During this spring and early summer, the United Church of God, an International Association, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Of course, our humble efforts are simply a continuation of the work that Jesus Christ began in the first century.

To God Goes the Praise

First of all, we acknowledge, as Jesus Christ did, that it is God who receives the credit for any accomplishments over the last 10 years. In John 5:19 Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner."

Paul applied this principle to himself and the New Testament Church. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). We fully recognize that God gives to each of us different gifts, talents, opportunities and responsibilities, but He produces the growth.

As we look back over the past 10 years, we need to reflect on what God has done for us by His inspiration and power, realizing our total dependency upon Him.

Blessing of Brethren

United has been blessed with a large core of members who have been in the Church for a long time—20 to 40 years. They remained faithful and in many cases took the lead against heresies being introduced. Since that time, our brethren have shown spiritual maturity in weathering the various challenges and trials United has experienced.

Members have served directly and indirectly in almost all facets of the work of the Church: local, regional, national, in the congregation, in humanitarian projects, in media efforts, etc. This is what Paul discussed in Ephesians 4:16, "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

The members of the Church are our greatest asset—an army of Spirit-filled, committed and faithful servants. Our appreciation goes out to them for their support, prayers and involvement in continuing the work of God.

Leadership of Elders

Throughout the Bible, God has used elders to serve His people and provide them with direction, guidance, comfort and care. God has blessed United with hundreds of elders, both those employed and not employed by the Church, most of whom have been ordained for 10 years or more. These individuals have given of their energy, heart and time to help ensure a peaceful and enriching spiritual home for God's people.

United started with the approach that we would provide shepherds and servants to pastor and serve each congregation that we have. In addition, ministers in United have been asked to fulfill more job responsibilities than in the past. These include writing, editing, serving at teen and preteen camps, coordinating Feast sites, special committees and task forces, Council duties, speaking more often, etc.

Their maturity and sound teaching have provided stability to the congregations. Notice the job of an elder in Ephesians 4:13-15: "Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ."

We thank you elders and wives for your tireless service to God, to His Church and to the world as a whole.

Youth of the Church—Our Future

United has always recognized that the youth are our future—future members and leaders. We have been blessed with many young adults and young people among us who are excited about God's plan and about working together.

God places a strong emphasis on passing along the truth of the Bible to our children, teenagers and young adults, and on bringing families together (Malachi 4:6). Back in 1995, the first item of business for the interim Council was the establishment of youth camps for that summer. Indeed, one of the biggest successes of United has been the United Youth Camps program, which has given thousands of teens and adult workers the chance to grow (spiritually and otherwise) in a concentrated and enjoyable environment. In addition, we have Vertical Thought magazine, Sabbath school programs, teen Bible studies and the Youth Corps program.

We want to offer special thanks to all those who have served faithfully and diligently in the youth programs. We salute our young people as well, knowing that it is not easy to serve God in this world.

Giving Attention to Doctrine

When we think about the main catalyst for the start of United, one word comes to mind: doctrine.

In the late '80s and early '90s, our traditional beliefs and way of life were being systematically dismantled. The insidious thing was that we were being told that nothing had really changed. Yet almost every teaching was being undermined.

God has blessed United as an organizational home where we can practice our traditional beliefs in peace. God has preserved the truth and we strive to live it. Yet, we cannot take this for granted. Even in the first-century Church, the apostles had to warn about and combat false teachings. That danger was present then, and has been a threat ever since.

In the formation of governance within United, a process was established involving the General Conference of Elders, Council of Elders and numerous individual efforts so that no one person or small group of people could change doctrine again. On the positive side, this process also allows us to research, articulate and expound on those doctrines in a manner that is clear and thorough. We have heard many times about the effectiveness of our brochures, magazines and reprint articles.

Paul regularly admonished Timothy and others to emphasize doctrine—i.e., sound teachings. In 2 Timothy 2:14-16 we read: "Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness."

God has given us capable researchers, writers and editors who can make these vital truths understandable for a 21st century audience. Through the Bible Study Course, Web site, Fundamental Beliefs audio cassette program, study papers and literature, brethren and new people have several means by which they can study the main doctrines of the Bible.

Financial Stability

The spiritual, doctrinal and human resources God has blessed United with are by far the most important. However, funds are also needed to accomplish the work God has given us. Thanks to God's blessings, dedicated brethren, coworkers and donors have provided stable financial resources through their tithes and offerings.

We all remember the potential financial disaster we were faced with in 1997. We appreciate all of the sacrifices that were made by both members and the ministry to blunt that monetary meltdown.

Since that time we have been able to accumulate proper cash reserves and live within our budgets.

Increases in income over the years have allowed the Church to slowly improve and expand its work in every area. Responsible and conservative use of finances by all employees during the last several years has allowed for a consistent cash flow and the ability to maintain a healthy level of reserves.

The Gospel Goes Out

The Bible is clear: the good news of the Kingdom of God will be preached until the return of Jesus Christ, and the Church has been directed to proclaim that message. The New Testament Church began on that directive.

United was founded on the principle of greater involvement, and we see that in efforts that involve ministers and members in reaching out to the public.

United has been given, and has used, nearly every available method to preach the gospel. These include The Good News, World News and Prophecy, dozens of booklets, Good News Radio, two cable-access television programs (Tomorrow and Good News), the Internet, advertisements and public Bible seminars.

We have printed 3,543,000 booklets and currently we have 31 titles in print. We have printed over 15,690,832 Good News magazines and sent those to subscribers and other outlets. Recently, a media center was approved that will greatly increase our abilities in the video area-including TV programs and streaming video for the Internet.

Do Good to All

God has not only given us what we need to provide for people spiritually. He has also been generous to us so that we can offer charitable assistance to Church members and all humanity. While United must use most of its resources to carry out the commission of preaching the gospel and preparing a people, God has blessed us graciously so that we can also dedicate time, manpower and finances to help those less fortunate.

In working together with LifeNets and through the Church's own Good Works Program, hundreds of people have been helped in numerous countries to be able to establish better lives for themselves. The value of all goods and services easily reaches into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. LifeNets has been able to provide more than $2 million in charitable assistance, most of which has benefited United members.

Growing in Knowledge

In both the Old and New Testaments, there are clear examples and instructions for training future leaders within the Church. Some of the prophets established schools to meet this goal. Paul instructed Timothy to train others, so that they could teach brethren: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

To this end, God gave us the means to establish the Ambassador Bible Center, a seven-month, intensive study of the Bible. This program gives detailed instruction in every book of the Bible. It also gives teaching on the major doctrines and practical Christianity.

Along with ABC, there has been a strong emphasis on education throughout the Church.

The Bible admonishes all members to grow in knowledge. United has been blessed with capable people in a variety of important educational areas: General Education, Youth Education, Ministerial Education and Focused Education. Each committee has specific plans for topics to be covered and methods to be used. This past year the first education conference was held to make sure that our efforts are being coordinated and that there is no unnecessary duplication of effort.

In addition to specific literature and articles in The Good News and United News, classes from ABC are made available online. Instructors from ABC also conduct three or four regional mini-samplers every year. Ministerial Services has also begun a program to mentor and develop leadership at all levels of the Church and among all age groups.

Walk in Faith

We could certainly say much more about the past 10 years. The credit and glory for what has been accomplished goes to God. The last 10 years demonstrate what God can do in spite of our human frailties and deficiencies. No matter how many "tangibles" we may have in people, literature, finances, etc., we must never forget that this is a work of faith. "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Let us appreciate the blessings that we have, moving forward on our knees in seeking to follow God's will. UN