Council of Elders Meeting Report
March 3, 2011—Cincinnati, Ohio

Chairman Melvin Rhodes called the day’s meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. After the opening prayer by Bob Berendt, the Council went into executive session until the mid-morning break.

Strategic Plan Discussion

At 10:45 a.m., the meeting reconvened and chairman of the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Robin Webber, led a discussion about the Strategic Plan for the coming fiscal year. The initial project was to appropriately interject the terms of Christ-like service into the wording of the Strategic Plan.

In the Positioning Statements, a change was made on the list of points under, “We believe that building meaningful relationships is a fundamental characteristic of God’s Church.” Therefore to achieve this we must:

• Teach and model Christ-like service
• Strive to become one in Christ because our unity is in Him
• Speak the truth openly in godly love
• Seek to resolve conflict toward reconciliation

Under “Goals,” the sentence defining “Congregational Care” was amended to read, “Cultivate a Christ-like service environment that fosters spiritual growth and unity and learning in all members.” And amended following “Organization,” “Cultivate a Christ-like service environment of unity, effectiveness and satisfaction among employees and elders.”

Mr. Webber pointed out that 31 percent of the coming budget will focus on the public proclamation—up from 21 percent last year. The higher percentage was accomplished along with economizing wherever possible. Numerous Council members commented with satisfaction and appreciation about how Christ has brought us to this primary focus.

Under “Strategies,” the point was made that we have moved from developing a media mix for preaching the gospel to refining a media mix. This reflects the progress that God has blessed us with in preaching the gospel.

After the lunch break, Mr. Webber continued leading the Strategic Plan discussion with more assessment of the current plan and rewording it to reflect the new dynamics in UCG. The emphasis on Christ-like service was included in one of the “Critical Success Factors” under “Organization,” which was amended from “Leaders model teamwork” to “Leaders model Christ-like service,” so as to reflect our sharper spiritual focus.

Under “Strategies” on the Organization page, the point, “Foster a Christ-like service environment throughout the organization,” was also added.

Balloting on Estate Donations Restrictions

Church treasurer Aaron Dean next presented to the Council a resolution about estate donations and bequests that would remove the current automatic donation restrictionthat is currently used for ministerial retirement programs. The new resolution will allow such donations to be part of the general fund for preaching the gospel and all other aspects of the work of God. The wording of the resolution effectively rescinds the previous resolutions of some years ago that restricted the use of such funds to the retirement fund. The resolution passed unanimously.

Additional Budget Discussion

Mr. Dean then turned to the budget to discuss last details before the Council made its final decision. The budget is essentially calculated at a factor of 0.6 (60 percent) of the previous year’s. Included is a step forward in faith, anticipating that our income will increase by  $1 million over the coming fiscal year.

Before the ballot was taken, Darris McNeely requested, based on the seriousness of our condition and the vital needs of God’s work to push forward the gospel of the Kingdom, that we pray for God’s blessing and guidance, and that our president, Dennis Luker, would lead us in the prayer. Everyone eagerly agreed. Mr. Luker then explained that, in the daily planning meetings in his office, all the men kneel together to pray for God’s direction. He then asked if all present would likewise kneel to request God’s great blessing on UCG, our budget and strategic planning, and the work of the coming year. The prayer was then led by Mr. Luker.

Balloting on Strategic and Operations Plans and the Budget

Chairman Rhodes then conducted the ballots for the budget, the Strategic Plan and the Operations Plan. Each passed unanimously.

Balloting on Leaving Elders’ Names Attached to CoE Ballots

The final item was a resolution that referred to the way that GCE members cast their ballots. In the past, the balloting elder’s name was removed before the ballots were counted. The resolution being considered will leave the elders’ names on the bottom of the ballots. They will then be stored with the official minutes of the GCE meeting. The resolution passed unanimously.

-end-

Randy Stiver
Council Reporter

© 2011 United Church of God, an International Association