Teleconference Meeting
United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
Teleconference—March 15, 2004
The Council of Elders met by teleconference today to resolve questions regarding proposed amendments to be voted on at this year's General Conference of Elders, dates for the December 2004 face-to-face meetings and an executive session. Initially all Council members were present, but Jim Franks was traveling and had to leave the teleconference before the meeting concluded.
Proposed Amendments
Council secretary Gerald Seelig is in the final stages of preparing the Call and Notice for the 2004 Annual Meeting of the General Conference of Elders. The Council needed to make final decisions regarding Statements of Concern on two proposed amendments so that Mr. Seelig can complete the Call and Notice packet.
Three Statements of Concern were written regarding the proposed amendment to Article1.0 of the Constitution and Bylaw 4.1 (Mission Statement). The Council agreed by general consent that two of the statements should be included in the Call and Notice packet, but that a third should not be included as it went beyond stating concern and effectively proposed another amendment itself.
Three Statements of Concern were written by Council members regarding the proposed amendment to Bylaws 8.2.1, 9.1 and 9.2. Leon Walker agreed to suggested minor edits of the Statement of Concern that he had written. The Council agreed by general consent that all three statements should be included (Mr. Walker's as edited) in the Call and Notice.
The Amendment Committee stated its opinion that the proposed amendment to Bylaw 12.2.2.12 does not meet the requirements to allow it to be included on this year's Call and Notice for the GCE. The Council agreed by general consent to resubmit the proposed amendment in time for the 2005 GCE.
Potential Conflict with Proposed Amendment
The Council reviewed its decision regarding two items on the ballot for the 2004 GCE that could create a conflict. On the one hand there is a proposed amendment to Bylaw 9.2 which states that a member of the management team may not be a member of the Council of Elders, except under specific and limited circumstances. On the other hand, an Operations Manger is on this year's ballot for the Council of Elders. The conflict would arise if the proposed amendment passes and the Operations Manager is elected to the Council. In its meeting on March 1, 2004 the Council decided that it could not try to resolve a conflict that did not yet exist. Or, in other words, it could not interpret a proposed amendment before it is accepted by the General Conference.
Robert Dick stated that according to the Bylaws as currently written there is nothing to be interpreted and we cannot rule on what does not yet exist.
Richard Thompson concurred that the Council doesn't have the right to interpret a proposed amendment and that it would not be proper for the Council to attempt to interpret an amendment that might not even be approved by the GCE.
Doug Horchak pointed out that in the past the Council has issued Statements of Concern for proposed amendments that would have created conflicts.
Tony Wasilkoff suggested that various scenarios and explanations could be described on the Elders Forum.
Larry Darden, Church counsel, agreed that it would not be appropriate for the Council at this point to render an interpretation. He indicated that it would set a wrong precedent for the Council to interpret a matter that hasn't occurred yet.
Clyde Kilough reiterated the Council's March 1 decision that he would address the possibility of the conflict in a letter that he will soon be sending to invite elders to the GCE.
Meeting Schedule for December 2004
The Council agreed to dates for face-to-face meetings in December of this year. The Council Committees will convene on December 7-8. The meetings will begin on December 9 and conclude at midday on December 14.
The Council concluded its business in executive session.
Don Henson
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