Basic HTML Version
PAGE 2
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, MAY 17, 1985
After that comes the SECOND commission Christ gave His Church-
"FEED THE FLOCK." For this purpose, God has set some in His
Church, first, apostles, then preachers, and then teachers, to be
HIS instruments in feeding the local flocks each Sabbath.
Activities are good in balance. But the moment they begin to turn our at
tention away from the purpose Mr. Armstrong described above, they have ex
ceeded their usefulness. Let's realize that too many social activities and
fundraisers can pull families apart by limiting the amount of time family
members should be spending together. They often place too great a burden,
both in time and expense, on those involved in them. Avoid these pitfalls
in planning the year's activities.
Some pastors may need to examine the number and kinds of activities in their
local congregations, and begin to work toward a more balanced and whole
church oriented program. Try to plan activities or socials that include
all the Church as much as possible. Such socials can include various activ
ities for everyone, bringing the whole Church together, with opportunities
for service and fellowship for all and with all.
Regarding the mini-camps, as most commitments are already made for those
being planned for this summer, you may go ahead with them. However, if any
camp can still be cancelled without creating problems, it would be best to
do so. We should not plan to have these camps next year.
Mr. Armstrong made it clear that local campouts are fine, as long as they do
not involve other church areas, and as long as they are under one week in
duration.
Such activities sho1:1ld be organized and supervised locally,
preferably involving the parents and families of the preteens or teens in
volved.
On another subject, Mr. Dean May of the Fleet Administration Department has
informed me that of the used fleet vehicles sold in 1984, 60% were sold in
the field by the ministers who drove them, rather than having them brought
to Pasadena or Big Sandy for sale. We appreciate the fine job the U.S. min
isters are doing in this regard. The money received from these sales is
part of the budget for purchase of new ministerial fleet cars. As Mr. May
explained, the sooner the used car is sold, the less the car depreciates
while the Church owns it. The fleet office will give you the current value
of your used car as soon as your new one arrives, and Mr. May will be happy
to give you any assistance you may need in arranging the sale. We certainly
appreciate your helping us out in this way.
A I know many of you have been praying for the safety of God's people around
fl' the world, as a report on the earthquake in Chile in early March bears out.
Once again, God has protected His people from what could have been a devas-
v:
ating tragedy.
Mr. Leon Walker, regional director for the Spanish
peaking areas of the Church, reported after visiting Chile in April that
although two members' homes were totally destroyed, no one was injured
because everyone in the local congregation was attending a Church picnic
when the quake occurred!