The Council of Elders met today by teleconference to discuss one main item of business – the appointment of a three-man task force to begin interfacing with a similar task force from the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship.

Eleven Council members took part in today’s teleconference. Richard Thompson was unable to participate. Due to technical difficulties, Victor Kubik joined the meeting in progress, but was able to take full part in the deliberations on choosing the three men for the task force.

Chairman Robert Dick outlined the direction for discussion by asking for possible names, and the rationale for choosing them. Gary Antion suggested including a Council member, a Ministerial Services team member, and either a regional pastor or senior field pastor who is not a regional pastor. "This will provide different perspectives," he stated.

The Council deliberation used Mr. Antion’s approach and suggested names. The task force chosen consists of Roy Holladay (coordinator), Dennis Luker, and Clyde Kilough.

Aaron Dean raised the question of what direction the task force should take. Mr. Dick outlined the approach taken with the earlier contact with elders of the then Global Church of God as a model. The task force, once chosen, is responsible for establishing contact with the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship ("CGCF") task force through their coordinator, George Meeker, and then in concert with their counterparts, developing a vision of where the talks should go from there. Mr. Holladay will report the progress of discussions and meetings back to the Council of Elders, with the thought that the CGCF task force will do the same with its Board of Directors.

The Council agreed that the UCG task force is authorized to have substantive talks with the CGCF task force and to report back to the Council at its regularly scheduled September meeting (September 13-18, 2000). Discussions will be open to virtually any topic, and recommended courses of action will be brought back to the Council. Responsibility for evaluating those recommendations rests with the Council of Elders. The Council understands its responsibility to keep the General Conference informed of progress through reports on Council meetings as they are responsible to approve any official relationships.

Two related matters were raised. John Jewell stressed the need for the task forces to address international concerns for both groups, and Mr. Dean asked for an avenue for members to give input. Mr. Jewell’s concerns were noted; task force members Dennis Luker and Clyde Kilough have both served extensively outside the United States and are experienced in dealing with international viewpoints. Member input will be available through an email mailbox Mr. Kubik will create.

Mr. Luker took advantage of the teleconference meeting to inform the Council that Amendment Committee members Roc Corbett, Allen Hambleton, and Clyde Hubbard have been re-selected to terms on the committee. Mr. Corbett is chairman of the committee.

Mr. Antion raised a question about procedure for member appeals. Mr. Luker proposed using the current Elder Appeal Committee members as the Member Appeal Committee (since its members are chosen from EAC candidates) between now and the Council’s September meeting. Mr. Holladay seconded the proposal and the Council quorum present gave its unanimous consent.

-Doug Johnson

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© 2000, United Church of God, an International Association