We in the Auditorium PM congregation were privileged to hear from Mr. Gerald Waterhouse last Sabbath, March 9. He has just completed his eighth world tour, and will begin his ninth in early April. His message about the new world government that God is preparing through His Church, soon to be established at the return of Jesus Christ, was most inspiring and encouraging! Mr. Waterhouse pointed out the need for all of us to recognize and respond to the government of God in our lives, from God the Father through Jesus Christ, down through Mr. Armstrong and the rest of the ministry, and finally in our families. The Auditorium AM and Imperial AM congregations will hear Mr. Waterhouse this coming Sabbath, March 16.
Regarding the Night to Be Much Observed, some ministers have been under the impression that unbaptized mates of members should not attend this occasion with other members. This is not the case! Nonmember mates should be made to feel welcome to attend. Of course, conduct and conversation on this evening should be in accordance with the nature of the observance, as discussed in last week's PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT.
On another subject, we are still experiencing occasional problems regarding the reinstatement of disfellowshipped persons. In each of these cases, most problems could have been avoided if the minister who reinstated the individual had contacted the minister who put the person out PRIOR to his reinstatement!
This should be a routine procedure before reinstating any disfellowshipped person. If the minister who disfellowshipped the individual is still in the ministry, always check with him before reinstating. (U.S. ministers can find out who disfellowshipped a person by calling Cledice Decker at the Mail Processing Center in Pasadena. International ministers should check with their Regional Office if the minister who did the disfellowshipping is not available.) Also, the other elders in your area may know the circumstances if the former pastor cannot be consulted.
Sometimes there are factors involved you need to be aware of to make the proper decision. As Mr. Armstrong continually stresses, there must be PERFORMANCE — real repentance — on the part of the individual before he is reinstated! How can we determine whether that is true if we have not taken the time to gather all the facts?
Reinstatement should not be taken lightly. It is a serious responsibility to determine whether there really are fruits of repentance, and to be sure we are not doing the individual a gross disservice by reinstating him before he is ready.
We are currently finalizing Feast of Tabernacles ministerial assignments. I have been able to go over most of these with Mr. Armstrong already. U.S. ministers who have requested transfers should have received their confirmations by now. We are looking forward to a fine Passover season and beyond that to a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles!
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
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