course graduates offering sermon tapes on the Church's fundamental beliefs, 10,236 of which accepted (34.28 percent). In addition, 6,933 Bible Study Course graduates were offered further contact and/or tapes from the nearest local congregation and 2,324 accepted (33.52 percent). As of April 2004 there are 5,642 donors and 2,402 co-workers on our files.

The new Vertical Thought magazine is off to a strong start. The first issue had a print run of 5,000 and the Spring 2004 issue print run was up to 6,500. Even though there is no advertising effort, U.S. subscriptions have increased by more than 500 and international subscriptions by nearly 300. Dave Treybig, managing editor of Vertical Thought , was present for the meeting. He commented that 70 to 75 questions per month have been submitted via e-mail and about half of those are from youth who are not part of the UCG. He said it's clear that many have found us through our Web site and identify with our biblically and morally based message. Some have even volunteered to join the magazine's staff because they want to be part of what we are doing. Mr. Treybig commented that those who offer are told they are welcome to submit articles, but there are no guarantees they will be published.

Mr. Holladay distributed a report on behalf of Tom Kirkpatrick, who was not able to give a treasurer's report because he was teaching an ABC class. The report indicated that income and expenses are on track to finish the current fiscal year very close to the amount budgeted. Specifically, as of May 1 (83 percent of the way through the current fiscal year), the Church has received 84.7 percent of the income that was budgeted and total expenses are running at 83.1 percent of the budgeted amount.

Preliminary Analysis of 2004 GCE

Dave Register reviewed a preliminary analysis of initial feedback from those who attended the just-completed annual meeting of the General Conference of Elders. Mr. Register first of all thanked the Council for its support of the GCE planning task force and also offered appreciation on behalf of the General Conference of Elders... He noted there were many positive comments on the innovations that were introduced this year, such as the introduction of newly credentialed and ordained elders and the Saturday night Q & A session on ballot issues. Mr. Register also commented that although he had not yet had time to review all the surveys in detail, there were many positive comments about the workshops and lectures that were offered Monday.

Attendance at the conference this year was 220 elders and 172 wives for a total of 392, which was almost exactly the same as last year. Including those present and those who submitted absentee ballots, a total of 320 elders participated in the balloting, which is nearly three-fourths of the total number of elders.

A preliminary analysis of the exit surveys indicated positive responses. The top two reasons for attending the annual meeting of the GCE were fellowship opportunities (39 percent) and the business meeting (32 percent). A total of 83 percent of those who responded to the survey said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the conference, while just 2 percent rated it as unsatisfactory. Of the elders wives who responded, 74 percent were satisfied with the conference. Some of the wives commented that they hoped that next year's conference would include more activities and lectures designed for the women and/or for couples.

The survey asked respondents to rank the areas of the Conference that accorded value to them. Responses were as follows:

•  Fellowship opportunities (97 percent)

•  International reports (93 percent)

•  Keynote addresses (86 percent)

•  Sabbath service (85 percent)

•  Business meeting (83 percent)

•  Workshops and lectures (66 percent)

•  Tribute to deceased elders and wives (63 percent)

•  Chairman's reception (59 percent)

•  Question and answer sessions (55 percent)

After reviewing some of the initial information gleaned from the exit surveys, Mr. Register asked for comments and suggestions from the Council. While all had favorable comments, there were also suggestions for improvement.

•  Doug Horchak asked if consideration had been given to surveying the elders who did not attend, to learn what might be done to attract them to future conferences.

•  Les McCullough suggested that there be an immediate effort to promote next year's meeting, while this year's meeting is fresh on the elders' minds.

•  Tony Wasilkoff pointed out that the hall for Sabbath services wasn't large enough for the size of the audience.

•  Mario Seiglie commented on how effective the keynote speakers were this year and suggested that future international reports focus more on what is being done in the areas and not so much on individuals.

•  Robert Dick felt that those giving messages in the Sabbath service next year should keep in mind that their message is going out to thousands of members, not just the General Conference of Elders.

•  Jim Franks suggested that there be fewer and longer workshops next year allowing more time for fellowship during the day.

•  Aaron Dean pointed out that since elders aren't able to attend all of the workshops, the handouts from all of them might be made available so they could still benefit from them.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Mr. Kilough asked Mr. Register if he would be willing to serve as chairman of the 2005 GCE Planning Task Force. Mr. Register accepted and the Council unanimously passed a resolution appointing him to that assignment.

Discussion of the Elder's Forum

Mr. Kilough asked Leon Walker to lead the Council in a discussion of the Elder's Forum. The General Conference of Elders included a Q & A for the Council of Elders on Sunday evening, May 2. During that session each Council member was asked for his opinion of the success of and his level of commitment to the forum. Mr. Walker started the discussion by summarizing the Council's response, acknowledging that over the years many fine comments have been offered on the forum. But he allowed that there have also been some abuses of the intent of the forum.

Mr. Walker suggested that, while recent actions have been taken to control the activity on the forum, more might be necessary. He suggested the possibility of an individual serving as a "gatekeeper," who would preview comments before they are posted on the forum.

Several Council members joined the discussion.

•  Mr. Dean commented that while it's true there is currently no gatekeeper, the moderator of the forum has privately written strong messages to some of those who have violated the rules of the use of the forum. Obviously, though, that action does take place after there is a violation of the rules.

•  Mr. Franks said that a private email to an offender is one step, but there should be a means by which all the users of the forum will know when corrective measures have been taken.

•  Mr. Horchak suggested that it might only be necessary for a gatekeeper to monitor the messages of those who have violated the rules of the forum.

•  Victor Kubik agreed that some notice should be given to all the forum if correction was necessary and that the violator should be required to apologize on the forum. He said he would prefer not to have the forum controlled by a gatekeeper and that it would be very difficult for one person to review and then re-send all the messages that are submitted.

•  Mr. Walker expressed that reprimanding after the fact isn't the approach that should be taken. He stated that many elders have dropped off the forum because of the attitudes and comments of a few. He again emphasized that no one is advocating eliminating the forum, but that a gatekeeper may be necessary.

•  Joel Meeker pointed out that if limits aren't enforced, a handful of abusers will ruin the forum for all the others.

•  Mr. Seiglie countered that if there is a gatekeeper, elders will drop off the forum because they won't want comments to be filtered. He stated he would prefer that guidelines be emphasized and steps be taken when there are violations.

•  Mr. Kilough commented that he wished those who had violated the guidelines would have the personal integrity to apologize publicly. He suggested that the first level of action be to clarify and enforce the rules of use of the forum. He suggested that the moderator require violators to submit an apology within, for example, 24 hours.

•  Mr. Wasilkoff stated that some elders have dropped off the forum because of the aggressive nature of some of the comments. He said he felt a "one strike and you're out" rule would be effective and he agreed that all the users of the forum should be informed when reprimands are necessary.

Mr. Walker suggested that although the Elder's Forum currently is under the purview of the Media and Communications committee of the Council, since the difficulties in its use have been ethical in nature, they would be more appropriately addressed by the Ethics, Roles and Rules committee. Mr. Kubik, head of the Media and Communications committee agreed that the ERR committee logically should help administer the established regulations. Mr. Dick, chairman of the ERR committee, was also in agreement.

Mr. Walker put forward a motion that the ERR committee review the Elder's Forum guidelines and recommend to the Council proposals for improving the forum. The motion passed unanimously.

Godly Leadership Task Force Report

On March 1, 2004, the Council unanimously passed a resolution affirming the efforts and general direction of the Godly Leadership Task Force, with some refinements and development yet to be accomplished. Today the task force requested the Council's approval of the definition of godly leadership, so that the task force can use it as the foundation of its efforts. Since the task force is meeting at the home office at the same time as the Council, all of the members were present at today's meeting.

Mark Winner, chairman of the task force, stated that after considerable discussion and consideration, the task force unanimously felt that the definition should stand as it was presented to the Council in March: "Godly leadership is exercising righteousness to serve all in developing spiritual maturity."

Mr. Thompson, chairman of the Education and Ministerial Services committee, led the Council's discussion.

Mr. Dick asked for a more thorough explanation of what the definition means. Mr. Franks commented that the wording of the definition seemed awkward.

Task force member Larry Salyer responded that Jesus' instruction is that we are not to rule as gentiles do, but that we are have the attitude of a servant. He pointed out that our leadership is to be in harmony with all the principles that describe godliness and should lead others to godly spiritual maturity.

Jack Hendren compared godly leadership to a socket wrench set. The "wrench" is an alloy of the qualities of godly leadership, which is applied in every leadership situation, each requiring a different "socket," or application. For example an elder, a deacon and a mother all apply godly leadership principles (the wrench) to their specific circumstances (the socket).

Mr. Kilough said that those who exercise godly leadership must do so under the broad umbrella of righteousness. Their service will lead others in developing spiritual maturity. Godly leadership is a specific approach that leads to a particular result.

After further discussion of the specific wording of the definition, Mr. Thompson put forward a motion that the Council accept the task force's definition. The Council approved the motion by a vote of 10-0 (Mr. Dick and Mr. Seiglie abstained).

Discussion of Sexual Misconduct Policy and Youth Protection Guidelines

Mr. Thompson distributed to the Council a draft of a document titled "Sexual Misconduct Policy and Youth Protection Guidelines." A considerable amount of effort is being invested into developing this policy statement. Its purpose is to detail the Church's policy and steps that will be taken to assure the safety of youth at all Church functions and activities.

The current draft is five pages in length. The Council reviewed it word-by-word, suggesting many edits, deletions and additions. Mr. Thompson will discuss the suggestions with legal counsel, incorporate the edits into the document and return another draft for the Council's consideration.

Executive Session

The Council concluded its work today in executive session.

Don Henson

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© 2004 United Church of God, an International Association