Basic HTML Version
-2-
'
In the June 3, 1975 Bulletin I wrote: "We who had an opportunity to
be directly involved wanted it to be a magazine Mr. Armstrong could lay
before kings. A prestigious publication, graphically beautiful, and up '
to date, with well-edited contents. It is just this and more.
It is
the kind of publication that gives one a sense of proper pride in what
we are doing." We all agree that so far the product has not matched all
our hopes, but that is no reason to give up!
When we began to consider selling Quest, we found that a number of
leaders of the media industry were interested in buying it. Some seemed
eager to buy it. They saw Quest as a new concept in magazine publication
and wanted it as their flagship publication to represent their corpora
tions at the highest level of business and government.
Frankly, the number of enthusiastic buyers who wanted the magazine
as it is now, to represent them, has given us second thoughts about
whethe�orri'ot we should sell it.
What's more, our investment in terms of the idea, money and hard
work have produced an established magazine. We have the staff and
systems operating. The name and fame of Quest is growing. There is a
backlog of excellent material from top writers ready for publication.
Over 300,000 subscribers are waiting for the next issue. The awards
from the publishing industry are in hand. The prestige is there--and
we own it! Those factors that may have withheld God's blessing, that
to us tarnished our hopes, either have been changed, or are being changed,
or as they are recognized will be changed. If we were to sell now, we
would be in Winston Churchill's words "snatching defeat from the jaws of
victory."
Based on these and perhaps other considerations, Mr. Armstrong has
decided not to get rid of Quest for at least the rest of this fiscal year
or longer, but rather to "fix it" and make it the tool to accomplish the
work it should do. Not the only tool in our toolbox, but a significant
one!
In the early days of the Work, many members wondered why Mr. Armstrong
kept going to new areas to preach the Gospel. They thought he should
stay home and look to their needs. Most members now understand the need
to go worldwide in doing the Work. But it takes VISION, FAITH, to follow
Christ's lead before the fruits are present for all to see.
Mr. Armstrong saw the need to go, not to a new area, but to a new
technique -- a Foundation and a significant activity of the Foundation-
Quest Magazine. All of us as ministers of the Church need to support
that decision enthusiastically,knowing that Jesus Christ has given him
the Commission and inspired his leadership in fulfilling it.
I know we are all concerned about every activity of God's Work. We
all wish to deeply identify with and support whatever Christ leads us
to do in fulfilling His Great Commission. Based on this personal,
emotional concern and identification, we all react with feelings and with
conviction to our successes and to what may at times appear to be weak
nesses. We are all part of the Body of Christ! God's Work is inte
grally connected as a part of our empirical self! We love what is ours!
We are disappointed at our mistakes. We rejoice for those things where
we succeed. We weep over our failings and sorrows.