8/13/2019 Letter From the Chairman 121813

1/2

Robin Webber Victor Kubik

Chairman President

P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 Phone: (513) 576-9796 Fax: (513) 576-9795 www.ucg.org

December 18, 2013

Dear fellow elders and beloved members,

As Christians, we believe every human being is made in the image of God. We believeour Creator has a purpose for all who ever lived or will be. This powerful understanding is whatdrives us forward as coworkers in Christ. With all that is presently occurring, either at a personalor global level, we are privileged to proclaim His good news that humanity isnt headed forcataclysmic disaster, but an incredible destiny so precious that our Heavenly Father gave Hisonly begotten Son (John 3:16) that we might experience it. Beyond this, we have now been

granted a personal call to holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16) by allowing Jesus Christ to dwell in us nowthrough Gods Spirit (Galatians 2:20). What a hopefulmessage!

Hopeis defined as desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment. As Christians, wehave expectations! Its a spiritual yearning inside us to proclaim the good news of a SupremeBeing who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truthoneMediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all (1Timothy 2:4-6). These words form the basis of one guiding principle in our Strategic Plan thatmolds thespiritualpreparation for all we discuss and implement as a Council of Elders andadministration when we humbly beseech God to chart our future as instruments in His hands. Toquote from our Strategic Plan:

We believe God has a plan of salvation for every individual who will yield to Him andHis Son Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:4). That plan includes the calling and perfection of those whoare being converted now as well as those to be converted in the ages to come.

Thereforeit is the duty of the Church to proclaim a message of hope, and a call torepentance, to teach all things Christ has commanded and to prepare members of the Body ofChrist to teach, lead and serve under Him now and in the future.

Its with this guiding principle that the Council did the following at our quarterly meetingslast week:

We discussed our Mission Statement that was first approved by the General Conferenceof Elders (GCE) in 1995. Much of the focus centered on various elements of the gospeland the importance of caring for the flock. It was a lively and beneficial study into thescriptures that verifies that preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things whichconcern the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:31) remains a viable definition that embracesmuch of our mission and the Bibles revelation. Our mission statements wordspertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ andthe Kingdom of God not only encompassesthe good news of Gods Kingdom coming to this earth, but the good news of the purpose

8/13/2019 Letter From the Chairman 121813

2/2

- 2 -

of Christs life in us today! After discussion, a proposed amendment to the ChurchsMission Statement by one councilor was withdrawn.

The Council heard from the Content Committee (placed under president Victor Kubiksdirection). The committees role is to pursue and assure our collective teachings in writtenand spoken form have a distinct voice and tone of expression that engages and convictsall of our audience. By a proper and balanced use of the Scriptures, Gods Spirit transformsthose whom the Father calls (John 6:44, Romans 8:14, 12:1-2). We have dual biblical rolesto be fishers of men to a wide audience, as well as responsibility to carefully feed theflock of God (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 5:1-4) in expounding Holy Scripture.

The Council approved Mr. Kubiks request for Roy Holladay to become operationmanager for Ministerial and Member Services. This completes the administration teamand creates an even finer focus in the aspect of providing care for those disciples andpreparing a people. Mr. Holladay will be assisting Mr. Kubik in bringing in newpastors and in moving some of our long-time and faithful ministerial servants towardsretirement. Im pleased to announce that the Council also approved three ministerial

ordinations designed to further care for our members.

The Council approved an additional $398,000 to bolster our proclamation efforts inspreading the net towards needs related to The Good News magazine, the Internet andadditionalBeyond Todayprogram airtime. This action is only made possible by your faithand confidence in what God is performing through the United Church of God by yourloving and generous tithes and offerings.

The Doctrine Committee gave a report on matters entrusted to their care. John Elliott,committee chair, made it clear that our Fundamental Beliefs, which can only be changedby ballot of 75 percent of the GCE, are not being subjected to alteration. This does not

preclude the necessity of always desiring to grow in grace and knowledge and gainingdeeper insight and understanding of Gods revelation. The Council discussed theimportance of our ongoing review of the subject of spiritual gifts, desiring to continue toexplore this topic and seek a Spirit-led and balanced understanding of the Biblesteaching on the subject.

The Council and administration discussed objectives and strategies to fulfill our Visionand Mission Statements and the need to produce a balanced budget framed by whatcomes our way via the faith and generosity of our members and coworkers. We will livewithin our means, but also remain expectant that God will open doors andstretchfundstowards His purposes.

I conclude with this prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace inbelieving, that you may abound in hopeby the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

May His grace and peace be yours,

Robin Webber