United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
Wednesday, May 7, 2003 – Cincinnati, Ohio

Clyde Kilough convened today’s meeting at 9 a.m. and gave a quick overview of today’s agenda. The first discussion was a review of the just completed Annual Meeting of the General Conference of Elders. For the balance of the morning, Carmelo Anastasi, Director of the Italian National Council of the United Church of God, Italy gave an overview of the work of the Church in Italy. The afternoon started with a one-hour executive session, followed by a discussion on the tone and writing style of Church publications.

Review of the Annual GCE

Mr. Kilough led a discussion of impressions of the annual meeting of the General conference of Elders. Dave Register, Southwest Regional Pastor chaired a task force which made the basic plans for this year’s GCE meeting. Mr. Register and several members of the task force were present for the discussion. Mr. Kilough complimented them for a job well done and for the help they provided to the Council and the General Conference.. He then asked the Council and visitors for comments and suggestions regarding the meetings. The following is a summary of some of the responses:

• Several expressed their appreciation for the work done by the planning committee in preparing and organizing various aspects of the meetings.

• The promotional brochure was very helpful. Many elders and wives who otherwise would not have done so came as a result of the effort.

• The Chairman’s Reception on Saturday night was a great success. Its light-hearted, friendly and warm nature was relaxing and helped set the tone for the conference.

• There was a general sense of unity and harmony throughout the conference.

• The Life Innovations Prepare/Enrich certification program, which was requested by many elders after last year’s GCE, was also deeply appreciated.

• Several positive comments were offered in regard to specific workshop presentations that were given on Monday.

• Many attendees were moved by the tribute to the elders and wives who have died since UCG started in 1995.

• The entertainment program on Monday night was well-received. Some even stayed an extra night so they could attend. Some consideration will be given to having the entertainment on Saturday night next year.

Mr. Register said that one of the objectives was to increase attendance, which he felt was accomplished. Attendance this year was 393 (225 elders and 168 wives) compared to 307 in 2002 (190 elders and 117 wives).The increase in attendance seems to have resulted from several factors: the promotional brochure, the tribute to the elders and wives and the Prepare/Enrich certification program.

Mr. Register listed some preliminary suggestions that are already under consideration for next year’s conference:

• Use a task force again to help with the planning process.

• Request that the Council approve a theme by its August meeting, to give the task force more time to prepare.

• Have an informal reception Friday evening.

• Have the talent program on Saturday night as part of the Chairman’s Reception.

• Move the chairman’s address to the conference to Sunday instead of having it at the end of the day Monday.

• Include a tribute for elders and wives for those deceased in the last year.

• Consider video enhancement so those in the back of the auditorium will be able to see the speaker more clearly.

• Maintain the workshop format for Monday.

• Consider ways to help sponsor some elders so they will be able to attend.

• While the fellowship is important, continue to emphasize that the main reason we’re at the conference is to conduct the
business of the church.

• Perhaps include a discussion of the constitution and by-laws because many of the elders don’t know or understand them; could be a seminar each year on that subject each year.

Mr. Kilough put forward a motion that the Council retain the General Conference of Elders Meeting task force to coordinate the 2004 meeting and that Dave Register again chair the task force. Mr. Register will bring to the Council a list of recommended members for the task force.

The Council voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Mr. Kilough requested that Mr. Register to submit the survey results to the Council’s Ethics, Roles and Rules committee and to send a list of recommended members for the task force to the Council as soon as possible.

Report on Italian Work

Carmelo Anastasi, an elder and the Director of the National Council of the United Church of God, Italy gave a report to the Council on the work of the Church in Italy.

The United Church of God, Italy consists of a total of 36 baptized members, 21 prospective members and 14 children. There are congregations in Milan and Catania. There are also Bible study groups in Naples, Padova, Florence and Rome. There are two elders in Italy – Mr. Anastasi and Angelo Di Vita, both of whom were ordained in 1996.

Although there is religious freedom in Italy, the nation is 97%+ Roman Catholic. There are roughly one million non-Catholics (out of a population of over 57 million) and of those about 25,000 are Sabbath-keepers. The UCG-Italy is listed in the current printing of The Encyclopedia of Religions in Italy, included in a section on the Adventist movement. The editors have apparently researched the Church by going to its Web site. The description of the Church is positive and includes an accurate description of major doctrinal beliefs.

The Church in Italy survived some turbulent times starting in1995. After separating from our former association in May, 1995, Mr. Anastasi and the Italian brethren began their association with the United Church of God in July of that year. Some who had initially come with Mr. Anastasi to United separated because they wanted the Church to have a democratic structure. There was a period of turmoil, which was replaced by peace as dissidents left the fledgling organization. The first United Church of God Feast of Tabernacles in Italy was held in October, 1996. It was at that time that Mr. Anastasi and Mr. Di Vita were ordained.

The National Council of the Church in Italy consists of five men, including the two elders and Enzo Alfieri (secretary), Giacomo Pizzuto and Salvatore Anastasi. It is the firm intent of the Italian National Council to work in unity with the United Church of God, AIA. Mr. Anastasi expressed that the Church in Italy wants very much to strengthen its ties to and relationship with UCG, IA. But he also stressed how important it is that the Church in Italy be treated with justice, respect and honesty. And that the leadership of the Church in Italy should continue to be Italian, not American.

Mr. Anastasi reviewed some of the details of the structure and organization of the Board of Directors and the National Council and explained the process by which new members can be added to their National Council.

Since 1996 La Buona Notizia (the Italian-language Good News magazine) circulation has increased from 900 to nearly 5,000. Plans are to reach a subscription level of 15,000 copies by the end of 2003. That will be accomplished by the use of advertising in a nationwide monthly magazine in September and November of this year.

Booklets currently available in the Italian language are: What is your Destiny?, The Road to Eternal Life, What kind of Faith Leads to Salvation?, Why does God Allow Suffering? and Are we Living in the End Time? The Church also publishes a newsletter, Epistola, which has a circulation of 270. The translation of several more booklets has also been completed.

Preaching the Gospel

The afternoon meetings started with a one-hour executive session. For the rest of the afternoon Mr. Kilough led a continuation of a discussion from the Council meetings in March on the topics of preaching the gospel and the Church’s media efforts. The focus of today’s talks centered on defining the term “evangelism,” the Church’s target audience and the voice, tone and personality of the our media efforts.

The Council was given a 36-page summary of the results of a brainstorming session held in February, 2003 by several Council members and representatives of the Church’s media efforts. The purpose of the session was to bring to the Council some philosophical, conceptual and specific suggestions regarding our printed media. The Council can ultimately use those suggestions and ideas to formulate specific policies.

The first step will be to define the term “evangelism.” What does it mean to evangelize? The word is encumbered by a great deal of historical and emotional baggage. What is the Biblical meaning and application of the word? How does it apply to pastors? To local congregations? To lay members? We need to understand not only what evangelism is, but also what it isn’t.

Leon Walker pointed out that the problem with the word is the word. We’re comfortable with the concept of preaching good news – which is essentially what “evangelism” means. But because of its connotations, and because the word is so commonly misused by others, the words “evangelism” or “evangelize” make many feel uncomfortable.

Victor Kubik said that after eight years it’s time we come to terms with the word or decide to use a different term. We need a Council consensus on the definition, how to use the word or a different word or term in its place.

Jim Franks added that we’ve talked about the problem with the word for years. The decision to use the word “evangelize” or the phrase “preach the gospel,” needs to be built on a biblical foundation.

Gary Antion commented that Mr. Armstrong had no problem with the word. In the early days of his work he had “evangelistic campaigns.” We should not be so short-sighted that we reject a word or term just because others misuse it.

Mr. Kilough suggested that the Council appoint Doug Horchak to chair a task force which will produce a doctrinal study paper on the meaning and application of the word “evangelism.” It was suggested that the study paper propose proper terminology and use of terminology from a Biblical point of view both within and outside of the Church. It should lay out the questions first and then answer them, concluding with suggestions on how to apply the findings in the paper.

Mr. Kilough asked Mr. Franks to craft a specific motion to present to the Council on Wednesday, May 8 that would establish the task force and specify the parameters of the study paper. As the head of the task force Mr. Horchak will present the Council with a list of those he would like to ask to serve on it.

The second item for discussion was defining the target audience for the Church’s publications. Mr. Kilough quoted from a memo written by Mr. Walker in which Mr. Walker repeated a fundamental question that was posed in the summary of the brainstorming session: “Do we know who we are trying to communicate to?” Mr. Walker also asked, “Are we reaching the right audience, so that the desired course of action by them can be taken?” Those questions were the basis of a wide-ranging discussion.

Peter Eddington commented that our primary target audience has proven to be those 45 years and older because that group is most responsive to our broad-based advertising campaigns.

Scott Ashley agreed, stating that the Church has tested several hundred approaches, mailing lists, etc. The best results have come when our advertising targets conservative people, those who live in rural areas or small cities, home owners, gardeners and those who home school their children. Advertising to groups with other general characteristics generates fewer responses, which increases the cost per response.

Mr. Walker asked whether our Web site was successful in attracting a younger audience. Mr. Eddington responded that the Youth United magazine should be helpful in reaching teens and young adults. He also pointed out that a Web site appeals to a younger audience because it has a lot of information with many options and that change daily. The Church’s youth Web site is going to be upgraded with goal in mind of attracting a younger audience

Mr. Kilough asked about the writing style and tone in our publications. Does it only appeal to an older audience? Do we need to change style or tone to reach younger readers?

Les McCullough asked if it would help to survey a younger audience. For example, we could survey our own ABC students to find out more clearly what appeals to them. Doug Horchak responded that Randy Stiver, pastor in Eugene OR, has surveyed younger people on this very subject. He has concluded that the appeal to youth has a lot to do with how “catchy” a title and article are. In Youth United articles are rarely more than 1000 words in length because a younger reader’s attention span is shorter.

Mr. McCullough commented that a younger man had written him a letter explaining why he doesn’t like the Church’s literature. The young man said it was written in a style that simply doesn’t appeal to a younger audience.

Dick Thompson suggested that our literature needs to include a message with a practical application – how to make the most of life, how to solve problems, how to make life worthwhile. Or, as Mr. Kilough put it, something that stirs to action.

Several commented on what it was about the Church’s literature that attracted them when they were younger:

• Mr. Walker said that Mr. Armstrong was good at challenging people and their beliefs.

• Tony Wasilkoff remembered that what he read first in The Plain Truth was Mr. Armstrong’s autobiography and then the Bible Story – because they were real-life stories that had action and human interest.

• Mr. Dick said that the articles reminded him of his first Church service – the ministers actually had a worthwhile and meaningful message.

• Mario Seiglie commented on the strengths and weaknesses of the past approaches and what he has learned from them.

• Mr. Kubik remembered challenging and intriguing questions that grabbed his attention, such as: “Did you know that Christmas was celebrated 2000 years before Jesus Christ was born?”

Mr. Horchak pointed out that when United first started we were in the mode of defending our beliefs. We had a great deal of substance but we lacked the emotional appeal. We need to maintain substance, but add more emotion. Mr. Ashley agreed, adding that our style is to reach the head – we need to also reach the heart.

Mr. Kilough said that we’re good at what we do – but our writing style needs to be more compelling. We shouldn’t stop doing what we do well, but we need to add to it. Jesus used stories, news events and turned them into lessons.

Joel Meeker pointed out that the Council can provide guidelines and policy; but creativity is up to the writer. Those who write for our publications should continue their professional development by reading books or even taking clases to learn how to be more creative and compelling. Mr. Ashley suggested that perhaps every other year a day can be set aside for editorial training at the annual GCE meetings.

Mr. McCullough asked when we’re going to see the first-contact literature aimed at the younger audience that the Council has been talking about for two years. Mr. Eddington said that he and Mr. Stiver have nearly finished some mock-ups of three samples of “first contact” literature targeted at a younger audience. Mr. Kilough asked that those samples be provided for Council review at the August meetings.

Mr. Kilough thanked the Council for its input and help. In future meetings there will be much more to discuss on this large and important topic.

The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.

Don Henson

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© 2003 United Church of God, an International Association