United Church of God, an International Association

Council of Elders Quarterly Meeting

Milford, Ohio

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

With the beautiful backdrop of four inches of light, fluffy snow on the home office grounds, chairman Robin Webber called the primary session of the December meeting to order and asked Council member Scott Ashley to open with prayer. Eleven Council members were present with Don Ward participating via Web-Ex connection from his home in Big Sandy, Texas, since he had been unable to make the trip due to the winter weather closure of the Dallas Airport. The Council had spent all day Monday in a working retreat at a nearby hotel where they had a brief open session near the end of the day (see previous Council report for Dec. 9, 2013).

Chairman Webber cited several scriptures to set the spiritual tone for current meeting. He also read the vision and mission statements to establish the focus towards all we will deliberate and determine on this current session. He then asked for discussion of the minutes of the previous meeting, and as there were none, he declared the minutes approved. After the meeting agenda was likewise approved, he introduced UCG president Victor Kubik for his report.

President's Report—Victor Kubik

After thanking the Council for helping to foster a spirit of peace between itself and the administration and within the Church directly, Mr. Kubik summarized the current vital statistics.

There are presently 358 elders in the United Church of God around the world, 277 of whom are in the United States. The Church in America has 75 pastors and seven associate pastors. Of that total 66 are full-time, 12 part-time and four who volunteer their time as pastors. Combined they serve 196 congregations.

Sabbath service attendance provides our bell weather figures over the past three years: January 2011—7615; November 2012—7714; October 2013—7623. We have had 154 baptisms so far in 2013. The current statistics indicate that presently we are holding our own and looking toward encouraging growth.

Summarizing The Good News subscription figures, he reported that, due to the budget cutbacks, GN circulation in the 180,000 range is at its lowest ebb since 1998. He also added the encouraging plan to add nearly 80,000 new subscribers to begin building back our subscriber list.

Mr. Kubik then discussed the "missing rungs" in the process of motivating more of our viewers and subscribers to take important steps toward commitment, baptism and salvation. Each year we have over 5,000,000 unique visitors to UCG.org, but most do not stay or seek more information. Also, those who do search to see if the Church is in their area will typically go to our local church websites. Many of those sites unfortunately are out of date and in need of better organization. A volunteer team of brethren who have expertise in Web maintenance have been recruited to help pastors upgrade and maintain their congregations' websites.

A Content Committee has been organized to analyze and improve the approach, voice, tone and look, etc. of our writing, preaching and broadcasting to more effectively engage and motivate readers and viewers.

Mr. Kubik described the second round of area conferences of Ministerial and Member Services, which will start in February here at the home office. A special focus will include how to improve our church services, how new people are greeted, and what they see and experience. Women's Services will present topics including "Doing Our Part" and "A Radiant Church." Presentations are planned to address increasing issues in society affecting Church members and the audience we are striving to engage: pornography and alcohol/substance abuse. Additional topics to be covered will include why the Church uses the Hebrew calendar and other doctrinal concerns.

He reported on a successful leadership module prior to the Los Angeles area conference, which was very well attended. Plans for the area conferences will include a leadership seminar on the Sunday of the conference weekend.

Another new program is a weekly Good New eNews sent to subscribers about a variety of current and relevant topics to our readers. A new podcast is being developed to provide more public contact. Likewise, the use of social media is being further explored and improved.

Mr. Kubik also updated everyone about the local contact via a Rotary Club in the area, which has fostered increasing positive connections in the neighborhood of the home office. He also commented positively about recent visits to the Church of God (Seventh Day), the Living Church of God (on the occasion of Sheryl Meredith's funeral) as well as two more localized Church of God organizations.

Finally, he expressed again the appreciation for the peace that we do have in United and that he very much prays for its continuation.

Media and Communications Services Update—Peter Eddington

Media and Communication Services operation manager Peter Eddington began his report by showing the progress being made for reaching our goals in the Strategic Plan. The goal for the 2013-2014 fiscal year for unique visits was 5.5 million, but only half way through the year we have surpassed that mark. Media is currently focusing on producing more fresh content because in the industry "content is king."

He explained that in open session the previous day the Council had approved additional funding for programs to add GN subscribers, more Internet advertising and some additional Beyond Today airtime.

Upon the launch of the new UCG.org website a new Bible Reading Program module will be designed. In the meantime writers are concentrating on gathering material and completing new booklet projects. The Kingdom of God Bible Seminars were completed as targeted. Pastors are being encouraged to hold the seminars as they deem most appropriate in their circuits. Plans now include centrally coordinated "campaign-style" lectures for a new version of the Kingdom of God Bible Seminars.

The Good News magazine renewal rates for the recently completed three-chance offers January-February through November-December 2013 (6 issues/12 months) are above projections. A total of 183,721 subscribers were up for renewal, and 53,794 responded positively (29.3 percent). For the latest issue's completed renewal cycle (the May-October 2013, three-chance offer) 22,398 were up for renewal in May, of which 6,173 (27.6 percent) responded. Please note, this includes renewal cards returned in the mail, but does not include renewals sent in electronically from our website (although electronic renewals are very low at present). For comparison, the historical renewal rate for our magazines (going back many decades) has averaged 26 percent, so these above average renewal rates are encouraging!

As suggested by president Kubik the quarterly coworker letter will be redesigned for legal sized paper with a perforated bottom section. That detachable part will be used as a barcoded coupon for requesting the offered booklet and making it easier to donate to help with God's work. Each letter will be about how to better live God's way of life plus some news about the progress of our work in Christ's service. Council members commented very favorably on the redesigned letter format and several recommended small additional improvements.

Financial Services Report—Rick Shabi

After expressing his appreciation to former treasurer Aaron Dean and financial staff members Gerald Seelig and Jake Trone during his recent transition into the treasurer office, Rick Shabi updated the Council on key financial reports that had been issued since the last meeting.

The annual audit report for fiscal year 2012-2013, conducted by external auditors, was presented and discussed. The financial statements show a marked improvement over the prior fiscal year.

Next, the financial statements for the five months of the current fiscal year (through Nov. 30, 2013) were presented and reviewed. A further improvement in cash and total assets was noted, along with a significant favorable budget variance. This budget variance is largely due to expenses running under budget in a few areas.

Mr. Shabi concluded his report by noting that contributions (tithes and offerings) continue to run at budgeted levels.

General Conference of Elders Annual Meeting Planning—Charles Melear

Charles Melear gave an overview of the annual meeting of the General Conference of Elders. His report was mainly geared to present suggested themes for the May 2014 meeting and have the Council select the on to be used. The proposed themes included:

• Serving Different Peoples: the Ministry of Paul (suggested by Daniel Berendt)
• Contend Earnestly for the Faith Once Delivered (suggested by Jenny Bradford)
• Study to Show Yourself Approved (suggested by Jenny Bradford)
• Proclaiming the Gospel in Spirit and in Truth (suggested by Robin Webber)
• A Kingdom-Driven Church (suggested by Mario Seiglie)

During discussion various Council members commented on the proposed themes. John Elliott elaborated on the Kingdom-driven theme. Scott Ashely was intrigued by the last two on the list. Roc Corbett thought that the themes suggested by Jenny Bradford (wife of Council member Bill Bradford) actually dovetailed together. Other Council members commented on the various themes or even combinations of themes. Carmelo Anastasi suggested that "Serving Different Peoples" theme should be considered or at least made into a key workshop topic.

Dr. Ward suggested blending whatever themes to address how to more effectively reach and motivate people. Mr. Webber added to that comment, "It's not just what we know, but how we communicate it." Mr. Ashley asked Mr. Kubik if any theme tied in with the thrust of the upcoming area conferences in the U.S. Mr. Kubik suggested "Contending Earnestly for the Faith" and that we need to come alive as God's Church. Bill Bradford stressed that the "Contending" theme lends itself to addressing the action we take to counter and overcome the false philosophies that affect the Church today, and especially affect our youth.

Roy Holladay suggested that more plenary sessions are needed for the annual meeting to more thoroughly orient all the eldership to whatever theme is chosen. Dr. Ward as well as other Council members concurred. Other suggestions surfaced, continuing to merge elements of various suggested themes. Mark Mickelson reflected that the two massive themes of the New Testament are proclaiming the gospel and contending for the truth by combatting false teaching and philosophy.

After further discussion, Chairman Webber asked a prayer for particular guidance and then conducted the ballot on the theme for the 2014 GCE. The considerable discussion finally narrowed the field to two themes: "Proclaiming the Gospel in Spirit and in Truth" and "Proclaiming the Gospel and Earnestly Contending for the Faith." The latter theme was selected by a ballot of 8 to 4. Later the council had a follow-up discussion and is permitting the Content Committee to share an additional theme consideration in the next couple of weeks. Until then, the current theme stands.

After lunch, the Council convened in executive session to discuss the auditor's report for one hour (this report will be shared with the Church). Open session then commenced with a discussion about strategic planning, which chairman Webber summarized. He then introduced Strategic Planning and Finance Committee chairman Bill Bradford.

Strategic Planning and Finance Committee Update—Bill Bradford

Due to the budget cutbacks we have been running lean and will likely do so for the coming year although a small raise for employees was possible this fall. He then gave the floor to president Victor Kubik to discuss the administration's "wish list."

Budget Discussion—Victor Kubik

In planning for next fiscal year's budget, which must be finalized by February, Mr. Kubik presented the administration's proposed "wish list." The list included the possibility of additional funding of gospel output, very modest employee pay increase (either as salary a adjustment, matching retirement funds, increased Health Savings Account, or other possibility), earned bonuses for extra work (primarily affects senior pastors, camp directors and Feast coordinators), new ministerial hires, etc.

A question was asked about raising mileage reimbursement to its previous level, and the answer was that it would begin in January. The discussion then focused on tapping the Council's advice for what to do first when increased funding becomes available.

Mr. Kubik expressed that he felt that we had "come out of the tunnel" as far as our financial cutback was concerned. He then laid out the budget priorities in descending order as the administration sees them and asked for Council discussion.

Darris McNeely and Mark Mickelson both encouraged restoring the 403b retirement to a two-to-one matching funds levels of two years ago. Various other comments from Council members ranged up and down the list. Strategic Planning and Finance Committee chairman Bill Bradford stressed the need to finalize the salary ranges and bonuses for extra workloads. The administration answered that salary ranges were all in place and all employees were within their salary ranges. The bonuses would be delineated by our past assigned amounts.

Mr. Kubik said that there were six areas of priority that he would forward the Council for their review and input. Mr. Webber closed the open session for further discussion in executive session. When that was completed, open session continued with the regular, quarterly, Council committee reports.

Strategic Planning and Finance Committee Update—Bill Bradford

The committee includes Mr. Mickelson, Dr. Ward as well as Mr. Bradford. They are tasked with planning how the work of the Church should move forward in the coming year and how that should impact the budget. He welcomed the new treasurer Rick Shabi to the planning team. After managing the budgetary cutbacks, the committee is planning how to move forward. The next budget will be conservative, but with some modest increases in certain areas.

Doctrine Committee Update—John Elliott

As the standing committee of the Council, its purpose is to preserve the doctrines of the Church, not to change them. The committee reviews papers written by any of our ministers or members who have a doctrinal question or idea. The committee's job is to respectfully review such papers in the light of God's Word, and then to submit it to the Council for any decision that might be needed.

Since the last in-person meeting in August, the committee has processed requests from members and ministers to review seven papers they submitted to it and have begun to work on several more. Examples of the types of papers received included one that proposed that there are a different number of resurrections that the Church has always taught. Other submitted paper's topics included the idea of a different name for a particular Holy Day, locations of prophetic events, etc. Appreciation was shown for the ministers serving on the Doctrine Advisory Committee and the Prophecy Advisory Committee who assist with the workload of the main Doctrine Committee.

One Council member asked what the difference in function was between Personal Correspondence and the Doctrine Committee. Mr. Elliott answered that the committee reviews papers submitted by elders and members while Personal Correspondence answers questions that are submitted to the Church.

Education Committee—Rex Sexton

The committee is presently reviewing its mandated list of duties, some of which are completed or need updating. The committee plans to coordinate its plans with the Education Task Force chaired by Gary Antion.

Ethics Committee—Mario Seiglie

The committee has completed its main tasks remanded to it by the Council. It will deal with an update on the expelled elder process between now and the February meeting.

Media Committee—Scott Ashley

The committee discussed the increase to the media budget and the formation and work of the media Content Committee of the administration. At the moment the committee has no tasks on its agenda.

Roles and Rules Committee—Roc Corbett

The committee will present three items to the Council at this meeting. The first is the revision of the Constitution and Bylaws (an ongoing process). They will also seek Council input on the Council nominee questionnaire. The final item will be to ask Council about the application of one of the 9.2 bylaws.

It has completed two documents about the expelled elder process for the Ethics Committee, which should be reviewed by the Council at this meeting. The committee is also producing a library of key documents about the Church and the Council for future reference by Council members as needed.

Mario Seiglie asked for added clarification about the governing documents review. Mr. Corbett explained that it does not in any way change even the wording of the Fundamental Beliefs, but primarily addresses needed technical edits of the documents.

The day's meeting concluded with a closing prayer on the day's work and a blessing for the evening meal given by Mark Mickelson. Chairman Webber then adjourned the meeting.

-end-

Randy Stiver

Council Reporter

© 2013 United Church of God, an International Association