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

Thursday, February 24, 2000 ö Cincinnati, Ohio

Joel Meeker reported to the Council of Elders on the developing relationship with the Remnant Church of God in Ghana, Victor Kubik discussed Council membersâ visits to church areas, and Richard Thompson covered input from international areas on a draft policy on outside speakers in todayâs morning session. The Council met in executive session in the afternoon to cover ministerial credentialings, removals, and ordinations.

Council members Roy Holladay, 
Leon Walker, Gary Antion, 
Don Ward and Denny Luker

Remnant Church of God

Joel Meeker spoke to the Council of Elders about the contact he, Jim Franks, Doug Horchak, and Fred Kellers have had recently with the Remnant Church of God in Ghana. Mr. Franks was also present at todayâs session and contributed some of his thoughts on this ongoing process.

Mr. Meeker outlined the history of the contact we have had with this group. As he illustrated with video clips from the December trip to Ghana that he, Mr. Franks, and Mr. Horchak made, the pastors, elders, and membership of the Remnant Church of God wish to be fully part of the United Church of God. They do not wish affiliation ("That would be like living with someone youâre not married to!" one of their elders told Mr. Franks).

Their original application along these lines was made to elders in the United Church of God in January, 1998, but internal difficulties in UCG caused a delay at that time. After careful consideration, the ten pastors of the Remnant Church of God, representing approximately 1,300 brethren, decided to continue their original course of action.

The basic doctrinal history of the group, Mr. Meeker explained, goes back to the 1970s, when efforts by several Sabbath-keeping fellowships in West Africa led to the establishment of a number of independent congregations. Mr. Herbert Armstrongâs writings were well known to most in the various groups and had a large impact. By 1995, many of the congregations, still quite independent, were challenged by Pastor Maxwell Coffie in a sermon on the biblical model of unity in Psalm 133. The result was that perhaps half the groups in question joined together at that time. They initially considered taking the name "United Church of God," but settled on Remnant Church of God because it described the situation they felt themselves to be in then. They came into contact with this organization through the Good News magazine, and events have progressed from that point.

Reaction from Council members was uniformly excited. Still, questions arose as to the wisest way to proceed. Since the members and elders in question wish to join the United Church of God, not just be affiliated with us, some asked whether stipulations requiring approval from the General Conference of Elders apply (Constitution, section 4.1(6)). Gary Antion and Don Ward urged the Council to keep the General Conference fully informed of the progress being made. Roy Holladay and others agreed that this was the correct path to pursue.

There are concerns that must be addressed. How should the ministry of the group be recognized? Should they be credentialed, or simply ordained by the United Church of God? There are procedures in place for either option. Other quandaries could arise, and this is a new situation for both groups. In the meantime, the Council gave its approval to Mr. Meekerâs request to rent a house in Kumasi, Ghana, to use as a base of operations for visits by several United Church of God elders in the next few months. The cost for one monthâs rent for the house would be less than one nightâs stay in a suitable hotel in Kumasi, and the whole cost projected now for what might be termed "the Ghana project" is less than $40,000 from the current yearâs budget. Mr. McCullough pointed out that we might spend such a sum very quickly in an advertising effort, and this was surely a good use of the money. Council agreed.

Council Member Church Visits

Mr. Kubik moderated a brief discussion on the current program of church area visits by Council members. The "need" level is much less than in the past because crisis issues have subsided. However, no one felt the program should be terminated, and it will continue.

Ministerial Services manager Richard Pinelli was asked to supply an updated list of church areas that he, as operations manager, would like to see receive a visit. Some areas have had requests in for some time, without a Council memberâs visit in those areas. Mr. Kubik and Mr. Pinelli will work together on the program.

Outside Speaker Policy

Richard Thompson presented the morningâs last business, going over international reaction to a proposed policy on outside speakers. This would cover both United Church of God elders speaking at functions of other fellowships, and elders from other groups speaking at United Church of God functions.

Four international areas gave input ö Australia, Canada, Italy, and New Zealand. Canada suggested certain wording changes, which were incorporated. New Zealand expressed support for the policy as written.

Australia had concerns about the level of flexibility available to the individual national councils, since the policy as written states that the final decision lies with the president. As John Jewell stated, these concerns come about because there are still areas of sensitivity within the church, and in his words "it needs to be made more apparent that we do need to work together, and how actions in one area do have an impact in another." Chairman Bob Dick suggested having the president and the national council in question confer in an attempt to reach agreement. The executive committee of the Council could then be brought into the process if agreement could not be reached.

Italy agreed totally with the policy portions dealing with United Church of God elders speaking at outside functions, but felt strongly against others speaking at United Church of God activities. Leon Walker and Gary Antion proposed adding a clear statement to the policy that would allow Ministerial Services (or the international equivalent) to deny such permission, in which case it would never proceed to the president for his review. Following a suggestion that the policy be further fine-tuned, the Council adjourned its morning session.

The afternoon was devoted to executive session.

- Doug Johnson

©2000 United Church of God, an International Association