Cincinnati, Ohio—The annual General Conference of Elders, which had as its theme, “Transforming Lives through the Spirit and Word of God,” was held May 5-7, 2012, at the Holiday Inn at Eastgate. There were more than 400 elders and wives in attendance at the meeting, which included balloting to select four Council of Elders members, approval of the 2012-2013 Strategic Plan, Operation Plan and annual budget as well as five amendments to the governing documents and a change to the Council of Elders nomination and election process.

The General Conference of Elders (GCE) approved all of these issues. The five amendments to the governing documents made the following changes: the GCE may now submit ballots by e-mail; a process is to be developed by the Council, for GCE approval, for the GCE to submit agenda items for consideration; the newly elected Council will now convene within two days of the Annual Meeting of the GCE; the office of deputy chairman was formed; and, in the Rules of Association, the definitions of “Church” and “Church Member” were amended.

After the balloting was complete, the keynote address, which was given by Mark Mickelson, who serves as pastor for four congregations in the Pacific Northwest, as well as senior pastor over French-speaking West Africa, examined how the conference theme can be most effectively accomplished. Mr. Mickelson began by explaining that becoming a disciple is a spiritual process. After feeding a great multitude, Jesus said to his followers: “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:26-27). What the brethren wanted was physical, but Jesus corrected them, explaining what they really need to want is spiritual; He is the bread of life.

There have been times in our history in the Church where we have pointed brethren to physical things. We taught them to follow a man. In Herbert Armstrong’s final sermon, he said to follow the next pastor general. If you had asked him, “If this man sins, should we follow him?” he’d have surely said “no.” But the fact remains, we taught people to follow a man.

There are so many examples of people who are the recipients of miraculous headings or physical assistance who leave because they had their mind on the physical.

Jesus taught that the Pharisees liked to be called “rabbi,” which means “great one.” “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren” (Matthew 23:8). Jesus was saying that if you lift yourself up above being a brother, you are lifting yourself above Christ. The consequences are very serious (see verse 15).

John the Baptist had disciples, and who did he point them to? Jesus Christ. Jesus had disciples, and who did He point them to? God the Father. The scribes and pharisees had disciples, and who did they point them to? Themselves. We must direct people to God, so that a spiritual transformation can indeed take place.

God gives spiritual gifts, and the job of the ministry is to open the door to what God is doing with someone through their gifts. Rather than setting up a system where the minister gives authority and that person looks to the ministers, let the gifts be used with the person looking to God, who gave the gift.

There is a difference between mentoring and training. Training is task-oriented, and is important, with certain training being in fact necessary—learning from the Bible, for example, is training. But in regards to leadership, it is a talent that cannot be trained, but must be mentored and nurtured.

In conclusion, Mr. Mickelson emphasized that the work of God is that we would all be transformed spiritually and the work of making disciples is that we would enable them to do the same thing.