MILFORD, Ohio--The president of the United Church of God urged members of the 12-man council of elders to do something about the church's apparent inability to effectively communicate with its members.

Roy Holladay of Cincinnati and council member Aaron Dean of Gladewater, Texas, expressed concern during a meeting Aug. 29 about the bad press the church has endured during and after recent crises (which as reported in this newspaper have involved terminations, defrockings, disfellowshippings and resignations of pastors and other UCG members).

The two men suggested to the council that the church communicate with people inside the church and elsewhere by releasing information directly to "outside" publications such as The Journal.

Don Henson, elder from Pittsburgh, Pa., and council reporter, reported that the two men suggested that such releases would help widely and quickly disseminate the church's views on "certain controversial matters."

Another council member, Mario Seiglie of Anaheim, Calif., further suggested the council appoint an official spokesman to represent the UCG to outside publications.

But council members Joel Meeker of St. Louis, Mo., and Jim Franks of Houston, Texas, "warned against legitimizing any source that is divisive and harmful to the Church," reported Mr. Henson.

The discussion continued, with Mr. Holladay insisting the church must find a way to "constructively" use such sources for "hot-button" issues to help the church explain its position.

Mr. Henson reported that later in the meeting Mr. Holladay said the need is "urgent" for the UCG to find ways--perhaps by hiring a professional consultant--to do something about the UCG's communication challenges.