Council of Elders Meeting in Tyler, Texas
United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
Tuesday, December 12, Tyler, Texas
The Council completed its December session of meetings in Texas with a half-day session. The day began with an executive session to consider a member appeal. Then the open session finalized several items discussed earlier in the week and concluded by planning dates for future meetings.
Home Office Facility
One of the most important concerns to address on this last day concerned forwarding more information to the General Conference of Elders on the proposal to build a church-owned home office facility.
Chairman Roy Holladay acquainted the Council with concerns that have been expressed by members of the GCE. Some are understandably concerned about the status of the land in question, as a result of the findings of the Phase One Environmental Study.
The Council is also aware of the desire members of the GCE have for further input and more information on the proposal. To address those concerns, Mr. Holladay will shortly be sending a letter to all GCE members on behalf of the Council with more information, including more technical information on the financial impact a decision to build (if adopted). The only decisions made to date authorize the president and treasurer to negotiate for purchase of the land, and give the Councilâs preference regarding the choice of the two construction plans presented. Approval to actually construct the building has not yet been given by the Council. The quorum present (Victor Kubik and Burk McNair absent) then unanimously approved the following resolution:
Whereas, the Council of Elders desires to further consider whether to construct a multi-purpose building to house the various home office functions of the Church, and
Whereas, one of the matters that is relevant to its decision concerns environmental issues on portions of the land that is under consideration as a building site,
Now therefore, it is hereby resolved, that the Council of Elders authorizes the administration of the Church to gather additional information on the environmental issues and report back to the Council, and
It is further resolved, that the Council commits to making a decision on whether or not to go forward with the construction of a home office building within two (2) months of the conclusion of its December 2000 meetings or the resolution of the environmental issues, whichever is longer.
Miscellaneous Business
An amendment to Section 8.2.1 of the Bylaws was returned for the Councilâs deliberation. The edited version was approved by Messrs. Antion, Dean, Dick, Holladay, Jewell, McCullough, Seiglie, Thompson, and Ward. Leon Walker was opposed, and Messrs. Kubik and McNair were absent for the ballot. The proposal will be forwarded to the GCE by the Secretary in accordance with established procedure.
Finally, the Council turned its attention to setting dates for the General Conference in 2002, and dates for the Council of Elders meetings for 2001.
May 4-6, 2002, in Cincinnati, was set as the date for the General Conference of that year. Council meetings will be held in Cincinnati on March 14-20, May 8-10, and August 6-9, 2001. A further round of meetings, with location yet to be announced, will be held December 5-10, 2001.
Mr. Holladay dismissed the meetings and wished all a safe return home.
-Doug Johnson
