Basic HTML Version
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, September 5, 1979
Page 2
A system was built up through administrations to David Antion, Wayne
Cole and Ron Dart based on a policy that the ministry is a select group,
not servants but to BE served--to be flattered and mollycoddled, cut off
from Christ's apostle, never criticized or corrected--a group ABOVE all
others, and who could do NO WRONG!
David Antion considered his loyalty was to the ministry--NOT to Christ's
apostle or to Christ or to God. Wayne Cole would never correct one under
him who NEEDED correction. Under Mr. Dart's administration Garner Ted
Amstrong was the real head, cutting the ministry and the church off from
contact with any above him.
Now the living Christ who HEADS this Church has ABOLISHED that office,
and placed his own chosen apostle directly over the ministry. Now ANY of
you have free access to reach me and communicate with me direct. I hope
you will still realize my time needs to be conserved, and refer all routine
or ordinary matters to the Ministerial Services Department. But when
necessary, or on any serious matter, you have direct access to me--and the
Ministerial Services Department is working directly under, and with me.
So let me say that I will try to deal with the ministry as Christ shows
me HE would. I will do my best to deal with you with the deepest, most
sincere LOVE. I will do no political "back-slapping," but I will pat you
on the back--or certainly intend to and will try to, when you give me the
chance to give you this encouragement. Recently I wrote an article in the
GOOD NEWS asking all members to quit calling their ministers by their first
names, but to speak of you respectfully as "MR." I have written you from
time to time how much I do LOVE you men and your loyal wives.
You must remember that being an ordained minister in the one and only
Church of God is both a tremendous HONOR, and at the same time a serious
responsibility. Remember Jesus Christ set us the example and He did not
come lording it over people, but in love as a SERVANT.
Likewise, we have all been called to SERVE--rather than to BE served!
We must be meek without being weak. We are at all times accountable to
those over us, even as the Word of God tells the membership they must esteem
highly those who serve and are over them in the Lord.
First, God prepared me in a special way, then called me in a manner
to wipe my mind clean of every other or previous belief and to come to HIS
TRUTH in a manner experienced by none other in recent times, CONQUERING ME,
completely submissive to HIM and His Word.
He started His Work and His Church in a very small way--BUT IT GREW
AND GREW and became a large WORLDWIDE Church!
God in due time added you ministers to 1) feed the local flocks, and
2) to stand staunchly and loyally WITH ME in carrying Christ's Gospel to
the world.
Now the largest nation in the world has made plans for my OFFICIAL
visit with their top-ranking men of the People's Republic of China shortly
after the Feast of Tabernacles.
I constantly THANK GOD for you loyal ministers and your faithful wives,
and for the way Christ is using you in furthering HIS WORK! God has called