Journal on UCG Leaders

The Journal reported the following:

Unconfirmed reports say Clyde Kilough and Richard Thompson
are resigning from UCG council of elders

Unconfirmed reports say Clyde Kilough and Richard Thompson are resigning from the United Church of God council of elders.

The Journal, as of July 30, 2009, was hearing unconfirmed but persistent reports that two members of the United Church of God’s council of elders, Clyde Kilough of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Richard Thompson of Eustis, Fla., have resigned their seats on the council but that Mr. Kilough will continue in his role as president.

Both men are longtime Church of God members, and both are elders of the United Church of God an International Association, headquartered in Milford, Ohio.

The Journal has checked with UCG sources who would neither confirm or deny the reports.

The 12-man council of elders in recent months, especially since the recent election during the general conference of elders in early May 2009, has moved toward what some observers see as a more progressive position on several key issues that concern the church and its governance.

For example, the council is moving toward a much less restrictive position on the topic of elders discussing among themselves how to vote concerning candidates for council positions and for church policies and whether participating in informal discussions by E-mail is appropriate for elders

Dixon Cartwright, the editor of The Journal, has many contacts within UCG and presumably believes that his source(s) is/are trustworthy. This seems to be an unexpected development if it is true. But, since UCG has had a variety of governmental issues, it may be.

The last issue of The Journal had a UCG focus (see Journal’s Focus: UCG).

If the latest report from The Journal is accurate, stay tuned and updates will likely be included at the COGwriter and Journal websites.

Two other 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.