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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, MARCH 16, 1984
Seeking Approval for Activities Involving Several Church Areas
There seems to be a trend toward holding activities which involve several
church areas.
These are usually invitational where a hosting church in
vites members from surrounding areas.
One example would be a singles
weekend to which the hosting church invites people from churches within
three or four hundred miles.
When an activity is being planned which involves more than just a neigh
boring church area, Ministerial Services should be informed. There are two
reasons for this. First of all, Mr. Armstrong holds Ministerial Services
responsible to be aware of the type and scope of any such church activity to
be conducted. And secondly, if there should be a need for address labels in
order to mail invitations to a number of pastors to be read in their areas,
the release of these labels must be approved by Ministerial Services, as
well as any other labels or listings needed by the field ministry.
In addition, we need to be careful when planning a combined church activity
that we don't require the invited members to travel excessive distances on
the Sabbath.
It's easily possible, depending on the areas invited, that
some members could end up driving longer distances than they should. Such
excessive travel should be avoided on God's holy Sabbath.
Also, members should not be made to feel that they are somehow disloyal or
second class members if they choose not to attend an activity at a distant
church for financial or other reasons. We do not want to put a financial
hardship or any other undue burden on someone because of social activities
sponsored by the Church.
So please remember to contact Ministerial Services and consider the travel
involved whenever you are planning a major activity which involves more
than just a neighboring church area.
Marriage and Divorce Case Write-ups
We would like to again remind all church pastors that all divorce and re
marriage cases must be written up and sent to Pasadenafor decision no
matter how "simple" or "clear-cut" a case may seem. This also gives us the
necessary background in a particular case for later reference should
another divorce occur or should the case be reopened.
Take the time to do a thorough job on these write-ups. Often they can be
brief, but be sure all pertinent information is included. Below are some
key points to remember in preparing these write-ups:
1. Be sure to� about the write-up before preparing it, realizing
the importance of Christ's wisdom and mind in putting it to
gether.
2. Put the date on the write-up.
3. Sign your name to the write-up.
4. Type it, or write or print clearly and legibly.
5. Give the full names of the individuals involved in each marriage
at the beg'Inning of the write-up. Make sure you clearly identify
each individual throughout the write-up.