United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
August 27, 2004—Cincinnati, Ohio

Open session continued through the morning, during which the Council approved modifications to two employee policies and initial plans for the 2005 General Conference of Elders. The Council concluded business today in executive session.

Edit to Transfer Policy

Richard Thompson, chairman of the Education and Ministerial Services Committee, read a proposed change to the "Early Transfer for Ministerial Assignments" policy. Dave Evans, of Ministerial Services, stated that the revised policy simply clarifies language so that it fulfills the original intent of the policy, which is to defray some of the additional expense incurred in the sale of a home in the event a pastor is transferred before completing four years at an assignment.

The revised policy includes a note stating the policy does not apply to ministerial trainees or assistant pastors. Trainees and assistants are advised to rent or lease housing since they are likely to be transferred within two or three years.

In the ensuing discussion, Robert Dick pointed out that some states have a sales tax on the sale of a home, which is not accounted for in the revised policy. Mr. Evans said that he would look into the matter, which may lead to another revision in the future.

The Council unanimously passed a resolution adopting the revised policy.

Edit to Termination of Employment HR Policy

Roy Holladay proposed an edit to the termination of employment policy that would give the president authority to terminate an employee, subject to the Council as part of the Human Resources employee grievance review process.

Legal Counsel Larry Darden stated that under the current policy, all terminations must be approved by the Council. However, under the grievance policy, employee discipline (including terminations) may be appealed to the Council, thereby indicating that administrative personnel have been given authority to terminate employees. He also said regarding employment decisions that there may be circumstances in which the president would need to take immediate action and should not be required to obtain prior Council approval before doing so.

Mr. Holladay emphasized that the revised policy would delegate to the president the authority to terminate an employee, but that the Council is the final authority and can step into the process at any time it chooses.

During the discussion it was verified that while the Council has been given general authority to hire and terminate employees in the Bylaws, it is also within the Council's power to delegate those to the president, subject to Council review.

The Council voted unanimously to accept the revised Termination of Employment policy.

Sabbath Service Format to Remain Unchanged

Richard Pinelli reported the results of an experiment in eight congregations in which the opening prayer was given before the first hymns. There were two reasons for changing the order. First, to ask God's blessing on the entire service before it began, including the opening hymns. Second, to be certain that the congregation was settled and ready for services to begin.

Pastors polled their congregations after trying the reversed order of the opening prayer and hymns. In seven of the eight congregations members indicated that they preferred the traditional order of services—with the hymns preceding the opening prayer. Members expressed that it seemed awkward to have the prayer come first and that having the hymns first gave them time to settle down and be ready for services. Most congregations returned to the traditional sequence after a few weeks.

Mr. Kilough pointed out that the real issue is not the order of the hymns and prayer, but that some members show a lack of respect for the dignity of the holy convocation by not being settled and ready for services at the starting time.

Mr. Thompson agreed, stating that in some areas the pianist begins to play hymns and the coffee and refreshment table is closed five minutes or so before starting time, to remind members to take their seats. He concurred that members should be reminded that singing hymns is an important part of the Sabbath service and that they should be settled and ready at the service's starting time.

Mr. Pinelli concluded that the Church will maintain the traditional order and make an effort to remind members to be prepared for the start of the service.

Evangelism at the Feast of Tabernacles

Mr. Pinelli asked for the Council's feelings on the subject of evangelism at the Feast of Tabernacles sites, which the Festival coordinators discussed in a recent meeting. The policy has been to let each Festival coordinator determine what seems most appropriate for his Feast site.

Coordinators are provided with a press release that they can send to local newspapers at their site, explaining who we are and why we are in town for the week. Most coordinators in recent years have chosen not to use the press release because our groups are so much smaller now compared to the past, and we have less impact on the community.

Mr. Pinelli pointed out that people who are not associated with United can learn about the Feast of Tabernacles through The Good News, which includes an article about the Feast every second year. They can also learn about the Feast through the Church's Web site, which provides access to detailed information on all the Festival sites.

He also stated that many of our locations (such as Steamboat Springs, Maui and Panama City Beach) could not accommodate large numbers of visitors due to restricted meeting hall space.

Mr. Pinelli expressed that it is his plan to continue to run the Feast sites as we have (letting each coordinator determine whether or how to employ an evangelistic effort) unless the Council expressed a desire for a different approach.

Aaron Dean said he felt it was a mistake not to send out a press release to the local newspapers even though we're a small group. The press release could help create more of an impact and would answer questions about our presence.

Doug Horchak agreed, emphasizing that because of a press release local residents might at least notice the members' good examples, which could help lead them toward the Church in the future.

Mario Seiglie expressed concern about having the general public come into Feast services. In some areas where this was done in the past, briefcases and purses were stolen. He felt that inviting the general public changes the whole climate of services because members aren't certain who in the audience are members. He also pointed out that since spiritual "meat" is offered at the Feast services as opposed to "milk," visitors might be confused by the messages.

Mr. Pinelli pointed out that sometimes coordinators have warned speakers to be careful not to offend visitors. Most pastors and brethren alike agree that the Feast is for Church members and that messages should be tailored to the brethren.

Tony Wasilkoff explained that at the Kelowna, British Columbia, site a newspaper advertisement is run inviting the general public to one service specifically, the Sunday during the Feast. A sermon topic is selected for that day that would be of general interest. He said that the format has worked well at that site (though it isn't clear how many visitors actually come) but that it wouldn't necessarily work elsewhere and that it would be a burden if something like that were required at all sites.

Leon Walker said he is not in favor of inviting the general public to services at the Feast. He pointed out that even local public Bible lectures are for Good News readers, who are at least somewhat familiar with our teachings, and the service is planned accordingly. It would detract from the meaning of the Feast and from what we want to provide for our members if we invite the general public to the Feast services and then plan our messages for that audience. He said that the Feast is not the right time or place to invite the general public. That is something that could be done at another time during the year when the entire service can be specifically tailored to visitors.

Mr. Pinelli commented that we have an open door policy at the Feast, and we already have many visitors from other church groups and from the general public.

Joel Meeker expressed that we shouldn't allow special programs to become a distraction or impediment to the members benefiting from the Feast. He said it would be good to set some general parameters for Festival coordinators and let them determine what works best for their site.

Mr. Kilough stated that he sees no problem with a press release that informs and explains why the Church is in town. But to invite the general public is a different matter. He pointed out that ministers plan to give "meaty" sermons at the Feast, and members anticipate strong, "meaty" messages. It would be inappropriate to give the ministry the impression that they should "back off" at the Feast. The Feast of Tabernacles, after all, is for the Church.

Mr. Horchak agreed that it would be good to develop a written policy on this subject. He also agreed that it's worthwhile to offer a public explanation of the purpose of our meetings, as opposed to an outreach program designed to bring the general public into our meetings.

Mr. Pinelli thanked the Council for its comments. He concluded that it would be valuable to develop a written policy in the future and that for now each Festival coordinator would continue to have the responsibility for making a determination on this matter for his site.

Preliminary Plans for the 2005 General Conference of Elders

Dave Register, chairman of the GCE 2005 Task Force, joined the Council meeting via teleconference to review the preliminary plans for the 2005 annual meeting. The task force suggested the 2005 conference focus on the completion of United's first decade and point us toward the future. With that in mind, the task force suggested two themes, each with two slight variations.

Mr. Register expressed the importance of the Council selecting a theme so that the task force would be able to move forward in planning the rest of the program.

The variations of the first suggested theme were "Seize the Vision: Preparing a People for the Next Decade" and "Seize the Vision: Preparing for the Next Decade." The purpose of this theme is to emphasize that we must seize the vision of how to accomplish the work of the important mission God has given the Church. The objectives would be to focus on what we need to do over the next decade and beyond to be faithful stewards of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The messages and workshops during the conference would identify the vision, assess where we are now and define how God's people will play an active role in that commission.

The two variations of the second suggested theme were "The Church Community—Powerfully Preaching the Gospel" and "The Church Community—Proclaiming the Vision of Good News." The purpose of this theme is to communicate the vision and move the Church as a whole to become a force for preaching the gospel.

Mr. Horchak asked for a clarification of the term "Church community" in the second suggested theme. Mr. Register explained that the term is meant to refer to the Church as a whole, not just a local congregation—picturing the Church as a village of people working together.

Mr. Kilough commented that the conclusions and recommendations of the Evangelism Task Force would fit well with the first theme. Mr. Register suggested that if the Council were to choose the first theme, some of the specific objectives of the second theme could fit into the program.

Mr. Kubik expressed his preference for the second theme. He felt it would address the preaching of the gospel and would generate enthusiasm for accomplishing more through media efforts by involving more people. He felt that the "decade" concept in the first suggested theme could be worked into this theme. He voiced that previous conferences have included elements from the first suggested theme and that to him, the second theme seemed more visionary and powerful.

Mr. Kilough stated that he was more drawn to the description of the first suggested theme. He agreed with Mr. Register's suggestion that elements from the second suggested theme could be incorporated into the first. He also felt the first suggested theme would lend itself more to workshops that would be offered later in the conference. He said that the need for vision is something that needs to be emphasized.

Peter Eddington, a member of the task force, added that "vision" is intended to refer to the Church's vision statement. He said the thought of "preparing for the next decade" has a double meaning—allowing us to talk about completing 10 years but at the same time emphasize looking ahead to the next decade.

Mr. Kilough noted that a 10-year milestone is a natural marker in life that lends itself to assessment and to asking questions such as, "Where have we been? What do we need? Where do we go now?"

Mr. Wasilkoff said that both suggested themes seem intriguing and suggested that they be blended, allowing us to use the 10-year milestone as a platform for the conference.

Mr. Meeker agreed, stating that he preferred the first suggested theme and that the second suggested theme could be part of what the Church is preparing to do for the next decade.

After some discussion of the specific wording of the theme, it was modified slightly to: "Seize the Vision: The Next Decade and Beyond," which the Council, by resolution, unanimously adopted.

In addition to determining the conference theme, the Council also agreed that for the Sabbath service at the beginning of the conference the chairman and president will give split sermons. Mr. Kilough pointed out that more members listen to that service than any other during the year. He felt it is important that while so many members are listening in, the messages "kick off" the General Conference of Elders. The sermons should emphasize where the Church is heading and the purposes of the conference. Mr. Register added that the task force suggested the messages include some of our history and our processes—why we do what we do and how we do it.

Mr. Register stated that the exit survey from last year's conference gave mixed results on the Saturday night question-and-answer session on proposed amendments. Of 95 surveys that were completed, about 60 made favorable or neutral comments and about 35 were negative. The most common suggestion was that more time be allowed for comments and discussion.

It was also determined that on Sunday during the conference there would be one keynote speaker, who would address the elders immediately after the chairman's opening remarks. Mr. Meeker suggested that the keynote speaker be an elder who has been intimately involved with key moments in the development and work of the Church during its first decade and who would point us toward the future. Following the keynote address there will be reports from some of the international areas and a tribute to deceased elders and wives. The business meeting will take place Sunday afternoon.

As in previous years, there will be a question-and-answer session with the Council of Elders on Sunday evening.

The task force also plans to schedule 90-minute workshops on various topics on Monday during the conference, rather than lectures. Since the theme has been determined, the task force will begin the process of selecting subjects and potential speakers.

In a brief executive session, the Council selected Frank Fish to serve on the task force, replacing Joe Horchak, who had asked to be relieved of this duty.

The task force will report again to the Council during the December 2004 meetings.

Policy on Accrual and Dispersal of Property and Assets

Mr. Kilough brought to the Council's attention the need to determine whether formal organizational guidelines should be developed on how to disperse Church property in the event of a congregation separating from United and how to deal with the accrual of property in the event of a group or congregation joining the Church.

Mr. Darden commented that both the Church and courts also need written criteria in our governing documents regarding the ownership and distribution of assets in the event of schisms within the Church. Currently the Church has no official rules that define the process. He pointed out that if such rules are developed, they would need to become part of the Church's Rules of Association.

Mr. Horchak and Mr. Dean both commented that it seems reasonable to have such a policy. Mr. Kilough noted that the policy would need to be approved by the General Conference as an amendment. He directed Mr. Darden to draft a statement, which would be reviewed by the Strategic Planning and Finance and the Ethics, Roles and Rules committees.

The Council completed its work for the day in executive session.

Don Henson

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© 2004 United Church of God, an International Association