During the last few years there seem to have been a growing number of “executive sessions” in the Council of Elders meetings. Transparency has been one of the stated objectives of UCGIA right from the start, and the Council has made many efforts to keep everyone as informed as possible. So why does the Council have executive sessions that are not reported on publicly? Are they necessary? What are they about? In short, the primary objective of an executive session is to safeguard the name, reputation and privacy of anyone who is involved in the affairs of the Church.

I would like to answer the question as to why we sometimes have executive sessions and what an executive session is from the point of view of a Church pastor of more than 40 years and a Council member for more than four years.

Biblical Examples

First of all, let’s look at biblical examples of private discussions akin to our modern “executive sessions.” Jesus often took some or all of the 12 disciples aside and spoke to them privately. It was not sinister on Jesus’ part, it’s just that there were things He wanted to explain to them since they would form the building blocks of the Church (Matthew 10:1; 19:28; 20:17; 26:20).

It would be reasonable to call these “executive sessions.” These were moments when Jesus wanted to discuss things with the 12 that He didn’t want all the many hundreds following Him to also hear. In some of these instances, Jesus gave them instructions about the power they would receive, or He told them of His impending death or of the 12 thrones that they would sit upon judging the 12 Tribes of Israel.

It is easy to see why Jesus would draw the 12 aside and speak only to them; there were some matters only they needed to know about at the time. There are some details of certain matters those of us who aren’t on the Council (either as members or ministers) can’t know yet for legitimate reasons. But we on the Council are always aware that we face a stricter judgment because we’re in that position. We work out our own individual salvation just as everybody in the Church is called to do. So while we should all respect the offices of leadership and those placed in them, we should also trust in Jesus Christ with faith that He will guide His Church.

Personal Privacy

All of us, member and minister alike, remember incidents in our lives where we needed reassurance that what we were about to say to or ask somebody else would not be shared. We may have said something like, “this is for your ears only.”

As a pastor I have often reassured members who come to me with personal problems that I would not discuss that with anyone. I have carefully kept that promise. If I felt the need to have an additional perspective, I would first come back and get the permission of the person (obviously in cases of child abuse or the danger of a pedophile, even a pastor would encourage the person to get help and to assist them in getting that help).

Baptism counseling is another example where strict privacy is absolutely observed. Those counseling for baptism may discuss sins of the past or deep inner battles (such as gambling problems, financial error, homosexuality, alcoholism, lust, extreme jealousy, guilt from adultery or very disturbing thoughts). These are all very, very private areas in our lives that must be held in the greatest confidence.

There have been occasions where a person has asked that even the wife of the minister or a fellow minister not attend the meeting. That is how deep and personal some discussions can be between a minister and member. Personal issues, therefore, demand closed doors. We all understand that need and have probably expected that confidence from others.

The Council of Elders is made up of 12 men who have oversight of the affairs of the Church. Ever since UCGIA started, executive sessions have been called for any discussion that involves another person and that may cross the line of being sensitive. Once again, that is the objective of an executive session—to safeguard the name, reputation and privacy of anyone the Council must talk about who is involved in the affairs of the Church.

Several clear examples come to mind. When a man is recommended for ordination, certain parts of his life are discussed. None of us would want our lives to be openly discussed in a forum open to the entire Church or the world. Sometimes the Council, for a valid reason, must decide that the man should not be ordained or that ordination should be delayed.

The same is true when a minister or employee may be under consideration for a particular responsibility or for removal from a position and perhaps from the Church because of the activity he or she is or has been engaged in. Any discipline is discussed behind closed doors. We want to help the person, rescue them and restore them if at all possible. To be absolutely clear, we would not cover up sin in a case like this, but we would try to assess the magnitude of the problem and what should be done about it.

Executive sessions increased in recent months as a crisis situation developed. It was necessary for the Council to spend much time in these sessions while attempting to avert division. The details of many of these sessions must remain private.

Executive sessions are not called without reason. The Council desires transparency and goes into executive session only because there are things to discuss that could involve people or decisions that are sensitive. Ever since UCGIA started, the Council of Elders has held executive sessions for the above reasons and others—such as discussing items like the church budget, policies that may involve people, legal issues and updates and other such items.

We strive to be sure there is a good reason before we go into executive session. It is not done lightly or frivolously and the current Council is looking for ways to be as open as possible. There is nothing sinister about the sessions. We are not plotting and scheming anything, and our prayer is that we are pleasing to God in the manner in which we serve His people. By using executive sessions, the Council is simply acting to protect the private issues of people for whom we make decisions.

Freedom from Misinterpretation

There are also a few other sessions that need to be private because the Council members need the opportunity to openly express themselves with no fear of being misunderstood. At times we need to discuss items freely and frankly. Subjects like the budget, the Church’s income or exactly how we preach the gospel and use the media may involve some discussions that need to be kept private. Decisions come after much discussion and only areas that are sensitive or could be misunderstood are held privately.

It’s important to note that in nearly every single case, the decisions that come out of executive sessions become public later. It is the discussion and deliberation leading up to those decisions that stays private. Exceptions to that are if the Council declines to ordain a man or other related human relations situations. This is what human relations employees specialize in and what executive sessions are all about.

The members of the Council take their responsibilities seriously and seek to humble themselves before God at every meeting. We all know that we answer to Him and to Jesus Christ for the heavy responsibility we have been given. The General Conference of Elders has entrusted the Council to do the right thing. We have tried to do that with all our heart.

It is an awesome responsibility to serve God in making some of these decisions. The Council has a strong sense of fear and respect for our task in the Body of Christ—the Church. We ask all members to believe our sincerity and to support the work we do. That is the only way the Church can move ahead and serve God in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

The Council of Elders is there for the members and the ministry—that is, for the whole Church. We are here as servants of the Church. We serve God and His Son and God’s people who make up the General Conference of Elders and the membership. Thank you for the faith and trust you place in the men who have been given the responsibility of serving in this manner. They appreciate your respect and your prayers for the work they do.