Herbert W Armstrong

These new letters will explain the Church teaching about attending services to those who specifically inquire about it. They will be used in the United States immediately and will be available for use by the

Regional Offices as needs and circumstances warrant. These letters should help to take some of the pressure off the ministry of having to disappoint those new contacts who wish to attend services before they are ready.

Having received this information up front, these people will know that you are not simply going to give them the time and location of services. They may be more apt to want to discuss proving the doctrines of the Church and preparing themselves to attend services.

Copies of both are included with this issue of the “Pastor General's Report” so that you can familiarize yourself with them. One letter is intended for "blue labels” and one, for "red labels." (See "Pastor General's Report, “November 15, 1985, for explanation of the use of red and blue labels.)

Flooding: When we hear or read in the news of natural disasters such as severe flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, etc., do our thoughts immediately turn to asking God's protection for His people who might be affected? Pastors can set the example by staying attuned to such occurrences, and reminding the brethren during services to pray for one another. (Sometimes I think a pastor can underestimate the power of his personal example in teaching the congregation. Those matters that you focus upon, that you mention or that you show interest in or concern about are obvious to the congregation. Never forget that people are convinced more by what you do than by what you say. You can tell people all day what they should do. But when you set the example for them by the kind of interest and enthusiasm you display, you have taught them much more. That is another reason your example must be one that reflects the godly love of the mind of Jesus Christ.)

But on the subject of natural disasters, I know God’s people in West Virginia appreciated the prayers of their brethren during the recent floods. I thought you would be interested in excerpts from a report by Mr. Steve Schantz, pastor of the Clarksburg, West Virginia, congregation.

God was certainly watching over the two families most seriously affected by the flooding in the Parsons, WV area. There is very little left of the small town that wasn’t damaged or destroyed. One member lost her home and everything in it. The waters rose so rapidly that people in the community only had time to evacuate without their belongings. At this moment, the member and her husband, not a member, have already relocated in a home above the flood plain. She mentioned that they are much happier in their new location and that they have been very well taken care of by way of basic needs.

Another family also survived the flooding in Parsons that washed away their immediate neighbor's home right before their eyes, while they themselves took refuge in the second story of their home. The members and their children carried many household items up the stairs to safety. When the flooding came suddenly to their property, all access routes were already blocked and they were trapped inside.

They spent the night praying for God's protection for themselves as well as their neighbors. God certainly heard those prayers because by the time the flood waters started receding the next morning their home was one of the only ones left standing on the block! At present they are staying with relatives and waiting for due process of their application for financial assistance to rebuild or refurbish their home. The long-term effects of the flood’s devastation of local economies will probably result in more unemployment and under employment. We have been very blessed here in that most of the men who were out of work a year ago are employed again! I believe the effect of this recent trial will be unifying for God’s people here. I see the need for us to be more “family minded " in terms of being our brother’s keeper, and recent events are bringing this need to our attention. Thank you for your concern and prayers.

Prayer Requested: I’d like to ask that each of you pray for Jennifer Robertson, 9-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Robertson. Mr. Robertson is a faculty member of Ambassador College in Pasadena. Jennifer has under gone this past Tuesday, December 10, a very serious operation to remove a tumor that was exerting extreme pressure on her optic nerve and her pituitary gland. The brethren in Pasadena were asked to pray for a successful outcome, due to the potential of the difficult operation itself resulting in partial or total blindness, or even death. As it turned out, although Jennifer seems to be recovering well from the surgery, the part of the tumor that was resting directly on the optic nerve was left, as it could not be removed without causing total blindness. However, she has lost all vision in her left eye. The doctors are now running tests to determine whether the tumor is malignant. Please remember the Robertsons in this extremely difficult trial.

Thank you for your continuing prayers for Mr. Armstrong. As he mentions in the member letter, God certainly does have the power to raise him up and heal him totally. Let’s continue praying to that end. Let's also remember to pray for a smooth and orderly transition with God's blessing for all those affected by the closure of the college in Big Sandy.

— Joseph Tkach, Church Administration