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PASTOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
TO THE MINISTRY OF THE
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL.7, N0.33
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
AUGUST 16, 1985
Now that most summer U.S. transfers are nearly complete, it is a good time
to again bring to mind the need to carefully follow the guidelines in the·
Ministerial Manual regarding an orderly transition from one church area to
another. Those of you who are transfers should read over these guidelines
again once you have settled into your new areas.--i5ne thing you need to be
especially careful to avoid is becoming involved in the affairs of your
former area. Generally, it is not wise even to visit there for at least a
year or two after your transfer. The brethren need time to become accus
tomed to their new pastor without your presence. Even hearing that you were
in the area can be unsettling for some who might wonder why you were visit
ing.
Recently, a number of young people in several U.S. churches received a
chain letter claiming to have been started 10 years ago by the YOU in Ger
many. From time to time the question of how to handle chain letters arises.
Some involve recipes, others simply nonsense. Some are illegal, containing
promises of wealth, fame or success, and in some cases threats of doom for
the person who breaks the chain.
The Church of God does not endorse or encourage any form of chain letter
writing. Our advice to those receiving chain letters has always been the
same--ignore them completely! The so-called German YOU chain letter is not
Church sponsored or endorsed. Each local pastor Should. encourage those who
receive such a letter to ignore it, and to feel no obligation whatsoever to
"not break the chain." I'm sure we all realize that chain letters are based
on the "get something for nothing" philosophy, which is contrary to God's
way. If any are in need of recipes, I'm sure the local library would be
happy to lend a book full of them.
Another matter I need to mention concerns when to hold Bible studies. Over
the years, some pastors have come to hold regular Bible studies on the Sab
bath either before or after Sabbath services. Of course there are situa
tions where it is necessary for a pastor to do this. However, unless there
is a compelling reason to do so, such as the members having to travel long
distances, we should not hold the Bible study on the Sabbath before or after
services.
There are some church areas where there could be no Bible studies if they
were not held on the Sabbath. In some cases hall availability is a serious
problem. But in all situations where a Sabbath Bible study is not a real
need, we should work toward changing over to a mid-week study. The mid-week
study provides the members with a much needed spiritual lift, and allevi
ates the potential problem of having so much to do on the Sabbath that it
cannot be kept properly. (Special Bible studies that you may need to hold
on a far more infrequent basis, such as for singles or youth, can be con
sidered exceptions and held before or after Sabbath services.)
By the way, in all church areas where it is feasible, we should hold weekly
Bible studies, rather than bi-weekly or monthly studies.
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