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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, APRIL 9, 1982
PAGE 2
protecting the privacy of our members. Therefore, we feel it is necessary
to make it a very firm policy to orohibit the preparation of telephone
directories for the local Church congregations, either by the minister or
any local members.
NOTICE TO ALL MINISTERS
If you
Watt,
Fricke
kind.
are contacted by Gerald
please contact Mr. Dan
before taking action of any
Questions and Answers
QUESTION: It was recently suggested at a deacons meeting that instead of
having fund-raising activities, why not ask people to donate two
to four dollars per month to a social fund. This would strictly
be voluntary and would eliminate the need for time-consuming
fund-raisers. This money would be used to defray the cost of our
social activities for the Church. Is there any problem with this
approach?
ANSWER:
Such donation programs should not be implemented.
Any such
programs now under way should be discontinued. Over the years,
experience has shown that many problems eventually result,
including unstated pressure on people to donate, bitterness about
the use of donated funds, offerings to the Work affected, etc.
Although fund-raising activities do take time and energy, they
can often be planned in such a way as to provide opportunity for
fellowship and cooperation in themselves--in some cases, even as
much or more than some of the activities they help to fund.
International News
Australia/Southeast Asia
February was an exceptionally busy month for
God's Work in Australia and Southeast Asia.
The number of items of
literature mailed out is one of the highest on record, reflecting a marked
increase in PLAIN TRUTH readers' interest in the publications advertized in
the magazine.
However, of concern at the present time is the significant drop in income
for the month. Reflecting a worldwide recession, with high unemployment,
rising bank interest rates and cost of living, income for February showed a
7. 9% increase over the same month last year, bringing our year-to-date
increase down to 12.9%. We are monitoring our income carefully, but for the
present we are continuing to maintain all programmes currently involved in
the work of the Great Commission.
In Southeast Asia, PLAIN TRUTH circulation has been increasing signifi
cantly without any promotional efforts.
After establishing an ongoing
PLAIN TRUTH renewal programme last year, the Asian subscription list fell