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PASTOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
TO THE MINISTRY OF THE
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL.7, N0.17
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
APRIL 26, 1985
Plans are progressing well for the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles. As you
may already be aware, the first Holy Day falls on Monday, September 30.
Many of you who have responsibilities at your respective festival sites
will simply not have time to fulfill those responsibilities adequately un
less you arrive at your assigned site before the Sabbath, September 28.
However, many brethren who live within a day's journey of their site will
plan to be in their local areas on the Sabbath. Therefore, all church pas
tors will need to arrange for services to be held for these brethren on Sep
tember 28, even if the pastors themselves will not be present.
All church pastors should plan to be in their local congregations for ser
vices on Atonement, except those who have international assignments for the
Feast of Tabernacles. If you have an international assignment, please in
form Ministerial Services or your Regional Office about the arrangements
you will be making for Atenement services in your congregation (s). U.s.
ministers may consider September 26 through October 11 as Festival travel
time.
On another subject, it seems that one area in which we can always grow is
that of conununication in the local congregations. Just as in a marriage, a
key ingredient in effectively pastoring a local congregation is communica
tion among the leadership. We need to keep in mind the principle the Apos
tle Paul laid out in II Timothy 2:2.
Church pastors should meet with associate or assistant pastors once each
week for the specific purpose of discussing plans and procedures for the
coming week, as well as results and progress of the preceeding week. This
is not, as some may have thought in the past, for the purpose of "checking
up" or "keeping tabs" on the associates and assistants. It is simply a mat
ter of sensible management. God teaches us in I Corinthians 14:33, 40 that
we should work together in unity and harmony. This includes, of course, the
government of the local congregation as well. This simple procedure of
regular communication among the leadership of the congregation greatly in
creases their ability to effectively serve God's people. This is not just
some idea that so-called "management experts" have come up with to write
about. It is a clear principle from God's Word.
God loves unity. Regular, godly communication enhances and promotes unity.
When the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, confusion re
sults. Associate and assistant pastors who aren't given regular guidance
and direction tend to become frustrated, unsure of whether they are proper
ly serving their pastor and the congregation.
Some pastors may feel that they won't know what to discuss, or how to prop
erly handle such a meeting. But realize that God will give you the help you
need, just as He does in every other area of your ministry. Ask God for His
help to use these meetings to encourage and give positive direction to the
men working under you.
e 1985WondwideChurch of God