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PASTOR'S REPOR�
PUBLISHED BY THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL. 2, NO. 33
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
SHOULD GOD'S PEOPLE TAKE ACTIVE PART
IN LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES?
by Herbert W. Armstrong
AUGUST 28, 1978
We need to go to GOD'S WORD to understand our relationship in
and with our respective local communities. Misunderstanding had
started creeping into God's Church.
Some have thought God's people, and His ministers in particular,
ought to start taking a more active part in local community activities.
It was even urged by one who is no longer in God's Church that the
Worldwide Church of God ministers ought to become active in local
social and community affairs -- join various clubs, perhaps take a
stand on political issues, become an integral part of the community.
But what does the Word of God say? What did Jesus teach?
Jesus said to those who formed the starting nucleus of God's
Church -- the same church Christ has called us out of the world and
baptized us into: "These things I command you, that ye love one
another.•.if ye were of the world, the world would love his own••. "
(John 15:17, 19).
Let's face it: Is not the underlying motive in unthinkingly
recommending that we
and especially our ministers who are our local
leaders -- begin fraternizing more with the local community -- taking
more active part in community activities -- isn't this an unrealized
desire to win the approval of the world which "loves its own"? But
Jesus continued, "••.but because ye are not of the world" (participa
ting in its activities), "but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you•••. If they have persecuted me, they
will also persecute you•.." (verse 20).
Brethren, and fellow ministers, I know that God has called me
out of the world. Jesus Christ committed to me His GREAT COMMISSION
==-te>GO FORTH as His Apostle, to the world ·with His message. Yet,
though we must live in the worl� Jesus said we are not to be of it
-- participating in its activities!
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And Jesus Christ made this a CO.MMAND ! Do we want to break His
COMMAND?
It is true that one of the qualifications of an elder (minister) is,
"••.he must have a good re r ort of them which are without.••" (of the world)
(I Tim. 3:7). He must be blameless" (verse 2). But that does not mean
being a participant with the world in its affairs and its activities.
This I know: Jesus Christ commissioned me to go TO the world with
His gospel, but not to be OF it!
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We should all live blameless before the world -- let our light
of Godly character so shine before the world, that they may see our
(!) 1978 Worldwide Church of God