United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report

Wednesday, September 13, 2000 – Cincinnati, Ohio

              The Council of Elders convened in Cincinnati with a full docket of business for its fall session. The Council chose Roy Holladay as its new chairman, heard a report from its task force members on their meeting with representatives of The Church of God, a Christian Fellowship („CGCF‰), and heard from the president and treasurer on long-range facility planning in their reports to the Council. 

New Chairman 

            First up on the agenda was the selection of a new chairman. Outgoing chairman Robert Dick had made it clear at meetings earlier in the year that he viewed his term as chairman as expiring with his original term as a member of the Council (June 30, 2000).  Secretary Gerald Seelig handled the blind ballot required to select a new chairman (by 2/3 ballot of the Council). Roy Holladay was chosen on the second ballot. Mr. Dick expressed his appreciation for being able to serve as chairman since December 1995, and warmly welcomed Mr. Holladay to his new responsibility. Accepting the chair, Mr. Holladay then expressed appreciation to Mr. Dick for his four and a half years of leadership and service to the Council and the Church, especially considering the challenges of the formative stages of the Church. 

Task Force Report 

            Following the approval of minutes of the most recent Council meetings, unanimous ratification of the executive committee‚s approval of the 403 (b) thrift plan for the current fiscal year, and the reading of the Council Code of Ethics, Mr. Holladay, as task force chairman, moderated the presentation of the report on its meeting with the CGCF task force. 

            Task force members Clyde Kilough and Dennis Luker helped with the presentation and in fielding questions from the Council members. 

            Both task forces recognized that the need to address personal offenses and doctrinal concerns comprised the bulk of these initial meetings. The six men (three from each fellowship) concluded that essentially, we hold common doctrinal positions. As Mr. Holladay then stated, „The task forces agreed that overcoming these relationship problems presents the greatest stumbling block to harmony, but that Œstriving for the unity of the faith‚ means that Christians must work hard to overcome such challenges.‰ He added that this will require a great deal of humility and forgiveness. 

            Each task force came to the meetings with questions or concerns put forward by ministers and lay members from the respective fellowships. Doctrinal concerns on both sides were addressed, as well as perceptions involving the departure of both groups from the Worldwide Church of God. A comprehensive report to the General Conference of Elders and the membership of the United Church of God regarding specifics of these questions will be forthcoming from the task force. A sampling of questions put to the United Church of God task force members involved such topics as: 

      ·        What does the UCG teach about the identity of modern Israel?
·        What is mankind‚s ultimate destiny?
·        Is tithing mandatory? Does the UCG teach three tithes?
·        What is United‚s understanding of „the Work?‰
·        What is United‚s position on the nature of God?
·        Does Christ‚s sacrifice include physical healing?
·        What is United‚s position on serving in the military?
·        Does United believe that only United is the „Body of Christ?‰ 

Examples of questions brought by the UCG task force to ask the CGCF ministers included: 

·        Do we believe and teach the same doctrines?
·        If there are doctrinal differences, what can be done to understand and resolve them?
·        Does CGCF accept United‚s form of governance?
·        Could there be an airing of what happened in the Worldwide Church of God at the time of the forming of Global Church of God and why the leaders and elders left the WCG at that time?
·        Are there any hard feelings between any individuals or groups? If so, what can be done to communicate and resolve any differences and/or misunderstandings between members or ministers in our two groups?
·        What portion of the membership of CGCF is supportive of this process? 

The Council of Elders asked many questions and considered many factors surrounding this report. Several members stressed the need for a comprehensive report to the ministry and membership of the Church on what has transpired. Mr. Dick pointed out the value of seeing things through another‚s eyes, and the challenge in communicating the information: „You take everything that‚s been said here as you‚ve walked us through the report. You‚ve given clarification for all of us of issues, in some cases, that we didn‚t realize were issues. The same understanding needs to be there for the ministryS for the membership also. If you don‚t know that an issue exists, it‚s nice to know that somebody‚s been carrying an issue about you! Conversely, it‚s nice to know what the task force said as answers because in your answers, really, are collectively our answersSThey now know Œwhere we are.‚ Our elders need to know that. Whether you put it in the United News, whether you put it in the Ministerial Journal, or whether you make it [a] freestanding [report], the art will be in writing it outS‰ 

            The Council concluded discussion on the subject by authorizing further meetings between the task forces. 

Administration Presentations 

            President Les McCullough updated the Council on developments at the home office and his recent travels. 

            Following trips to Boston for Pentecost, and the United Youth Camps operation at Camp Carter (TX) in July, the McCulloughs attended the inaugural service of the new church building in Houston, Texas.  This facility is being deeded over to the United Church of God as a corporate asset (certainly a „plus‰ in future audits). 

            Mr. and Mrs. McCullough then headed westS to Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. They first visited the church in Hawaii, where 28 attended the service (many by phone hook-up from several remote areas throughout the state). Then on to Australia, where the national council had requested Mr. McCullough to attend its next meeting if possible. While there, the possibility of a member of the Council of Elders attending these semi-annual meetings was discussed; as Leon Walker has been installed on the board of the church in New Zealand, this may well be a workable proposal. 

            The president listed other numerous developments:

      ·        Current print run of the Good News now stands at 302,000; 55% of this number goes out as individual subscriptions, 45% to waiting room programs.
·        Donors and coworkers are slowly but surely being added to the Church‚s contribution lists. The number is small, but the trend is encouraging.
·        Baptisms to date in 2000 have already surpassed the total for 1999.
·        Responses to the new radio broadcast are beginning to come in; more from the lower powered stations than the bigger 50,000-watt broadcast centers.
·        Direct mail responses to the latest Good News promotional mailing now total over 8,000.
·        Reader‚s Digest ad responses now stand at about 24,000.
·        Two new employees have recently been hired in the home office (one in the reception area, one in Information Services). Another will begin work shortly in the mailing department.
·        Thirty students have now been accepted for the 2001 academic year at Ambassador Bible Center. Further applications can still be considered for the upcoming year. 

Treasurer Tom Kirkpatrick presented the results of the latest audit of the Church‚s operations, conducted by Clark, Schaefer, Hackett, and Company of Cincinnati. It is the auditors‚ opinion that the Church‚s statements fairly represent the financial position of the United Church of God. The Church‚s net assets at June 30, 2000 stand at approximately $3.9 million. It is Mr. Kirkpatrick‚s projection, based on present trends, that the budget approved by the General Conference of Elders at its recent meetings in May will be met very closely. He acknowledged that the Church is, as always, totally dependent on God‚s merciful provision of our daily „financial manna.‰ 

The treasurer wished to express one concern to the Council dealing with an increased liability exposure of up to perhaps $300,000 in the area of employee health care. This is due to the decision of our former plan provider to stop administering self-funded health insurance programs. Council noted his concern, and agreed that the situation was unforeseen and will simply have to be dealt with as health care costs are incurred during the fiscal year. 

            The president and the treasurer both brought up the area of long-term facility planning for the Council‚s consideration. Due to expansion from ABC needs, increased mailings and need to stock literature, the space the Church now leases is becoming crowded. The current lease expires on June 30, 2003. At no cost to the Church, a local contracting firm has presented possibilities regarding the construction of our own facility in the area. Mr. McCullough shared their report with the Council, and asked what the Council‚s view on the idea was ˆ do we want to continue to rent, or consider buying property of our own? The treasurer presented information on a hypothetical construction proposal, showing a down payment from reserves and estimated costs for mortgage payments (compared to present lease arrangements). Council members had divergent views on the specific proposal made, but agreed in general that we should be considering purchasing property for the Church‚s long-term needs. Victor Kubik pointed out the need to think in more permanent terms in many areas; this is simply one illustration of the value of such thinking. 

            The Council adjourned a very full first day of meetings at approximately 5:15 p.m.

 

-Doug Johnson

© 2000 United Church of God, an International Association