Council of Elders Meeting in Cincinnati Ohio
United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
Sunday and Monday, December 5-6, 1999 — Cincinnati, Ohio
Sunday and Monday the Council focused on preparation for the General Conference of Elders annual meeting (Fort Mitchell, Kentucky ö May 6-8, 2000) and ministerial development. An executive session on Monday concluded this round of Council meetings.
General Conference of Elders
The annual meeting of the General Conference of Elders (GCE) will be held in the greater Cincinnati area (on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River) May 6-8, 2000.
Two major areas of discussion dealing with the GCE were covered. Council members devoted time on both days to considering amendments to the churchâs bylaws proposed by members of the General Conference. There are presently eight, compared to over 30 in 1999. The deadline has now passed for submissions from the General Conference, but the Council may still submit amendment proposals under the provisions of the churchâs governing documents. Secretary Gerald Seelig will convey the necessary information and details to all members of the General Conference within the parameters of call and notice for the annual meeting.
Chairman Bob Dick presided over a brainstorming and planning session in preparation for the General Conference. Rough plans were formulated, and a proposed schedule will shortly be sent to all members of the General Conference of Elders for their input, suggestions, and further refinement. The entire Council felt it important to solicit as much response as possible from all elders in order to make the time spent as profitable as possible for everyone.
One other idea proposed in connection with the GCE in May concerned an international proposal transmitted by Leon Walker. This would involve bringing in all international elders for meetings to be held in conjunction with the GCE meetings. Due to travel and lodging costs and related obstacles, the most cost-effective way to bring all the international contingent together is actually in the United States, and the proposal would take advantage of this fact. As president, Les McCullough offered to supply the Council with some figures on expected cost, to see if such a meeting might yet be held in 2000. The most likely scenario, however, would be to plan for 2001. With a limited budget (already set) for the upcoming GCE, considering expenses to which the church is now committed, this particular plan may fit better into next yearâs budget. Either way, those who attend this yearâs GCE from areas outside the United States would be able to meet with the Councilâs international contingent to discuss church business unique to their areas of service.
Mr. Dick introduced one sidelight to the 2000 General Conference. Reflecting on his appointment as chairman at the Cincinnati General Conference of December 1995, he explained the intent of the original Council was that the first chairmanâs term of office would be the same length as his term on the Council. Terms were decided by random draw for periods of two, three, or four years. Mr. Dick drew a four-year term, and has served accordingly, although the length of his term was twice extended by fiscal year adjustments and now ends June 30, 2000.
Ministerial Development
Ministerial Services manager Richard Pinelli presented to the Council a suggestion regarding ministerial development. This involves a proposal for a renewed round of three-day regional and bi-regional conferences in various sections of the United States.
A previous round of such conferences (distinct from more recent one-day pocket conferences) was held in 1996. Subsequent plans for 1997 had to be canceled due to budget constraints.
Since this proposal is impacted by the direction of future General Conferences, the input of the whole GCE will be sought during and after this yearâs annual meeting.
Miscellaneous
Three miscellaneous items rounded out Sundayâs business.
Roy Holladay had three questions regarding the festival policy for ministerial transfers:
1. If a minister is asked by Ministerial Services or the Council to attend a Feast site other than his usual regional site, is this considered a transfer? The answer was that it is not ö the site he is requested to attend becomes his assigned site.
2. Does the home office ministry operate under the same policy? The answer is yes (with the understanding that just as is the case with ministers in the field, some home office ministers may also be asked to attend various sites for specific reasons ö Mr. Kirkpatrick or Mr. Seelig as business managers, for example).
3. Would it be helpful to simply survey the salaried ministry as to their plans, and assign manpower accordingly? Answer: the balance of manpower at the various Feast sites would then be seriously compromised. Present policy of one transfer allowed every three years still appears to be the most equitable and efficient system.
Mr. Antion proposed a survey of the field ministry on current outreach programs, in order to glean ideas that could be used in wider applications in more church areas.
Media and Communications Committee chairman Vic Kubik raised the subject of media in order to clarify his request in working with the administration in this important area. He stressed his satisfaction that the committee would no longer be functioning in an operations manner, but asked that the committee members be ãkept in the loopä on plans in order to fulfill their Council mandated duties.
On Monday, the Council had a brief open session finalizing discussion on bylaw amendments to be considered at the GCE in May.
Roy Holladay then specifically asked that the ministry and churches around the world be reminded of the need to be up to date with their ãY2Kä preparations. In some areas, if it is felt necessary to cancel services on the Sabbath of January 1, 2000, that is certainly permissible and at local discretion. Some congregations, such as those in large metropolitan areas or areas with extremely cold climates (where temporary loss of power might create traffic or heating difficulties more unique to those areas) might feel it wiser to avoid potential problems by canceling services that one day only. In any case, several Council members urged basic preparations such as updating emergency call lists and making plans to check on ãshut-inä brethren regarding their needs. Ministerial Services manager Richard Pinelli is planning to communicate with all U.S. pastors along these lines, but the Council wished international areas to consider their needs as well.
Following these discussions, the Council entered an executive session to cover items requested by Mr. Holladay and Mr. McCullough. The meetings adjourned shortly after noon. The next round of regular Council meetings is scheduled for Cincinnati February 23-29, 2000.
-Doug Johnson
