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

Tuesday, August 31, 1999 — Seattle, Washington

Tuesday, the Council explored the biblical role of women in the church, reviewed a study paper prepared by the Doctrine Committee on the Passover of Exodus 12, and examined media aspects of proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God.

Biblical Role of Women in the Church

Dennis Luker took the floor to moderate discussion of an always interesting and sometimes sensitive area. He first gave some background to the presentation, which grew out of material presented at the General Conference of Elders in Cincinnati in March, 1999. The material was further deliberated at a regional pastors conference earlier this summer; today it was the Councilâs turn to discuss the subject.

Mr. Luker began by giving some biblical basics all would agree on. It is clear from scripture, he observed, that men and women are equal before God as potential children in His Family both are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Ultimate rewards in the kingdom of God depend on conduct in this physical life, not gender. 

Moving on to the marriage state, there can also be no question about roles in marriage. Mutual concern, love, and respect are called for, with the husband to be a loving head (as Christ is to the Church), and the wife to be a loving and supportive partner in the marriage (as the Church is to Christ). 

It is clear that a woman's role in the Church does not include service in the ministry. Not only Paul's direct statements, but also the clear weight of biblical example, show only men in the role of the ministry. 

How, then, does the Bible illustrate that women served? Paul gives clear instruction that women are not to teach in an official capacity in the church (1 Corinthians:14:34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.; 1 Timothy:2:12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.). Yet we find both Priscilla and Aquila, in Acts 18, taking Apollos aside to [explain] to him the way of God more accurately. We find two references to prophetesses in the New Testament Anna, and the daughters of Philip. In Acts 2, a prophecy from the book of Joel is quoted regarding the prophesying of both men and women (verses 17-18) in the end time. Romans 12 exhorts all to use the gifts given by God, with the understanding that they differ in various individuals (verses 4-8). 

How have women historically served in our time in the Church of God? This was discussed at the recent regional pastors conference, and a listing was compiled of traditional (little disagreement) and some non-traditional ways (differing views). 

There was little difficulty in agreeing on the listing of traditional methods of service, with perhaps some in areas such as women leading an adult choir or writing certain kinds of articles for church publications. John Jewell did observe that some segments of our western society (reflected in the church too) are no doubt still victims of a Victorian past. But for the most part, these areas occasioned little concern or difference of opinion. 

Moving to the non-traditional roles, however, livened up the deliberation considerably. In fact, only one such role was discussed  that of organizing and conducting womenâs retreats.           

Mr. Luker noted that such a retreat has been conducted in the northwest for the past two years. LeeAnn Luker was asked to address the ladies on prayer, following up on her article of several years ago on the subject of a woman's view of prayer. Several comments followed:

á       Roy Holladay expressed his concern that some may see such a move as similar to the development of women's ministries and retreats in other groups. All things may be lawful, but not all things are expedient, he stated. He stressed that he wasn't concerned about the integrity of the program by Mrs. Luker, but felt that perhaps it should be renamed, as the appellation women's retreat carries a lot of baggage with it, and would become a hot button issue. Other groups have moved to this and other concepts as they abandoned the overall concept of collectively preaching the gospel.

á       Aaron Dean agreed that the terminology is crucial. He observed that if an activity were called a Wife and Mother Seminar it would be lauded, but if it bore the title Women's Retreat it would have the world's ring and cause problems.

á       Bend, Oregon, pastor Larry Walker pointed out that the issues are doctrinal, cultural, and emotional, both in the church and in secular areas.

á       Les McCullough stated that he felt the content, not the name, was the concern. If it is a spiritual retreat, the people that I hear anything from feel that there should be a male spiritual leader at a spiritual retreat. He pointed out that in his opinion this would apply equally to either a men's or women's retreat the issue is one of spiritual direction through the ministry for church activities, and the possibility of setting precedents.

á       Mr. Luker stated that he would be willing to fill such a role to alleviate concerns some might have.

á       Reba Walker stated, What I've heard is concern of the Sabbath service without a minister present.

á       Mr. Luker pointed out there will be a lot of women who are going to be very discouraged if we say no, women are just not qualified to get together and nurture one another, encourage one another. I understand what Les [McCullough] is saying if we could have a minister involved so they realize it has that pastoral, spiritual oversight and guidance that would calm some of the fears. I'm trying to find out what they fear, is it biblically wrong, spiritually wrong, or have we not culturally done it. I'm willing to [adapt], change, modify, whatever we need to do to make sure we alleviate the fear that some may have that weâre heading toward womenâs ministry or women being ordained. If we need to call it Women's Seminars, I'll get involved and help, so that they realize that women are not taking off and doing their own thing. Nor should men do that, as Les [McCullough] said· ministerial involvement should be there.

á       Mrs. Luker asked if anyone had talked to the women who had been a part of it, and asked what the fruit had been in their lives. She explained the procedure on the Sabbath of an interactive discussion of Romans 12 from a woman's perspective. The women did an assessment to help identify their own gifts just to know where can I serve in the Body of Christ then we discussed it.

á       Mrs. Dick added that it wasn't in any way handled as a service. I am concerned about what others would think, and would want to do whatever it took to calm the concerns about what that might lead to.

á       Leon Walker brought the concept of perception forward doing it on the Sabbath, whether you call it a service or not, it was a service as far as perception was concerned, because we have services on the Sabbath, and if there is no other service on the Sabbath, that is the service· thatâs the way it's going to be looked at and perceived to be. If it were to be done on a different day, I don't think it would be looked upon·in the same way.

á       Howard Davis, visiting the Council meeting, stated that some had mentioned to him that the value for them personally had been the connection with the wives of the ministers who were there. They perceived the minister and his wife as serving the church as a team.

á       Bev Kubik stated that she felt that the ladies in the church just want to know what is biblically correct, and how they are to teach the younger ladies as instructed by Paul.

á       LeeAnn Luker firmly stated I am deeply convicted [that] there is no example in the New Testament that could justify women being in the ministry. I am also though, as deeply convicted that the verses in Titus do apply to me; my responsibility to be a mentor to other women. I think the challenge also arises with the whole concept of temperament; not all people are given the same temperament I am comfortable with this type situation. How do I use what is a God-given gift and God-given responsibility? How we use our gifts is [what] we want to know. I don't want to be in violation of scripture.

Mr. Luker brought an animated discussion to a close by pointing out that sensitivities of all clearly need to be respected and that we need to be certain of our scriptural basis. He asked that the Doctrine Committee further study the issue. 

Doctrine Committee

Mr. Walker led discussion on a study paper on the Passover of Exodus 12. As he noted, this is a linguistic and historical area, not a doctrinal one. Our doctrinal position as a church is clear from our Fundamentals of Belief, which clearly state that our pattern is to observe the New Testament Passover on the evening of the 14^th of Nisan, following Christâs example. 

Acknowledging the difficulties in this issue which have led the debate to rage for centuries among God's people, the Doctrine Committee concludes that the preponderance of evidence supports the idea of an early observance of the Passover of Exodus 12  in the beginning of the 14^th, not the end (and on into the 15^th of Nisan). Council members stated their appreciation for making a clear statement of what we believe to reflect the evidence the best, while not closing the door on further research. 

The Council resolved unanimously (Gary Antion was absent from this meeting) to accept the study paper as amended in its discussion. 

Mr. Walker then proposed the formation of an advisory committee, chaired by Houston pastor Jim Franks, to be responsible for doctrinal review of material submitted to the church. The advisory committee would be responsible directly to the Doctrine Committee of the Council of Elders, which would retain oversight, development of procedures, and establishing priority of topics for research.  The Council gave its consent without resolution to the proposal. 

Media 

Don Ward led deliberation which produced the following statement:

Council Statement on Public Proclamation of the Gospel

Jesus 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 "kerusso" 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.). 

The 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). 

In 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 

The Council unanimously adopted the statement (Gary Antion being absent). 

Dr. Ward also proposed the formation of an editorial board composed of  publications editor Scott Ashley, video production manager Peter Eddington, writer Roger Foster, Indianapolis pastor Darris McNeely, and Council members Victor Kubik, Les McCullough, and Don Ward. This board would bring several diverse operations together, sharpening the focus in our publications. 

Council agreed to church president Les McCullough's request to approve development of two to three months radio broadcasts, with Dr. Ward as presenter for this series, to be aired on a CNN affiliated radio station located in Gilmer, Texas at their proposed cost of $75 per week. 

The day concluded with a presentation by Portland, OR, elder Howard Davis on biblical principles for mass media. He stressed a scriptural approach focusing on process, content, and results. Informing the Council on what advertisers look for in good spot ads, he suggested producing a series of 30 to 36 commercials in lengths ranging from 10 seconds to two minutes to promote a core selection of literature produced by the United Church of God. 

Mr. Davis also suggested the Council consider the development of 30-minute TV programs dealing with basic core material central to our understanding of Godâs Word. These telecasts, he noted, would have a long shelf life and could be used for many years on either the internet (accessed on demand) or commercial television. Citing current societal concerns focusing on personal rather than global issues, he left the Council with much to think about as the church continues to move forward on several media fronts.
 

-Doug Johnson

© 1999 United Church of God, an International Association