During the summer of 2007, Neal Waldrop contacted me to share that he was spearheading an independent project focused on the revelation of the master seraphim, as outlined in Paper 114 of The Urantia Book. It was a timely call. I had reached that stage in my life where my children were mostly “on their own” and I was looking for an outlet to “operationalize” my desire to live the precepts, principles, and teachings I had been studying in ‘ol Blue since the middle 1970’s.

Neal further informed me he had just developed “with the help of an ad-hoc committee of the Urantia Foundation a draft plan that was targeted for idealistic service to individuals and groups in society who wish to promote progressive growth and development in their own fields of experience, knowledge, or interest.” However, in January 2007 the Trustees decided that the Foundation was not in a position to sponsor it. Instead, they encouraged individuals to pursue the initiative independently. The Global Endeavor’s fundamental goal is to promote the progressive growth of human society and civilization, while seeking to serve others in the spirit of the master seraphim. The plan is indeed global, but the idea was, and is, to start small and develop bit by bit.

That was seventeen years ago; I was a youthful sixty years old. During these past seventeen trips around the sun, my role as Vice Chair mainly consisted of the care and feeding of the modest website (www.globalendeavor.net) that hosts the various documents and secondary works that explain the program as well as attending committee meetings every quarter. One hundred percent of the documentation has been developed by Neal. Amazingly, Neal has been able to recruit volunteers from the body of readers who speak French, Spanish, and Portuguese to translate the essential documentation which is also on the website.

But let me get back to the Global Endeavor mission and the mapping, or association, to the master seraphim. I believe it is truly a spiritual model. In paper 114, Seraphic Planetary Government the Chief of Seraphim stationed on Urantia writes that they “… function as ideational clearinghouses, mind focalizers, and project promoters. While unable to inject new and higher conceptions into human minds, they often act to intensify some higher ideal which has already appeared within a human intellect.”^[ref] This is about all we know of how the master seraphim function; they can only work in the background of what I like to call “mind space.” They are segregated into twelve corps that are specific domains of human endeavor. We are told they manipulate planetary conditions and so associate circumstances as favorably to influence the spheres of human activity to which they are attached.” I discuss these domains in more detail below.

The current instantiation of the draft plan identifies ten WGs that similarly encompass gross human civilizational necessities such as, for example, the preservation and advancement of the home, the basic institution of human civilization. The ad hoc committee, when formulating a structure to mimic the master seraphim, needed to design a plan that would encompass all of the positive and constructive occupations, professions, and careers that human beings pursue in our era, either directly or by implication. Therefore, they developed names and horizons for several “working groups” (WG) that are broader, more conceptual, and more comprehensive than would automatically be associated with the corresponding corps of master seraphim. The remaining two groups that are assumed to be associated with the angelic corps specifically were designed in as managerial teams.

The Spirit of the Endeavor is Altruistic

Since the revelation sees human life as a blend of material, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions, the endeavor emphasizes its’ mission to encourage and assist the progressive growth of individuals and society, balancing sustaining inherited accomplishments with invention and innovation. Growth is seen as a dynamic, reciprocal process that benefits individuals and society. Participants in WG’s aim to stimulate progress by providing inspiration and support for others’ initiatives. The draft plan identifies five tactical functions that frankly, since 2007 have been outmoded.

The master seraphim are complements of the guardian seraphim that the Abrahamic religions believe truly exist. The revelation discloses the master seraphim new to Urantian humans through the Urantia Book. That said, the revelation teaches that each of these seraphim types ministers to us for different reasons and with different pursuits; they follow diverse goals that are entirely compatible and reinforce each other. Guardian seraphim do their best to promote the personal growth and development of individual human beings. However, the task of the master seraphim is to promote the progressive growth and development of human society on Urantia as a whole.

Since the Global Endeavor focuses its approach in the spirit of the master seraphim, any WG service initiative avoids imposing specific reforms or public interpretations, respecting the diversity of beliefs and values among those they assist. Of course each WG will have to determine if and when they may run into individuals or groups who display or espouse negative values that the WG determines are detrimental to society, whether or not to offer service or support.

You might ask: ‘what type of altruism is exhibited by the Global Endeavor?

Essentially, there are four types of altruism - Genetic, Reciprocal, Group-Selected, and Pure - each offer distinct models of selflessness and service. Genetic altruism involves helping those who share a common genetic bond, such as family members, driven by an innate desire to ensure the survival and well-being of one’s genetic lineage. Reciprocal altruism is based on mutual benefit, where individuals assist others with the expectation of receiving help in return, fostering relationships built on give-and-take. Group-Selected altruism extends beyond personal connections, where actions benefit a collective, such as a community or society, promoting the welfare of a larger group. Pure altruism, the most selfless form, is motivated by a genuine desire to help others without expecting anything in return, often seen in acts of charity or volunteerism.

The Global Endeavor appears to embrace all these forms of altruism to some degree, but its focus leans toward Group-Selected and Pure altruism. The initiative seeks to serve the broader community by fostering growth and progress without imposing specific values or seeking personal recognition, aligning with the selfless goals of Pure altruism while also supporting collective human advancement, as seen in Group-Selected altruism.

Like the master seraphim, the attitude of Global Endeavor WG’s is intended to “work in the background.” Chapter one of the draft plan states: “Participants must show the utmost respect for the viewpoints and inclinations of those they serve - whether or not these brothers and sisters share their spiritual values, and whether or not they believe in God. Thus the essential mission of participants is to promote the progressive growth and development of human society by assisting and encouraging fellow human beings regardless of their religious views and philosophic convictions.” In other words, the goal is to determine how to support and catalyze inventions and innovations without taking front stage or credit – altruistically.

A Working Group – Like a Family with God

Chapter three of the draft plan (https://globalendeavor.net/Documents/2009-09-17_Excerpt_DraftPlan_Ch-3.pdf) asserts “The ten substantive working groups direct their efforts outward, providing quiet, modest, and unassuming service to individuals and groups in society who wish to promote growth and development on our planet Urantia. These working groups seek to encourage, inspire, and help others on a purely voluntary basis, without any effort to dictate to them, direct them, or assert any form of express or implied authority over them.”

Here's an analogy to consider. Imagine a family reunion where everyone’s trying to figure out how to get along better, share some wisdom, and maybe even build something great together. That’s essentially what the Global Endeavor is all about. It’s a group of people who believe humanity can grow and improve - not just in techy, material ways, but in how we treat each other, dream big, and aim for something higher.

Here’s the deal: Life isn’t just about what we can see and touch. It’s also about the stuff inside us - our feelings, thoughts, and, yes, our spirit. The Global Endeavor wants to bring all that together and help people move forward in a way that makes life better for everyone. But here’s the thing: they know this isn’t about snapping your fingers and making magic happen overnight. Change takes work, patience, and a whole lot of listening. Global Endeavorer’s are encouraged to have this neat way of looking at life: Instead of getting stuck in the same old ways, why not experiment a bit? Try new things, keep what works, and ditch what doesn’t. But they also know not every new idea is a winner. Sometimes, you’ve got to fail a little to figure out what really sticks. This works for WG’s as well as those they are serving.

The big dream is to help humanity grow - not just in the “bigger, faster, shinier” way, but in a way that lifts everyone up. They believe we can build a kinder, smarter, more loving world by blending the best of brains, hearts, and spirits. It’s not about preaching or pushing beliefs. It’s about walking alongside each other, cheering each other on, and making this life a little more meaningful.

So, yeah, it’s truly like a giant family reunion where everyone’s pitching in to figure out how to make the world a better place. The best part? There’s room at the table for anyone who wants to help.

Personal Reflections

The spiritual model of the Global Endeavor is what attracted me, for quiet, unassuming service in the background is what I have attempted to provide throughout the latter part of my life. I have learned over time that I don’t need the notoriety or credit for something. Many of life’s lessons in sports have taught me that to be part of a team, win or lose, is the most gratifying ego stroker that there is. It trumps the fleeting individual drive for “glory.” In fact, every instance that I went into a contest with that in mind, I failed miserably. Thankfully, I’m just not built psychologically if that attitude is in top-of-mind.

I am currently chairing a practical activities prototype task that is minimally simulating how a WG might work. This activity has been chartered and required by the Committee for the Global Endeavor to also work with the two management teams. While I went into this exercise objecting to the imposition of adding the management teams into the prototype, I am working with two very senior and organizationally mature individuals who are gaining lessons learned with me and the WG team I am facilitating.

There has never been a formal critique of the draft plan or any of the concepts related in associated essays. The constellation of those documents can be found on the committee’s website (www.globalendeavor.net). In order to do begin that process, I have dedicated this part of deboldgroup.com to offer opinions and recommendations where I believe amending is needed. I begin that process with an essay called Reframing the Global Endeavor Regional Structure. It can be found here: https://deboldgroup.com/Aquatic/GE-Reframed.11.24.html

// Bob Debold Fairfax, VA, September 2024