Letter from the Chairman
United Church of God
an International Association
Clyde Kilough
Chairman
Roy Holladay
President
Letter From the Chairman
August 8, 2003
Greetings everyone,
I know we’re always eager to hear the latest news from the Council or home office. Well, the biggest news item I can tell you is that the big news items will be coming out next week—stay tuned! The Council has been in Cincinnati for much of this past week, working in committees preparing for our quarterly meeting that begins today, Friday, August 8, and runs through Thursday, August 14.
While the official Council meetings are always counted by certain dates, they are always preceded by two more days—long days at that—of preliminary committee meetings. Virtually everything that ends up on the Council agenda flows first through the appropriate committee—Doctrine, Strategic Planning and Finance, Executive, Media, Education and Ministerial Services, or Ethics, Roles and Rules. The committees evaluate, fine-tune and determine whether and when to bring each proposed item to the entire Council. Over the years the committees have become increasingly important in helping the Council as a whole work more efficiently, and their premeeting work is a critical aspect of our functioning.
This meeting’s schedule is a bit unusual on two accounts. First, the Ambassador Bible Center graduation activities (brunch and ceremony) take place on Sunday, which would normally be a Council meeting day. We are beginning our meeting, therefore, on Friday. Second, Doug Horchak already had a previous commitment to be in Ghana during this same week, so he will miss everything after Friday. As a result, we scheduled all of the executive session issues for Friday so he will be able to attend to those matters. Executive sessions rarely occur on the opening day, much less take up most of the day, but circumstances dictated a move from the norm in this case.
By the way, this is the fourth graduating class from the ABC program—congratulations from the Council to the students and staff for another successful year, and may God bless you as you move on from here.
So, you won’t have much news coming out of today’s opening talks, but the following agenda will let you know what to expect from the rest of the meetings next week. Don Henson will keep you informed, as usual, through his daily reports. Please keep us in your prayers. Many of the issues we deliberate affect the lives of people, both short- and long-range policies in the Church, proper stewardship of our resources and our effectiveness in our mission of “Preaching the Gospel and Preparing a People.” We earnestly desire God’s guidance in every single matter, and deeply appreciate your spiritual support in this way.
In Christ’s service,
Clyde Kilough
Chairman
Council of Elders Meeting Agenda
August 8-14, 2003—Cincinnati, Ohio
FRIDAY—AUG. 8
MORNING
Opening remarks, approval of past meeting minutes (Clyde Kilough)
Reading of the Council of Elders Code of Ethics (Bob Dick)
Request for Council of Elders ballot figures (Bob Dick)
Executive session
AFTERNOON
Continue executive session
MONDAY—AUG. 11
MORNING
Committee assignments for Tony Wasilkoff (Clyde Kilough)
President’s Report (Roy Holladay)
Treasurer’s Report (Tom Kirkpatrick)
Ministerial Services Report (Richard Pinelli)
Media Operations Report (Peter Eddington)
AFTERNOON
Policy for Use of Financial Reserves (Roy Holladay, Tom Kirkpatrick, Aaron Dean)
TUESDAY—AUG. 12
MORNING
Media Issues
• Update on status of evangelism task force work (Vic Kubik)
• Five-year Good News circulation strategy (Roy Holladay, Peter Eddington)
• Broadcast television strategy (Roy Holladay, Peter Eddington)
AFTERNOON
Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee Issues (Bob Dick)
• GCE Planning Task Force committee members—approve
• Amendment regarding 2004 GCE
• Reminder regarding timeline for Council amendments
• Amendment to ministerial credentialing form
• EEAC committee member change—approve
Disability Assistance Policy (Roy Holladay, Larry Darden)
“Good works” projects (Roy Holladay)
• Report on teleconference with international senior pastors and international representatives on using fund-raisers to help with needs in international areas.
WEDNESDAY—AUG. 13
MORNING
Doctrinal Papers (Jim Franks)
Study papers to review
• Resurrections
• Tithing
• Balloting in the Church
• Music in the Bible (overview of draft and review of conclusions)
AFTERNOON
Education & Ministerial Services Committee (Richard Thompson)
• Introduce Sexual Misconduct Policy & Youth Protection Guidelines
• U.S. ministerial transfer policy amendment
• Status update on Christ-centered Servant Leadership Task Force work
Miscellaneous Business
• Changing registered agents for the Church in North Dakota and South Dakota
• Amendments to the 401(K) Thrift Program
THURSDAY—AUG. 14
MORNING
Ministerial Services (Richard Pinelli)
• Status of supplemental hymnal project (Steve Myers)
• Applause for special music (Jim Franks)
• Expense addition to HR policy (Richard Pinelli)
