UCG’s Roy Holladay Makes a Video

Ancient Laodicea

The following is from a “transcript from a new “About Our Father’s Business” video by interim president, Roy Holladay:

When we have that type of spiritual fruit evident in our lives, we have one very important outcome, which is unity. Unity in the Church doesn’t mean that we can’t have differences.

As I wrote in the recent member letter that you’ve received, the book of Proverbs clearly states that iron sharpens iron. Unity comes when we’re all working toward the same thing in a spirit of peace and gentleness.

When we do have our differences, whatever they are, we are to express them in a form of civility and brotherly love. When our path is clearly defined before us, then we are to lay aside our differences and work together for the good of the Church.

While Roy Holladay may believe he is being civil, here is a bit more of what his recent member letter stated:

During these past months, certain administrators severely disagreed with the oversight and direction that the Council was providing, even though they are bound by the bylaws of the Church to support it. During that same time, the basic work of the Church continued and the level of conflict was unseen by most of you. Given that latter fact I believe you deserve an explanation. However, as I explain where we have recently been, I don’t want to belabor any points because the past is the past. Reconciliation, unity and love are more important than organizational justification. For your review, here are some details.

As part of the General Conference of Elders meetings in 2008 and 2009, the ministers balloted in the established way for a number of new members of the Council of Elders, replacing several members who were part of the administration. As time went on it became apparent that the priorities and perspectives of the existing management team were quite different from those of the Council as chosen by the ministry of the United Church of God.

As collectively established in the beginning of our fellowship 15 years ago, the Council of Elders is directly and solely responsible for oversight and setting direction and policy for the Church. This is quite a different structure from the one we experienced in our former church affiliation…

Fifteen years ago we collectively chose a very different structure of governance on the physical level…

Functioning under the direction of the Council of Elders is the management team comprised of certain officers (president, treasurer and secretary) and operation managers for finances, media and ministerial services, and a home office staff…

During the past few months, disagreements—however well-intentioned—among certain administrators and other ministers about the Council’s direction and priorities mounted up. Without getting into specifics of those disagreements, I will simply say that the situation and stalemate had grown very frustrating to all. Matters finally came to a head with the introduction of a proposed resolution that was outside of the Church’s established means for proposing changes in the Church’s governing documents and structure. Without even the traditional review of the full Council and our legal counsel, the proposed resolution was placed in the formal mailing to all ministers with the idea that it would be voted on at the upcoming General Conference of Elders next month…To prevent potential harm to the Church, the Council determined that the resolution should be withdrawn…

Soon the Council will announce the process and plans for appointing a new president, and during that time I’ll be communicating regularly.

The above seems to be hinting that Roy Holladay believes that certain top level administrators (apparently Clyde Kilough, Jim Franks, and/or Larry Salyer) did not keep the word and commitment.

To me, the current UCG crisis continues to demonstrate that the United Church of God has never really been that united and that it still after 15 years has major problems with its chosen form of governance as well as its fruits. Others can look at UCG’s fruits to determine if they are hot or cold or lukewarm and what should be done according to Jesus (Revelation 3:14-20), because there is another option (Revelation 3:7-13). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.