United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Quarterly Meeting Report
Milford, Ohio
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Chairman Len Martin called the morning session to order at 9 a.m. Eastern, and the meeting was opened with prayer. All 12 Council of Elders (Council) members were present. Scott Ashley, Darris McNeely Randy Stiver and Paul Wasilkoff were online via Zoom.
Chairman Martin welcomed everyone who were in attendance and introduced the new Council Reporter, Ryan Hall. He began by quoting Proverbs:16:3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established., “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” He then encouraged the entire Council to keep this in mind as they proceed with the meetings this week.
The last Council meeting minutes were approved. The agenda for the week was discussed with a few edits and was approved.
President’s Report—Victor Kubik
President Kubik greeted everyone. He then commented about the conditions of the world and the tumultuous times we have experienced over the last month. He had no new news to present, other than the change of the IT Manager, which will be Christ Stewart. Victor went on to reminisce on the events that brought him to where he is today. He wanted everyone to know that he is leaving on a high, as a group of friends in a positive state of mind. He appreciates all those he has been able to work with in the ministry and staff. He ended with these final remarks, “What now? Where do we go? We thank God, we look forward, we provide an environment for growth, and we do the work.”
Operation Manager Reports:
Treasure Report: Rick Shabi
Report was given during the GCE
Ministerial and Member Services (MMS)—Mark Welch
Mark greeted everyone and mentioned that being able to meet together at the GCE was a great blessing. He then gave a short rundown of the major events in MMS since the February meetings.
Mark also discussed the importance of being called into the ministry and our roles as ministers. He also discussed the progress in the CEU (Continuing Education Program) and the work toward making the monthly Sabbath reports an online tool. There have been additional programs/classes placed on the website for the ministry in order to help in their education and all are being encouraged to visit and participate.
He mentioned his concern of the number of retiring minsters and he also stressed the urgency to pray that God would bring forth and provide the right people for the service of ministry. He also reminded us of the importance of mentoring those who have the potential to work in the ministry.
Mark mentioned that his trips to visit our many congregations has helped him get to know the brethren and the leadership within the church as well as ensure that we are all on the same team.
He gave an update on the Light of Hope program that Steve Myers is overseeing. Since going live in February, they have experienced over 100 calls across the U.S. He added that Larry Darden, Steve Myers and Roy Fouch are working closely with the team to ensure that we help those in need, but that we are going about this properly.
Mark listed five major events scheduled for the month of June.
Mark ended his presentation expressing his appreciation of working with Victor and looking forward to working with the new president. He also mentioned that our attendance numbers are beginning to gradually increase.
Media and Communications Services—Peter Eddington
Peter Eddington began by stating that over the last eight months they have replaced seven employees and still have two openings currently in the media department. They have had many challenges as well especially dealing with the rising cost and shortages of paper products.
He then went through some of the following statistic results to date:
Peter also shared tables showing the results for testing our 2-minute Beyond Today TV short-form programs on Blaze TV. We will retire this test at the end of June, with funds exhausted from the special allocation given by the Council of Elders last year.
Peter ended his presentation with a few interesting things to take note of.
Committee Chairman Reports:
Doctrine Committee (DC)—Mario Seiglie
The DC has completed Appendix A on the “Hebrew Calendar” paper and is now working on Appendix B. They are also beginning to work on two more projects. The first being a new paper, “Did the Father Forsake Jesus” and a paper concerning voting and politics.
Members on the DC: Scott Ashley, Jorge de Campos, Darris McNeely, Mario Seiglie (chair) and Randy Stiver.
Education Committee (EC)—Aaron Dean
Aaron presented the following topics.
Members on the EC: Aaron Dean (chair), Jorge de Campos, Brian Shaw and Paul Wasilkoff.
Ethics Committee—John Elliott
The Ethics Committee has no mandated duties or assignments at this time.
Members on the Ethics Committee: John Elliott (chair), Mario Seiglie, Randy Stiver and Paul Wasilkoff.
Roles and Rules Committee (RRC)—Dan Dowd
The focus of the RRC since the previous meeting was to oversee the upcoming annual assessment of the Treasurer (later this week), Selection of the new President (Wednesday), repopulating of Sub-Committees (today), selection of new Chairmen/Deputy Chairmen of COE (later this week), and the replacement of the Council Reporter (concluded). We will also be presenting later today a discussion concerning the Elders/GCE Forum.
Members on the RRC: Dan Dowd (chair), John Elliott, John Miller and Brian Shaw.
Strategic Planning and Finance Committee (SPFC)—John Miller
The SPFC is currently working on the further development of the three-year update to the Strategic Plan. John mentioned that he appreciated feedback received from the GCE and the Kohoot app which produced over 100 specific questions/concerns. They all will be properly vetted soon in order to further the plan. John added that he wished more conversations could have taken place before the GCE. A letter was sent out in December concerning the “Truth in Love” initiative, but it did not produce the desired conversation.
The reviewing of salary ranges is still on docket to discuss and that this will be very fluid over the next year due to inflation. The committee also voiced it’s concerns over employee retention because this is not just affecting the church, it’s the number one topic of any business today.
John ended his report by addressing a new item that has been added to their docket for March concerning the COE stipend for those not employed by the Church.
Members on the SPFC: Aaron Dean, Dan Dowd, Darris McNeely, John Miller (chair) and Brian Shaw.
Charles Melear on GCE feedback
The overall attendance this year was 248 (127 Elders, 103 wives, 14 guests). There were 496 in attendance for Sabbath services. Charles mentioned that he was quite satisfied with the entire GCE and at how smoothly the online participation went. Charles mentioned that a Post Survey would be mailed out by Peter Eddington later that day. Dates for the 2023 GCE mentioned, May 6-8. Charles ended his presentation addressing positive comments about the dedicated Holiday Inn staff, but also concerns about their challenge to find ample employees.
GCE/Elders Forum discussion – Dan Dowd
A discussion was held concerning the need for moderating the GCE forum, who is to be contacted, and who has the authority to take action, especially when a violation takes place. Questions and concerns have arisen concerning some of the activity that has taken place over the last few months. Many on the COE agreed that it is a concern when a post is doctrinally incorrect, a tone is wrong, or the subject turns into a personal attack. The COE doesn’t want to censor posts nor does it want to shut the forum down. If no problem is found with a post, it should be posted, however if a problem is found a process should be established to bring the issue to the attention of the necessary authority. It was also agreed upon that a permanent moderator be assigned to this forum in order to review all submitted material. A resolution will be crafted by Dan Down and submitted later this week.
Discussion about Webcasting Policy – Peter Eddington
Peter Eddington led a discussion concerning our policies on Sermon/Website Copyright Reminders, Video & Audio Posting Procedures. Many edits were made and a new policy with those edits will be presented by Thursday for the COE approval and then sent out to all Elders.
The Council began executive session at 3:05 p.m. to discuss the repopulation of the Sub-Committees.
At 4:07 p.m. the Council came out of executive session and adjourned for the day.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Chairman Len Martin called the morning session to order at 9 a.m. Eastern, and the meeting was opened with prayer. All 12 Council of Elders (Council) members were present. Scott Ashley, Darris McNeely, Randy Stiver, and Paul Wasilkoff were online.
The Council immediately went into executive session in order to ballot for the new President.
The Council ended the executive session at 10:15 a.m.
Procedural Clarification - John Elliott
John Elliott led a discussion on the COE Resolution from March 3, 2022 concerning clarification of how the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee and the Administration are to work together in the development of an Operation Plan and Budget centered around the Ephesians framework.
The Council began executive session at 11:10 a.m. to discuss the Doctrinal Committee updates, ordination requests, annual review of the Secretary, and any legal updates.
At 3:15 p.m. the Council ended the executive session.
Resolution to appoint Registered Agent – Frank Dunkle
Resolution was passed by COE.
Whereas, the Council of Elders (equivalent to a Board of Directors) became aware that the current Registered Agent for the United Church of God, an International Association (“Church”), in the State of Illinois is no longer available for that position and that a new Registered Agent must be appointed, and
Whereas the State of Illinois requires registered agents for registered corporations be appointed by its corporate board of directors, and
Whereas, Sarah Bouchette, after being approached by Church administration to serve as the Church’s Registered Agent in Illinois, has agreed to do so,
Now therefore, it is hereby resolved that Sarah Bouchette is appointed as the Registered Agent for the Church in the State of Illinois.
GCE/Elders Forum Resolution – Dan Dowd
Dan presented the GCE/Elders Forum Resolution that was discussed on Tuesday. The resolution was edited and the COE accepted the resolution as edited. The resolution is as follows:
General Conference of Elders Forum Resolution
Whereas, the General Conference of Elders desires to have a clear understanding of who provides oversight of the General Conference of Elders Forum (GCE Forum), and
Whereas, no such formal oversight currently exists,
Now therefore, it is hereby resolved, that the Council of Elders officially recognizes the Chairman of the General Conference of Elders (Chairman) as a permanent member of the GCE Forum moderating team, and
It is further resolved, that the Chairman shall have at least one meeting annually with the GCE Forum moderators to remind them of the GCE Forum Policy and their oversight responsibilities. The Chairman will provide ongoing support and direction as they have need in engaging various Council of Elders committees or international equivalents.
Posting Audio & Video / Webcasting Copyright Policies – Peter Eddington
Three documents were presented for discussion and further edits (Sermon and Website Copyright Reminders, Video and Audio Posting Policy, and Live Webcasting Policy). Edits were made and accepted by the COE. Documents will be submitted to Dan Dowd to be added to the Pastor’s Manual as well as sent out to the pastors via email.
The Council began executive session at 3:56 p.m. to discuss unfinished business.
At 4:56 p.m. the Council came out of executive session and adjourned for the day.
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Chairman Len Martin called the morning session to order at 9 a.m. Eastern, and the meeting was opened with prayer. All 12 Council of Elders (Council) members were present. Scott Ashley, Darris McNeely, Randy Stiver and Paul Wasilkoff were online.
The newly elected president, Rick Shabi addressed the Council.
Chairman Martin led a discussion concerning setting the date for the February 2023 Council meetings. The dates have been set for February 13th -16th.
The Council went into executive session at 9:15 a.m. to discuss the replacement of sub-committee members and the new president’s salary.
At 10:10 a.m. the Council came out of executive session and adjourned the 2021/2022 Council.
At 10:32 a.m. Secretary Frank Dunkle opened a new meeting and called to order with Rex Sexton seated on the new 2022/2023 Council.
The Secretary conducted the balloting for the office of Chairman. Len Martin was re-elected Chairman of the Council of Elders.
The Secretary then conducted the balloting for the office of Deputy Chairman. Aaron Dean was re-elected Deputy Chairman of the Council of Elders.
At 11:07 a.m. the meeting was closed and the Council adjourned the current meeting.
At 11:17 a.m. Chairmen Len Martin called a new meeting to order and led the discussion going through populating the committees of the Council and selecting their respective chairs.
The following are the updated committees and their chairmen:
The Council adjourned the meetings at 11:55 a.m.
-end-
Council Reporter
Ryan Hall
[These are not the official minutes from the Council meeting. Elders can find those at the Home Office with the Council Secretary. Video recordings are posted for the elders on the UCG Ministerial Resource Site.]
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