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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, June 27, 1980
Page 2
Gospel then. The "Philadelphia era" or succession of God's Church will be
taken on the ·'two wings of a great eagle"--whatever that symbolizes--to a
place of protection where we are to be "fed"--provided for. We need now
to begin to be ALERT, for this "flight" may happen suddenly. DO NOT BE
DECEIVED BY THE NEGATIVE SNEERING OF EXCOMMUNICATED MINISTERS! Both
Revelation 12:13 and 3:10 warn us.
We, ourselves, are a sign (Matt. 24:14) of the very imminency of
these things!
I say again and again, it is later than we think.
Fellow Ministers, God has made it our job to PREPARE His Church-
that we may be "without spot or wrinkle... holy and without blemish" WHEN
Christ comes!
This means renewed dedication, more constant and intensive earnest
prayer, "soul-searching," and determined preparation. This is a serious
responsibility for all of us!
* * * * * *
WHEN I PASTORED A LOCAL CHURCH
by
Herbert W. Armstrong
Several who have held high positions at Pasadena Headquarters-
mostly no longer with us--never had the experience of pastoring a local
church "in the field." Among these were my son Garner Ted Armstrong,
Albert Portune, Ron Dart, Robert Kuhn. This also includes Rod Meredith.
Whether or not this lack of ''field" experience was a handicap, it
does remain a fact that being a pastor of a local church provides a
minister with an invaluable experience. Also among our ex-evangelist
rank men who have held high positions at Headquarters are Wayne Cole and
David Antion. Both of these had considerable local church pastoring
experience.
But Jesus Christ, living HEAD of the Church, did not raise up the
entire Worldwide Church of God through His chosen Apostle, without giving
me that very important experience. Some of you ministers may have for
gotten it, but I myself had to go through this important experience be
fore Christ could use me in the chief executive position now, and the
experience of building and developing the growth of the Church as a whole.
I was pastor of the parent church at Eugene, Oregon for a number of years.
While there I also started, and kept growing,the radio broadcast, The
PLAIN TRUTH, The Good News. Also I found time to hold frequent and con
tinuous six-nights-a-week meetings in other towns and locations in Oregon.
These brought in and baptized new members.
In fact, it was this very experience--bringing in new members in
several other locations--that led to the necessity of founding Ambassador
College. At a number of these points five or more new converts were