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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JANUARY 20, 1984
to accomplish the work of His Church in this area of the world. The year
ended with an increase in income of 12.3%, after a good December that was up
15.6%.
At the end of the year the number of TV stations carrying "The WORLD
TOMORROW" totaled 72 (including smaller relay stations covering remote
population centers). This means the telecast now has a potential viewing
audience of 95% of the nation's population. Recent"ads in TV WEEK magazine
drew viewers' attention to the program, and since the ads resulted in
improved responses, they will be continued in 1984.
The newsstand program added 9,921 new subscribers as a result of distribut
ing over 80,000 copies each month. Two hundred members are involved in
maintaining and servicing the 205 newsstands in 196 outlets throughout the
country. Newsstands are positioned in 79% of the major airports, in 90
newsagents, 53 shopping malls, 14 suburban railway stations and four bus
terminals.
In 1983, ads appeared twice in the READER'S DIGEST and in five leading maga
zines. This added nearly 6,500 new subscribers. Advertising will continue
in 1984.
New co-workers for 1983 totaled 1,228, up 60.4% over 1982. Baptisms to
taled 160, increasing the membership to 3,125 (+3.5%). Although the number
of letters processed decreased by 14.9%, the interest shown by those who
wrote in was reflected in the 56.8% increase in outgoing envelopes
containing literature.
Because of budget restraints, measures were introduced in 1983 to control
the growth of The PLAIN TRUTH in Asia, and so by the end of the year the
subscription list had decreased by 16.2% to 34,804. The income of this of
fice in 1984 should allow some advertising in selected Asian countries,
permitting some moderate growth.
--Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services
PUBLISHING SERVICES UPDATE
Carefully Monitor Newsstand Magazine Quantities
Recently, Mr. Armstrong enthusiastically approved the distribution of The
PLAIN TRUTH in 3,500 supermarkets throughout the United States. However,
it is only funded for a six-month test period, at the end of which time he
will evaluate the program as to its effectiveness.
In view of Mr. Armstrong's commitment to the program and his desire to see
that it succeeds, we are asking you to carefully monitor the number of maga
zines being distributed through the supermarkets in your local area. We
have heard several reports of magazines being stockpiled and not distribut
ed. This adds greatly to the overall cost of the program and lowers its
effectiveness.
We hope that these are isolated cases, but if your area is one in which
there is a surplus of magazines, please notify us immediately so we can
temporarily decrease the quantity on your next month's allocation. In most
cases this will take care of the surplus and your allocation can be restored