UCG: New Generation Incoming! Quick, Someone Tell Them We’ve Been Busily Being ‘Almost Ready’ Since the ’90s

Thirty Years of “Almost There”: 

UCG’s Epic Journey to Finally Doing the Work

Ah, yes, the United Church of God Council of Elders Report. Always a treasure trove of understated comedy. John Elliott, in a recent report, delivers the kind of announcement that would make any corporate consultant weep with envy: 

We have now reached a position where we are ready to perform—to do the Work in an enhanced way. We have a number of quality publications like Beyond Today, United News and Compass Check. With Council collaboration, we will begin focusing on setting other objectives for enhancing our target initiatives.

Thirty. Years.  That’s not a typo. After three full decades of existing as an organization, the United Church of God has finally arrived at the position where it is ready to “do the Work in an enhanced way.” One can only imagine the collective sigh of relief echoing through the halls: “At last! The warm-up is over. Time to start the actual race.”  

What, pray tell, was the previous 30 years for? According to the unofficial highlight reel that everyone outside the Council seems to remember: constructing buildings, assembling a staff roster that would make a mid-sized university jealous, and—of course—the occasional enthusiastic splintering. Nothing says “urgent proclamation of the gospel” quite like another round of organizational charts and real-estate closings.

Elliott continues with the inspiring vision: 

Operations for Ministerial and Member Services have been enhanced with the addition of new senior managers specifically managing Member Services and International Services. Media and Communications Services has a beautiful opportunity to provide our members with quality material. There is so much advertising everywhere that our message is getting lost to the public. We need to pray that God will open doors… 

 

Yes, the message is getting lost in the noise of modern advertising. Shocking. Perhaps if the previous three decades hadn’t been spent perfecting the art of internal bureaucracy and “growing relationships,” the public might have noticed a bit sooner. But no matter—new senior managers are here! Collaboration is blooming! Weekly meetings with the Chairman! Monthly chats with committee heads! Cohesive modules! The machinery of oneness is humming.

And let’s not forget the youth: 

A new generation is coming on—we need to encourage them with a firm foundation for the great work that God wants to do. There is a tendency to compare accomplishments in our current work to the work that was done in the past… ‘…be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you… 

 

The classic Haggai pivot. Don’t you dare compare today’s “enhanced” efforts to the past. That would be unfair—especially when the past was spent mostly getting ready to get ready. The younger generation must be so thrilled to inherit this firm foundation of “we’re finally positioned.” Nothing engages the youth like watching their elders congratulate themselves on three decades of preparatory harmony while the actual Work waits politely in the lobby.

So here we are in 2026, after 30 years of buildings, bloated staffing, and the occasional organizational divorce, UCG has reached the summit. They are ready. They will now begin focusing on objectives. They will pray for open doors. They will demonstrate oneness.  

One can only wonder what the next 30 years will look like once they actually start. Perhaps another round of senior managers. Or a really nice new building. Or—dare we dream—an “even more enhanced” way of doing the Work.  

In the meantime, the rest of us will try not to compare. As the prophet (and the Council) reminds us: just be strong… and wait for the next report.

We have now reached a position where we are ready to perform—to do the Work in an enhanced way. We have a number of quality publications like Beyond Today, United News and Compass Check. With Council collaboration, we will begin focusing on setting other objectives for enhancing our target initiatives. 

 

Operations for Ministerial and Member Services have been enhanced with the addition of new senior managers specifically managing Member Services and International Services. 

 

Media and Communications Services has a beautiful opportunity to provide our members with quality material. There is so much advertising everywhere that our message is getting lost to the public. We need to pray that God will open doors and show the way to reach those whom He wants us to reach. 

 

In 1 Corinthians 12:25, we read that all of the members of the body should have the same care for one another. Mr. Elliott thanked everyone for pursuing oneness over the past year. Biblical unity and harmony are some things that Jesus Christ died for so that we can be one with God and each other. We will really shine as Christ’s disciples by the love that we will show and the oneness that we will demonstrate. 

 

Mr. Elliott thanked the Council and the administration for a great year of growing relationships and the wonderful strides that have been made in collaboration, respect and doing our work in harmony. He mentioned that he meets with Chairman Pebworth each week and with the Council Committee heads monthly. We need each other and we are growing together in cohesive modules that are doing the work of God. 

 

Mr. Elliott is encouraging discussions about how we can accomplish this work ever more effectively. A new generation is coming on—we need to encourage them with a firm foundation for the great work that God wants to do. There is a tendency to compare accomplishments in our current work to the work that was done in the past. In Haggai, there is an important lesson urging us not to compare today’s efforts with those of the past. To those who had returned from Babylon and constructed a less spectacular second temple, God said, “‘…be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:3-4).