Tammy Tkach
Joseph Tkach
Kathleen Hart
INPUT--John Halford, Eiuropean regional director, makes comment on worship calendar during conference.
PASADENA--U.S. regional pastors and international regional directors gathered for meetings in Pasadena June 22 to 25.
"I'm pleased to say that we had plenty of open and frank, yet respectful, discussion on the subject of our annual worship calendar," said Pastor General Joseph Tkach.
"From those discussions and from subsequent communication has come what I believe is a Spirit-led official position on the subject," Mr. Tkach said.
"It was agreed and decided that the Worldwide Church of God will provide increased flexibility in worship by accepting the incorporation of the traditional Christian festivals into its annual worship calendar.
"How this flexibility is applied may vary from region to region internationally and from congregation to congregation in any given region.
"Congregations are free to meet on any combination of the festivals. A number of U.S. congregations have expressed their desire to celebrate only the Christian festivals and to no longer meet on the seven annual festivals, while other congregations prefer a combination of festival occasions."
Church Administration provides guidance for pastors on how to work with their congregation's preferences on days of worship.
"Celebration of any particular festival is not mandatory for membership, of course," Mr. Tkach continued. "We realize that for any number of reasons, sometimes personal and sometimes cultural, some members may decide not to participate in certain worship occasions, whether traditional Christian festivals or the seven annual festivals we have traditionally celebrated.
"We think it is important for our members to have that freedom, and I pray that our members will learn not to judge one another in these matters. We must preach Christ and live Christ."
John Halford, European regional director, said: ""It was encouraging to see that we could grapple with some real, and potentially divisive, issues that affect our various regions in a spirit of unity and mutual understanding."
Thursday, June 25 the Connections and Women's Ministry Department conducted the morning session.
Kay Persky led praise and worship, followed by a dramatic presentation. Joyce Catherwood described the anguish of the women who were with Jesus at the time of his crucifixion. Beth Mears portrayed the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed.
Susan Reedy, as Jesus' mother, recalled events from his life and relayed a mother's grief. Kay Persky then sang "He's Alive" to conclude.
After the presentation, Tammy Tkach spoke on "Women: Past, Present and Future." She discussed the role of women in the New Testament church and how the principles of the new covenant have empowered women in their service to the church today.
Then guest speaker Kathleen Hart, chaplain to student wives at Fuller Theological Seminary, talked about realities of the ministry, and how to finish well as ministers and wives.
The U.S. regional pastors and international regional directors had separate meetings June 26.
Then the international regional directors met in Palm Springs June 29 to July 2 to discuss international governance and worship calendars, as well as spending time daily in small group prayer and worship.
Speaking of the annual worship calendar, the pastor general continued: "When we gather for worship, it should be to celebrate what God has done in Christ and to worship the Lord of our salvation.
"We have come to see that the Christian festivals are designed and geared to celebrate the life and saving work of Christ, while the seven annual festivals were designed and geared to celebrate the deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt.
"However, we also realize that Christ can be preached on any occasion. We must learn to respect the feelings and preferences of one another.
"Worship, in fact, is our response to the immeasurable grace and goodness of our heavenly Father. Let us not mar it by harboring judgmental attitudes toward one another.
"Instead, let us follow the teachings of Romans 14 and accept one another, realizing our brothers and sisters are celebrating to the Lord the festivals they prefer. That is just one of the many ways Jesus calls upon us to love one another the way he loves us."
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Tammy Tkach |
Joseph Tkach |
Kathleen Hart |
INPUT--John Halford, Eiuropean regional director, makes comment on worship calendar during conference. |
 DISCUSSION--James Henderson (left), superintendent for African missions, talks with Ralph Orr, director of in-service education for the church, [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson] |
 Dan Rogers leads discussion. |
 Randal Dick |
 CONFERENCE COMMENTS--Ministers take part in group discussion during conference. |
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998