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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, September 18, 1979
Page 2
western Europe, would likely be excluded from the corning ten-nation "Roman
Empire."
Once in a while I cannot avoid reflecting on the fact that I have
lived a longer-than-average li
From the viewpoint that most lives have
ended several years earlier than mine, I could certainly conclude--as I
am aware many have concluded--that my lifetime is nearing its end--though
I know God can keep me alive as long as He needs me in His Work and His
Church.
Abraham, Moses, and others lived to a much older life than I have
so far.
Yet this very circumstance makes me realize that THIS WORLD is now
very old, and nearing its END!
We are in the LAST DAYS!
I think it is
important that you ministers and wives realize this fact--that the immi
nency of the END of th
present evil world's life is much more real than
many of us have realized.
As we approach this year
1
s Feast of Tabernacles, it is important that
we REALIZE that--that although Christ has moved swiftly this past year and
more to set His Church back on God's track, we as a Church are NOT yet
ready for either the protection promised us from the imminent GREAT TRIBV
LATION, or the coming of Christ.
What we all need seriously now is real FASTING, and fervent PRAYER,
before the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles!
We must be vigilant in this, and put it first in our lives to avoid
neglect--for TIME IS NOW SHORTER THAN EVER!
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVI
S
In a recent Pastor General's Report Mr. Armstrong referred to the important
difference between Quality and Quantity, a concept that certainly holds
true in regard to membership in God's Church.
This vital factor was ig
nored by some in the past when the ministry was asked (not by Mr. Herbert
W. Armstrong) to create a 10% growth in each local congregation.
As a
result, the requirements for baptism in many cases were completely watered
down.
To baptize just for the sake of filling a quota is not scriptural-
not God's way!
The bottom line is a fraudulent or invalid baptism for the
individual concerned, and a shameful neglect of responsibility on the part
of the minister.
Mr. Herbert Armstrong's instructions to the ministry are to conduct in
depth counsellings for baptism to determine whether or not the prospective
member really understands what repentance is all about, had made an un
conditional surrender to God and had accepted all church doctrines, so we
may all speak the same thing
(I Cor. 1:10).
The prospective member should
have a total change of mind and heart and direction of life, from the self
centered way of vanity, greed, and hostility to authority to the God-
'