Council member Scott Ashley and Council Chairman Len Martin were re-confirmed to serve another term in their Council seats; Brian Shaw and Paul Wasilkoff were added to the Council.

Two proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of UCG did not pass with the required 2⁄3 majority, with votes of 142-120 and 95-172, respectively. The first proposal was to amend several parts of both the Constitution and the Bylaws to classify elders who don’t cast ballots at the GCE as “non-voting elders,” and to interpret the necessary majorities for passing issues as based on voting elders, rather than of all elders or of valid ballots cast. The second proposed amendment would have precluded any church-employed elder who directly reported to a supervisor at the home office from being able to serve on the Council of Elders. 

The Strategic Plan, Operation Plan and Budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 were passed by votes of 259-16, 254-20 and 251-23, respectively.

Leadership updates on the state of the Church

To begin the four-hour webcast presentation, Chairman Len Martin introduced the conference with a call to order and a welcome to elders ordained since the last GCE. Following Mr. Martin’s introduction, President Victor Kubik recognized pastors and employees who had reached milestones in their years of service.

Following the recognition, Mr. Martin returned to give an address as chairman of the Council. In his message, he reminded the conference of the Church’s model of governance, which is predicated on involvement by the elders of the Church. It is a model seen in the Acts 15 conference in Jerusalem, and as such, he made four suggestions to help improve how effectively the church can be governed. The four points were directed to elders: 1) Update their bio on the elders’ website; 2) Intentionally leave or remove their name from the running for Council positions depending on whether they are interested in serving on the Council; 3) Watch the video recordings of the quarterly Council meetings and respond with feedback; 4) Cast a ballot as described in the governing documents. On point four, he explained that 33 percent of the ordained elders in UCG consistently don’t cast a ballot, and he requested those who do not cast a ballot share why so he could better understand their reasons.

After the chairman’s address, Mr. Kubik gave an overview of the state of the Church over the past year under COVID-19 restrictions, beginning with how it has resulted in many positive outcomes despite the hardship. In many areas, local leaders have solved problems with ingenuity, coming up with solutions they likely wouldn’t have if normal travel from senior pastors had been uninterrupted. He mentioned the expected return to a level of normalcy for Ambassador Bible College, United Youth Camps and the Feast of Tabernacles this year. In the last half of his address, he revealed plans for a new framework for “customer” relationship management in the Church’s Internet strategy. The goal of the new strategy is to build a platform that better engages people, building a relationship where the Church is a trusted, go-to source for answers to life’s questions. The intent is to determine how to take advantage of the enormous wealth of resources already on the website, which brings so many people to our site, and further build relationships with them.

Ministerial and Member Services operation manager Mark Welch followed president Kubik, reporting the rising attendance post-pandemic and the ordained manpower of the Church before enumerating 10 goals for his department (see box on next page). Overall, the goals are based in Ephesians 4:11-16, which describes the different types of service ordained ministry are called to as they serve the members of the Church. 

Following a brief break, the annual presentation honoring deceased elders and wives was given by pastor Greg Thomas. Following this presentation, Media and Communications Services operation manager Peter Eddington gave his report. He highlighted a few ways his department has contributed to preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to the world over the past year. After some brief comments regarding trends toward secularization that he believes could potentially cause future censorship of the Church’s message, Mr. Eddington went on to show the growth in audience for the Church’s Beyond Today Roku channel (see slides on next page); most importantly in the average length of time that viewers are watching per session (66 minutes). He then enumerated goals for the coming year. First is to increase Beyond Today magazine circulation to 350,000+ (currently about 322,000). More subscribers naturally result in additional donors and coworkers, and with more addresses on file the Church can reach out with other offers to develop a relationship with them. Next is an increased advertising campaign online, in print and on television. Third is to ensure the Church’s messaging is more relevant and compelling for its audience, including on more difficult topics like depression, suicide and despair.

In the final operation manager presentation of the day, treasurer Rick Shabi reported that the fiscal year’s income was better than anticipated (given the pandemic), with reduced expenses, meaning the Church’s finances over the past year have been in a very good condition. He walked through the nine months of the fiscal year for which there was data, showing good financial health in nearly every category. He finished his presentation by sharing the pay scales for Church employees, and by reading a few scriptures: Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 16:9 and 2 Chronicles 26:5.

After Mr. Shabi’s presentation, the balloting results were read by Council secretary Frank Dunkle, who then led a closing hymn and called on Aaron Dean to deliver a closing prayer. 

Two Added to Council of Elders

Paul Wasilkoff was raised in the Church of God and attended congregations in Ontario, British Colombia and Alberta. In Calgary he met and married his wife Coreen (nee Groom). While in Calgary Paul worked for a marketing company in both sales and in media. In 2000, Paul and Coreen moved to Cincinnati to attend the inaugural class of ABC. After graduation Paul worked for over 15 years in the IT Department of United Church of God, an International Association. In August of 2015 the Wasilkoffs, along with their three sons, moved to Canada. Paul was ordained that fall and began pastoring the Hamilton, Ontario congregation. Presently, Paul is the pastor of the Hamilton and Toronto congregations and serves as the IT Manager for the Canadian National Office.

 

Brian Shaw has been a member of the Church of God since 1982. He was ordained an elder in the United Church of God in September of 2003 and was hired into the full-time ministry in September of 2009. Completing UCG Pastoral Training in March of 2010, Mr. Shaw currently pastors UCG congregations in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Little Falls, and Duluth, Minnesota, as well as Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mr. Shaw also holds a bachelor of science degree in management sciences from the State University of New York at Oswego, and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He also received the Vachel Pennebaker Award in Direct Marketing from DePaul University.

Three Couples Honored at GCE for 50 Years in the Ministry

Vince Szymkowiak was ordained on May 31, 1971. He commented: “Carol and I feel richly blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve God and His people throughout our ministry. In the words of James 1:17, ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.’ And, without a doubt, prayer has been the most important part of my ministry. Early on, I learned to take every problem to Him.” Carol Szymkowiak shared: “What a privilege it has been to love, serve and walk alongside God’s people. The ministry has been a calling that has given us spiritual rewards as we witness the spiritual growth of God’s people.”

Council of Elders Chairman Len Martin shared: “Vince and Carol celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last August. They love nature and enjoy being in the beauty of God’s creation. The Szymkowiaks have been blessed with two children, who are both married. They are also grandparents to five grandchildren. We have been very blessed to have this fine couple in the ministry for the past 50 years.”

Robert Berendt was ordained on Sept. 21, 1970. He commented: “During the 50 years of serving God, there were many times in which His Hand and the Hand of His Son have been evident in my life . . . One great lesson of life is to serve with all your might and trust God to be with you until the end. Life is full to the brim. I consider myself to be blessed more than words can say. God has blessed me with two wonderful wives who sacrificed much to serve in the ministry with me. My daily prayer is one of thanksgiving.” Chairman Len Martin shared: “Having grown up in the mountains of Western Canada, every outdoor sport has been Bob’s passion: hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, skiing, hockey, etc. Val is also passionate about physical fitness and sports and loves to swim, play field hockey, squash and tennis and run.”

Valerie Berendt shared: “It is a joy to help people turn their lives over to God and to become friends with so many of them. Life has given me many twists and turns I never expected, but the great hope that humanity has been given through Christ is priceless.”

Frank McCrady was ordained on Oct. 17, 1970. Mr. McCrady shared: “The most memorable experiences over my 50 years of serving in the ministry center around the many friends I have made in the church. Relationships truly are what lasts in life; other things come and go.” Sonja shared: “My best memories will always be of our wonderful brethren. They are some of the most gracious, generous and sincere human beings I have ever met anywhere. In my opinion, our members are the best part of the Church; and my most valued accomplishments were those occasions when I was able to add to their wellbeing by imparting information and processes I had learned.”

Chairman Len Martin commented: “Since their retirement from the full time ministry, the McCradys have continued to lead a full and busy life. Having more time to spend with family is one blessing of retirement and the McCradys are taking full advantage of that.”