From the Chairman...
As a follow-up to my earlier video, I wanted to share a short update about the Council of Elders and Church administration meetings held last week in Atlanta, Georgia. The purpose of our meetings was to begin a refresh of the Church’s Strategic Plan for the years 2026–2029.
Our specific purpose in gathering was simple but vital: to clearly define our goals, objectives and strategies so we can continue fulfilling the mission Christ has given His Church. While our mission remains unwavering—to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, and to prepare a people to serve in God’s Kingdom—the world around us continues to change. Therefore, every three years, we take a fresh look at how to best carry out that mission in a shifting landscape of new technologies, evolving societal norms and emerging opportunities.
One of the highlights for me personally was meeting and working with our facilitator, Michael Wilkinson, who is the founder of Leadership Strategies based in Atlanta. Seventeen years ago he facilitated an earlier planning meeting with the Council. Only two of our current Council members, Victor Kubik and Aaron Dean, were part of that original session, yet Michael remembered the experience well.
Michael began our meetings with training on understanding the dynamics of working together to form long-term plans. We discussed how disagreements arise and the three levels at which they tend to occur: differences in information, differences in values, and conflicts rooted in unrelated issues. Exploring how to resolve each type was eye-opening and deeply beneficial.
We then spent most of our time doing the actual work of developing the Strategic Plan. We reviewed the distinctions between goals and objectives, and we examined the critical success factors and barriers that can influence our ability to achieve what we’ve set out to do.
Over the course of three days, we made great progress and will continue the momentum with follow-up meetings in December. From there, the president and administration will develop action plans and monitoring systems to ensure our strategies are carried out effectively. Ultimately the Plan will be sent to the General Conference of Elders for review and approval in May.
The meetings themselves were productive and energizing. Meals served in the adjacent room kept us moving efficiently, and a warm invitation from Jonathan and Bridgette (Sexton) Beam to dine at their home nearby added a much-appreciated personal touch. A few Council members who remained in the area through the Sabbath were also able to visit and speak in nearby congregations before heading home.
Overall, these days together were deeply encouraging. I’m grateful for the unity, dedication and thoughtful collaboration shown by everyone involved. With God’s guidance, I believe the plans we’re shaping will strengthen our efforts to carry the gospel forward and continue caring for those He calls.
In Christ’s service,
Tim Pebworth, Chairman
‘Road to nowhere’ by Talking Heads came to mind straight away on seeing this post. Still trying to work out where what who they are? Well lads, there’s plenty of Armstrong groups to pick from now. But so few ‘sheep’ left to go around to fill empty seats. Of which you probably have a few. Why not pack it in, go home and embrace Christ. There’s real freedom in that. And a future. But not with the old recycled regurgitation of a deeply divided and discredited Armstrongism.
ReplyDeleteThe breakup of the WCG has been nothing like the many successes which resulted from the breakup of the Bell Telephone System (AT&T) in 1984. Many of the Baby Bells grew, have been reabsorbed by AT&T, and the company is more powerful than ever today.
ReplyDeleteThe breakup of Armstrongism left not a single good or even right choice for members. The power of the message, which some would argue was the most important aspect of the WCG, was lost and is virtually non-existent. Not a single one of the ACOGs has risen above the status of nostalgia club, and it is unlikely that any ever will. The Latin Club in High School, based on a well known "dead language" comes to mind for purpose of a more direct comparison. These clubs have been present for decades, but they have in no way been able to revive the language.
What's the feeling in the field? Do ACOG members expect a reunification and finishing of the work with a newly powerful message, or is everyone flying below the radar and just anticipating dying in the faith? I ask this because we outsiders can't really tell. You guys or your message aren't in the news.
Searingly negative against UCG, and biased against the truth of the 90"s NO2HWA. Most pro-Tkach post ever!!
ReplyDeleteIf that's how you really feel... why go in UCG in the first place? Did you fool yourselves into thinking 1995 could be achieved again? I think you did.