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PASTOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
TO THE MINISTRY OF THE
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL.l, N0.10
PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA
EVANGELIST RANK IS DESIGNATION OF
RANK--AREA OF OPERATION
by Herbert
w.
Armstrong
OCTOBER 24, 1979
I hope it is understood that designation of ordination as Evangelist,
Pastor, etc., refers--and always has--to rank, rather than assignment of
activity.
As I recall at the moment, none who have held Evangelist rank have
devoted themselves to holding evangelistic campaigns--preaching to public
audiencea regularly in proclaiming the Gospel Message to the world.
The nearest exception to that, as I now recall, is that Mr. Rod
Meredith held two or three campaigns, with public invited, in England
more than twenty years ago. My son Garner Ted held occasional two-or
three-night abbreviated campaigns a number of times, taking along on some
of them singers, M.C., etc. He also held an evangelistic campaign of some
weeks at Springfield, Missouri, in the late 50s. A few others of Evange
list rank have held
a
few occasional one- or two-night campaigns.
But none has been occupied regularly in holding evangelistic cam
paigns preaching to the outside public.
For years Mr. Norman Smith, of Evangelist rank, was occupied in
supervision of radio and TV production. For years Al Portune was occupied
in the Business Office, handling finances. For years Mr. Les McCullough,
ranked Evangelist, was executive in charge of the Big Sandy campus of
Ambassador College. For years Mr. Raymond McNair was occupied as Deputy
Chancellor of Ambassador College in England, as he is on the Pasadena
campus now. And so with the others--none has been occupied in evangelizing
the outside world, though many have spoken more or less often, on the
Sabbaths, to our own congregations.
In I Corinthians 12, the various functions in Church organization
are explained. "There are differences of administrations, but the same
Lord" (verse 5). Different administrations require adrninistrators--and
that is listed first in the designation of duties within the organized
Church. Most of our administrators have been ranked Evangelist.
Next, "And there are diversities of operations" (verse 6). This can
include all other specially designated operations within the Church,
devoted full time (not laymen necessarily). For these many varied func
tions in a united, organized, cohesive Work, God has given various ones
special spiritual gifts--dividing to each as GOD wills.