United Church of God, an International Association
Council of Elders Meeting Report
March 1, 2006 – San Antonio, Texas

Robert Dick called the final meeting of this Council session to order at 9 a.m. Several business items were executed, including Ministerial Services policy decisions and updates from the Doctrine Committee and the Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee. Dates were established for the meetings in August 2006. Council business concluded with a brief executive session.

Ministerial Services

Jim Franks, operation manager, first reviewed guidelines for working with individuals who are registered sex offenders or have such offenses in the past. The document was prepared by Church counsel Larry Darden and is required by the Sexual Misconduct Policy previously adopted by the Council. After a few edits were suggested, Mr. Franks said that Mr. Darden will be asked to review the document once again and then it will be sent to the U.S. ministry along with a cover letter to fully explain its implementation.

Mr. Franks then presented a policy regarding fund-raising and merchandising at the Feast of Tabernacles. The policy statement prohibits merchandising at U.S. Festival sites and defines the conditions under which a fund-raising effort may be permitted. After discussion of the proposed policy, the Council approved it by resolution on a vote of 11-0 (Richard Thompson was not present).

Finally, Mr. Franks introduced a revision of the Festival transfer policy, titled "U.S. Festival Transfer Policy and Council of Elders Timeline for Festival Transfers." The revision includes all employed U.S. elders, including elders who do not work under Ministerial Services and members of the Council of Elders, in a single policy statement. After discussion, the policy was approved by resolution by a vote of 10-0, with Aaron Dean abstaining.

Doctrine Committee Update

Leon Walker, chairman of the Doctrine Committee, gave an update on the committee's activities and status. The committee has responsibility for approving doctrinal reviewers for the Church's media efforts, based on recommendations of managing editors. Reviewers are approved as necessary and are contacted and notified by the respective managing editors. On behalf of the committee, Mr. Walker recently sent a letter to the managing editors reminding them of the importance of the review process.

Mr. Walker commented that, as the appeal level for doctrinal questions relating to publications, the committee reviews articles when necessary to resolve potential doctrinal issues.

Recently the Doctrine Committee has been asked to clarify Church teachings and understanding on specific doctrines. The committee's approach is to research answers to the questions and present them to the Council before officially responding.

Mr. Walker also reported that the original purpose of the Doctrine Committee has been fulfilled with the completion of the study papers assigned to it by the Council. Based on the completion of that project, the committee will revise its job description and present it to the Council for approval at the meetings in May.

Approval of Planning Documents

Mr. Dick asked Aaron Dean to review the final edits made to the 2006-2007 Strategic Plan. After gaining Council approval of those edits, Mr. Dick proposed resolutions for the approval of the Strategic Plan, Operation Plan and annual budget. All three documents were approved by the Council on a vote of 11-0.

The documents will be included in the official Call and Notice for the 2006 meeting of the General Conference of Elders, which will be sent to GCE members later this month.

The Council also decided that a more detailed summary of each budget category will be included in the documents sent to the elders in the Call and Notice.

Ethics, Roles and Rules Committee Update

Joel Meeker, chairman of the ERR Committee, reported on the status of two ongoing projects.

Mr. Meeker first reported that the committee has begun work on the governance issues remanded to the ERR by Council resolution in December 2005. Mr. Meeker stated that the committee will be prepared to make a more complete report to the Council in the May meetings.

Mr. Meeker then reviewed with the Council plans for the assessment and reconfirmation of corporate officers. He led the Council through a review of the assessment forms used to evaluate the secretary and treasurer, and several edits were adopted. Mr. Meeker will send the Council the edited forms, along with a suggested timeline, for discussion in the meetings in May.

Adjournment of Council Session

Dates were established for the Council meetings in August 2006. The committees will meet on August 3 and 4. The Council meetings will take place on August 4 and August 6-9.

The Council concluded its business with a brief executive session.

The session was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Don Henson
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© 2006 United Church of God, an International Association