United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
Wednesday , August 13, 2003 – Cincinnati, Ohio

Today's meeting focused on the efforts of several of the council committees: Media and Communications, Education and Ministerial Services, Doctrine and Ethics, Roles and Rules. A few other miscellaneous items of business were also woven into the day. The only Council member not present was Doug Horchak, who is on a Church visit to Ghana. Open session concluded at about 5 p.m. and the Council wrapped up the day in a brief executive session, which adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

Media and Communications

Victor Kubik, chair of the Media and Communications committee, gave the Council a status report on the newly-formed evangelism task force, which is under the direction of Mr. Horchak. The task force was formed to undertake a thorough biblical study of the subject of evangelism and how it applies to the Church and its mission. The task force is organized into three two-man teams:

• Robin Webber and Bruce Dean will study the use and application of the terms "evangelism," "evangelist" and "evangelize" in evangelical Christianity in general and our former association in particular.
• Peter Hawkins and Tom Robinson will focus on Old Testament examples of evangelism and/or public proclamation of God's message and related practices (who did it, what precedents were set, etc.)
• Jim Servidio and Ken Graham will concentrate on the subject of evangelism or public proclamation in the New Testament and the biblical definition of the Greek word translated "evangelist."

The goal of the task force is to write a study paper that will give a clear definition of "evangelism" and related terms with specific proposals for application of those terms in the Church today and suggested terminology to be used by the Church.

In the next segment of the morning meeting, Peter Eddington sought Council approval of the "Broadcast Television Media Strategy," developed by the Media and Communications Services operation at the home office. There had been some preliminary discussion of broadcast television at the Council meetings in May, 2003, at which time Mr. Eddington was asked to produce a more complete plan for the potential use of that medium. Mr. Eddington listed several strategies for the development of a home office produced broadcast television program:

• Develop electronic media efforts to complement and expand printed media efforts.
• Implement newer video technologies wherever possible for the Internet and broadcast television.
• Use and encourage ministerial resources in developing broadcast media.
• Determine what the fundamental public interests are and then capture interest in fundamental issues relevant to them that can be used creatively to expand their involvement in biblical topics and the good news of God's Kingdom.
• Produce programs that are direct, authoritative, positive, stimulating and respectful, providing the answers to humankind's pressing needs.
• Produce programs of highest standards reasonably possible within budget guidelines.

There is room in the home office facility to build a video production studio at a reasonable cost and also build three general-use offices, which will also be needed in the near future. It would more cost-effective and efficient to build our own facility than to rent time in a commercial studio.

In addition to a 30-minute television program, the facility could also be used to produce shorter clips and commentaries. The proposal includes a Good News Television Web site with material continuously streaming, including full programs, specific topics from archives, one-to-two minute commentary segments, commercials, etc.

The Council expressed interest in proceeding toward developing a television program so long as it fits with the Church's other long-range plans and needs.

• Leon Walker stated that he is supportive of the idea of a home office produced television program but could not commit to a plan until it is more specific. What is the bigger picture and where does television fit in overall priorities? Is there another (better) use for the building space? What is the full extent of the costs, including the potential need for additional employees?
• Joel Meeker also said he would support the concept, but would like to see a more complete plan.
• Jim Franks suggested that before making a commitment it would be helpful to see what the long-range budget needs are for other operations, such as ministerial services.
• Robert Dick questioned where the budget would come from and stressed the wisdom of considering how we can pay for television before we commit to it. He questioned if we should make a commitment to television when we're already struggling to find resources to boost Good News subscriptions. Mr. Dick stressed he is not against the idea, but questioned how it could be accomplished.
• Richard Thompson pointed out that prior to completion of the home office facility there were discussions about the possibility of it including a television studio.
• Aaron Dean commented that the membership will be encouraged to note that the Council is looking to move toward using television. Though it won't be on the same scale as in our previous association, we can take advantage of new technology and the Internet.
• Vic Kubik pointed out that while this is not a specific plans and is contingent on future budget, it gives permission to the administration to continue looking at the possibility of going into television.
• Clyde Kilough summarized that none of the Council was conceptually opposed to the use of television for preaching the gospel and asked Mr. Eddington if he was presenting a specific proposal or a general direction for the Council to consider.

Throughout the presentation and discussion Mr. Eddington emphasized that he was seeking Council approval to move forward toward the development of television programming within the budgetary guidelines presented in the proposal. The Council suggested several edits to the "Broadcast Television Media Strategy" and unanimously passed a resolution approving its implementation "dependent upon funds available and priorities of Church programs from year to year."

The resolution does not include a specific schedule, basing progress toward television programming on availability of budget. With Council approval, Mr. Eddington will continue to develop and present to the Council a more detailed plan for a home office produced television program.

Mr. Eddington then presented a 5-year strategy to take The Good News to a print run of one million copies per issue. He was not seeking Council approval of the plan, but wanted them to know what the department would like to accomplish and what it would take to get there. He emphasized that the 5-year strategy is aggressive and would require aggressive funding. He also mentioned that even if it takes seven or eight years to accomplish, it would be a worthy goal to push the circulation to that level.

Education and Ministerial Services

Richard Thompson, chair of the Education and Ministerial Services committee, introduced to the Council a newly written policy statement titled "Sexual Misconduct Policy and Youth Protection Guidelines." The policy is a formal statement of what has been the Church's policy and practice on this subject. Mr. Thompson emphasized that it is very important that the field ministry become familiar with state laws regulating what is required if they suspect or become aware of sexual abuse.

Due to the importance of this subject, Mr. Thompson asked that Council members review the policy statement and said that there will be further discussions on the subject at the December meetings. He also suggested that Council members e-mail any questions or concerns to Church attorney, Larry Darden.

Mr. Thompson also discussed a change to the Church's employment policy regarding U.S. ministerial transfers. The change consists of new wording and rearrangement of two paragraphs in the current policy. The purpose of the change is to clarify how Ministerial Services will deal with concerns of local leadership or membership of the congregation(s) affected by the transfer. The resolution to change the policy was unanimously approved by the Council.

Doctrine

Jim Franks, chair of the Doctrine Committee, led the Council through the final review of three study papers and reviewed the status of upcoming papers.

Mr. Franks pointed out that in 1995-1996, when United was first formed, a ministerial survey indicated the need for study papers on 20 subjects. Two of those original study paper subjects were among those reviewed today ("Tithing" and "The Resurrections"). The last of those original 20 doctrinal subjects ("The Nature of God and Christ") should be ready for Council review at the December meetings, along with three other papers ("Music in the Bible," "The Role of Women in the Bible" and "Voting and Running for Political Office").

Other study papers under consideration are on the topics of the Hebrew calendar, focusing on the postponements, and a paper on the subject of sacred names. In addition, the Prophecy Advisory Committee is working on a number of papers they hope to present to the Doctrine Committee in the near future.

The Council had already received and reviewed the three papers presented in today's meeting. Mr. Franks walked the Council through a final review of papers titled "Balloting" (which deals on the issue of voting within the Church) and "Tithing." The Council unanimously approved both papers. He also briefly reviewed a paper titled "The Resurrections," which had already been approved by the Council but had gone through a final re-write prior to its release. Having been approved, all three study papers should be available on the Church's Web site within 3-4 weeks.

Ethics, Roles and Rules

Robert Dick, chair of the Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee presented four business items to the Council.

The first was to seek Council approval of a change to the General Conference of Elders annual meeting planning task force. The change was necessary because one of the members, Tony Wasilkoff, was elected to the Council in May, 2003. Task force chairman, David Register, recommended that Mr. Wasilkoff be replaced by Bill Bradford. The Council unanimously approved.

Mr. Dick sought input from the Council on behalf of Gerald Seelig, who is preparing a proposed amendment to bylaw 8.4.3. Before doing so, Mr. Seelig wanted to be sure that the proposed amendment would not conflict with any amendments the Council might be planning to submit and also asked the Council to consider whether they felt there were any problems or difficulties with the proposed amendment. The amendment specifies how a vacancy on the Council would be filled in the event that there are two or three runners up from the previous election. The amendment would also require that, in the event a runner up is not ratified by the General Conference, the nomination and election of an elder to fill the vacancy would take place after the General Conference meeting. The Council made a few minor edit suggestions. Mr. Seelig will submit the amendment to the Amendment Committee.

Mr. Dick then asked Council permission for the ERR committee to undertake a project regarding the Council of Elders nominee questionnaire. In reviewing it, Mr. Dick noticed that there were changes in the format and questions on the form in 2000, 2001 and 2003. The result is that each slate of candidates was asked a different set of questions. The ERR committee proposes tostandardize the form and create an official list of questions to be asked of each candidate, which would accurately reflect the qualities the general conference should be looking for in a Council member. Any changes to the form or questions from that point would require approval of the Council. The ERR committee hopes to complete the project in time for the Council to review and approve it at the December meetings. The Council unanimously agreed to the project.

The Council also unanimously consented to having Mr. Seelig provide them information regarding the nomination and election to the Council of Elders for the last several years. The Council requested only voting figures, without any names or years included. The purpose is to help establish how broad a consensus there is the nomination and election of Council members.

Disability Assistance Policy

Church attorney, Larry Darden, reviewed with Council the final edited version of the Church's Disability Assistance Policy, to be included in the Human Resources Employee Manual. The Council unanimously voted in favor of a motion to accept the policy.

Good Works Projects

Roy Holladay made a proposal to the Council regarding fund raising projects by local congregations to provide emergency assistance to United Church of God members in international areas. Groups and individuals within the Church have learned of our members' needs in places such as Kenya, Nigeria, Latin America and the Philippines and have provided some assistance as they were able, but Mr. Holladay emphasized that the effort needs to be coordinated so that assistance can be offered effectively and efficiently.

Mr. Holladay proposed that a good works program, coordinated from the home office, be established that can address such emergency situations. This effort would not conflict or compete with LifeNets, but would complement that organization's efforts. Mr. Holladay presented a detailed resolution, which the Council felt it needed more time to study and consider.

The Council went into executive session for the final 45 minutes of the day, adjourning at about 5:50 p.m.

-Don Henson

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© 2003 United Church of God, an International Association