Herbert W Armstrong

Individuals making their first contact with a minister of God’s Church expect him to be just as warm, understanding, friendly and personable as Mr. Armstrong is on the telecast and in his Personals and articles. We must keep this in mind when we are talking to a new contact. If we are not careful, we could come across as cold, too businesslike, or super efficient. As the Apostle James tells us, "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom" (Jas. 3:13). God expects each of us to do his part to be a right reflection of Mr. Armstrong and of God's Church.

This carries over, of course, into all of our relationships with people. We should ask ourselves often, "How would Jesus Christ treat this person?" We must ask God continually for the mind of Christ in counseling and working with His people. God is not harsh and inconsiderate, nor is He lax and weak in administering His Law. As ministers, we should always be conscious of how we are affecting people. God expects us to set a right example in this area of human relations. He will give us the help we need if we are looking to Him for it.

Regarding the upcoming Night to Be Much Observed, it should again be observed the same way as in the past several years. Groups of two or three families should eat and fellowship together in an attitude of thankfulness and rejoicing for the deliverance from sin that we as New Testament Christians experience. The host or leading man should ask God's blessing on the meal and the occasion, but no further "sermonizing" should be done.

The meaning of the Night to Be Much Observed should be carefully explained on the preceding Sabbath, and the brethren should be encouraged to bear that meaning in mind as the background and focus of their spiritual fellowship during this special evening. Also point out how enjoyable it is to open our homes to one another — to plan and serve together, helping and fellowshipping with one another even in cleanup. And make sure that no widows or other single people are left out on this very important occasion.

Some have asked about the use of restaurants on this night. Although eating in a restaurant is not prohibited, experience has shown that it is much more preferable to have the meal for the Night to Be Much Observed in homes rather than in restaurants. The opportunity for quality fellowship is far greater in a home than in a restaurant. And since the Night to Be Much Observed does celebrate coming out of the sin of this world, observing it with brethren in an intimate, home atmosphere is much more meaningful.

A restaurant, even in a private room, provides too many possibilities for things to go wrong that might spoil or put a damper on the evening. Plans or reservations can be fouled up in many ways. There could be too few seats, wrong food served, improperly prepared food, poor service, unexpected noise ("music") or other distractions, last-minute cancellations due to sick children or auto problems, difficulties or sensitivities in computing each family's share of the bill, etc. These things have actually happened to various brethren at one time or another when they ate in restaurants on the Night to Be Much Observed. Many who have observed this very special evening in restaurants felt they missed the spirit of the occasion. On the other hand, we realize that there may be the rare situation where some may find a restaurant setting appropriate.

Be sure to also remind the brethren to plan and prepare well in advance for this spring festival period so they won't come up short at the last minute because of meal needs on the first holy day. There should be two services on that day as on all holy days except Atonement.

On another subject, we have been asked several questions about saving second tithe from one year to the next to visit an overseas Feast site, or a distant one on one's own continent. If it is necessary for a member to save his excess second tithe to make such a trip, he should first discuss it with his local pastor. His pastor should help him evaluate the advisability of transferring to a distant site.

The first priority concerning the use of second tithe is to properly rejoice before God at one's assigned Feast site. Members should not "skimp and save" during the Feast one year so they can travel to a faraway site the following year. Not only should a member properly rejoice before God at the Feast, he should fulfill his obligation to share his blessings with the less fortunate by sending in some excess second tithe. He should also contribute the tithe of the second tithe to the Church. If he is financially able to do all these things and still have extra second tithe, then he could save the excess until he has sufficient to transfer to an overseas or otherwise distant Feast site.

Members who are saving second tithe over in this manner should also have a valid reason for wanting to transfer — such as visiting parents or grandchildren whom they have not seen for years, or specific educational opportunities (for example, visiting Headquarters or Jerusalem). Their desire should not be simply that of wanting to take a vacation.

Thank you, as always, for your faithful labor of prayer for Mr. Armstrong and all of us here in Pasadena. Our prayers are with you in the great calling God has placed upon your shoulders.

Recent Ordinations

On the Sabbath, December 1, 1984, Mr. Dennis Leap was ordained a local church elder by Mr. Gerald Flurry, pastor of the Pasco, Washington congregation. Mr. Leap, who recently moved to New York, now serves in the Buffalo (South), New York church.

During the New Zealand regional ministerial conference February 21 and 22, 1985, Mr. David Klenner, of the Palmerston North congregation, was ordained a local church elder. Hands were laid on Mr. Klenner by evangelist Mr. Gerald Waterhouse, New Zealand Regional Director Mr. Peter Nathan, Mr. Jack Croucher and Mr. Lyall Johnston.