Basic HTML Version
PAGE 2
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, NOVEMBER 8, 1985
Christian parents should be � they are providing an adequate
education for their children, that meets the academic standards for
children of their age.
They should be prepared to demonstrate that
fact should they be required to do so.
• Any home-schooling program should provide suitable recreational
and social opportunities that produce healthy, outgoing personalities.
While there may be real and serious problems in many public schools
today, there is also the danger of an overly protective, narrow, almost
paranoid atmosphere in the home-schooling situation if the motivation
of the parents themselves is not balanced.
• It should be recognized that some families and some children are
much better equipped and qualified for the task of home education than
others and are thus likely to attain better results.
Personal education, balance, right motivation and discipline vary
widely among families in God's Church. What might work wonderfully in
some families would prove disastrous for others. As Jesus said, "You
will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). This verse applies to
all methods of education, including home-schooling. Where the results
are balanced, outgoing personalities, good study habits, good
educational achievements for their age level, and good moral
development, there can be little or no criticism of the methods.
But the opposite is also true.
Narrow, inward personalities, poor
grades, low achievement, etc. may indicate that there are serious flaws
in a family's approach to the education of its children.
Above all, let us guard against a smug, "holier-than-thou" attitude
towards others in this matter, which implies that others are somewhat
inferior if they don't educate their children in the way one feels is
best. Remember that both Ambassador Colleges today have many outstand
ing young people from a wide variety of educational backgrounds around
the world. Let's get the right balance and avoid extremes.
Unity Mr. Fred Kellers made an interesting and useful observation
while on his Feast trip this year that I wanted to share with you.
Mr. Kellers wrote regarding his stay in Fiji:
The brethren here are certainly not an isolated group,
because the same announcements are read out of the "Pastor
General's Report" as they would be in all of God's Churches
worldwide. And they are faithfully read even if they don't
apply to Fiji! For instance, the announcement telling us to
wait for the special "Worldwide News" before making hotel
reservations for the '86 Feast. Hardly applicable at Fiji's
little Feast site, but still it was faithfully read and
attentively heard. This wasn't wasted time, because it helps
to tie them into what's going on in the rest of God's Church.
Besides, the instructions are to read it, and God's elder in
Fiji is Mr. Epeli Kanaimawi, a man of obvious strength and
dedication. Being with him just a little time, I could tell
that if he is told to read it, it will be read, period!