PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT

TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

VOL.2, N0.37

SEPTEMBER 1 5 . 1 9 8 0

"BORN-AGAIN POLITICS" by Herbert W. Armstrong On the front cover o f this past week's Newsweek magazine was a picure of the TV evangelist who comes on just ahead of me on our Tucson Channel 11 Sunday mornings. His name is Jerry Falwell, and if I may be forgiven for a harmless pun, he does fall well when it comes to UNDERSTANDING the Word of God! The big-type red-ink headline atop his pic on Newsweek's front cover is "Born-Again Politics." It reminds me of the poem of sixty years ago: "The barefoot boy with shoes on stood sitting in the grass, and it rained all day that night"--a parody of opposites. Mr. Falwell is NOT "born again'' and has no understanding of what the term MEANS. And if he were, he would never be in politics. When one is born again he would no more be in politics than a barefoot boy would have shoes on his feet--than a boy sitting in the grass would be standing, or than day would be night.

Do I then criticize Mr. Falwell or condemn him? Not at all. Not at all. God is not judging him--yet, and neither do I. But this is an apt illustration, blared before the whole nation on Newsweek's cover, of what did happen to the first man, Adam--and what is consequently the state of ALL in the world today, EXCEPT the very few God has specially called. Humanity has lost sight of all this. The religionists of "traditional Christianity" think they believe the Bible as the Word of God, yet they don't--any more than the barefoot boy h a s on shoes.
The first man Adam was the father--the progenitor--of the human race. He was required to make a CHOICE between receiving God's Holy Spirit to open his mind to revealed knowledge from God, or taking to himself knowledge of what is good and what is evil. ADAM MADE THE CHOICE FOR MANKIND as a whole--his progeny who would be born from him. He CUT MANKIND OFF FROM GOD, from the Holy Spirit, and thus from revealed KNOWLEDGE from God understandable only through the Spirit of God. All, that is, EXCEPT the minute FEW God would specially call and choose. God made Adam's decision BINDING on all EXCEPT the very few God would call. That made God RESPONSIBLE, knowing well He was leaving Satan on the throne to DECEIVE mankind. So God BLINDED humanity--left humanity CUT OFF from Him and His KNOWLEDGE U N T I L the second Adam, Jesus Christ, should overcome Satan, qualify to restore God's GOVERNMENT, and Himself be inducted on the throne over the earth. That means the world is CUT OFF and cannot UNDERSTAND God's knowledge UNTIL the second coming of Christ and the removal of Satan. Meanwhile,

PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, S e p t e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 8 0

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. b

t h e w o r l d i s NOT B E I N G J U D G E D . Those i n t h e w o r l d u n c a l l e d a r e NOT " l o s t , " n e i t h e r are they "saved." J u s t n o t judged--YET! But t h i s t h e y d o n o t understand.
T h e leaders of " t r a d i t i o n a l C h r i s t a n i t y " d o n o t s e e m t o know J e s u s w a s born t o be a KING. J e s u s came t o QUALIFY t o r e p l a c e S a t a n on t h e THRONE o v e r t h e e a r t h . I f w e a r e c a l l e d , and c h o s e n b y H i m , w e s h a l l s i t

w i t h H i m i n H i s THRONE o v e r t h e e n t i r e e a r t h . W e s h a l l be g i v e n d i v i n e s p i r i t u a l POWER t o RULE t h e w o r l d w i t h and u n d e r C h r i s t , " w i t h a r o d of iron. "

WHY a r e w e c a l l e d , now, i n t o G o d ' s CHURCH? F o r a PURPOSE: That purp o s e i s t h a t w e , t o o , t h r o u g h C h r i s t a n d t h e Holy S p i r i t overcome S a t a n , h a v e o u r m i n d s o p e n e d b y G o d ' s S p i r i t t o GOD'S KNOWLEDGE ( T r u t h ) , grow i n g r a c e a n d k n o w l e d g e , d e v e l o p s p i r i t u a l CHARACTER t o q u a l i f y u s t o RULE i n t h e Kingdom o f God w i t h t h e r e s t o r e d GOVERNMENT O F GOD o v e r a l l t h e earth.
BUT WE ARE NOT c a l l e d t o become p a r t o f t h e GOVERNMENTS o f THIS WORLD --manipulated b y x t a n . This i s S a t a n ' s world. Those n o t b e g o t t e n ( n o t y e t BORN) a r e NOT c h i l d r e n o f God, THEY ARE C H I L D R E N O F SATAN ( J e s u s s a i d so--John 8 : 4 4 ) . B u t when w e a r e c a l l e d t o r e p e n t a n c e , f a i t h , a n d r e c e i v i n g t h e Holy S p i r i t , G o d ' s S p i r i t w i t n e s s e s w i t h o u r s p i r i t t h a t w e a r e t h e b e g o t t e n c h i l d r e n of GOD ( R o m . 8 : 1 6 ) , b u t u n t i l t h e n w e a r e NONE O F CHRIST'S (Rom. 8 : 9 ) .

I F w e a r e b e g o t t e n c h i l d r e n , n o t y e t BORN, w e a r e l i k e f a t h e r Abrah a m , a s t r a n g e r and p i l g r i m i n t h i s w o r l d . Y e t n o t OF t h i s w o r l d o r i t s politics. Our r e a l c i t i z e n s h i p i s r e s e r v e d i n h e a v e n ( P h i l . 3 : 2 0 ) . We are l i k e f o r e i g n e r s and s t r a n g e r s i n t h i s wo rld .

ONE BEGOTTEN O F GOD TAKES NO PART I N THIS WORLD'S POLITICS!

* * * * * *
MUST WE DWELL - BOOTHS? IN -by H e r b e r t W. Armstrong

Back i n t h e s p r i n g o f 1927 God opened my mind t o see t h a t n o t o n l y i s t h e w e e k l y S a b b a t h b i n d i n g FOREVER, b u t t h e ANNUAL S a b b a t h s a s w e l l . God had n o t y e t r e v e a l e d t o m e WHY, I j u s t knew H e commanded, a n d I o b e y e d . When I made t h e F o r s e v e n y e a r s my w i f e a n d I k e p t t h e s e d a y s ALONE. t r u t h p l a i n t o t h e S a r d i s b r e t h r e n i n Oregon t h e y l a u g h e d m e t o s c o r n . S e v e n y e a r s a f t e r my c o n v e r s i o n t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a e r a o f G o d ' s C h u r c h w a s r a i s e d up, t h r o u g h a s i x weeks, six-nights-a-week campaign i n a oneroom c o u n t r y s c h o o l h o u s e n e a r E u g e n e , O r e g o n . They w e r e m o s t l y my own new c o n v e r t s . They d i d l i s t e n , and w i t h M r s . A r m s t r o n g a n d m e j o i n i n o b s e r v i n g them. B u t i t w a s 1 2 y e a r s l a t e r , 1 9 4 5 , when G o d finally rev e a l e d t o m e t h e M E A N I N G o f H i s a n n u a l F e s t i v a l s - - t h e r e a l REASON WHY H e had commanded them F O R EVER! God i s w o r k i n g o u t a PURPOSE h e r e on e a r t h ! T h a t PURPOSE i s d u a l : a ) G o d i s r e p r o d u c i n g H i m s e l f - - f o r m i n g f u t u r e GOD BEINGS f r o m m o r t a l

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September 1 5 , 1980

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humans made f r o m m a t e r i a l s o i l , b ) r e s t o r i n g t h e GOVERNMENT o f God t h r o u g h t h e s e f u t u r e b o r n c h i l d r e n of God.

For t h i s t r a n s c e n d e n t a l PURPOSE G o d h a s a MASTER PLAN f o r its accomplishment. T h e r e a r e s e v e n major s t e p s i n . t h a t Master P l a n . The a n n u a l F e s t i v a l s o f God P I C T U R E t h a t Master P l a n .
God commanded t h e s e F e s t i v a l s t o b e k e p t FOR EVER--WHY? - For H i s CHURCH H i s p u r p o s e a n d r e a s o n i s t o r e m i n d u s e v e r y y e a r - - s o w e n e v e r f o r g e t - - e a c h o f t h e s e seven s t e p s i n t h e w o r k i n g o u t o f H i s Supreme PURPOSE.

J u s t going through t h e motions of meeting t o g e t h e r on each of t h e F e a s t s would n o t a c c o m p l i s h G o d ' s PUPROSE i n G I V I N G u s t h e s e f e a s t s - - I F WE DO NOT P R O C L A I M SERMONS TO THE PEOPLE o n t h e MEANING o f t h e s e F e s t i vals. By t w o o r t h r e e y e a r s a g o many m i n i s t e r s h a d d r i f t e d i n t o p r e a c h i n g o n t h e s e f e a s t s j u s t w h a t e v e r s u b j e c t t h e y t h e m s e l v e s l i k e d t o s p e a k on-w i t h n o t a word a b o u t t h e M E A N I N G o f t h e f e a s t God w a n t s t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n s t o b e a r i n mind. I n t h e PAGAN r e l i g i o n s , t h e y b e l i e v e t h a t g o i n g t h r o u g h c e r t a i n motions--doing c e r t a i n p h y s i c a l t h i n g s - - i s t h e r e l i g i o u s d u t y o f p e o p l e . For e x a m p l e , o n e b r a n c h o f " t r a d i t i o n a l C h r i s t i a n i t y " i s m e r e l y a c o n t i n u a t i o n of t h e a n c i e n t BABYLONIAN MYSTERY R E L I G I O N (Rev. 1 7 : 5 ) . One m o t i o n t h e y go t h r o u g h , f o r e x a m p l e , i s t o c r o s s t h e m s e l v e s . It is m e r e l y a SUPERSTITION. W i t h o u t a c t u a l l y r e a l i z i n g i t , t h e r e a s o n t h e y d o t h i s i s t h a t t h e y s u p p o s e a h a r s h , s t e r n , a n g r y GOD of some k i n d i s watching. I f t h e y d o n ' t go t h r o u g h t h i s m o t i o n t h i s god w i l l b e a n g r y , They t h i n k j u s t g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e p h y s i c a l a n d t h e y w i l l h a v e bad l u c k . motion w i l l please t h i s f a l s e , n o n - e x i s t e n t god.
B u t t h e REAL GOD i s a God o f LOVE--a God of KNOWLEDGE--of UNDERSTANDING--who w a n t s t o d e v e l o p i n u s HIS h o l y , r i g h t e o u s , p e r f e c t CHARACTER.

H e g a v e u s t h e s e a n n u a l F e a s t s t o r e n e w y e a r l y i n o u r KNOWLEDGE H i s Purpose--what H e i s d e v e l o p i n g i n us!

Now i n Old T e s t a m e n t I s r a e l t h e y d i d n o t have t h e H o l y S p i r i t . They c o u l d n o t UNDERSTAND t h e SPIRITUAL meaning of t h e s e F e s t i v a l s . But the N e w T e s t a m e n t C h u r c h i s t h e FIRST FRUITS--that i s , t h e f i r s t GROUP o r BODY t o receive t h e Holy S p i r i t AS A BODY t o become t h e FIRST BORN a s f i n a l l y r e s u r r e c t e d and born GOD BEINGS. A n c i e n t I s r a e l d i d n o t u n d e r s t a n d t h e MEANING of t h e s e F e a s t s . In them God t a k e s t h e MATERIAL HARVEST i n J u d e a t o p i c t u r e t o H i s C h u r c h a n n u a l l y H i s SPIRITUAL HARVEST o f GOD BEINGS. ancient Israel--AT
T r u e , God o r d a i n e d t h e F e a s t s t o b e o b s e r v e d FOR EVER. But t o THE TIME when t h e y w e r e i n t h e d e s e r t BEFORE t h e y e n t e r e d t h e P r o m i s e d L a n d , God s a i d t o t h e m , " Y e s h a l l d w e l l i n b o o t h s seven d a y s ; a l l t h a t a r e I s r a e l i t e s b o r n " (NOT u s t h a t a r e C h r i s t i a n s b e g o t t e n of GOD) " s h a l l d w e l l i n b o o t h s . "
W Y H ? " T h a t y o u r g e n e r a t i o n s may know t h a t I made t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r a e l " (NOT t h e b e g o t t e n c h i l d r e n o f GOD) ' ' t o d w e l l i n b o o t h s , " WHEN?

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"When I b r o u g h t them o u t of t h e l a n d o f E g y p t "

(Lev. 2 3 : 4 2 - 4 3 ) .

They w e r e i n a h o t climate w h e r e t h e y c o u l d f i n d b r a n c h e s o f c e r t a i n t r e e s - - p a l m , m y r t l e and o l i v e b r an c h e s . Later i n P a l e s t i n e , a a r t of I s r a e l o n l y ( o f J u d a h ) u n d e r E z r a and Nehemiah u s e d t h e s e b o o t h h e h . 8:14-18). But, f o r example, m y r t l e b r a n c h e s are found o n l y i n P a l e s t i n e , a n d palm a n d o l i v e b r a n c h e s a r e f o u n d o n l y i n s o m e h o t c l i m a t e s . B u t now t h e C h u r c h , t h e n t o b e made i n t o t h e Kingdom o f God, r u l i n g t h e e a r t h , i n t h e t i m e PICTURED T O U S BY THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, w i l l c a u s e ALL NATIONS t o g o t o J e r u s a l e m f o r t h i s F e s t i v a l . WY H? - T o make b o o t h s o f t r e e b r a n c h e s a n d l i v e i n s i d e them?--each a l o n e by h i m s e l f But " t o w o r s h i p s e v e n d a y s - - i n o r d e r n o t t o D I S p l e a s e a n a n g r y g o d ? NO! t h e K I N G , t h e Lord o f h o s t s " ( Z e c h . 1 4 : 1 6 ) . J e s u s o b s e r v e d t h e F e a s t o f T a b e r n a c l e s when H e w a s i n human f l e s h on e a r t h . Did H e make a b o o t h o f t r e e a n d s h r u b b r a n c h e s t o d w e l l i n f o r seven d a y s ? NOTICE!

J e s u s w a s i n Galilee (John 7 : l ) . The F e a s t o f T a b e r n a c l e s w a s a t hand ( v e r s e 2 ) . H i s b r e t h r e n urged H i m to d e p a r t a t once for Jerusalem f o r t h e F e a s t (v. 3 ) . B u t J e s u s remained behind i n G a l i l e e f o r a w h i l e (v. 9 ) . B u t a f t e r t h e i r d e p a r t u r e , J e s u s a l s o w e n t u p s e c r e t l y ( v . 1 0 ) . About t h e m i d d l e o f t h e F e a s t , J e s u s w e n t i n t o t h e Temple ( v . 1 4 ) . He taught t h e people there. On t h e l a s t G r e a t Day, J e s u s s p o k e of t h e Holy S p i r i t (v. 37-39).
B u t t h e r e i s NOT A WORD t h a t J e s u s o r a n y o f H i s d i s c i p l e s ( f u t u r e A p o s t l e s o f t h e C h u r c h made " b o o t h s " o f t r e e a n d s h r u b b r a n c h e s , o r d w e l t i n them. J e s u s m e t w i t h them I N THE TEMPLE, w h e r e H e t a u g h t a n d p r e a c h e d . They t h u s h a d services--or t e a c h i n g - - i n a n a u d i t o r i u m - - J U S T AS WE DO TODAY. W e c a l l t h e s e meeting h a l l s t a b e r a n c l e s . J e s u s and t h e f i r s t A p o s t l e s SET U S THE EXAMPLE--but t h e r e i s no e v i d e n c e o r r e c o r d t h a t they dwelt i n booths. The d w e l l i n g i n b o o t h s w a s n o t t h e PURPOSE o r r e a s o n f o r t h i s f a l l festival

The F e a s t o f T r u m p e t s i s t o t e a c h G o d ' s p e o p l e a l l over a g a i n e v e r y y e a r a b o u t t h e coming of C h r i s t a s K I N G o f k i n g s t o RULE THE EARTH! The Day o f Atonement w a s g i v e n t o k e e p u s i n k n o w l e d g e t h a t S a t a n s h a l l b e The t a k e n away so t h a t w e may be AT-ONE-MENT w i t h God a n d w i t h C h r i s t . F e a s t of T a b e r n a c l e s w a s commanded f o r e v e r , a n d i s t o t e a c h t h e CHURCH t o d a y over a n d over e v e r y y e a r a b o u t t h e MILLENNIAL R E I G N O F THE KINGDOM O F GOD OVER THE WHOLE EARTH--with S a t a n g o n e - - w i t h EVERYONE t h e n l i v i n g b e i n g a t l a s t CALLED t o j u d g m e n t a n d o p p o r t u n i t y f o r e t e r n a l s a l v a t i o n . T h a t i s t h e PURP9SE of t h e F e a s t - - n o t g a t h e r i n g b r a n c h e s f o r a b o o t h to shelter us. Today w e h a v e h o u s e s a n d b u i l d i n g s to s h e l t e r u s .

- So w e f i n d NO d w e l l i n g i n b o o t h s i n t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t C h u r c h , n o r i n t h e m i l l e n n i u m AFTER C h r i s t r e t u r n s !

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FROM MINISTERIAL S E R V I C E S

P o l i c y on M i n i s t e r s F l y i n g A i r p l a n e s R e c e n t l y w e h a v e h a d s e v e r a l men r e q u e s t p e r m i s s i o n t o f l y a i r p l a n e s i n o r d e r t o r e d u c e t h e t r a v e l t i m e t o o u t l y i n g areas w i t h i n t h e i r c i r c u i t s . Some f e e l t h e y c a n f l y f o r j u s t a b o u t t h e same c o s t a s , o r l e s s t h a n , d r i v i n g ; however, i n f i g u r i n g t h e c o s t s , t h e y d o n ' t c o n s i d e r t h e l i a b i l i t y e x p o s u r e t h a t t h e C h u r c h i s o p e n t o when t h e y f l y a p r i v a t e p l a n e . Whenever a m i n i s t e r f l i e s on C h u r c h b u s i n e s s i n a p r i v a t e a i r p l a n e , w h e t h e r h e p i l o t s t h e p l a n e o r someone e l s e d o e s , t h e C h u r c h would b e This l i a b i l i t y is l i a b l e f o r a n y damages r e s u l t i n g f r o m a n a c c i d e n t . e x t r e m e l y l a r g e d u e t o t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of c r a s h i n g i n t o p o p u l a t e d areas, etc.

I n o r d e r t o o b t a i n l i a b i l i t y i n s u r a n c e c o v e r a g e , w e would h a v e t o file a s e p a r a t e r e p o r t on e a c h p i l o t g i v i n g h i s h e a l t h , h i s f l y i n g e x p e r i e n c e , how much h e would b e f l y i n g , w h e r e h e would b e f l y i n g , and so f o r t h .

B e c a u s e o f t h e c o s t of i n s u r i n g t h e C h u r c h a g a i n s t s u c h a l a r g e l i a b i l i t y has set t h e e x p o s u r e , M r . Armstrong - - - p o l i c y t h a t m i n i s t e r s a r e n o t t o p i l o t a p a r t o f t h e i r j o b s , n o r s h o u l d t h e y h a v e a member o r some airplanes o t h e r p r i v a t e i n d i v i d u a l f l y them on C h u r c h b u s i n e s s . M i n i s t e r s should make b u s i n e s s f l i g h t s o n l y w i t h commercial o r c h a r t e r e d a i r l i n e s a n d t h e n o n l y when t h e e x p e n s e f o r d o i n g s o h a s b e e n a p p r o v e d .

as

I h a v e d i s c u s s e d t h i s w i t h M r . A r m s t r o n g p e r s o n a l l y a n d he w a s q u i t e a l a r m e d t h a t some men h a v e t a k e n i t upon t h e m s e l v e s t o d o t h i s w i t h o u t M r . Armstrong's f e e l i n g , having discussed t h i s c h e c k i n g w i t h him f i r s t . w i t h o u r p i l o t s , i s t h a t a man who o n l y f l i e s o c c a s i o n a l l y w o u l d n ' t b e e x p e r i e n c e d e n o u g h t o be a s a f e p i l o t a n d t h o s e who would f l y enough t o b e p r o f i c i e n t would b e s a c r i f i c i n g t h e i r commitment t o t h e m i n i s t r y . it i s Therefore, - - M r . Armstrong's d e c i s i o n t h a t m i n i s t e r s should n o t p i l o t at p l a n e s - any time. ,.
L
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International News R e p o r t From N e w Z e a l a n d C h r i s t i s c o n t i n u i n g t o a b u n d a n t l y bless H i s Work i n N e w Z e a l a n d and t h e S o u t h P a c i f i c . Income f o r A u g u s t was 2 4 . 3 % up o n t h e same month l a s t y e a r , a n d t h e y e a r - t o - d a t e i n c r e a s e now s t a n d s a t 30.7%.
A g l a n c e a t o u r income g r a p h f o r t h e p a s t few y e a r s i s a n i n s p i r i n g F o r a number o f y e a r s t h e income w a s r e a s o n a b l y s t a b l e . Then, sight.

s u d d e n l y , i n J a n u a r y 1 9 7 9 , t h e v e r y month t h e r e c e i v e r s h i p c r i s i s b r o k e a n d M r . H e r b e r t W . A r m s t r o n g s t e p p e d i n t o p u t G o d ' s Work b a c k on t h e r i g h t t r a c k , t h e income l e a p e d up by 3 0 % . And e v e r s i n c e t h a t t i m e i t h a s c o n t i n u e d t o r u n a t a l e v e l o f 30% ahead of t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r ! F i g u r e s h a v e now b e e n f i n a l i z e d f o r P L A I N TRUTH e a r l i e r i n t h e y e a r . A a T h i s i s a r e s p o n s e r a t e of 1%, t a h o l d e r c a r d s w i l l be d i s t r i b u t e d t o October. o u r h o u s e h o l d e r c a r d p r o m o t i o n of The t o t a l o f 5 3 0 0 c a r d s were r e t u r n e d . c o s t - p e r - r e s p o n s e o f $1.80. Houset h e remaining h a l f of t h e c o u n t r y i n

PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, S e p t e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 8 0

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F i n a l f i g u r e s are a l s o a v a i l a b l e f o r o u r r e c e n t newspaper a d s i n t h e Pacific Islands. T h r e e h u n d r e d a n d t h i r t y new s u b s c r i b e r s w e r e a d d e d t o The PLAIN T R U T H a n d L a PURE V E R I T E m a i l i n g l i s t s a t a c o s t - p e r - r e s p o n s e of $4.50. I n t h e l a s t week o f A u g u s t w e p l a c e d a f u l l - p a g e a d i n t h e N e w Z e a l a n d Woman's Weekly f o r t h e new U N I T E D STATES AND B R I T A I N I N PROPHECY b o o k . R e s p o n s e s a r e j u s t b e g i n n i n g t o come i n . The a d w i l l a l s o a p p e a r i n t h e same m a g a z i n e i n t h e f i r s t week i n S e p t e m b e r .

We're p l e a s e d t o r e p o r t C h r i s t h a s a d d e d a n o t h e r m i n i s t e r i n N e w Z e a l a n d . M r . D e n n i s G o r d o n w a s o r d a i n e d a Local E l d e r by M r . Bob M o r t o n o n A u g u s t M r . Gordon w i l l a s s i s t M r . G a r y H a r v e y i n t h e W e l l i n g t o n , P a l m e r 23rd. s t o n North and Hastings churches. The m o n t h o f A u g u s t c o n c l u d e d w i t h a c o n f e r e n c e i n A u c k l a n d a t t e n d e d by a l l t h e m i n i s t e r s i n N e w Z e a l a n d a n d t h e South P a c i f i c I s l a n d s . E v e r y o n e i s now g r e a t l y l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o t h e holy day season beginning i n September.
N e w s From Germany The m o n t h o f A u g u s t w a s h i g h l i g h t e d b y a two-day m i n i s t e r i a l m i n i - c o n f e r e n c e n e a r Bonn o n A u g u s t 2 5 t h a n d 2 6 t h . M r . Frank S c h n e e , R e g i o n a l D i r e c t o r , a n d J o h n K a r l s o n , Bonn O f f i c e m a n a g e r , b o t h a d d r e s s e d t h e m i n i s t e r s on developments i n Pasadena and on t h e M i n i s t e r i a l Refresher Program. F u r t h e r c o n f e r e n c e s e s s i o n s w e r e d e v o t e d t o PAD p l a n s and budget f o r 1981, and t o f i n a l p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e f a l l f e a s t s t h i s year.
As a l l the ministers'

families w e r e present, the opportunity f o r fellowNine-pin bowling and r e f r e s h i n g p l u n g e s i n t o s h i p w a s much a p p r e c i a t e d . t h e h o t e l swimming p o o l a d d e d t o t h e r e l a x i n g a t m o s p h e r e .

The c h u r c h m e m b e r s m e e t i n g f o r s e r v i c e s o n A u g u s t 3 0 t h r e s p o n d e d t o t h e m i n i s t e r s ' r e p o r t s o n t h e Bonn m i n i - c o n f e r e n c e w i t h a g r e a t d e a l o f e x p e c t a t i o n and i n t e r e s t . Any news r e g a r d i n g M r . H e r b e r t W . A r m s t r o n g , h i s h e a l t h , a n d h i s p l a n s f o r t h e f u t u r e are v i r t u a l l y d e v o u r e d h e r e , a s t h e G e r m a n - s p e a k i n g c h u r c h members e x h i b i t a d e e p a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r t h e a u t h o r i t y and r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f M r . Armstrong's o f f i c e . The m a i l i n c o m e f o r t h e month t o d a t e w a s up 2 . 5 % o v e r A u g u s t 1 9 7 9 . y e a r - t o - d a t e m a i l income i s up 1 8 . 6 % o v e r l a s t y e a r . Our

D u t c h - s p e a k i n g A r e a R e p o r t s M r . B r a m d e Bree, R e g i o n a l D i r e c t o r f o r t h e D u t c h l a n g u a g e a r e a s e n t i n t h i s r e p o r t t h i s week: A u g u s t h a s b e e n a g o o d month w e a t h e r - w i s e a n d a s f a r a s g r o w t h i s c o n c e r n e d i n G o d ' s Work. The h i g h l i g h t of t h i s month h a s b e e n a s e r i e s o f t h r e e p u b l i c l e c t u r e s i n T h e Hague. T h i s series s t a r t e d o n August 1 8 t h and c o n t i n u e s u n t i l September 1 5 t h . T h i s y e a r i s a l s o t h e y e a r t h a t T h e N e t h e r l a n d s commemorated t h e l i b e r a t i o n f r o m t h e N a z i o c c u p a t i o n 35 y e a r s ago, May 1 9 4 5 . The f i r s t l e c t u r e I t a l s o d e a l s w i t h o u r mismanagement o v e r focuses i n on t h a t e v e n t . t h e s e 35 y e a r s , a n d t h e l a s t 6 0 0 0 , a n d t h e work God i s d o i n g t h r o u g h t h e e d i t o r o f t h e D u t c h PLAIN T R U T H , M r . H e r b e r t W . A r m s t r o n g . The s e c o n d l e c t u r e d e a l s w i t h Europe i n prophecy and t h e n t h e t h i r d and t h e l a s t l e c t u r e w i l l d e a l w i t h t h e W o r l d Tomorrow, a n d G o d ' s g o v e r n m e n t o n e a r t h .

PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, S e p t e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 8 0

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A t t h e f i r s t lecture t o t a l a t t e n d a n c e w a s 7 9 , o f which 6 0 p e o p l e w e r e attending for the f i r s t t i m e . A t t h e s e c o n d l e c t u r e 99 a t t e n d e d , w h i c h

i n c l u d e d t h e same 6 0 a t t e n d a n t s o f t h e f i r s t n i g h t . E i g h t e e n hundred Each n i g h t g a v e u s a 3 . 3 % p e o p l e w e r e i n v i t e d i n t h e a r e a o f The Hague. response. T h i s i s t h e h i g h e s t r e s p o n s e w e e v e r had f o r a p u b l i c l e c t u r e . Income f o r A u g u s t showed a 1 1 . 5 % i n c r e a s e f o r t h e p a s t t w e l v e months--a 1 9 . 7 9 % i n c r e a s e y e a r t o d a t e a n d a 2 5 . 3 5 % i n c r e a s e month t o month. C h u r c h a t t e n d a n c e d u r i n g A u g u s t i n c r e a s e d 2 1 . 8 % compared t o t h e same month a y e a r a g o . Membership i n c r e a s e d 3 . 4 % compared t o o n e y e a r a g o . A p p r e c i a t i o n f o r M i n i s t e r i a l R e f r e s h i n g Program
Dear M r .

Armstrong:

A s Marcia a n d I r e t u r n f r o m t h e R e f r e s h i n g C o u r s e n e a r l y 3 0 , 0 0 0 f e e t

o v e r y o u r home s t a t e a n d m i n e , Iowa, w e w i s h t o t h a n k God a n d t h a n k you f o r y o u r c a l l i n g , d e d i c a t i o n a n d i n s p i r a t i o n g i v e n t o u s t h r o u g h your unwavering s e r v i c e t o G o d and J e s u s C h r i s t .

W e h a d t o s t o p i n D e s Moines for j u s t a few m i n u t e s , and a s w e t a k e o f f I c a n c l e a r l y see t h e g o l d dome o f t h e Iowa S t a t e C a p i t o l a n d I ' v e s p o t t e d E a s t Grand S t r e e t , t h e s t r e e t o n w h i c h you w e r e b o r n a n d on w h i c h I l i v e d f o r a f e w m o n t h s .

Marcia a n d I would l i k e t o e x p r e s s o u r d e e p a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r t h e R e f r e s h i n g P r o g r a m t h a t you i n s t i t u t e d a w h i l e b a c k . When you made t h e d e c i s i o n I w a s q u i t e d e l i g h t e d a n d a n x i o u s t o b e a p a r t of i t . I had n o t been i n f o r a one-year s a b b a t i c a l - - b u t I w a s n o t v e r y t h r i l l e d a t p i c k i n g u p r o o t s and p l o p p i n g down f o r o n e y e a r and t h e n up a g a i n a n d o u t t o a n o t h e r a r e a . S o when I came i n t o P a s a d e n a f o r t h e Refreshing Course, I w a s expecting a l o t .
I t w a s more t h o r o u g h a n d i n t e n s i v e t h a n a c o n f e r e n c e , y e t i t was n o t a s "drawn I have never heard o u t " n o r upheaving a s a one-year-long s a b b a t i c a l . a s much r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of y o u r mind--as God h a s i n s p i r e d you--as I h e a r d d u r i n g t h i s R e f r e s h i n g Program. E v e r y o n e seemed t o s t a t e your f e e l i n g s , your u n d e r s t a n d i n g , your purposes and God's t r u t h a s H e h a s l e d you. Believe m e w e a p p r e c i a t e t h a t b e c a u s e w e want t o s p e a k t h e - t o G o d ' s p e o p l e a n d s e r v e you w e l l . same Since we are unable t o see you p e r s o n a l l y a n d s p e n d t i m e w i t h you i n d i v i d u a l l y , i t w a s e x c i t i n g t o h a v e men t e a c h u s i n s u p p o r t of and w i t h t h e s p i r i t of l o y a l t y t o God's c h o s e n A p o s t l e .
W e - r e f r e s h e d , r e j u v e n a t e d a n d r e d e d i c a t e d t o s e r v i n g God, C h r i s t are
I a m h a p p y t o s a y t h a t i t w a s more t h a n I e x p e c t e d .

a n d you i n t h i s , G o d ' s g r e a t Work a n d C h u r c h . Thank God! And t h a n k you. L l o y d a n d Marcia B r i g g i e

Dearest M r .

Armstrong:
We

W e t h a n k a n d p r a i s e G o d ' s Holy N a m e f o r t h e R e f r e s h e r P r o g r a m .

t h a n k God f o r u s i n g you a s t h e g r e a t e s t e d u c a t o r i n modern t i m e s ( a n d maybe, f o r a l l t i m e s ) .

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E a c h a n d e v e r y s u b j e c t w e f o u n d t o be t h r i l l i n g , e x c i t i n g , i n s p i r i n g a n d v e r y , v e r y e d u c a t i o n a l . God e v e n i n s p i r e d t h e D e f e n s i v e D r i v i n g c l a s s e s . The t h r e e weeks t h a t J u d y a n d I s p e n t i n t h e R e f r e s h i n g Program, w e f i g u r e , i s e q u a l t o a b o u t s i x t y S a b b a t h s ! Thank y o u , S i r , f o r y o u r d e d i c a t i o n t o G o d a n d t h e C h u r c h . you f o r y o u r l o v e a n d c o n c e r n f o r a l l o f u s .

Thank

W e d e e p l y a p p r e c i a t e you and M r s . A r m s t r o n g ; w e a p p r e c i a t e t h e s a c r i f i c e o f M r . a n d M r s . R a d e r ; w e a p p r e c i a t e M r . a n d M r s . Tkach a n d a l l of t h e e v a n g e l i s t s a n d p a s t o r s , e l d e r s , d e a c o n s a n d a l l o f God's p e o p l e worldwide. W e deem i t a n h o n o r and a p r i v i l e g e t o h a v e

had a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o a t t e n d t h e R e f r e s h i n g P r o g r a m . May God c o n t i n u e t o d r a w u s a l l c l o s e r t o g e t h e r t h r o u g h s u c h p r o g r a m s as t h i s . God b l e s s y o u , S i r . C a r l t o n a n d J u d y Green

Dear M r .

Armstrong:

M w i f e D a r l e n e a n d I d o p r a y f o r you d a i l y , a s w e l l a s m u l t i p l e y thousands of o t h e r s around t h e e a r t h .

W e t h a n k you f o r i n i t i a t i n g t h e M i n i s t e r i a l R e f r e s h i n g P r o g r a m , w h i c h w e found t o b e v e r y i n f o r m a t i v e and s t i m u l a t i n g . Having a r r i v e d home a f t e r a t t e n d i n g t h e s e c o n d s e s s i o n , I f e e l more p o s i t i v e a b o u t W e have t h e a s s u r a n c e t h a t you, M r . Armstrong, have what I p r e a c h . s c r u t i n i z e d a l l t h e material given.
I know t h a t God w i l l s t r e t c h f o r t h H i s hand a n d b l e s s H i s Work, you H i s c h o s e n A p o s t l e , a n d a l l o f u s a s i n d i v i d u a l members of t h e Body o f C h r i s t , i f w e w i l l be i n t h e b u s i n e s s of g e t t i n g t h e Work d o n e a s H e d i r e c t s you.

W e w i l l be l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g a n d h e a r i n g you v i a t h e v i d e o t e l e p h o n e hookup a t t h e F e a s t o f T a b e r n a c l e s , a n d t h e L a s t G r e a t Day. I t h a s been a f e w y e a r s s i n c e I have h e a r d you o p e n t h e F e a s t

w i t h t h e p h r a s e , "Why a r e w e h e r e ? " Thank you v e r y much M r . A r m s t r o n g , f o r y o u r l o v e a n d f a i t h f u l n e s s towards t h e Word of God.

L e s l i e a n d D a r l e n e Schmedes Dear M r .

Armstrong:

Phoebe a n d I would l i k e t o e x p r e s s o u r a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r t h e M i n i s t e r i a l R e f r e s h i n g P r o g r a m , g r o u p # 2 , which w e were p r i v i l e g e d t o attend. I t i s t o u s a n e v i d e n c e of t h e i n s p i r a t i o n o f t h e Holy S p i r i t when a p r o g r a m so s h o r t i n l e n g t h c o v e r s a n d a c c o m p l i s h e s so much.

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I t w a s e n c o u r a g i n g t h a t t h e B i b l e w a s t h e main t e x t b o o k f r o m w h i c h w e a r e o n c e a g a i n r e v i e w i n g t h e d o c t r i n e s w h i c h God h a s p l a c e d i n H i s Church t h r o u g h your g u i d a n c e and d i r e c t i o n .

W e would a l s o l i k e t o e x p r e s s o u r t h a n k s t o t h e i n s t r u c t o r s whom you

have c h o s e n t o a c c o m p l i s h t h e t a s k of h e l p i n g t h o s e of u s i n t h e m i n i s t r y t o be of o n e mind a n d s p e a k t h e s a m e t h i n g .
Now t h a t w e h a v e r e t u r n e d t o o u r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i n t h e f i e l d m i n i s t r y , we pray t h a t t h e f r u i t s t h a t are borne a s a r e s u l t of o u r a t t e n d i n g t h e M i n i s t e r i a l R e f r e s h i n g Program w i l l i n some way b e a n e n c o u r a g e m e n t t o you t h a t y o u r e f f o r t a n d s a c r i f i c e s t o p u t G o d ' s Church back on t h e r i g h t t r a c k have n o t been i n v a i n .

Maceo a n d Phoebe Hampton

S p e c i a l T h a n k s From M e m b e r s
Dear M r .

Tkach:

T h e s e p e o p l e w i s h t o t h a n k you f o r y o u r men who h a v e come t o u s I h o p e t h a t many a d d i t i o n a l v i s i t s w i t h good news from P a s a d e n a . l i k e t h i s o n e may o c c u r i n t h e f u t u r e . D a n i e l D.

To: M r .

Gehman, P i n e C i t y , NY

Joe T k a c h , M i n i s t e r i a l S e r v i c e s - -

THANK YOU,

M r . Tkach, f o r s e n d in g M r . S a l y e r and M r . Feaze11 t o C o r n i n g a n d B i n g h a m t o n , N . Y . t o show u s by f i l m a n d t h e s p o k e n word t h e h e r o i c s u c c e s s of M r . A r m s t r o n g a n d M r . R a d e r , a n d a l l P a s a d e n a a n d Ambassador C o l l e g e l e a d e r s h i p a n d c o n g r e g a t i o n s i n p r e s e r v i n g a n d d e f e n d i n g t h e good name of o u r G r e a t God a n d H i s C h u r c h . And t h a n k you f o r g i v i n g u s t h e word t h a t a l l t h o s e a t h e a d q u a r t e r s a r e now g r a t e f u l l y b a c k i n g t h e Apostle. Thank you f o r i n s p i r i n g a n d o r n a m e n t i n g o u r l i v e s i n t h i s end t i m e .

( 3 1 member s i g n a t u r e s a p p e a r e d o n t h i s l e t t e r )

Comments From M o n t h l y C h u r c h R e p o r t s BROOKLYN/QUEENS, NY--LESLIE A. SCHMEDES: Our c o n g r e g a t i o n i s growi n g . A t t e n d a n c e h a s h e l d up w e l l t h i s summer. C o n c e r n a b o u t M r . A r m s t r o n g ' s w e l l b e i n g i s f o r e m o s t i n t h e m i n d s of m o s t . The l o c a l congregation i s v e r y u n i f i e d behind M r . Armstrong's l e a d e r s h i p .
M r . R a d e r ' s v i s i t t o t h e Augusta area AUGUSTA, GA--JOHN RITENBAUGH: w a s e s p e c i a l l y g o o d . R e p o r t e r s and i n t e r v i e w e r s w e r e c o r d i a l , res p o n s i v e , a n d k n o w l e d g e a b l e a b o u t t h e case. S u p p o r t i v e a r t i c l e s appeared i n t h e t w o Augusta newspapers.
COLUMBIA, SC--JOHN RITENBAUGH: D e s p i t e n o t g e t t i n g a n y new PMs, a t t e n d a n c e i s u p a n d b e t t e r s t i l l , a t t i t u d e s a r e v e r y up. Mr. Rader's v i s i t d i d much good r e g a r d i n g t h e l a w s u i t a n d d i s p e l l i n g f e a r s a b o u t him. A very unifying effect.

PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, S e p t e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 8 0

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A r m s t r o n g ' s t a p e s a r e v e r y much a p p r e c i a t e d by m e . N o t only do t h e y h e l p m e t i m e - w i s e , b u t t h e y a r e u n i f y i n g u s by h a v i n g a s i n g l e v o i c e week by week e x p o u n d i n g b a s i c p r i n c i p l e s of t h i s Way.

Mr.
HAZARD,

KY--WARREN J . HEATON 111: W e h a v e t h e j o y i n s h a r i n g t h e Everyone w a nt s t o e x c i t e m e n t o f a new c o n g r e g a t i o n h e r e i n H a z a r d . h e l p a n d serve. T o t o p i t o f f I had f i f t e e n r e q u e s t s f o r b a p t i s m i n o n e week!

God i s a l r e a d y b l e s s i n g t h i s new a r e a w i t h g r o w t h . We've h a d t w o f a m i l i e s move away f o r employment, b u t t h e y w e r e r e p l a c e d by f o u r new f a m i l i e s . Weekly L e t t e r Comments S i n c e a number o f b r e t h r e n w i l l b e s t a r t i n g t h e i r t h i r d t i t h e y e a r a f t e r t h e Feast, t h e f o l l o w i n g a c c o u n t s of abundant t h i r d t i t h e b l e s s i n g s should Also, t h o s e who r e c e i v e d a n e a r l y c o p y o f M r . R a d e r ' s b o o k , be inspiring. A G A I N S T THE GATES OF HELL, f o u n d i t i n t e r e s t i n g a n d g r i p p i n g . Through t h e b o a k , t h e y h a v e a l s o b e e n a b l e t o g e t t o know a n d a p p r e c i a t e M r . R a d e r a n d h i s work much b e t t e r . F i n a l l y , m e m b e r s are e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y I t i s h e l p i n g them r e c e i v i n g t h e s p e c i a l F e a s t i s s u e of The GOOD NEWS. t o become more p r e p a r e d f o r t h i s y e a r ' s F e a s t . T h i r d T i t h e B l e s s i n a s Abound!
W e have been i n o u r t h i r d t i t h e y e a r s i n c e l a s t Feast of Tabernacles

and w o n d e r f u l b l e s s i n g s h a v e b e e n p o u r i n g f o r t h o n u s e v e r s i n c e W e a r e now t o t a l l y o u t o f d e b t a n d h a v e f o u n d a home t h a t i s then. a f f o r d a b l e a n d close t o w h e r e my h u s b a n d w o r k s . Also, my h u s b a n d h a s b e e n g i v e n g r e a t f a v o r i n t h e e y e s o f h i s b o s s a n d t h e y h a v e become friends. The s p i r i t u a l b l e s s i n g s h a v e b e e n f a n t a s t i c . M r . Armstrong's l i v e sermon o f t h e L a s t G r e a t Day moved m e t o t e a r s s e v e r a l t i m e s . The B i b l e S t u d y s e r i e s o n Romans a s w e l l a s t h e many l e t t e r s a n d a r t i c l e s have a l l been great b l e s s i n g s . Now my h e a r t i s s o f i l l e d w i t h j o y t h a t I s e e m unable to.contain it.
--Mrs.

J a n i c e Young ( S a l e m , OR)

While i n I t h i s t h i r d t i t h e y e a r money w a s t i g h t , t w o b l e s s i . n g s o c c u r r e d . n e e d e d a v e r y good m a t t r e s s f o r my b a c k , so I p r a y e d a b o u t i t . The n e x t d a y my b r o t h e r c a l l e d up a n d t o l d m e t h a t I c o u l d h a v e a new $ 5 5 9 m a t t r e s s a n d b o x s p r i n g s e t f o r $1501 H i s f r i e n d b o u g h t i t and c o m p l a i n e d t o t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r a b o u t a t i n y s p o t a n d t h e manuf a c t u r e r s e n t him a n o t h e r s e t . S e c o n d l y , my k i t c h e n I d i d n ' t h a v e enough the reupholsterer to t o t a l of $ 3 4 . Their chairs entirely, but would h a v e c o s t o v e r c h a i r s w e r e b a d l y i n need of r e u p h o l s t e r i n g . money t o h a v e them d o n e c o m p l e t e l y , so w e a s k e d do j u s t t h e s e a t p a r t and n o t t h e backs f o r a w o r k e r s made a m i s t a k e a n d r e u p h o l s t e r e d t h e w e d i d n o t have t o pay e x t r a . It probably $ 1 0 0 t o h a v e them d o n e e n t i r e l y . --John
Palmeri

God i s t h e g r e a t e s t g i v e r a n d s e r v a n t i n t h e u n i v e r s e .

(Jamaica, NY)

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1 Page 1

Although I ' v e c e r t a i n l y had m s h a r e o f t r i a l s and t r i b u l a t i o n s , y I ' v e a l s o r e c e i v e d many b l e s s i n g s s i n c e b e i n g i n G o d ' s C h u r c h . S i n c e about t h e beginning of m l a s t t h i r d t i t h e y e a r , I ' v e y f i v e p a i r s of s h o e s m s i z e , y r e c e i v e d a l l of t h e f o l l o w i n g f r e e : t w o c o l o r TV s e t s , t h r e e c a r s , and more f u r n i t u r e t h a n I c o u l d keep. I a l s o r e c e i v e d many s p i r i t u a l b l e s s i n g s , a b e t t e r j o b God has truly w i t h a s u b s t a n t i a l r a i s e , and improved h e a l t h . o p e n e d up t h e windows of h e a v e n f o r m e e v e n a s I p r a y e d , b u t t h e s e are a l l an e x p r e s s i o n o f God's g r e a t l o v e and mercy. We a l l o u g h t t o u s e t h e s e many b l e s s i n g s God g i v e s u s as a n e n c o u r a g e m e n t t o s t r i v e t h a t much more t o b e t h e k i n d of p e o p l e H e w a n t s u s t o be. -4. D a v i d D o u t h e t t ( S a n D i e g o , CAI Being i n o u r t h i r d t i t h e y e a r , w e have r e a l l y b e e n b l e s s e d . God h a s b l e s s e d u s w i t h a r e f r i g e r a t o r , s t o v e , w a s h e r a n d lawn m o w e r - a l l f o r f r e e ! A l s o w e h a v e b e e n a b l e t o buy a l o v e l y t w o bedroom P r a i s e be t o God f o r H i s g e n e r o u s house i n a p e r f e c t l o c a t i o n . blessings. --Mr. & M r s . Frank Doherty (Wichita, K S )
I just don't H o w happy i t m a k e s m e t o g i v e t o t h i s e n d - t i m e W o r k . w a n t m t h i r d t i t h e y e a r t o end--my b l e s s i n g s a r e s o g r e a t ! y

--Mrs.
Mr.

L e s l i e Finger

(Milwaukee, W I )

R a d e r ' s Book Hard t o P u t Down

I t h a s b e e n s u c h a p l e a s u r e r e a d i n g M r . R a d e r ' s book, A G A I N S T THE I a m a b o u t a t h i r d of t h e way t h r o u g h . I t really is GATES O F HELL.

a s u p e r book. H a v i n g a l l t h e day-by-day f a c t s a v a i l a b l e a b o u t t h e c o u r t c r i s i s h a s b e e n so e n l i g h t e n i n g . Though I knew much o f w h a t h a p p e n e d , t o h e a r i t s t e p by s t e p h a s b e e n g r e a t . The p e r s o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t M r . R a d e r a n d M r . A r m s t r o n g i n e a r l i e r years w a s very interesting. I e n j o y knowing m o r e a b o u t t h e i r b a c k grounds. S e e i n g t h e p i c t u r e s of M r . A r m s t r o n g a n d M r . Rader v i s i t i n g v a r i o u s d i g n i t a r i e s i s so r e w a r d i n g . I couldn't help but s m i l e with j o y knowing t h a t I a n d many o t h e r s i n God's C h u r c h h a v e had a s m a l l p a r t i n making t h o s e v i s i t s p o s s i b l e - - h e l p i n g b r i n g God's Word t o others. I t i s a b l e s s i n g and p r i v i l e g e . --Mrs.
Mr.

Delores S c h i l l e r (Newbury P a r k , CA)

R a d e r ' s b o o k , A G A I N S T THE GATES O F H E L L , w a s t r u l y a w o n d e r f u l gift! I have t w o c h a p t e r s l e f t t o f i n i s h . It truly explains i n d e t a i l w h a t h a p p e n e d a y e a r a n d a h a l f a g o ! Thank y o u , M r . Rader! --Mr.
&

Mrs.

G.

Sherman ( C a r d i f f , CA)

M h u s b a n d and I are r e a d i n g w i t h k e e n i n t e r e s t M r . R a d e r ' s book, y A G A I N S T THE GATES O F HELL. I t i s t h e t y p e o f book w e would l i k e t o r e a d i n one s i t t i n g . I ' m s u r e i t w i l l g i v e a l l o f t h e members w o r l d wide a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of S a t a n ' s a t t e m p t t o d e s t r o y God's Church a n d why w e m u s t c o n t i n u e t o f i g h t t h a t o n g o i n g b a t t l e .
--Mr.
&

Mrs.

C l a y T h o r n t o n ( P a s a d e n a , CA)

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SDecial Feast G.N.

E n t h u s i a s t i c a l l v Received

Have j u s t r e c e i v e d t h e s p e c i a l F e a s t e d i t i o n o f t h e GOOD NEWS a n d I have a l r e a d y r e a d m o s t o f i t and w i l l p r o b a b l y what a t h r i l l . read it a l l tonight. Am l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o t h i s y e a r ' s F e a s t o f T a b e r n a c l e s - - b e i n g my 2 9 t h F e a s t . Every y e a r t h e y are b e t t e r and more e x c i t i n g . Thank y o u M r . A r m s t r o n g f o r t h i s F e a s t e d i t i o n .
--Mrs.

E d i t h L . Read

( S o u t h P a s a d e n a , CAI

Thank y o u M r . A r m s t r o n g f o r s u c h a n i n s p i r i n g GOOD NEWS! With s u c h i n s p i r i n g a r t i c l e s , t h i s t r u l y s h o u l d be a v e r y u n i f i e d a n d b l e s s e d (both p h y s i c a l l y and s p i r i t u a l l y ) F e a s t . Thank y o u f o r g u i d i n g u s a l l t o such t e r r i f i c s p i r i t u a l food!

--Mr.
&

Mrs.

Gary V.

Lashua

( S t . P e t e r s b u r g , FL)

Greetings. J u s t r e c e i v e d t h e s p e c i a l e d i t i o n of t h e GOOD N E W S , w i t h a l l t h e articles i n preparation f o r the Feast. Can't w a i t to start r e a d i n g them a l l . What a b e a u t i f u l c o v e r . I n going over t h e artic l e o n " H o w T o U s e Y o u r S e c o n d T i t h e , " I now h a v e a b e t t e r p e r s p e c t i v e o n how t o k e e p t h e F e a s t Thanks f o r t h e a r t i c l e s on n o t e And--surprise t a k i n g a n d m a k i n g t h e F e a s t more s p e c i a l f o r c h i l d r e n . t o me--this i s s u e i s f o r t a k i n g w i t h u s t o t h e Feast!

....

--Mrs.

Diane W.

Hauser (Onalaska, W I )

W e j u s t r e c e i v e d t h e s p e c i a l A u g u s t e d i t i o n of t h e GOOD NEWS. We're g l a d t h a t you w e r e able t o g e t it o u t e a r l y t h i s y e a r , so w e c a n s t u d y a n d be b e t t e r p r e p a r e d f o r t h e F e a s t of T a b e r n a c l e s .

--Mr.

&

Mrs.

R o b e r t F . Warden

(Crete,

IL)

J u s t r e c e i v e d my new A u g u s t i s s u e o f t h e GOOD NEWS--the s p e c i a l J u s t by s c a n n i n g i t , t h e e d i t i o n for t h e F e a s t o f Tabernacles. i s s u e l o o k s great and w i l l t r u l y b e a b i g h e l p i n p r e p a r i n g f o r an o u t s t a n d i n g F e a s t throughout t h e world, wherever God's people w i l l be k e e p i n g i t . Thank y o u so v e r y much f o r t h i s s p e c i a l i s s u e . " --Harry
T.

W i t t e

( N e w C a s t l e , PA)

W e w o u l d l i k e t o e s p e c i a l l y t h a n k y o u M r . A r m s t r o n g a n d t h e GOOD NEWS s t a f f f o r t h e A u g u s t s p e c i a l e d i t i o n . W e f e e l t h a t i t w i l l be a h e l p f u l tool i n our observance of t h e F e a s t t h i s year. Thank y o u I t seems y o u know, w i t h o n c e a g a i n f r o m t h e bottom o f o u r h e a r t s . God's guidance, e x a c t l y what w e need.
--Mr.
&

Mrs.

A n t h o n y W h i t e ( T o c c o a , GA)
It is

I m u s t c o m p l i m e n t t h e GOOD NEWS s t a f f o n t h e s p e c i a l i s s u e . t h e m o s t w o n d e r f u l GOOD NEWS e v e r . Keep u p t h e g o o d w o r k .

--Roy
--JOE

Patrick

( L u b b o c k , TX)

T K A C H , MINISTERIAL S E R V I C E S

PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, A u g u s t 1 5 , 1 9 8 0

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FLEET INFORMATION Diesel V e h i c l e s : W e are c o n s i d e r i n g a cash a l l o t m e n t system f o r f u e l p u r c h a s e s w h e r e d i e s e l f u e l c a n n o t be p u r c h a s e d o n t h e r e g u l a r Gelco c r e d i t card system. T h i s w o u l d mean t h a t w e m u s t be a b l e t o see s u b s t a n t i a l s a v i n g s , . 2 0 - . 2 5 C p e r gal., b y u s i n g l o c a l i n d e p e n d e n t d e a l e r s f o r f u e l purchases. I f y o u a r e up f o r t r a d e o u t , b u t t h e d i e s e l f u e l s t a t i o n s i n y o u r a r e a a r e n o t r e p r e s e n t e d by G e l c o , y o u may w a n t t o c o n s i d e r t h i s s y s t e m when d i s c u s s i n g y o u r new v e h i c l e w i t h u s . Ministerial t h e monthly penses only dealership, t o Gelco. Information Packets: There have expense r e p o r t s . This report is because any expenses i n c u r r e d a t o r o n t h e Gelco c r e d i t c a r d s w i l
--Ellis

b e e n some q u e s t i o n s r e g a r d i n g i n t e n d e d f o r N O N - G e l c o Exa n a t i o n a l account store, l automatically be reported

LaRavia, F l e e t A d m i n i s t r a t i o n

****

TO ALL FESTIVAL COORDINATORS AND WN PHOTOGRAPHERS

*****

J u s t a r e m i n d e r t o c o m p l e t e y o u r f e s t i v a l WN f o r m s a n d / o r s e n d i n your undeveloped b l a c k and w h i t e f i l m o n t h e due d a t e s prescribed. P h o t o g r a p h e r s n e e d t o A I R M A I L o r A I R EXPRESS t h e i r f i l m b a c k t o t h e WN n o l a t e r t h a n S e p t e m b e r 2 9 , a n d c o o r d i n a t o r s P r o d u c t i o n t i m e f o r t h e WN t h e i r completed forms by October 3 . i s e x t r e m e l y s h o r t a f t e r t h e F e a s t , t h e r e f o r e , l a t e r e p o r t s and p h o t o s w i l l - b e i n c l u d e d i n t h e s p e c i a l wrap-up i s s u e . not Please p l a n t o forward your r e p o r t s and p h o t o s as scheduled.
I f y o u a s a f e s t i v a l c o o r d i n a t o r f o r some r e a s o n h a v e n o t r e c e i v e d a c o p y o f t h e f e s t i v a l f o r m , p l e a s e f o r w a r d a summary o f y o u r s i t e ' s a c t i v i t i e s o n t h e above d a t e .

--Dexter
ON THE WORLD SCENE

H. F a u l k n e r , T h e W o r l d w i d e N e w s

GERMAN ELECTION UPDATE E a r l i e r t h i s m o n t h c a m p a i g n i n g f o r t h e October 5 West German n a t i o n a l e l e c t i o n s o f f i c i a l l y b e g a n . N o t t h a t it had n o t a l r e a d y started u n o f f i c i a l l y long before then.

C h a n c e l l o r - c h a l l e n g e r F r a n z Josef S t r a u s s had f o r e c a s t e a r l y o n t h a t t h e c a m p a i g n w o u l d be t h e " d i r t i e s t ever" i n t h e h i s t o r y of t h e F e d e r a l Republic. I t seems h i s p r e d i c t i o n w a s c o r r e c t . From all i n d i c a t i o n s ( b a s e d u p o n c o n d i t i o n s p r e v a i l i n g u p t o S e p t e m b e r ) Herr S t r a u s s w a s t h e r e c i p i e n t o f m o r e a b u s e t h a n h i s o p p o n e n t , C h a n c e l l o r Helmut S c h m i d t . H e has b e e n d e p i c t e d i n c a m p a i g n p o s t e r s ( n o t a p p r o v e d b y h i s o p p o n e n t s , o f f i c i a l l y a t least) i n various dictatorial poses. One showed S t r a u s s , a b u t c h e r ' s s o n , s l i c i n g u p a s a l a m i labeled "Freedom." S t r a u s s , r e p o r t e d TIME m a g a z i n e , w a s t o b r i n g d e f a m a t i o n c h a r g e s a g a i n s t a r o c k g r o u p f o r a s o n g c o n t a i n i n g t h e l y r i c s , " F r a n z Josef t h e p i g ,

PASTOR GENERAL'S REOPRT, A u g u s t 1 5 , 1 9 8 0

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F r a n z Josef t h e s l i p o u t of t h e Franz Josef w a s similarity to a

old p i g , Franz Josef t h e l u s t i n g swine." Attempting t o l e g a l a c t i o n , t h e band i s s a i d t o h a v e r e t o r t e d t h a t t h e name of t h e i r mascot, a c a r d b o a r d p i g , a n d t h a t " a n y l i v i n g swine i s p u r e l y c o i n c i d e n t a l . "

P o l e m i c s and charged r h e t o r i c a s i d e , t h e campaign, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e p o l l s t e r s i s s t i l l much i n t h e e n c u m b e n t ' s f a v o r . I n a s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d by d e r S p i e g e l , t h e W e s t German news m a g a z i n e , 7 3 % of t h o s e p o l l e d f e l t C h a n c e l l o r S c h m i d t would w i n . The same p e r c e n t a g e o f t h o s e p o l l e d , however, d i d n o t f e e l t h a t S c h m i d t ' s p a r t y , t h e S o c i a l Democrats ( S P D ) , would g e t a n a b s o l u t e m a j o r i t y o f s e a t s i n t h e B u n d e s t a g , a c c o r d i n g t o West G e r m a n y ' s r a t h e r c o m p l e x a p p o r t i o n i n g f o r m u l a . T h e r e f o r e , t h e SPD needs c o n t i n u e d s u p p o r t i n t h e Bundestag f r o m i t s c u r r e n t c o a l i t i o n T h e FDP w a s s h o c k e d when i t f a i l e d t o g e t p a r t n e r , t h e F r e e Democrats. t h e n e c e s s a r y 5 % of t h e v o t e i n t h e s t a t e e l e c t i o n i n N o r t h R h i n e - W e s t However, e x p e r t s f e e l t h a t t h i s may a l s o s h o c k e n o u g h p h a l i a i n May. v o t e r s i n t o v o t i n g FDP o n October 5 t o make s u r e t h e y c l e a r t h e 5% barrier.
S t r a u s s ' b i g g e s t problem seems t o b e h i s i n a b i l i t y t o w i n t h e h e a r t s o f h i s own s i s t e r - p a r t y s u p p o r t e r s , t h e C h r i s t i a n Democrats, many of whom o n l y g r u d g i n g l y a c c e p t e d him a s t h e i r s t a n d a r d b e a r e r . ( S t r a u s s ' own Bavarian counterpart of p a r t y , t h e C h r i s t i a n S o c i a l i s t Union--CSU--the t h e n a t i o n a l CDU w h i c h o p e r a t e s i n t h e o t h e r n i n e W e s t German s t a t e s . ) I f , i n t h e c l o s i n g w e e k s , S t r a u s s c a n somehow w i n t h e m b a c k , h e s t i l l stands a chance. I t i s o f t e n o v e r l o o k e d t h a t t h e CDU-CSU c a n d i d a t e i n t h e 1 9 7 6 e l e c t i o n s - - t h e l a c k - l u s t e r H e l m u t Kohn--came w i t h i n 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 v o t e s of g a i n i n g an a b s o l u t e majority. So, much can s t i l l happen. --Gene
H.

Hogberg, N e w s Bureau