United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
January 10, 2008 - Teleconference

 

Robert Dick opened this teleconference of the Council shortly after 5 p.m. EST. All Council members were present for the open session except for Victor Kubik, who was in transit on his way home from Scandinavia. After the opening prayer, Mr. Dick asked Clyde Kilough to discuss the proposed content for the 2008 Feast video.

 

2008 Feast of Tabernacles Video

Mr. Kilough had sent the Council members a proposal that he, Larry Salyer and Jim Franks had worked on together. The proposal was intended to be a change of pace, at least this year, for the Feast video. The proposal emphasizes the heritage of the past as well as looking into the future of God's Church.

The concept of the video would be to build appreciation for the Church's identity as the Body of Christ. It would include what Christ has done and what He still will do in this age. The video would include some of the early history of Sabbath-keepers in New England. Then it would move to the calling of Herbert W. Armstrong, and it would also discuss some highlights from his autobiography.

The Council spoke very positively about this concept. Roy Holladay asked who would be presenting the sermon. Mr. Salyer mentioned they had discussed having Mr. Franks talk about some of the history of the Church, and that Mr. Kilough would also speak. Leon Walker mentioned that he liked this concept, and that the videos in the past few years have focused on some of the international areas, which was good, but a change of pace from time to time is also good. Bob Berendt also mentioned that he liked this theme.

Richard Thompson also agreed with this concept for the Festival video. He said it would put our heritage in a prominent position at the Feast. He further stated that it would be good for the young people and young adults in the Church, as it would give them some contact with where the Church has come from.

Mr. Kilough followed up and said that this video would speak to a need in the Church. He said that knowing the heritage of the Church would help to preserve the Church's identity. As the Church gets further down the road, he said that some young people could lose a sense of identity with the past. He said that what we are now is a result of our past. He also said that this would validate a lot of those members who have been around for a long time, and it would tie in the next generation in understanding that they are part of the continuation of rich traditions of keeping the truth of the Church.

Roy Holladay mentioned that he liked the theme very much and that it would show our connection going back to the first century and the early Sabbath-keepers and what Mr. Armstrong did. He said that would be a very important link, as some in the Church have felt this particular aspect has been overlooked.

Mr. Kilough said that this video could contain some interesting classic footage. He mentioned that Ed Smith, an elder in Cincinnati, has some old videos of the Feast in 1953, which show Mr. Armstrong helping his mother out of the car. Mr. Walker mentioned that he probably has some video of the 25th anniversary of the work of God, which included scenes of Mr. Armstrong doing radio.

Jim Franks mentioned that this Feast will be the 75th anniversary of when Mr. Armstrong first started in 1933. Since comments from the Council members were supportive of the concept, the decision for the administration to pursue this theme of "Our Heritage" for the 2008 Festival video was approved by consent without resolution.

 

Strategic Planning Update

Mr. Dick informed the Council members they would receive documents in the mail tomorrow in preparation for their first face-to-face meetings with the strategic planning facilitator in Houston, Texas, on Jan. 16-17, 2008.

Each Council member will be receiving a 2-inch-thick notebook filled with the survey results from members, subscribers, elders, employees and the Council of Elders. The notebook, known as the briefing book, will also contain statistics from the Ministerial, Financial and Media areas, along with demographic studies. Each Council member will also receive a CD with all the verbatim comments that came from the surveys. The comments are also being placed in a 3-inch-thick notebook that will be mailed to each Council member later.

Mr. Dick encouraged the Council members to spend the time necessary to take the online classes that will help them prepare for their two days of meetings. Mr. Dick mentioned that the first two days of strategic planning in January will center on situation assessment—the assessment of all the documents in hand to make a clear determination of where we are as a Church. The product of the first two-day retreat will set the stage for the creation of the actual Strategic Plan.

 

Executive Session

The open meeting concluded at 5:35 p.m., and the Council went into executive session for the remainder of the teleconference.

 

John Foster
Council Reporter

 

© 2008 United Church of God, an International Association