United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
Thursday, February 26, 2004 – Cincinnati, Ohio

Today the Council approved the recommendations of the 2004 General Conference of Elders Planning Task Force regarding question and answer sessions on ballot issues. The Council also began dealing with a technical issue concerning the amendment process. There were several brief discussions on a number of matters including a description of contact with the Church of God, Israel and approval of an outline for the Feast of Tabernacles video. There was also a report on the status of the study paper on the subject of Evangelism.

Question and Answer Sessions at Annual GCE

David Register, chairman of the 2004 GCE Planning Task Force, and Roc Corbett, chairman of the Amendment Committee, joined the Council via telephone. In a teleconference on February 5, 2004 the Council directed the task force to present a proposed format for question and answer sessions to be held on Saturday night, May 1, 2004 during the annual meeting of the General Conference of Elders. The task force's recommendation calls for discussion of proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and a separate discussion of the Strategic Plan, Operation Plan and Budget.

Robert Dick walked the Council through the suggested format for the discussion of proposed amendments, which was written by Mr. Corbett in conjunction with the task force.

•  The meeting will open with prayer, asking for God's blessing on the meeting and decisions.
•  The GCE planning committee will establish a time frame to allow appropriate discussion of each proposed amendment.
•  A lead moderator will control the meeting, starting with a summary of the ground rules for the session, emphasizing that the purpose is to be an informative workshop. He will control the flow of the meeting, introducing each man as he is to speak.
•  The author of each amendment (or a representative he designates to speak on his behalf) will be given up to five minutes to explain the proposed amendment. The purpose is to explain the problem they perceive and how the proposed amendment would be beneficial for UCG IA .
•  Two minutes will be allotted to questions from elders in attendance, to be answered by the author (or his designee).
•  If an official Statement of Concern has been submitted, the author (or his/her designee) will have up to five minutes to explain why he objects to the amendment. If more than one statement has been submitted, they shall choose one from among them to explain their collective viewpoints. The emphasis must be on the good of UCG IA as a whole, not focusing in any negative way on the author of the amendment.
•  Two minutes will be allotted to questions from elders in attendance, which will be answered by the person who had submitted the official Statement of Concern.
•  An elder designated as the "sergeant-at-arms for the meeting will assist the moderator by helping to keep the session running on time and in an orderly manner.

Mr. Dick made a motion that the Council accept the document submitted by the GCE planning task force as the format for the discussion of proposed amendments.

In the discussion that preceded the vote Leon Walker complimented Mr. Register and Mr. Corbett on their work and said he believed the format would work well. He added, however, that he is philosophically opposed to having this discussion just prior to the ballot because of the fairness issue. Since only about half of ministry will be present at the meeting, those not present will be at a disadvantage since they will not be able to change their ballot based on what they hear. He added that hypothetically it could only take two or three votes to change the outcome of an issue and not everyone would have the same information available to them when they vote. However, he concluded that he would abstain on the motion rather than voting in opposition to it.

Aaron Dean suggested that the discussion would be to the general conference's advantage since those who are better informed would make a better decision.

Richard Thompson observed that knowing the discussion would take place might encourage those who are not going to be in attendance to get as much information as they can prior to the conference, such as by contacting the authors of the amendment and/or Statement(s) of Concern, so they can cast an informed vote.

The Council voted in favor of the resolution, 11-0 (Mr. Walker abstaining).

In the same meeting on Saturday night, a question and answer session on the Strategic Plan, Operation Plan and Budget will follow the discussion of the proposed amendments. This discussion will be governed by the same rules adopted for the Council of Elders question and answer session, which will be held on Sunday evening. Elders will have the opportunity to ask questions of a panel consisting of home office operations management, a member of the Council of Elders and members of the Council's Strategic Planning Committee.

The Saturday night meeting will begin after the Sabbath on May 1 and its total length (including both discussions) will be approximately two to two-and-a-half hours.

The Council considered the possibility of cybercasting the question and answer sessions and concluded that it would not be practical to do so, since those not in attendance would not be able to change their vote based on the discussion and because at the time the meeting begins it would still be the Sabbath in time zones west of Cincinnati.

Application of Bylaw 12.2.2.8

A question has arisen as to what should happen to an amendment which the Council of Elders does not endorse (by having at least four members vote to support it), yet does not reject. In other words, a proposed amendment on which the Council chooses to not take action.

Mr. Dick, chairman of the Council's Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee, conducted a discussion of the understanding and application of bylaw 12.2.2.8, which reads, "Lack of action on the part of the Council within thirty (30) days will be interpreted as permission for those proposed amendments which were approved by the Committee to go forward to the General Conference of Elders for possible endorsement.

The question focuses on the phrase, "… for possible endorsement. Does that phrase mean that an amendment on which the Council does not take action should be sent to the general conference to see if gains support from at least 25 percent of the elders? Or does that phrase mean that an amendment on which the Council does not take action should be included on the ballot at the annual meeting "for possible endorsement?

Mr. Dick asked Mr. Walker to summarize the majority opinion of the Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee. Mr. Walker explained that the word "endorsement as used throughout this section of the Bylaws refers to support for an amendment. The Council has the opportunity to endorse or not endorse (support) an amendment. If at least four Council members support (endorse) the proposed amendment, it is included on the ballot at the annual meeting. However, there can be a circumstance where the Council takes no action either way – it neither rejects nor endorses an amendment. In that situation, the proposed amendment should be sent to the general conference to determine if a minimum of 25 percent of the elders endorse it. If that occurs, the proposed amendment would be placed on the ballot at the annual meeting. If fewer than 25 percent of the elders support it, then it does not receive GCE endorsement and does not appear on the ballot.

Larry Darden, the church's legal counsel, agreed with the Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee's conclusion.

Jim Franks, who participated in the writing of the Bylaws, stated that it was never intended that any proposed amendment be included on the ballot unless it received support from at least four Council members or from at least 25 percent of the general conference. He also pointed out that the intent is that the Council may yield to the general conference by deciding to not take action on a proposed amendment. He also explained that this means that if the Council takes no action on a proposed amendment it isn't the end of the matter – the general conference can still determine whether it should be included on the ballot.

Mr. Dick and Mr. Walker, who also participated in the writing of the Bylaws, agreed and emphasized that this would make it impossible for the Council to prevent a proposed amendment from being placed before the general conference.

Mr. Dick stated that this is a procedural matter that affects two amendments currently under consideration. Therefore this discussion was tabled until the meeting this coming Sunday when those specific amendments will be discussed.

Replacements for Committee Assignments

Mr. Dick asked the Council to approve replacements to fill a vacancy on the Member Appeal Committee and an alternate for the Expelled Elder Appeal Committee (EEAC).

Bruce Gore stepped down from the Member Appeal Committee when he was named Regional Pastor for the Southeast region. Since Mr. Gore is a U.S. elder in the employ of the United Church of God, it is necessary that he be replaced by a U.S. elder in the employ of United. Replacements on the MAC are chosen from the most recent nominees for the EEAC committee. The next person in line to take the position on the east coast body of the Member Appeal Committee is Greg Sargent. The Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Sargent to the committee.

There was also the need for an alternate from an international area to be selected as the international alternate for the Expelled Elder Appeal Committee. The next nominee on the list to fill that vacancy is Bill Bradford. The Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Bradford as an EEAC alternate.

Retirement Task Force Resolution

Roy Holladay requested that the Council put forward a resolution which would give the home office administration authority to study the Retirement Task Force recommendations and begin to formulate policies and specific proposals for Council approval.

Mr. Holladay emphasized he is not asking the Council to approve every strategy or recommendation in the task force's report and acknowledged that Council would have final authority to approve any suggested proposal or policy. Mr. Holladay stated that he plans to have an outline of proposals with some specific recommendations at the Council meetings in August, 2004 and perhaps a full package of proposals by the meetings in December of this year. He assured the Council that he would ask the task force to update time sensitive data that would be relevant to the Council's decisions.

Mr. Dean presented the motion that the Council give the home office administration authority to begin formulating retirement policies and proposals. The motion passed unanimously.

Following the vote, the Council went into executive session, which lasted until the lunch break and then continued for the first 45 minutes of the afternoon following lunch.

Contact with the Church of God, Israel

Joel Meeker presented a short video and an overview of a trip with David Baker to India. The purpose of the trip was to become better acquainted with a group called the Church of God, Israel. Mr. Meeker pointed out that the land mass of India is about 2/3 the size of the United States, has a population of over one billion – there are currently 945 Good News subscribers and one UCG member in India.

The Church of God, Israel is a group of approximately 200-300 located in the province of Mizoram in the foothills of the Himalayas in eastern India. Their doctrinal beliefs are remarkably similar to our teachings in most respects and they have expressed interest in becoming part of the United Church of God. Mr. Baker asked Mr. Meeker to accompany him on a visit because of Mr. Meeker's experience with the former Remnant Church of God in Ghana.

Mr. Baker had visited them about a year and a half ago – and both he and Mr. Meeker were received as "long, lost brothers. They were invited to visit each of the church members in their homes. Both Mr. Baker and Mr. Meeker gave sermons in their Sabbath service and on Sunday they participated in a lengthy question and answer session in which they were able to explain some of United's fundamental beliefs. Mr. Meeker expressed that they felt very much like they were with brethren.

Mr. Meeker commented on a few of the doctrinal differences. For example, the COG, Israel observes just the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles and the 8 th day (Last Great Day). Their women actively participate in church services, doing Bible readings and making announcements. So far, the most thorny issue seems to be their observance of Passover on the 15 th of the month. Mr. Meeker commented that it will take time for them to become better acquainted with United allowing both sides to judge our compatibility in doctrine and administration. Mr. Baker plans to visit once a year or so when he is in the area.

Feast of Tabernacles Video

Peter Eddington reviewed the proposed outline for a sermon video for the Feast of Tabernacles. The Council had decided in the December meetings that Southeast Asia and the Philippines would be the international areas highlighted in this year's video.

The suggested sermon title is "I Shall Return. The video would revolve around the story of General Douglas MacArthur's World War II promise to return to the Philippines, illustrating Jesus Christ's promise to return to earth to begin the millennial reign of God's Kingdom. The video would feature an inspirational message of confident hope in the future and exhortation to continue fighting the good fight of faith in our personal daily lives as we await Christ's return.

A second section would feature United Church of God members in Southeast Asia and the Philippines – their successes, challenges and dreams – including anecdotes with first-person accounts of how they were called into the church.

The third portion of the video would be a message from Mr. Holladay that will include an update on what United is doing to preach the gospel in various areas. The purpose is to excite brethren about the day-to-day work in which we are involved and the hope we have as we anticipate Christ's return.

On their recent trip to Southeast Asia and the Philippines, Mr. Baker and Mr. Meeker took five to six hours of video footage, including scenic shots of the area and interviews with Philippine members. Clay Thornton is reviewing the footage to determine how it can be used in the video.

Council members quickly warmed to the idea and made a few suggestions on expanding the analogy. The Council voted unanimously to accept the outline, allowing Mr. Eddington to continue with the production of the video.

Update on Evangelism Task Force Study Paper

Doug Horchak gave a report on the progress of the Evangelism Task Force. Mr. Horchak presented an outline of the study paper in the Council's December meetings. In today's update he discussed the progress the task force is making.

He commented that the use of the word "evangelism and the history of evangelism is diverse among other churches and through the history.

Mr. Horchak pointed out that athough we think of evangelism as a New Testament issue, the paper will also consider public proclamation in Old Testament times, as well. In addition to the work of the prophets, Paul refers (in Galatians 3, Hebrews 4 and Romans 10) to the gospel being preached to Israel by Abraham and others.

Evangelism in the New Testament will be a key section of the paper. It will include all the examples of preaching and sharing the gospel, instructions given by Jesus Christ and the apostles and their actions and examples. The paper will address the issue of who should evangelize and what is an evangelist.

It's clear that New Testament church members were involved in evangelizing the gospel. The question is, "How? Three particular scriptures will be explained that seem to be examples of lay members preaching (Luke 10, Acts:8:3-4 and Philippians 1:14).

Since there are those who believe the work of the Church has already been completed, the paper will also address the question of whether preaching the gospel is a duty of the church or an option.

The three primary purposes of the study paper will be to provide:

1. A clear definition of the term "evangelism and related terms.
2. Specific proposals for application of these terms to the United Church of God.
3. A suggested terminology for future United Church of God programs.

Mr. Horchak and the task force will ask the Doctrine Committee to review the paper and hope to have it ready for Council review by the May, 2004 meetings.

The Council again went into executive session for the last 30 minutes and concluded its business for the day at 4:30 PM.

-Don Henson

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© 2004 United Church of God, an International Association