United Church of God, an International Association
Special Council of Elders Meeting Report
Oct. 19, 2009—Cincinnati, Ohio

The Council of Elders convened a special meeting at the Holiday Inn Eastgate, Cincinnati, Ohio. Chairman Roy Holladay called the meeting to order around 8:35 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time with prayer by Victor Kubik. All members of the Council were in attendance as well as President Clyde Kilough.

Roy Holladay stated that there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed and quickly, he hoped. He mentioned that Bill Eddington requested that there be some type of additional special meeting after the August meeting to address issues that were not addressed at that time. In addition, other Council members, such as Doug Horchak, requested such a meeting.

Chairman Holladay began by focusing the attendees on the central issue of this session, which was to deal with relationships within the Church. He related a number of scriptures that were sent to him by the various Council members. He emphasized first that we must all acknowledge who the Head of the Church is (Colossians:1:18) and that all of our relationships and plans are based upon Jesus Christ as the foundation (1 Corinthians:3:11).

Other scriptures that established the tone for the meeting were:
Psalm:133:1—Dwelling together in unity....
Romans:14:19—Pursue those things that make for peace....
1 Corinthians:1:10—Avoid divisions and schisms.
Amos:3:3—Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Matthew:6:14-15—Forgive others.
Matthew:20:25-28—In service to the Church and God.
Hebrews:12:11—No chastening is pleasant, but it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
James:3:17-18—Righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Chairman Holladay stated that we all desire peace and harmony for the sake of the Church and to also do the work that God has given us to do. He commented that the Council must begin with the end in mind. The goal of this meeting is to agree to move forward with a common purpose to serve God, the Church and the membership and to preach the gospel to the world. He said that no one wants to go off on a tangent, but we all desire to build relationships.

He further mentioned that, even though we recognize the Bible as the foundation, we also adhere to the Constitution and the Bylaws adopted by the General Conference of Elders. He stressed that any issues and relationship questions need to be resolved. The Council is the governing body within the Church and, when situations arise, the Council must deal with those issues.

Roy Holladay said, in accordance with the Constitution 4.2, the Council should step up to the plate and address issues currently facing the Church. He then requested that the Council go into a closed session with just the Council and the president present for the rest of the meetings. Doug Horchak mentioned that he had recommended others beyond those in immediate attendance be present, but his request was denied.

Jim Franks asked what a “closed” session is as opposed to an “executive” session. The secretary, David Johnson, explained that there are notes taken in an executive session, but no notes are taken during a closed session. Jim Franks stated that he didn’t ever remember being in a closed session of the Council. Darris McNeely pointed out that a closed session of the Council was held this past August, but Jim Franks was absent for that particular meeting. Gerald Seelig noted that the first closed session ever conducted by the Council was in 1996 during its meetings held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.. In a follow-up comment to the Council, the secretary explained that no official business can be conducted in a closed session of the Council—the Council must at least be in executive session.

Chairman Holladay reiterated that the overall theme of the meeting is building relationships. The majority of the Council then approved going into closed session.

The meeting concluded on Tuesday, October 20, 2009.

-end-
Gerald Seelig
Council Reporter

© 2009 United Church of God, an International Association