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

Tuesday, August 7, 2001 - Cincinnati, Ohio

            The Council spent the morning of Day Two talking about four doctrinal issues, and in the afternoon, discussed several areas dealing with officers of the Church, including process and criteria for selection, job evaluation, and amendments governing service. Council self-assessment and two items relating to local church building policy rounded out the dayâs docket.

Doctrine

            Leon Walker, chairman of the Doctrine Committee, chaired the morning session as it was devoted entirely to doctrinal concerns.

            He first updated the entire Council on matters discussed by both the advisory committee on doctrine which reports to the Council, and the Councilâs own Doctrine Committee. The advisory committee, he reported, finds itself at an impasse regarding articles submitted on two topics ö the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 and the reference to a ãman of sinä in 2 Thessalonians 2. Two different approaches were presented in the articles, which were brought to the Councilâs Doctrine Committee for discussion and resolution. Mr. Walker reported the findings of the committee to the Council. It is clear that articles cannot be published that do not conform to the traditional teachings of the Church. Therefore, the articles submitted that do conform to those teachings can proceed. Mr. Walker will inform the advisory committee of this decision. However, as Mr. Walker made clear, the United Church of God is certainly willing to consider explanations that differ from accepted Church understanding, following the procedures established to protect the integrity of the body of truth to which God has called us. The agreement of ² of all elders that a new understanding is indeed newly perceived biblical truth is the final step in that protection.

            Another item for the Councilâs information dealt with further research on the topic of Godâs covenants. Material on this has been in the pipeline for some time, and has recently undergone rewrites by Ambassador Bible Center instructor Ralph Levy and Council member Mario Seiglie. Mr. Walker is working to combine the two drafts, and once more material is added on two crucial aspects (the conference of Acts 15 and an explanation of the term ãunder the lawä), the paper will be ready to submit to the full Council for its input. Target time for this submission is early November, one month before the Councilâs next meetings in Tampa, FL from December 5-12, 2001. Other topics will flow from a clear exposition on this important teaching.

            A great deal of discussion took place on the last two doctrinal issues. First, the Council examined a paper written by Kevin Epps on Genesis:6:9These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. ö specifically, the expression that Noah was ãperfect in his generations.ä The major question is whether this phrase refers to genetic descent or spiritual character before God. Mr. Epps offers a convincing explanation that it is the latter ö a statement about his spiritual condition, not physical. Most Council members were pleased with the explanation, but agreed that it represents a departure from our historical understanding in the Church. As Victor Kubik said, ãIâm happy with whatâs here· itâs not everything about the subject, but Iâm happy with the explanation as given.ä Aaron Dean expressed his concern that the explanation would appear to be a Church statement on interracial marriage (and perhaps should be addressed in a wider context), even though the paper specifically explains that racial questions are not addressed in the passage at all. Don Ward voiced his concern by picking up on an aspect of Mr. Kubikâs statement (the fact that it does not address the full topic), pointing to the wider context of Genesis 6 to show some connection to marriage might well be intended (though he does not believe it is a racial connection). He and Richard Thompson cited Christâs words in Matthew 24, comparing the time of the end to Noahâs day, and listing ãmarrying and giving in marriageä as a connecting factor. Mr. Walker stated his understanding that this simply referred to people going about their normal business, both good and bad, heedless of approaching destruction, not calling attention to specific aspects of disobedience (Christâs comments also included ãeating and drinkingä).

            In the end, the Council balloted to express its approval of the material as written. Messrs. Antion, Dick, Holladay, Jewell, Kilough, Kubik, McCullough, Seiglie, Thompson, and Walker voted in favor, and Aaron Dean and Don Ward abstained. Mr. Kilough asked the Council to consider getting more input and study, and the Council then unanimously agreed it would seek further advice from the entire GCE about the material as written before submitting it to the same body for doctrinal approval.

            Finally, in the doctrinal realm, the Council turned its attention to a request from the Australian National Council for a clear statement of the Churchâs official position regarding the subject of voting (in the worldâs political processes, not ballots as used in the GCE or Council). Mr. Walker handed out a suggested statement for Council discussion and approval. All agreed that the paper as presented accurately represented the Churchâs historical position. But there was concern at labeling it a ãstatement of belief.ä As Dr. Ward asked, ãDo we really want to elevate this almost to the status of the Fundamentals of Belief?ä

            Mr. Holladay pointed out that the National Council in Australia is looking to this body for guidance, due to particular concerns it must address. Council agreed to return to the topic later in this round of meetings.

Church Officers

            Gary Antion chaired deliberations on numerous topics dealing with the officers of the Church.

            First, the Council wordsmithed and approved forms to evaluate the job performances of the Treasurer and the Secretary. Both were unanimously adopted as crafted.

            Next, they worked through material on a presidential selection process. After some discussion of particulars regarding steps in the procedure, they unanimously agreed that the entire Council would be the ãsearch committee,ä thereby making Mr. Holladay, as Council chairman, also chairman of the presidential search committee. They then turned their attention to criteria to be used in the re-affirmation process.

            Council subsequently discussed proposed amendments to Bylaws 8.2.1 and 9.1, regarding officers being prohibited from serving on the Council; these were set aside without further action at this time.

            Amendments suggested for Bylaws 12.2.2.4, 12.2.2.5, and 12.2.2.6 regarding procedure for amendments were adopted unanimously, and will be part of the packet of material for GCE consideration at the 2002 annual meeting.  

Miscellaneous

            Two topics dealing with local church buildings were raised. Mr. Antion asked for Council consideration on a proposal to budget an unspecified amount annually, subject to financial conditions, for local church buildings. After discussion, the Council consented unanimously without resolution to remand the issue to the Strategic Planning/Finance Committee (Aaron Dean, chairman) to work on the concept in concert with the Administration.

            Treasurer Tom Kirkpatrick asked the Councilâs input on a procedure he must carry out in compliance with a Council resolution of May 9, 2001. This is the need for written reports to the Treasurer from any church area proposing to build or buy a local church building. Mr. Kirkpatrick handed out a sample form, asked for additions or edits, and stated he will incorporate those suggestions before proceeding to ask church areas for their reports.

            Mr. Holladay then led the Council through a discussion on Council self-assessment, using a compilation of forms each member had completed earlier. Comments led to firming up an idea previously suggested ö that the Council communicate directly with the GCE on a regular basis, through the Chairman. All agreed that it would be a step in the right direction to have Mr. Holladay write a letter to the GCE after each round of Council meetings, similar to Mr. McCulloughâs regular informative letters. This discussion concluded the dayâs business.

 -Doug Johnson

© 2001 United Church of God, an International Association