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

Thursday, December 2, 1999 — Cincinnati, Ohio 

      

             Thursdayâs meeting of the Council dealt with discussion of Ministerial Services policies, media issues, and an executive session covering ministerial credentialings and removals, and Council evaluation of the presidentâs job performance.

Ministerial Services

            Ministerial Services manager Richard Pinelli brought three items to the Council for discussion and possible approval. The first two, policies dealing with ordination, and suspension and expulsion from the General Conference, were given minor wording adjustments and unanimously approved. 

            The third policy, on outside speakers at United Church of God services and UCG-sponsored events, and UCG ministers speaking at services of other religious organizations, took a little longer to discuss. 

            It quickly became clear that there was relatively little difficulty in arriving at a clear statement from the Council on UCG ministers speaking at events sponsored by other organizations. Proposed policy asks for elders to seek approval from Ministerial Services (or its international equivalent), with the understanding that the president is authorized by Council to make the final decision. 

            However, having outside speakers at UCG-sponsored events, will require more input. Aaron Dean asked if the statement should be divided into two separate policies, but discussion favored leaving it as one, with two parts. Gary Antion suggested obtaining international input first before final policy formulation, as situations can be different in diverse areas of the world where the church operates. This idea was approved, and Mr. Pinelli will return the matter to the Council at a later date, with the requested international viewpoints included. 

Media 

            Two items needed to be finalized under the media ãumbrellaä as Victor Kubik, committee chairman for media and communications, took the floor.

            Council policy on media was updated and edited, with the major focus being to shift the direct responsibility for working with media from the Council committee to the administrative personnel at the home office. This acknowledges the practicality of ongoing work in the media field, which Council committees simply cannot do as effectively as administrative staff. However, the Media and Communications Committee will continue to work closely with the administration on media planning and initiative. Approval was unanimous, after numerous edits.

            Once policy was in place, the job description for media and communications committee members was quickly finalized and unanimously adopted. 

            Following these more routine tasks, the Council next turned its attention to ensuring that it, as a body, had a unified approach to media that was clear to all members. President Les McCullough particularly wished to be clear on a common vision from all Council members before proceeding with more detailed work on formulating a media plan to bring to the Council. 

            Discussion was animated. Several Council members acknowledged that as a body, the church has numerous projects that are ongoing in the media field, but without a coordinated plan to tie them all into a common vision. Mr. McCullough stated his clear intention to bring forward just such a plan, but wanted to be certain that all shared a common media philosophy before going into the mechanics. As Chairman Bob Dick noted, the common philosophy must first be produced by the Council before details are added. If not, he pointed out, we end up coming back to clarify philosophy. 

            A number of comments were made at this juncture. Richard Thompson suggested considering naming a media operations manager. He also suggested the idea of holding a ãbrainstorming sessionä of media-savvy members involved in the various operations currently underway. The president noted that he has suggested a national radio program, and was ready to discuss possible presenters with the Council (in executive session). This could serve, he said, as the beginning, since we are not in a position to pursue a national TV program at this time. Currently, two cable access TV programs are being produced by local efforts centered in Oregon and Wisconsin; these programs are aired on a number of cable access stations in the United States. 

            A number of Council members recalled their own initial contact with the work of Godâs church, and remembered Herbert W. Armstrongâs talent for reaching people where they were, emotionally or intellectually, and challenging them to prove the truth of Godâs Word. As Mr. Antion pointed out, Mr. Armstrong had a unique talent, and that talent and style can be learned from, though not duplicated ö no one would presume to claim that same talent is evident today. 

            One recurring theme was stated passionately by Burk McNair. ãI certainly have felt all along that we do have a responsibility to warn the people of God that we believe to be the descendants of Israel· I still believe thatâs a viable part of our job. That doesnât mean we donât warn everybody else. We have the responsibility to warn this world, but particularly Israel because of their unique position·Caring for the church is extremely important. I donât believe there is any way you can ever play that down. But I donât believe that is all we have to do! We have to present the gospel to Godâs people· to the world. I believe there is a tendency to play down the zeal that Mr. Armstrong had·I agree with the president. We have to have a handle on what weâre doing. But letâs not be afraid to acknowledge that Mr. Armstrong did a powerful work·Iâm a strong believer in getting this message out with some zeal and enthusiasm as God blesses us with the people to do it·ä 

            This theme gave the Council clarity in coming to a consensus on its viewpoint. While some had been interpreted as thinking that ãthe work of the church is done,ä all agreed that this was not accurate for any Council member. Each stated his support of the statement issued in Seattle on August 31, 1999, as follows:   

Council Statement on Public Proclamation of the Gospel 

ãJesus Christ commissioned the Church to make disciples of all nations and to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God as a witness (Matthew:28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:; 24:14). In serving as witnesses, the apostles were commanded to preach the good news of the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God (Luke:24:47-48[47]And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.[48]And ye are witnesses of these things.). The Greek word Îkerussoâ means to preach as a herald. It connotes formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed.  As Jesus came preaching, ÎThe time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent you and believe the gospelâ (Mark:1:15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.). 

ãThe messages of Jesus Christ and the apostles were highly focused and challenging. Moreover, their messages contained a warning to the listeners that their refusal to repent would result in punishment (Colossians:1:27-28[27]To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:[28]Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:). Furthermore, the Old Testament prophets admonished Godâs servants to stand in the gap and serve as watchmen (Ezekiel:22:20As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.; 33:1-10). 

ãIn view of all the biblical examples, the Council of Elders of the United Church of God believes that it has the responsibility of making disciples of all nations and feeding the flock, while proclaiming a warning that the kingdom of God is at hand.

Therefore, the Council of Elders is determined to fulfill these responsibilities in carrying out the mission of the church. This determination will be reflected in the churchâs public proclamation of the gospel. Thus the Council intends to provide the policies and oversight toward this end.ä

            This statement was unanimously adopted by the Council in August, although Council member Gary Antion was not present at its adoption. He clearly stated his support for it, and all agreed that this statement must be the basis for the churchâs media plan.

            Mr. McCullough stated that he felt comfortable with the stated support of the Council members, and proposed bringing some specifics forward for discussion later in the Councilâs meetings.

            For the remainder of the day, the Council moved to executive session. While the executive session was closed, the Council wished it to be known that their review of the presidentâs job performance involved a profitable exchange between Council and president, that they approve of the job he is doing, and extend him their full support.
 

-Doug Johnson

© 1999 United Church of God, an International Association

<!--webbot bot="HitCounter" i-image="1" i-digits="0" preview="<strong>[Hit Counter]</strong>" u-custom i-resetvalue="0" startspan --><!--webbot bot="HitCounter" endspan i-checksum="15484" -->