United Church of God, an International Association

Council of Elders Quarterly Meeting Report

Milford, Ohio

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Chairman Robin Webber called the morning session to order at 8:39 a.m., and the meeting was opened with prayer. Eleven Council of Elders (Council) members were present. Scott Ashley was unable to be at the meetings because of previous editorial commitments, but he was able to join via videoconference in the afternoon.

Review of Ministerial and Member Services Employee Job Descriptions—Chris Rowland

Chris Rowland led the discussion regarding this human resources (HR) portion of the meeting. He asked if the Council needs to approve all employee positions. It was decided only the operation manager position description needed to be approved. Mr. Rowland did mention the other descriptions and answered any questions about them.

Mr. Rowland went through the updates and changes to the job description for the operation manager of Ministerial and Member Services. Edits and discussion were done regarding this job description.

Robin Webber moved, Rainer Salomaa seconded, and the quorum of the Council unanimously adopts the following (Scott Ashley was not online):

Whereas, the Council has been presented an edited job description for the Operation Manager of Ministerial and Member Services (MMS),

Now therefore, it is hereby resolved that, the revised job description for the Operation Manager of MMS, a copy of which is attached and made a part of this resolution, is approved.

Roy Holladay then led the discussion going through a new job description and responsibility for the title of information coordinator, Ministerial Education Program. It’s a position that will assist with the MMS education program classes and recordings.

Don Ward inquired about this new position since Ken Graham is the registrar of the new ministerial training program and Don Ward is organizing the Labor in the Word program. Now we have another position.

Victor Kubik said that they asked Dr. Ward to organize the program, but he isn’t expected to do the clerical work. Mr. Graham does the clerical work, but we have such a large amount of material that we are trying to standardize it all to one format and have someone manage the content.

Dr. Ward asked what is involved with managing content and if this new position has the final say on what goes out. Mr. Holladay said the editing is for opening remarks that pertain to the class. Mr. Kubik said it was more of the cosmetic and technical editing of the video that will be done.

Bob Dick asked about the salary category and recommended that it be moved up to a category 6. There was discussion and an agreement that it should be changed to the salary category of 6.

After further input and edits, the following was done. Mario Seiglie moved, Rainer Salomaa seconded, and the quorum of the Council of Elders, by a ballot of ten (10) for and one (1) abstention (John Elliott because this discussion pertained to his current position), adopts the following (Scott Ashley was not online):

Whereas, the Council has been presented with a job description for Information Coordinator, Ministerial Education Program,

Now therefore, it is hereby resolved that, the job description for Information Coordinator, Ministerial Education Program, a copy of which is attached and made a part of this resolution, is approved.

Approval of Budget Overage for MMS—Roy Holladay

Mr. Holladay discussed the current situation with MMS being over budget. The budget was approved in February 2015 by the Council and ratified by the GCE in May. This overage was because of the recent ministerial trainee hires. He stated that in February MMS did not comprehend the depth of the situation involving retirement, health considerations that have since arisen, and manpower distribution.

Tony Wasilkoff inquired if this was a one-time oversight or if this would occur again. Mr. Holladay said that they would account for this increase in the budget next fiscal budget year as an ongoing strategic need to seek out and hire ministerial trainees in a systematic manner.

Bill Bradford moved, Aaron Dean seconded, and the quorum of the Council unanimously adopts the following (Scott Ashley was not online):

Whereas, Ministerial and Member Services (MMS) has requested $393,097 additional funds to the 2015-2016 fiscal budget,

Now therefore, it is hereby resolved that, the MMS budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year is increased by $393,097, as per the document, “Additions to USMinistry budget”, a copy of which is attached and made a part of this resolution.

The Council then went into planned executive session.

Doctrine Committee Presentations—John Elliott

The Doctrine Committee (DC) presentation began in executive session, but then came into open session to discuss the topic of “The Last Great Day / Eighth Day” study paper. The DC and the Council as a whole has been reviewing and discussing this paper for over two years. It emerged that in the DC there were different strengths of belief concerning whether John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. referred to the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles or not, but all agreed that the current paper contained no conclusive proof either way. Consequently, it is the recommendation of the DC that the current study paper, “Last Great Day / Eighth Day” be withdrawn and replaced by a doctrinal statement by the Council. The teaching regarding this specific festival remains the same.

Mr. Webber emphasized that this is not a sudden decision, but something the DC has been reviewing for two years, and the meaning of this day remains the same. There was discussion back and forth among the Council on the doctrinal statement.

Mr. Holladay asked how the conclusion of this doctrinal statement differs from the study paper. Mr. Elliott replied that the current study paper favored the timing of John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. as happening on the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. However, the paper could not fully substantiate that position and it consequently advocates utilizing both terms, which is our current practice. The newly drafted doctrinal statement explains the situation more succinctly while giving equal weight to discussions concerning the timing of John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink..

Mr. Webber commented that there is no conclusive proof either way in the scripture regarding John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.. He stated, “Well intentioned people on both sides of this issue with strong viewpoints regarding the setting of John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. and the accompanying terminology have at the end of the day agreed among themselves there is no rock solid proof one way on this issue.”

Mr. Kubik was impressed that we admit that there is no clear statement in the scriptures. This allows the “Last Great Day” terminology to be used as well. The Last Great Day is a term we have used traditionally and is acceptable. We should respect those traditions. We wouldn’t want this to divide anyone.

Aaron Dean mentioned that when the original study paper was being adopted in 2002, he didn’t vote for it because there was no conclusive proof back then either.

A proposal was made to accept the doctrinal statement, but with several edits some asked for a clean copy to see what the final statement would look like. It was agreed to have the DC finish up the edits and present it again the next day.

The DC discussion went back into executive session to discuss other items. They came back into open session for Mr. Webber to make the following statement:

“Recently the Council was sent notice from multiple GCE members requesting a review and removal of the study paper ‘Voting and Involvement in Politics.’ Based upon this request the chairman has remanded to the Doctrine Committee as a high priority for the study and review of this study paper and to present to the Council their findings, not only because the current study paper deals with issues of outside voting regarding individuals and civic projects, but also with matters of internal voting (balloting) for issues affecting the Church.”

Mr. Webber concluded this section dealing with doctrine by stating that all of our doctrinal study papers’ conclusions must be consistent with their preceding content to properly edify our members regarding a given subject. Thus the recent review of the Last Great Day/Eighth Day matter and others as they may arise.

Facilities Policy Review—Aaron Dean [this session was videoed]

Aaron Dean went through updating “Local Church Building Policy” with the Council. The original policy had some issues that weren’t addressed. The Council went through the edits and asked for a cleaned up version with all the updates to review before approval.

Review of Presidential Selection Process—Rainer Salomaa [this session was videoed]

Rainer Salomaa led the discussion of updating the “Process and Timeline for Selection of President.” There were several edits and wordsmithing to help better explain this process.

HR Policies Update on Council Approval of Employees—Rainer Salomaa [this session was videoed]

Rainer Salomaa also went through edits to the proposed Amendment to Bylaw 8.7.2 (1), which deals with appointing and removing officers. It will be looked at again in the meetings in December, but the Council took the time to look it over and suggest edits at this time.

The Council also looked at Section 2.1 regarding recruiting and hiring that is in the HR manual. If there is any input they were told to give the input to Chris Rowland.

Meeting Dates Established—Robin Webber

The chairman then went through the agenda for the next day.

Peter Eddington then mentioned potential dates for the 2017 GCE. The Council and chairman approved May 7-8 (with the May 6 Sabbath) for 2017 dates for the GCE.

A reminder was also given that for 2016 the dates are May 15-16 (with the May 14 Sabbath) for the 2016 dates for the GCE. Both 2016 and 2017 will be at the Holiday Inn Eastgate.

The chairman then confirmed the dates for the December 2015 Council meetings. Dec. 7-10 will be the formal meetings and Dec. 6 will be the Council retreat.

Facilities Policy Review—Aaron Dean

The new edits for the “Local Church Building Policy” were handed out. There were no questions. Mr. Dean proposed that the old policy be rescinded and this new policy be accepted. Rex Sexton seconded, and the Council unanimously accepted it.

The Council adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Chairman Robin Webber called the morning session to order at 8:42 a.m., and the meeting was opened with prayer. All 12 Council of Elders (Council) members were present. Scott Ashley was on teleconference.

After edits to the minutes from the previous meetings in May and June, the minutes were approved unanimously.

Last Great Day/Eighth Day Statement—John Elliott

The Doctrine Committee carried on from the previous day in the recommendations for the doctrinal statement on the Last Great Day/Eighth Day. There were more edits and clarification needed. After about 15 minutes of discussion, the chairman asked that the Council be provided with an updated copy with all the edits for further consideration.

The Council then went into scheduled executive session for about an hour.

Media and Communications Proposal—Rex Sexton

Rex Sexton moved, Aaron Dean, seconded and the Council of Elders unanimously adopts the following:

Whereas, Media and Communications has proposed authorizing Float Left to develop “Apps” for Beyond Today,

Now therefore it is hereby resolved that, the president is authorized to sign the contract with Float Left to develop “Apps” for Roku, Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Android TV and Smart TV Alliance platforms for Beyond Today.

Last Great Day/Eighth Day Statement—John Elliott

The final copy of the doctrinal statement was presented. There were some more edits and improvements. Once again the chairman emphasized this doesn’t change the meaning ascribed to this festival. We are continuing to teach its incredible significance regarding God’s ultimate desire and purposes toward all humanity.

The motion left on table from yesterday is addressed, and the Council of Elders unanimously adopts the following:

Whereas, the Church has posted a study paper, “The Last Great Day/Eighth Day”, and

Whereas, that aforementioned study paper reaches an inconclusive position concerning a biblically mandated formal name for the festival that occurs “on the eighth day”,

Now therefore, it is hereby resolved that, the Council withdraws the study paper, “The Last Great Day/Eighth Day” and replaces it with the “Eighth Day/Last Great Day-Doctrinal Statement”, a copy of which is attached and made a part of this resolution.

The Last Great Day/Eighth Day—Doctrinal Statement:

The Church believes and teaches that we should observe the annual festivals with their meanings as commanded by God in the Bible and as explained in our literature.

The sequence of the annual festivals concludes with a sacred assembly that occurs “on the eighth day” following the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus:23:36Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein., 39). This festival, unlike the other festivals, is given no formal name in Scripture, such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Feast of Trumpets. Therefore we have referred to it as the Eighth Day.

John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. records an event happening “on the last day, that great day of the Feast,” in which Jesus Christ beckons those who hear Him, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” Historically during the 20th century the Church called this festival “The Last Great Day” due to a belief that Jesus spoke these words on the day after the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles—on this last and separate festival that Scripture places “on the eighth day.” But some believe that the events and words of John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. occurred on the final or seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Ambiguities in John:7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. have been disputed throughout Christian history.

After substantial review of Scripture and available historical evidence by the Doctrine Committee and the Council of Elders, it has been determined that at this time we do not have conclusive evidence as to the timing of these events.

Consequently, it has been and will continue to be our practice to refer to the concluding annual festival either as the “Eighth Day” or “Last Great Day.” \

Approved by the Council of Elders—August 13, 2015

It can also be found on the following website: http://members.ucg.org/content/study-papers.

Mario Seiglie mentioned that other study papers may need to be considered and edited to reflect this new statement and maintain consistency throughout our documents.

Chairman Webber remanded to the Doctrine Committee to be sure all of our documents and papers are in alignment with this statement.

Focus of Retreat in December—Robin Webber

The Council went through a discussion regarding what their focus and topics might be for the upcoming Council retreat designated to discuss spiritual matters and related issues. It’s scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6, at nearby offsite facility.

The Council adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

-end-

Council Reporter

Shawn Cortelyou

© 2015 United Church of God, an International Association