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PASTOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
TO THE MINISTRY OF THE
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL.l, N0.12
PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
NOVEMBER 1, 1979
One of the duties of the pastors of God's Church is to be especially care
ful to keep the brethren informed and looking to headquarters, which is
wherever God's Apostle is working. One way we can do this is by using the
Pastor General's Report as a source for late news in the announcement por
tion of services, and even in sermons as it would apply. It can also help
keep the brethren appraised of policies and decisions which affect them.
For example, the last Pastor General's Report (October 23, 1979) contained
policy announcements about the blessing of children and applause in church
services.
The amount of time spent reading or commenting on portions of the Pastor
General's Report should be up to the individual pastor's discretion. He
can decide what and how much is applicable and newsworthy to his partic
ular congregation (i.e. you may have already spoken ab out clapping in ser
vices). But the more we can help God's people to progress together in
understanding as well as unity, the more we are fulfilling our great call
ing and responsibility to Christ in helping His Apostle prepare the Church
for His soon return.
God's people also need to be kept up to date with the ongoing legal battle
in California. Although it tends to be complicated (from a technical stand
point), it can be understood in general terms. And so the brethren world
wide need to know what to be praying about. They need to understand that
this confrontation is being used by God beyond our wildest imaginauion to
help get our commission done. Through the lawsuit the Church is becoming a
household name in California and gradually the entire nation. God truly can
and does make "all things work together for good"!
Talking to the ministry at a luncheon in Tucson during the Feast of Taber
nacles, Mr. Rader acknowledged that those of us without legal training
have trouble following the lawsuit and the terminology. "So," he said, "we
will try to use terms in our reports that convey the full meaning of the
case, and you in turn can use whatever language you think is necessary if
further refinements have to be made to get the brethren to understand and
appreciate the complexities of the lawsuit."
--Joe Tkach
ORDINATION NOTICE CARDS
In the Pastor General's Report of a couple weeks ago it was mentioned that
the ordinations of the fall festival season would be announced in the
Worldwide News. Before we can release the information to the Worldwide News
staff we must receive the Ordination Notice cards. To date we have received
very few. Please be sure to send these cards in soon. Delays will not only
hold up the announcement, but we cannot order the appropriate certificates
of ordination without the ordination notices.
--Ministerial Services