United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report

Thursday, May 9, 2002 - Cincinnati, Ohio
 

Today the Council heard a report from Darris McNeely on a proposed application for a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., spent most of the day in executive session discussing personnel matters, presented tokens of appreciation to two Council members not returning as members July 1, and concluded this session by selecting Clyde Kilough to serve as chairman for the next two years, beginning July 1, 2002. 

Application for Grant 

Mr. Kilough called on Mr. McNeely for the first presentation. A task force composed of Guy Burke, Matthew Fenchel, Fred Kellers, Dennis Luker, Darris McNeely (chairman), Gary Petty, David Register, Britton Taylor, and Robin Webber has worked to put together an application under a grant program initiated by Lilly Endowment, Incorporated to sustain pastoral excellence (see the Council report of February 27, 2002 for more details). The terms of the grant call for churches to show intent to help pastors build individualized programs to help refresh and renew them, sustaining excellence in serving their congregations. Whether the Church application would be accepted or not, some program to help sustain and renew will still be needed. 

Mr. McNeely outlined the basics of the application as now envisioned. It calls for seven modules of pastoral renewal, with the central core of the program being an annual three-day retreat for pastors and wives in small groups. The seven modules are:

·        Personal spiritual renewal

·        Theological development

·        Iron sharpens iron

·        Skill enhancement

·        Caring for the body

·        Volunteer community services

·        Rest. 

Each section is broken down into more detailed suggestions. The task force estimates that the program could be sustained at an approximate cost of $1200 per pastor per year, and is structuring the grant request with that figure in mind. Key to success of the program is its breaking down the renewal aspects into daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly segments. Estimates of actual levels of pastoral participation vary from module to module and segment to segment, ranging from 100% to 10%.

Discussion followed. Gary Antion stressed the importance of having the support of the entire General Conference for the program, specifically including those elders not employed by the Church. Mr. Kilough and Roy Holladay agreed. As Mr. Kilough noted, any commitment of funds from UCG income would not come until at least the 2003-2004 budget year, which would allow ample time to fully detail the advantages of the program. However, the grant program has a deadline for application, as explained in the February 27, 2002 Council report – it is June 15 of this year. Mr. Holladay cited Risk Manager Chris Anderson’s observation and concern that our ministry is showing signs of “delayed burnout” – the effects of bearing high levels of stress for extended periods of time. So something must be done.

Robert Dick observed that there is a cultural pattern that needs to be altered. Retirements from the active ministry have not often been to simply cease full-time service to change life-style at a certain age, but have almost always been because the minister’s health no longer allowed him to continue.  

Les McCullough stated his concern about earmarking any funds as restricted. Mr. McNeely agreed that any funds received from Lilly Endowment would have to be used for this program; but funds set aside from church income to show commitment to continue past the grant period need not be restricted.

Mr. Kilough shared his belief that the Church must have a “philosophical commitment to pastoral renewal.” As he pointed out, given the statistics about the aging ministry just presented at the GCE, in five years, the Church will have to be committed to pastoral renewal! Even if our application were to be denied, we must start some program. This simply gives us a chance to “kick-start” it. Mr. Antion echoed this approach, saying that it seemed to him that we need to ask ourselves whether we are committed enough to carry out this program or something similar whether Lilly Endowment approves a grant to the UCG or not. As he said, coincidentally, that’s exactly what they want to know before extending a helping hand.

Mr. Holladay asked what action was needed from the Council at this point. Donald Ward answered, saying that consent to proceed was needed now, then a formal letter of Council support and approval to accompany the application.

Mario Seiglie asked for the opinion of Richard Pinelli as manager of Ministerial Services. To quote Mr. Pinelli’s answer: “Let’s go for it!”

The Council gave its consent without resolution: Messrs. Antion, Dean, Dick, Holladay, Jewell, Kilough, Kubik, Seiglie, and Ward approved. Mr. Walker abstained. Mr. McCullough and Mr. Thompson were absent.

Presentation

Following the executive session, Mr. Kilough asked Don Ward and Roy Holladay to come forward to receive gifts as small tokens of appreciation for their years of service on the Council.

Selection of Chairman

The Council then moved to select a chairman to serve beginning July 1, 2002 (Tuesday’s election of Mr. Kilough was to finish Mr. Holladay’s term which expires June 30, 2002). Candidates for selection were Clyde Kilough and Victor Kubik. On the first ballot, which requires at least a 2/3 majority, the Council chose Clyde Kilough to be chairman for the next two years, with his term to expire June 30, 2004.

Mr. Kilough adjourned the meeting following the ballot. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council will be August 5-8, 2002, at the home office in Cincinnati.  

Doug Johnson

© 2002 United Church of God, an International Association