Basic HTML Version
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91123
HERBERI W. ARMSTRONG
PRESIDENT and PASTOR
September 25, 1984
Dear Brethren and Co-Workers with Christ:
This time I have to give you bad news which at the same time is very
GOOD news.
The other day Mr. Leroy Neff, our treasurer, called a special meeting of
all
department heads. In the past two months we have gone considerably over budget,
and cash reserves are at dangerous levels. But the reason is GOOD news.
Responses to the telecast and demand for The PLAIN TRUTH magazine on
newsstands have been showing a remarkable increase, resulting in greatly
expanded costs of magazine production!
A month or two ago, our publishing production manager came to me,
enthusiastically reporting that by expanding newsstand opportunities, we can
within a year or so expand PLAIN TRUTH circulation to nine or ten million! But
of
course this expansion would cost considerable money.
The most effective means on earth for spreading the true Gospel of Jesus
Christ to all the world is The PLAIN TRUTH magazine. It is utterly unique. It
carries no advertising. It cannot have any subscription price, because God's
Word
says we may buy the TRUTH, but "sell it NOT." It is too precious to sell like
merchandise. Yet we must not give it where it is not wanted. People just ASK for
it, or take it by themselves.
People receive knowledge about 10 times more readily through the eye, in
print, than through the ear by preaching. The PLAIN TRUTH gives the true
MEANING behind today's world news, and in that way it is a NEWS magazine. It
deals with personal and family problems, and therefore it is a family magazine
ana a human interest magazine. But it also explains PLAINLY the true Gospel of
Jesus Christ--not merely a gospel ABOUT Jesus Christ. And so it does carry the
true Gospel into EVERY NATION on earth--in the United States and Canada, to
one out of every 20 homes. Present circulation is approaching EIGHT MILLION
copies per issue.
I could cut the expenditures for the Work by two or three million dollars,
by
suddenly cutting off a large portion of the circulation of The PLAIN TRUTH. But
I
know Jesus Christ, the HEAD of this Church, doesn't want that circulation
reduced. The PLAIN TRUTH goes only to those who WANT it, and God doesn't
deny his TRUTH to any who want it. On the other hand, we cannot expand The
PLAIN TRUTH circulation to other millions of people who will WANT IT without
more tithing and offering laborers and co-workers who help finance this
wonderful work of God. So I do ask you to PRAY earnestly that God will prosper
our co-workers and provide many additional co-workers, that this most vital
activity in all the world may expand as God opens doors before us for that
expansion.