San Antonio, Texas–After wrestling with the thorny issue of church finances for the last two General Assemblies, the General Council of the Church of God, meeting this week in San Antonio, took definitive action in an attempt to resolve the issue.
The agenda item under consideration proposed a reduction of funds sent by local churches to International Offices over an eight year period. The present 7.5 percent of tithes would have been reduced to 5 percent during the years 2010-2018. If that measure had passed, an additional proposal would have addressed a plan of reduction for income to state offices. Out of the discussion of the measure, a substitute motion was offered by Travis Johnson of Florida that proposed a five-year period with a faster rate of reduction.
Subsequently a motion was submitted by David Vanoy of Kentucky to refer both the original measure and the substitute motion to the Executive Council for further study. Emerging out of the ensuing discussion was an amendment to the substitute motion presented by Aubrey Maye of Virginia that offered instructions to the Executive Council, including a requirement for impact studies on the effect of an income reduction for World Missions and the International Offices operations, and a workable schedule of reduction. After continuing discussion, an amendment to the amendment was offered from the floor by Raymond Culpepper, the general overseer nominee, that made the Executive Council a committee of action, requiring the input of Executive Committee and World Missions leaders, along with representatives of state leaders. Culpepper’s amendment proposed that the committees complete their work by September 2009 and offer a reduction schedule that would begin in September 2010. The motion to refer, with all its amendments, was adopted by the General Council with an overwhelming affirmative vote.
As has happened occasionally during the history of General Assemblies, the business session was interrupted by a spontaneous manifestation of worship. In a tense environment General Overseer G. Dennis McGuire led in singing an old hymn, “I Need Thee,” followed by an intense period of prayer and adoration. Messages in tongues and interpretations called the church to a renewed commitment to vision and renewal.
–Bill George, Faith News General Council correspondent