Herbert W Armstrong

Mr. Herbert Armstrong has decided to put even stronger emphasis on the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course. As you know, the Correspondence Course has served for years as the “nuts and bolts” of study for those God is calling, as well as for the continuing study and sharpening of understanding for those baptized members of His Church. Mr. Armstrong feels it is time to focus even more strongly upon the development of new lessons in preparation for stepped-up advertising of the Course.

To give Mr. Richard Sedliacik the opportunity to devote his full time and attention to the course, Mr. Armstrong has transferred the production of the Pastor General's Report to Ministerial Services, beginning with the September 6 issue. Mr. Sedliacik is now concentrating his energies fully upon the expansion of the Correspondence Course. I know many of you ministers will appreciate the additional growth and promotion of this important phase of God's work.

You will also notice that beginning with the August 30 issue of the Pastor General's Report, Mr. Gene Hogberg's “On the World Scene” will appear biweekly. This will ease Mr. Hogberg's heavy schedule, freeing him to do more writing for The Plain Truth by reducing the number of pressing deadlines. I know all of you greatly appreciate Mr. Hogberg's in-depth analysis of major current events and issues. This will continue to be an important part of the Pastor General's Report every other week. (We will be including other material on alternate weeks.)

Several weeks ago, Dr. David Albert gave an outstanding sermon on the subject of fatherhood that Mr. Armstrong felt should be played in all congregations. That sermon was not mailed out at the time due to the fact that Mr. David Hulme's message on liberalism and Dr. Clint Zimmerman's sermon on marriage were also in the works. Although we are now in the process of sending it out, I'd like each pastor to hold it till after the Feast before playing it. It should not be used as a "fill-in” message when part of the congregation is missing just before the Feast.

I hope each of you pastors realize the importance of these sermons from Headquarters. Mr. Armstrong feels all members should hear them. They should be played on Sabbaths when the most brethren will be present. They should not just be played for Bible Study when fewer brethren are present. Pastors should introduce these tapes enthusiastically, pointing out the unifying quality of all God's people hearing the same message. Brethren should see clearly the pastor's support and backing of Mr. Armstrong and Headquarters in the way he carries out this responsibility. (A simple “well, we have another tape this week” is not the way it should be done.)

The safety of God's people and the Feast sites in the path of Hurricane Elena have been in our prayers this past week. I have spoken with several pastors along the Gulf Coast and learned that damage has been minimal to members' property, although we don 't have all the facts yet. We'll have more details later in The Worldwide News.

The Feast facilities in St. Petersburg, Pensacola and Biloxi were spared any serious damage and the Feast is still “go” in each of these sites. Biloxi was hit hardest, and many housing establishments were destroyed. At this point it still looks like most of the major hotels our people use are in good condition. Brethren who were scheduled to stay in now-damaged rooms will be reassigned to other housing.

On another subject, the Festival Office receives letters each year praising Church members for their good conduct at the Feast of Tabernacles. Unfortunately, we also occasionally receive a report that doesn't conform to our expectations. This type of complaint is usually from the owner or manager of a hotel, claiming that one of our members abused or damaged property. Some have told stories of noisy, boisterous conduct by members, of disregard for hotel rules, or of damaged beds and furnishings that have cost hundreds of dollars to replace.

Not only is this type of report embarrassing to deal with at the time, it can also greatly damage a developing relationship with a hotel. Negotiating for rooms at good rates for next year's Feast can become very difficult after such an incident.

Hotel personnel are quite aware of our presence since we spend much of our time in the rooms, hallways, restaurants and recreational areas. They see our attitude and conduct close-up for eight days or more. We have responsibility before God to set a right Christian example at all times. So let's all be extra conscious of being tidy and clean with our belongings, careful with the furnishings in hotels, and respectful of the need of quiet, well-mannered conduct by children and adults alike.