Thursday, the Council of Elders delved into planning for the 2002 General Conference of Elders and deliberated on establishing a Ministerial Services committee of the Council. They heard updates on the work of the Church in Southeast Asia and in France, and spent most of the afternoon session in executive session reviewing nearly 30 applications for credentialing or ordination of elders.

Chairman Roy Holladay led the Council into planning for the next General Conference of Elders, set for May 5-6, 2002, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He first asked Clyde Kilough to report on the work the Council task force has done in preparation.

Mr. Kilough stated that several elders (not those on the task force) had commented to him along the lines that "one of the givens is that the best success in the Conference is going to be when we really hit heavy the critical themes like we did last year… that it has a ripple effect when we really focus on something that is concrete and spiritual in its nature." As he said, "some observed that it is probably not coincidental that the success of the sermons at the Feast [of Tabernacles] began back at the GCE, followed by the regional conferences, and that we had a collective mindset really heading in that direction… that it has affected the whole Church…"

He pointed out that these thoughts were the underpinning of the task force teleconference, and led to a quick distillation of possibilities and a jelling of ideas. The task force felt strongly that the theme for 2002 and possibly 2003 should build on the theme begun last year ("a sense of urgency"). The task force recommends that there be three major goals in the planning for GCE 2002:

• Continue the scripture-driven approach to all presentations
• Focus on specific, "how to" information
• Take the Christ-like-servant-leadership concepts to a deeper level of "how to" application.

They suggest a theme based on Ephesians 4:11-16, with possible titles such as "Equipping the Saints, Edifying the Body – Spiritual Leadership for the Church of God" or "Equipping the Saints, Edifying the Body – Spiritual Leadership for Followers of Christ." This would aim directly at the work of the ministry, and offer an extraordinary amount of powerful material for a keynote address, and much scope for magnifying aspects of the topic in seminars or breakout sessions.

Mr. Holladay thanked Mr. Kilough, and asked for input from the Council to the task force’s recommendations. Some comments by Council members:

• "I think we couldn’t have a better theme…I think it’s encouraging, I think it will lift up the morale of the entire ministry. I feel it’s a ‘spiritual thing,’ not just a ‘managerial thing’ on how to do things … I would really hope we could have this ‘buttoned down’ so [all the ministry] could be looking forward to it in May" (Victor Kubik)
• "This will be the third year in a row that we have had this kind of theme … I asked several [elders] at Panama City Beach [at the Feast of Tabernacles] what they thought a good theme should be. They said ‘building the spiritual temple,’ as one said, ‘one brick at a time.’ A couple of them mentioned a theme that emphasized reaching out more to international areas… There was another who suggested ‘the burden of the prophets’ – a warning message, and how could we most effectively give it. Someone else suggested ‘restoring United Church of God family relationships.’ That included … the spiritual family of the church… I thought since these individuals mentioned several other themes I would at least put those out" (Richard Thompson)
• "If we’re going to go that route, with the title ‘Equipping the Saints’… this second [subtitle] I like, ‘Spiritual Leadership’ by combining it with ‘and Followership.’ There is quite a bit in the leadership literature on followship. What does it mean to lead, what does it mean to follow, what are the principles behind each one of those?" (Don Ward)
• "The year we brought Howard Baker in to speak, that [servant leadership] was not the main theme. He gave a message on it, as I recall. We had some other sessions. Last year’s theme was ‘a sense of urgency’" (Gary Antion)
• "What Clyde is proposing is that we can still take the same topic. You don’t have to call it that, but you’re actually developing a deeper awareness and understanding…" (Roy Holladay)

Other comments reflected awareness of our world and the changes forced by the terrorist attacks of September 11. Should there be emphasis on prophecy and its fulfillment? Should the theme proposed by the task force be postponed until 2003, when a much more widely attended General Conference is envisioned? Mr. Holladay asked if there were any thoughts as to material for that more distant Conference of 2003. Mr. Kilough has collected input, and noted that the one suggestion (for 2003) that was consistent was to upgrade our skills (as ministers) in teaching. Mr. McCullough suggested that some material, at least, be included on "responsibilities as a part of the GCE." He noted from a summary Mr. Kilough handed out that only nine ministers of 14 who were asked for input responded – a not untypical pattern.

Mr. Holladay then began to gather the threads of the discussion together by asking if the theme as proposed by the task force met with general approval for the 2002 General Conference. Leon Walker and Robert Dick both indicated that they had not yet formed firm conclusions on the most appropriate topic for this year. Mr. Holladay asked whether Mr. Dick thought the theme suggested would better fit 2002 or 2003. Mr. Dick responded, "Since I have very strong feelings on what would fit well for 2003, I’d have to say this would fit 2002, because I wouldn’t want to see it in 2003! I’ll just say, I’d like to see 2003 be the time when we took everybody back to the foundation of United, and refresh them on why we started, why we founded, why we’re going the way we’re going. You’ve had dozens of … elders come into this Church since we began… we’re marching along as an organization without realizing that two-thirds, three-fourths of us weren’t present when we created our foundational philosophies. If you’re having everybody come in at one time [for the 2003 GCE], it’s a good time to bring everybody back to why we’re here and where we’re going. That’s why I said ‘whatever we’re talking about now, I’d rather see in 2002.’"

Mr. Holladay then asked for the Council’s view of the theme, "Equipping the Saints, Edifying the Body – Spiritual Leadership and Followership." Support was unanimous.

Discussion turned to logistics. Charles Melear confirmed that the Holiday Inn Eastgate in Cincinnati will once again be the site of the Conference. A question was asked about how many international ministers should attend this year, since virtually all salaried elders from overseas areas have been brought in the last three years. The three international Council representatives – Leon Walker, Mario Seiglie, and John Jewell – all agreed that bringing representatives from each area, rather than all elders, would be suitable for this year, given the wider scope of the 2003 GCE. Secretary Gerald Seelig was asked what lead time he needed, and responded that March 25 was the latest acceptable date for sending call and notice, but that March 20 or 21 would be better. The process of establishing which elders are willing to be considered for Council service must be complete by March 15.

Council engaged in some discussion of the scope of attendance for 2003, especially in regard to the international attendees. Some expressed concern for those elders from the poorest areas of the globe, who have never traveled to the United States, and the cultural impact such exposure can have. No firm conclusions were reached in today’s meeting. In that context, Mr. McCullough also expressed his concerns about the cost of the 2003 GCE, and asked if the Council truly wished to keep the scope of attendance so universal. Mr. Holladay asked Mr. Melear to hand out the results of his preliminary studies of the projected cost, which he estimates at about $369,000.

Dr. Ward moderated discussion of the proposal for a new committee of the Council which would directly interface with Ministerial Services in the same way that the existing Media/Communications Services and Finance/Strategic Planning committees work with their administrative counterparts.

The Council members who worked on the proposal had no preference as to whether a completely new committee should be set up, or whether the oversight envisioned should be combined with an existing committee of the Council. They listed eight points in their rationale for establishing such a committee:

• To provide the Council with a vehicle for spiritual oversight of the Church
• To standardize administrative structure (see paragraph above)
• To serve as an advocate and support arm of the Council for Ministerial Services
• To effect the best possible communication between the Council and Ministerial Services
• To help [or work with] Ministerial Services in developing policy and procedures for hiring, developing and removing ministerial personnel, in accordance with Bylaw 8.6.2(1)
• To have better understanding of and accountability for the Ministerial Services budget
• To consult with Ministerial Services regarding the needs of the ministry
• To review the utilization of ministerial personnel.

The initial straw poll to determine support for the concept showed Messrs. Antion, Dean, Holladay, Jewell, Kilough, Kubik, Seiglie, Thompson, Walker, and Ward in favor, with Mr. Dick and Mr. McCullough abstaining. The Council decided to have the work of such a committee be combined with the existing Education Committee (Don Ward, chairman). Further discussion on procedure led to a motion by Mr. Antion, seconded by Mr. Jewell. The ballot was ten in favor (Messrs. Antion, Dean, Holladay, Jewell, Kilough, Kubik, Seiglie, Thompson, Walker, and Ward) and two opposed (Messrs. Dick and McCullough).

Aaron Dean and his family attended the Feast of Tabernacles in Thailand in 2001. Having once again spent time in the country, conversing with many there in and out of our specific fellowship, Mr. Dean reported to the Council on the unusual challenges facing the United Church of God in serving those God has called in the area. Numerous branches of the Church of God have made contact in the area. Some who are sympathetic to the UCG, but not official representatives, often provide for the spiritual needs of the people. Our present practice, which Mr. Dean recommends we continue, is to work to supply all the help possible, and point the people to the unchanging standard of God’s Word as their guide in their conduct and contacts.

Joel Meeker brought the Council up to date on the situation in France, following the retirement of Jacques LeHouedec from the full time ministry. The French Board, upon the recommendation of Mr. McCullough, has chosen Mr. Meeker as the pastor for France. Due to the extremely scattered nature of the Church brethren, this is a realistic solution, even though the Meekers still reside in the United States. He feels he needs to spend time in the area at least twice a year. Under the guidelines by which the Church operates in France, Mr. Meeker is also the president of the French Association of the United Church of God. He has been able to secure a Feast site for 2002, establish a new permanent address for the Association in Paris, and in general, with Mr. LeHouedec’s greatly appreciated help, effect a smooth transition. Some have wondered about Mr. Meeker’s being "spread too thin," but some of his duties in Africa have been transferred to Fred Kellers, as pastor with oversight in Nigeria and West Africa, and Dave Baker, pastor with oversight in Kenya, Tanzania, and East Africa.

The Council closed its day with a long executive session to review 29 requests for credentialing or ordination as elders in the United Church of God.

Ó 2001 United Church of God, an International Association