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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JANUARY 8, 1982
PAGE 2
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
Opening Prayer for Bible Studies
It has come to our attention that in several areas it has become common
practice for the congregation to remain seated during the opening prayer
for Bible studies. Although midweek Bible studies may not be as formal as
Sabbath services or Friday evening Bible studies, they are nevertheless a
group of God's people assembling before God, and the brethren should be
asked to rise for the opening prayer as they normally would at any other
service.
Reinstatement of Disfellowshipped People
Recently we have had a small number of problems arise regarding the rein
statement of certain disfellowshipped persons. In each case, all problems
could have been avoided if the ministers who reinstated the individuals had
contacted the minister who put them out prior to reinstating them.
This should be a routine procedure before reinstating any disfellowshipped
person not originally disfellowshipped by you. If the minister who disfel
lowshipr�d the individual is still in the ministry, always check with him
before reinstating. Sometimes there are factors involved that you need to
be aware of in order to properly make the decision. (The other elders in
your area may know the circumstances if the former pastor cannot be con
sulted.) As Mr. Armstrong continually stresses, there must be PERFORMANCE
--real repentance--on the part of the individual. How can we determine
whether that is true if we have not taken the time to gather all the facts?
Reinstatement should not be taken lightly. It is a serious responsibility
to determine whether there really are fruits of repentance, and to be sure
we are not doing the individual himself a gross disservice by reinstating
him before he is really ready.
NOTICE TO ALL CHURCH PASTORS
Mary Elizabeth (Fink) Gainey has been traveling from area to
area, requesting emergency fund help from the ministry. She is
disfellowshipped and marked. Under no circumstances should any
assistance be given to her, nor shoulcf"she be reinstated without
first discussing it with Mr. Les McColm and Mr. Joseph Tkach, or
Mr. John Anderson at Ministerial Services":-
Also, anyone needing information concerning a Mr. Terry Green,
please contact Mr. Dennis Doucet, pastor of the Lake Charles,
Louisiana Church. His phone number is (318) 478-5367.
Marriage and Divorce Case Write-ups
We would like to again remind all church pastors that all divorce and remar
riage cases must be written up and sent to Pasadena no matter how "simple"
or "clear cut" the case may seem. This gives us the necessary background
for later reference should another divorce occur or should a case be
reopened.