Nov. 20, 2000, Sacramento, CA - The task forces of the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship, (CGCF) and the United Church of God, an International Association, (UCG) met for the second time in three months on Sunday and Monday, November 19-20, with the focus on developing specific, practical ways for the two organizations to draw closer and work together.

The first meeting in August laid the foundation for further talks, as the groups affirmed at that time their common doctrinal beliefs and identified the causes of division and barriers to reconciliation. Potential doctrinal differences and hurts from the past were considered the two major areas of concern. The doctrinal questions were essentially satisfied with some issues to be studied further, putting most of the attention now on promoting reconciliation and cooperation. The task forces are presenting to their respective governing bodies (the UCG's Council of Elders, and the CGCF's Executive Council) numerous suggestions, including the following specific recommendations, to consider at their next scheduled meetings.

The task forces recommend that everyone, individually and collectively, give priority attention and publicity to the biblical instructions regarding peace making, conflict resolution, and forgiveness and endeavoring to dwell together in unity. A number of Feast of Tabernacles sermons addressed these subjects, and the ministry is encouraged to magnify these themes in sermons, bible studies and articles in church publications. Individuals who may have caused, or suffer from, past hurts are urged to give serious thought -- led by prayer, study, fasting and perhaps counseling -- to taking the appropriate steps toward resolving those offenses. The task forces believe that God will bless such concentrated spiritual effort by everyone and will help break down the barriers to reconciliation that may exist.

The task forces further advise that both groups prepare videotape sermons for their respective congregations, coordinated in general content and timing, that will further cover various elements of these subjects.

Another constructive step recommended is to co-produce information packets for the ministry and membership of both groups containing detailed explanations of each groups' doctrinal beliefs and their answers to the doctrinal questions that have been submitted, as well as descriptions of their respective forms of governance, administration and policies. Representatives from each church could also write similar articles for the other church's publications in an effort to clearly explain their organization's positions. Much information and many publications are already available on each church's Website (www.cgcf.org and www.ucg.org).

Developing ministerial communication and rapport is seen by the task forces as another high priority. For example, they recommend that both groups exchange their ministerial phone/e-mail-address lists, and encourage re-establishing contact with one another.

In terms of both groups mutually cooperating, the task forces recognized that in several areas joint actions are already taking place, and recommend several other actions that are possible pending approval by the respective councils.

For example, campers and staff members from both churches have often participated together in summer camps, congregations and members often combine in some church areas for social and educational activities, and ministers have conducted funerals, weddings, baptisms and anointings for members in the other church. This type of mutual cooperation is encouraged to continue and expand.

Additional ideas being submitted to the councils by the task forces include coordinating certain Feast sites and activities, sharing literature and articles, working on cross-over ministerial speaking opportunities, and extending invitations to attend each others' board/council meetings and ministerial conferences.

Roy Holladay, Dennis Luker and Clyde Kilough represented the UCG and Norbert Link and George Meeker CGCF; Warren Zehrung is also a member of the CGCF group but was unable to attend due to health reasons. Everyone unanimously concluded that the two-day talks proved very productive, especially with the pragmatic, tangible ideas for moving forward toward unity of mind, spirit and efforts to do the work of God. The next task force meeting is tentatively planned for May, 2001.