September 1998Contents

DALLAS, Texas--La Roche College, a co-educational, private college that has an established campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of the assets of the former Ambassador University campus in Big Sandy.

Included in the purchase and sale agreement is a feasibility period during which the prospective buyer determines if the property is suitable for its needs.

The prospective purchaser intends to continue using the property as a liberal arts university, with the expectation that it will attract an international student body, according to Monsignor William Kerr, president of La Roche College.

According to President Kerr: "La Roche is strongly committed to preparing students to become contributing members of our ever-changing global society. Having gained an education rich in the Christian tradition, coupled with career-focused professional experience and a liberal arts foundation, our graduates are highly marketable."

Bernard Schnippert, WCG treasurer, said: "The WCG is pleased to know that the prospective buyer is an educational institution with a philosophical commitment to comparable values and vision for which we have used the property."

Bill Vaughan with the Dallas office the Grubb & Ellis real estate company, represented both parties in the transaction. According to Mr. Vaughan: "At its peak, Ambassador University had an enrollment of about 1,200 students plus faculty and staff. The re-opening of the university will represent a boon to the East Texas economy."

Monsignor Kerr said: "Enrollment could quite possibly exceed the previous enrollment in just a few years".

The Ambassador University core campus is 228 acres in size and it is surrounded by almost 2,000 acres of pristine farm and timberland, also owned by the university. It has about three-quarters of a million square feet of building improvements ranging from classroom to office buildings, dormitories to private residences, as well as a convention center and fieldhouse. Many of the improvements were completed in the early 1990s and are in excellent condition.

Other property includes a nine-hole golf course; extensive athletic and recreational facilities; two private lakes; campgrounds with bathhouses; an airstrip (almost one mile in length); an FM radio station; and on-site water and wastewater treatment facilities. The contemplated sale also includes all of the personal property of the university including library contents.

In this issue

Cell groups

"Our family appreciates the two years we have experienced being in a cell group," writes Martha Riley from Wichita, Kansas. Because of this experience, we prayed for our Wichita church youths to also experience basic Christian community in a cell group.

The teens enjoyed the first cell meeting. Relationships among the teens began to grow. When the cell meeting was scheduled, more teens attended worship services.

Also, the Bugo cell group from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, is now a full-fledged congregation. It conducted its first service June 28. Page 5.

Personal

Three basics of Christian life are illustrated in Acts 2:42: 1) Discipleship, or growing in grace and knowledge; 2) Fellowship, or a sense of community among the believers; and 3) Worship, represented in this verse by prayer, perhaps also by the breaking of bread.

Discipleship, fellowship and worship are three "ships" that form the framework for what the church does today. To keep the church ship-shape, we also need to devote ourselves to discipleship, fellowship and worship. Page 6.

Reconciliation

"Racism among Christians is one of the sad and destructive blemishes on the body of Christ," said Pastor General Joseph Tkach.

"Jesus came to redeem and deliver all people everywhere, and racism conflicts with the core of the gospel message."

In an effort to stand against growing racial incidents in America and around the world, the WCG has, for the past three years, conducted racial healing weekends and seminars in association with the Center for the Healing of Racism in Houston, Texas.

Now Curtis May, regional pastor in Pasadena, will act as director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries in Church Administration in Pasadena. Pages 8 to 11.

Doctrinal team

In March, the Advisory Council of Elders appointed a doctrinal advisory team to be responsible for the review of doctrinally related church literature.

Part of the team's responsibility is to review the church's Statement of Beliefs for accuracy and choice of content and to make recommendations, as needed, to the Advisory Council of Elders for changes, additions or deletions.

Each member of the doctrinal advisory team serves by appointment of the Advisory Council of Elders, which in making the appointment considers, among other things, level of education in theology and related subjects, age, experience in Christian leadership and current responsibilities within the Worldwide Church of God.

Current appointed members of the team are (in alphabetical order), Mr. Albrecht, Dean Blackwell, Carn Catherwood, Randal Dick, Russell Duke, Mike Feazell (chair), Herman Hoeh, Ron Kelly, John McKenna, Michael Morrison, Ralph Orr, Richard Rice, Dan Rogers, Bernie Schnippert, Norman Smith and Joseph Tkach. Pages 12 and 13.

Treasurer's Report

July closed with a daily mail average of just less than $98,000. This ranks second only to January of this year ($90,000 a day) as the lowest income month in recent memory.

As I review the figures, I am reminded of the prudence of making the painful but necessary budget cuts we made during the past several years both here at headquarters and more recently in the field ministry.

July's average brought the yearly average down to $108,000, a little less than this year's revised budget of $110,000 a day. Page 22.

Letters to the editor

Letters for this section should be addressed to "Letters to the Editor." The editor reserves the right to use letters so addressed in whole or in part, and to include your name and edit the letter for clarity or space. We welcome your comments.

Do all to honor Christ

I spent an hour or more reading the article about the annual worship calendar (August WN). This is not because of its length or because I'm such a slow reader, but I would read a short section and meditate on what I just read, thinking about past, present and future, how it would apply to me, and how it should apply to all Christians.

We call ourselves Christians and then we sit back and judge others because they raise their hands during services, or because they verbalize amen during services or they may keep Christmas or Easter.

If all of the above are done to recognize Jesus Christ as the one who lived, died and was resurrected for all mankind, how can we sit back and call ourselves Christians if we criticize what they are doing?

I think this was an exceptionally good article and would be worth reading more than once. I think it is good that we can have diversity in style and form.

Teaching teens sexual purity

In the August WN on page 19 is an excellent article on sexual purity. However, there is no mention in the article about one who has fallen from sexual purity. You and I know that thousands of young teens and college students have already made the mistake.

Author's note: We begin any workshop we do about sex with an encouragement to young people to start fresh and clean from that day forward. We talk about forgiveness and how perfect Jesus' forgiveness is.

I always talk to youths with the assumption that any or all of them may not be virgins and that there may even be some pregnant girls in the audience. There is no other logical place to start except to wipe the slate clean.

I was remiss in leaving out the fact that we covered this aspect in our series and that we reiterate this on a regular basis. I am so thankful that Roger Smith pointed this out.

Transformed by Truth

I finished reading Transformed by Truth, and found it to be a really great book.

I grew up in the Pasadena area and I'm a Christian who is interested in apologetics and cult evangelism. I'm also now a subscriber. I just wanted to pass along encouragement and let you know that I enjoyed the book.

I consider the story of the WCG to be a fascinating one, and my hope is that it is repeated in many more churches where the true gospel is being downplayed, ignored, perverted or ridiculed.

Schnarrenbergers Schnarrenberger.jpg (12019 bytes)

to Salt Lake City

PASADENA--Gerald and Connie Schnarrenberger moved to the Salt Lake City, Utah, area in August to become regional pastor of a new Salt Lake City region.

Mr. Schnarrenberger will continue the duties he performed as a Church Administration staff member in Pasadena: assisting with hiring and transferring U.S. ministers; supervising the nonsalaried pastors program; writing and editing the ministerial manual; and giving assistance to other regional pastors and field pastors.

In Salt Lake City, Mr. Schnarrenberger will mentor and teach the 23 pastors in the region. He plans to visit church congregations two or three times a month and conduct training seminars and miniconferences.

The new Salt Lake City region was carved out of the vast expanse of the western United States.

"The area is so broad that it overtaxed other regional pastors," Mr. Schnarrenberger said. "We now have more manageable areas to supervise."

The Schnarrenbergers will return to Pasadena periodically for regional pastors, new pastors and planning conferences.

Mr. Schnarrenberger is the second Church Administration staff member to add regional pastor duties. Carn Catherwood, another staff member, supervises the Memphis, Tennessee, region.

Tkach family visits
Wichita, Kansas, congregation

WICHITA--The Wichita congregation welcomed Pastor General Joseph Tkach, his wife, Tammy, and their two children, Joe and Stephanie, at worship services Aug. 1.

Mr. Tkach gave a sermon on the importance of love, acceptance and relationships. Intercessory prayer was especially moving when the congregation broke into small prayer groups and prayed for C.W. Riley, a member diagnosed with cancer.

The Tkach family accepted an invitation from the Harry Garden family to join them after the worship service for a corn on the cob feast.

Mr. Garden, an elder, has a hobby of growing sweet corn. His family annually celebrates the sweet corn harvest with a corn on the cob banquet.

Teen cell group
enriches young lives

WICHITA, Kansas--Our family appreciates the two years we have experienced being in a cell group.

Because of this experience, we prayed for our Wichita church youths to also experience basic Christian community in a cell group. We prayed they would bond, have fun and develop relationships with one another.

Our 19-year-old son, Mark, immediately showed interest in a teen youth cell and talked to others. A date and time were set for the first Saturday evening teen cell meeting.

Mark was willing to give up his Saturday evenings to lead the cell, which consisted of mostly much younger teenagers.

The teens enjoyed the first cell meeting. Relationships among the teens began to grow. When the cell meeting was scheduled, more teens attended worship services. There was even less sibling rivalry in our family once the youth cell began.

This summer, Mark was offered a job working for his uncle away from home. This fall he will attend the University of Central Oklahoma.

As Mark began packing to leave, tears began flowing. Leigha, Mark's 14-year-old sister, was so sad to see her big brother move away.

That would not have occurred just six months ago, before they were in a teen cell group together.

With mixed emotions, Mark reluctantly left the youth cell environment and home for a new world 300 miles away.

He left with commitments from friends to carry on the youth cell. Thanks to Mark's leadership, one of his spiritual gifts, basic Christian community was built among the WCG teens in Wichita.

In the process not only were the church youths bonded, but a 19-year-old brother and his 14-year-old sister were bonded as well.

Bugo cell group
becomes a congregation

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines--The Bugo Cell, one of eight cell groups here, conducted its first full church service June 28.

As a cell, led by facilitator Ed Rebollido, this small group attracted many new families into its weekly small group meetings. These families have started attending worship services in Cagayan de Oro.

Others wanted to attend worship services but could not because they work on Saturdays and the distance from Bugo to Cagayan de Oro is 16 kilometers.

So, our pastoral team agreed to establish an additional church in the Bugo district. The Bugo church meets on Sundays, and services are conducted in the Visayan language.

Sixty-five people attended the first service, including 20 from the mother church. They filled the living and dining rooms and kitchen of Mr. Rebollido's home--the venue of this new church.

The establishment of the Bugo church was not part of the original plan, but came in response to the needs of God's people. It came after just 12 small group meetings in Bugo.

Joven J. Abao is facilitator of the Lapasan Cell Group in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.

Personal from Joseph Tkach

Christian basics:
discipleship, fellowship, worship

The book of Acts tells us that the first Christians "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). Three basics of Christian life are illustrated here: 1) Discipleship, or growing in grace and knowledge; 2) Fellowship, or a sense of community among the believers; and 3) Worship, represented here by prayer, perhaps also by the breaking of bread.

Discipleship, fellowship and worship are three "ships" that form the basic framework for what the church does today. In order to keep the church ship-shape, we also need to devote ourselves to discipleship, fellowship and worship.

The WCG has traditionally had a strong sense of community. Through friendships made at the festivals, through connections made at Ambassador College and the Summer Educational Program, through a wide variety of social opportunities, through the WN, we have an extensive network of friends.

As people of Jesus Christ, we still need to be devoted to building and strengthening our fellowship. We still share a common spiritual journey, still share many of the same circumstances in our churches, still share in the WN, still share in many of the same songs.

But our greatest sense of unity should come from our faith in Christ our Savior--it is he who gives defining purpose to our lives. Our lives are in him, united to him, and through him, to each other.

We are all pressing toward the same goal, drawing on the same strength, praying to the same God, basing our lives on the same Book. It is this Book that tells us we need to strengthen the bonds between believers.

One proof of the true church, said Jesus, is that his disciples love one another (John 13:35). This means a respect for all, a humility that knows that Jesus died for other people just as much as he died for us.

It means a willingness to follow Christ, to serve others rather than just ourselves. It means positive relationships between different races, social classes, temperaments and personalities--relationships that transcend the normal barriers of human society.

As James said: "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, `Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers....

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, `Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:8-9, 15-17).

The Old Testament prophets said something similar: Our worship is in vain if it is not accompanied by good relationships with others (Isaiah 1:11-17; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8). Jesus also condemned the profession of worship when it was not accompanied by the performance of love.

Paul criticized the Corinthian church for having social divisions between rich and poor (1 Corinthians 11:18-21), between those who had certain spiritual gifts and those who did not (1 Corinthians 12). He gives the solution in chapter 13: love that is patient and kind; love that does not show off, but humbly serves others.

Paul exhorts that everything in church meetings should be done for the strengthening of the church (1 Corinthians 14:26). Instead of continuing the divisions in the church, the Corinthians were to concentrate on strengthening the unity of the body.

This is good advice for us today: to seek unity--not through enforcing uniformity of diet, not through enforcing preferences about days of worship, not through limiting the kind of worship songs we sing, but through mutual respect and love, rooted in Christ's love for us, working within us, transforming us to become more and more like him.

We are to love not just those who are similar to us, but also those who are different. "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:9-10).

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are given numerous responsibilities toward one another. Simply meeting together for worship does not fulfill all these responsibilities--we are also to have active interrelationship with others in the church.

Small groups are perhaps the best way for us to grow in our interrelationships, as we gather in the context of prayer, of reliance on Scripture as the basis of our beliefs and practices, and of concern for one another. We are growing together, worshiping together, strengthening our community.

For some members, a small group is formed for the specific purpose of growing together in love and faith; sometimes the group is formed around a task that needs to be done within the church; sometimes it is the women's ministry, or the children's ministry, or a music group. Many different types of groups can help strengthen the church.

Most people in the church should be able to join a group, to be able to contribute in times of strength and to be helped in times of need. God created us to be social. All people want to be loved, to be appreciated, to be able to contribute meaningfully to others.

Using days to focus on Christ

P.S. I want to mention also a few points about a topic that could weaken our sense of community, our devotion to our fellowship--worship days.

Can we remain together when members observe different sets of annual days? If Christ is in us, I believe we can. This wars against our human nature, but with Christ it is possible--even imperative--to love people who have different opinions and practices on this topic.

* Paul teaches that no days we select for worship should cause animosity between members (Romans 14:5). That applies equally to Easter, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Tabernacles and Christmas. If we have the "right" day of worship, but the wrong attitude, we gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

* In Christ, we are free to meet on any day of the week, any day of the year. But no matter when that is, we are to preach Christ, not the day. Our worship and our messages must focus on him, not on the day.

We certainly do not want anything in our messages to imply that people who observe one day are better or more obedient than those who observe another.

I believe that traditional Christian holidays do that more directly than traditional Jewish festivals do. In Western nations, almost everyone knows that Easter commemorates Christ's resurrection, whereas almost no one has even heard of wavesheaf Sunday, much less know that it foreshadowed the resurrection.

In other words, Easter presents a clear picture, whereas wavesheaf Sunday presents a picture that requires lengthy explanation before it is understood.

* The Old Testament tells us that the Israelite festivals picture the Exodus from Egypt, and the Israelite harvest seasons. (See Bible Study, pages 25 and 26).

Colossians 2:16-17 tells us that they also foreshadowed Christ, but this was in an indirect and undefined way. The entire old covenant ritual system foreshadowed Christ (Hebrews 10:1), but different rituals pictured different aspects of spiritual redemption.

After Christ, we can look back and see points of parallelism, but it is difficult to start only with the Old Testament rituals and from them get a clear picture of what Jesus Christ would actually do.

Some details had significance, and others did not. The Old Testament simply does not give us a clear picture. Perhaps it would be like trying to determine the color of an object by the shape of its shadow.

* The principle of the old covenant days was that God's people were to commemorate the saving events in their history. The same is true for Christians today.

The Israelites looked back to a physical salvation, but we look to a far more important spiritual one. We look back not so much to the Exodus, as to Jesus Christ, specifically his crucifixion and resurrection, and also his birth.

His crucifixion is vital to our salvation, his resurrection is vital to our faith, and the birth of Jesus was a cause for celebration among the holy angels.

* Despite the limitations of the Israelite annual festivals, they can be used to worship Christ, just as other days can be. The early church apparently worshiped at the temple on the festivals--with no complaint from Paul. He did not castigate the Jewish believers for any deficiencies in their understanding.

Paul strongly objected to seeing the old covenant days as requirements for gentiles, but he seems to have no objection to them as options. Paul felt free to go into the temple, and free to preach on Sunday.

* Since days do not matter, we offer worship services according to the needs and desires of our members. In most congregations, that means that we offer worship services for the traditional WCG seven annual festivals.

It also means that most congregations in America will offer worship services for Easter and Christmas, too. It also means that a few congregations will not observe the annual festivals at all, and a few will not observe Easter and/or Christmas.

Our desire throughout is 1) that Christ is preached and 2) that no one judges others because of the days they happen to observe.

* Every pastor will, however, support and encourage those who wish to meet on any of these days, and will lead in such a way that Christ is honored, preached and taught.

That means pastors will not be teaching that the Israelite festivals are in any way required or expected, or that keeping them is an act of obedience to God, as we formerly believed and taught.

Logistics and numbers may require some festival worship meetings, whether Israelite festivals or Christian festivals, to be held in homes.

* The trend within the WCG in the past four years has been that a decreasing percentage of our membership is devoted to the annual festivals, and an increasing percentage wants to observe Easter and Christmas (and perhaps a few other traditional days).

I expect that this trend will continue, though interest in the Israelite festivals may never completely disappear. We intend to offer worship services on these days as long as members want them.

It would be inconsistent to preach grace and freedom while forbidding worship on days that have origins that we don't like. Wherever and whenever we gather as God's people, we have an opportunity to preach and worship Christ!

Christ should be our focus. As we draw closer to him, as we become more like him in love, days on a calendar will decrease in significance.

The days on the calendar are useful for worship, but they are not our primary goal. Our goal is not to force one set of days in, or to force another out--our goal is to lead people to Christ, and to let him live within us, to let his attitudes dominate us--attitudes of love, of respect for others, of humility, of being God-focused.

Our sense of community, our devotion to fellowship within the church, must be based on these internal truths, not the external matter of considering one day better than another.

Racial reconciliation workshops

Church announces
Office of Reconciliation Ministries.
Workshops, seminars will continue.

PASADENA--"Racism among Christians is one of the sad and destructive blemishes on the body of Christ," Pastor General Joseph Tkach told The Worldwide News.

"Jesus came to redeem and deliver all people everywhere, and racism conflicts with the core of the gospel message."

Cherry Steinswender	Curtis & Jannice May		Steve Brown
Chris Beam	Carn Catherwood	Harold Jackson	Raul Ramos

Now Curtis May, regional pastor in Pasadena, will act as director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries in Church Administration in Pasadena.

"This will build on the fruitful history of our reconciliation efforts across North America," Mr. May said.

Reconciliation workshops

Since 1996, the WCG has been host for racial healing workshops in several cities.

Mr. May and his wife, Jannice, and Mr. Albrecht regularly join host churches and pastors, Chris Beam, and Cherry Steinwender of the Center for the Healing of Racism for these weekends.

"Carolyn Forche and Pat Barnes from Houston, Texas, are also much appreciated," Mr. May said.
Indeed, these seminars and workshops offer an occasion for WCG members and ministers to let their lights shine into the darkened crevices of racial antagonism.

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mayor Stephen Reed proclaimed Unity Days during the August seminar and publicly praised the WCG's efforts.

According to pastor Tom Pickett, Division Street was renamed Unity Street in honor of the weekend.

In St. Petersburg, Florida, pastor Steve Brown felt compelled to apologize to an African-American grandmother whose grandson was killed by a white police officer in questionable circumstances.

"That's the first time I've ever heard a white man say `I'm sorry' to me about anything," the woman replied.

Chris Beam, pastor of the Houston North congregations, is a member of the center's Ally Council. "I've had the blessing of being mentored personally by Cherry [Steinwender]. What a tremendous opportunity for growth and change and learning."

Carn Catherwood, veteran WCG minister, has conducted seven racial reconciliation weekends. He welcomes this as "a wonderful opportunity for our fellowship and a part of our God-given mandate."

Mr. Catherwood continued: "The Lord Jesus Christ described the church ideally as a `house of prayer for all people.' Since our denomination is visibly multiracial, we have a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the power of the gospel together."

Balm in Gilead

We have in our churches black brethren who stood with Martin Luther King Jr., in the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott of 1954-55, an event that effectively began the civil rights movement.

The late Harold Jackson, the first ordained African-American minister in the WCG, was acquainted with leading figures in the black community during his rich and fruitful life.

During the 1992 civil disturbances in Los Angeles, members of the racially mixed Los Angeles church were determined to meet that weekend, desiring to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Yet the WCG's record on race is not spotless. In the past, we held a number of ideas that--intentionally or unintentionally--promoted peculiar racial ideas in our membership.

We taught British Israelism--that the United States and British nations were uniquely set apart by God. Some used this teaching to promote subtle forms of racial discrimination.

In the 1960s the WCG was slow to come to terms with public moves to desegregate society, not accepting black students to Ambassador College until 1965, for example.

Some of these teachings and policies still rankle. They left a bitter aftertaste that must be confronted, recognized and overcome.

It is not a question of racial healing workshops stirring up hurts and resentments, as some charge. In most cases the hurts and resentments are already there, simmering for decades. They need to be mollified with the ointment of God's Holy Spirit.

The WCG wants to be a safe house, where these hurts and feelings can be identified and overcome.

"Eventually we will be dealing with more than race," Mr. May said. "We want to face gender issues, reaching out to our estranged brethren, and interdenominational reconciliation. But race is the touchstone."

Prejudice plus power

Racism goes beyond mere prejudice. Racism is the power to perpetuate and intensify prejudice and exclusivism through institutions.

This is institutional or corporate racism: the legal power to intentionally or unintentionally afflict minority groups.

According to Mr. Beam, this is the reason that the Bible calls for a form of corporate repentance.

"Many Christians have a bumper sticker mentality about reconciliation. This mentality says, `Well, it's all been covered with the blood of Christ, and since I wasn't there when the transgression happened, I bear no responsibility.' "

This is not true, Mr. Beam argues. "Throughout Scripture, sins are passed down generationally. Exodus 34:7 is a case in point: `[The Lord] does not leave the guilty unpunished; for he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

In Joshua 7, one man--Achan--did a "disgraceful thing in Israel," which affected all the people of Israel.

Others cite 2 Samuel 21, where King David had to learn that he and his people were responsible for a sin committed a generation earlier.

King Saul had acted treacherously against the alien Gibeonites living in Israel's midst. An atonement had to be made to cleanse the land of corporate guilt. Corporate guilt demanded corporate repentance.

The new Office of Reconciliation Ministries will also focus on identificational repentance.

Mr. Beam explained: "When we practice reconciliation toward other people groups, we are indeed recapitulating the work of Christ.

I've found that when I make confession for myself and other people's sins, it often creates a bridge that allows other people to do the same. There seems to be a living law of self-disclosure that begins to create dialogue for healing to occur."

And of course, racial healing is larger even than renewing relationships between black and white Americans, as important as that is.

In San Diego, California, Raul Ramos, a WCG Hispanic-American pastor, conducted racial reconciliation seminars for his congregation.

"I discussed our former teaching about the racial purity of Noah and how that affected our members of color, and how it gave our Caucasian brethren a false sense of superiority, thus unwittingly hurting others.

"As ministers of reconciliation, we can help ease the pain if we reach out and show we care," Mr. Ramos said.

To educate and liberate

The WCG's commitment to racial healing has thus had many spinoff benefits that help get the new Office of Reconciliation Ministries off to a successful launch.

The Pasadena church, for example, is part of a group of churches planning a citywide racial reconciliation workshop for Pasadena and Los Angeles.

"We aren't trying to lay guilt trips on people," Mr. May said. "The Office of Reconciliation Ministries wants to educate and liberate. Please help us make this work. Together we can make a difference."

Racial reconciliation
weekend strengthens
relationships

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia--The Norfolk, Virginia, congregation, pastored by Stan and Saundria Murphy, was host to a racial reconciliation workshop May 16 and 17.

Members also attended from Richmond, Virginia, and a number of congregations in North Carolina.

During the morning of May 16, Curtis May, regional pastor in Pasadena, and Steve Brown, pastor of the Clearwater, Florida, congregation, conducted the racial reconciliation workshop.

The goals of the workshop were to increase awareness and sensitivity, strengthen relationships, encourage greater appreciation for cultural diversity and avoid polarization.

Both pastors shared their experiences with facing prejudice and racism. Members also learned about dealing with internalized racism.

An apology was made to and from the African-American brethren who have been affected by racism in the WCG.

After a break, church members shared incidences of prejudice as well. The workshop concluded with a buffet luncheon.

A worship service took place that afternoon. Members heard sermons by the workshop leaders and a testimonial by Ron Robinson, an elder from Montvale, New Jersey.

Members were treated to inspirational music from soloist Corliss White of Norfolk, and gospel groups, the Fayetteville Freedom Singers and the Jacksonville New Birth Gospel Choir.

The next day a WCG-African-American Cultural Event took place. The master of ceremonies was Keith Brittain, regional pastor for Virginia and North Carolina. A buffet luncheon and an African-inspired fashion show wrapped up the weekend.

Kansas City churches hosts
for racial reconciliation workshop

KANSAS CITY, Missouri--WCG members and guests participated in a racial reconciliation workshop June 27 and 28.

The workshop was sponsored jointly by the WCG and the Center for the Healing of Racism, headquartered in Houston, Texas. The workshop demonstrated how to recognize racism and how to deal with it.

Workshops were conducted both days, with a praise and worship service Saturday afternoon.

Workshop speakers Carolyn Forche and Patricia Barnes of the center presented sessions on the overt and unaware causes of racism and their results. They also discussed how racism is internalized by the victims of racism.

Split sermons were given by Curtis May, regional pastor in Pasadena and a member of the International Reconciliation Coalition founded by John Dawson; and Mr. Albrecht.

Ms. Forche and Ms. Barnes told participants that they are carriers of seeds that will be sown among those around them. This will bring about the only remedy for the elimination of racism--a Christ-centered education of the cause and effect of racism, repentance and forgiveness.

Joyful reconciliation
weekend in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Georgia--Carn and Joyce Catherwood attended combined services here April 11 and 12.

Mr. Catherwood led reconciliation services Saturday, and a resurrection service Sunday.

Nearly 500 members listened to Mr. Catherwood rehearse his upbringing in Canada, his history in the WCG, and the emptiness he experienced before the new covenant emphasis on Jesus Christ.

Mr. Catherwood said that the core of the gospel is a message of reconciliation. It is the promise of reconciliation between a Holy God and sinful people. This makes reconciliation possible between people.

Grace begets grace, he said. Christians will begin to seek reconciliation with others as they begin to experience God's grace.

Mr. Catherwood told of picturing himself at the foot of the cross during his experience of coming to Christ.

As Christians, the cross overshadows our lives and gives us a new identity, Mr. Catherwood said.

Although we remain members of different ethnic groups or nationalities, the common relationship--the blood kinship through the blood of Jesus--is much stronger than those things that divide us. The things that make us different are to be celebrated, not looked down on. We are to love one another and learn to work together while maintaining our diversity, he said.

Two services took place Saturday. In the morning, African-American members told of their experiences with racism and discrimination in this country and some in the church.

Many Caucasian as well as African-American brethren expressed their appreciation for the enlightenment of the reconciliation program, and for the way in which it was presented. They received a heightened awareness of what prejudice is, and how it hurts people.

Members also left with an appreciation for the many areas in which the WCG has exhibited leadership with its policies of inclusiveness at a time when it was not the general rule in our nation.

One of our distinctives is that we are a multi-ethnic worldwide church. Mr. Catherwood believes that racial reconciliation is a part of the mandate given to the WCG.

As a church, we have not been faultless in this area, he said, and that was acknowledged. Apologies on behalf of whole racial groups were made and accepted.

On Sunday a resurrection service focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the meaning of the empty tomb and our oneness at the foot of the cross. Services ended with many tears and hugs and better understanding among the brethren.

Doctrinal advisory
team formed:
items added to
Statement of Beliefs

PASADENA--In March, the Advisory Council of Elders appointed a doctrinal advisory team to be responsible for the review of doctrinally related church literature. Part of the team's responsibility is to review the church's Statement of Beliefs for accuracy and choice of content and to make recommendations, as needed, to the Advisory Council of Elders for changes, additions or deletions.

Primary task 01-Tkach 90ls.jpg (1713 bytes)

"To this point," according to Pastor General Joseph Tkach, "the team's primary job has been to add statements on certain important topics to the Statement of Beliefs.

"Other than a slight change of emphasis in the Christian Sabbath and Annual Festivals statements, no major changes to the current set of statements are anticipated," Mr. Tkach added.

Faithfulness to Bible

"In working on the additional statements, we are guided by certain principles," explained team chair J. Michael Feazell. "Above all is the principle of faithfulness to the Bible. We strive to be dogmatic where the Bible is dogmatic and flexible where the Bible is flexible." Feazell.jpg (4698 bytes)

Mr. Feazell continued: "It is natural to want clear and precise answers to every question we have about biblical matters. For that reason, it is often tempting to allow ourselves to become dogmatic about things the Bible really leaves unanswered.

"When Christians do that, of course, there are bound to be other Christians who will disagree. Various approaches to interpreting the Bible often lead to various conclusions. These varying conclusions sometimes lead to enthusiastic disagreement, and that sometimes, if not often, leads to division in the church."

Teach what the Bible teaches

"The Worldwide Church of God is committed to sound biblical teaching," explained Ron Kelly, manager of pastoral development.

"We want to teach what the Bible teaches. We do not want to hold back where the Bible does not hold back, nor do we want to plunge ahead where the Bible does not plunge ahead.

"There are many aspects to doctrine that are clear and dogmatic in the Bible," Mr. Kelly added. "On these, we want to be clear and dogmatic. There are other areas of doctrine that are not fully spelled out in the Bible. On these, we want to be clear that the Bible leads us not to hold a dogmatic position."

Commenting on dogmatism, Mr. Tkach said: "The Worldwide Church of God has suffered greatly because of what we might call unnecessary dogmatism. Unnecessary dogmatism is to be dogmatic about things we don't need to be dogmatic about.

"For example," Mr. Tkach continued, "we taught that Jesus was in the tomb 72 full hours, three full days and nights. We said that if Jesus was not in the tomb for a full 72 hours, then you do not have a Savior!

"Yet, if we are honest, we have to admit that the Bible does not put the time period of Jesus in the tomb in such dogmatic terms. The Bible uses many phrases, such as `on the third day' (12 times), `after three days' (four times) and `three days and three nights (once).'

"Is the real point about the exact length of time in the tomb, or rather about the fact that Jesus really died, was really buried and was really raised again to save us from our sins and give us eternal life?"

Unnecessary division Albrecht.jpg (20116 bytes)

"Many nonessential points can unnecessarily divide Christians," added Mr. Albrecht, director of Church Relations.

"These include such questions as the precise nature of hell and heaven, whether the dead are conscious before the resurrection and details regarding predestination and end-time events.

"Why should we give our conclusions about nonessential matters such priority that they cause us to become disgruntled and sour toward Christians who hold conclusions different from ours? We are committed to not letting that happen," Mr. Albrecht said.

"We do not want to contribute to allowing nonessential doctrines to tear Christians apart," Mr. Tkach continued. "Instead, we want to live by Jesus' command that we love one another, and therefore we must not make details of doctrine into tests of who we consider to be true and authentic Christians. That is why some of our statements take the position of being nondogmatic."

As new statements are added to the Statement of Beliefs, they will be published in The Worldwide News and appear on the Worldwide Church of God website at http://www.wcg.org.

Below is the updated Statement of Beliefs, which includes new statements on Heaven, Hell, Eternal Judgment, the Intermediate State and Eternal Security, and revised statements on the Christian Sabbath and Annual Festivals.

Statement of Beliefs
of the Worldwide
Church of God

Introduction

The Worldwide Church of God, with its administrative center in Pasadena, California, has members in 120 countries and territories. The mission of the church is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world and to help members grow spiritually (Matthew 28:19-20).

As a Spirit-led body of believers, the church is exhorted, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). The Spirit of God leads the church into all truth (John 16:13).

Accordingly, this Statement of Beliefs does not constitute a closed creed. The church constantly renews its commitment to truth and deeper understanding and responds to God's guidance in its beliefs and practices.

God

God, by the testimony of Scripture, is one divine Being in three eternal, co-essential, yet distinct Persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

He is the one true God, eternal, immutable, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. He is Creator of heaven and earth, Sustainer of the universe, and Source of human salvation. Though transcendent, God has a direct and personal relationship with human beings. God is love and infinite goodness.

(Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 4:8; 5:20; Titus 2:11; John 16:27; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Corinthians 8:6)

Jesus Christ

Jesus is the Word, by whom and for whom God created all things. As God manifest in the flesh for our salvation, he was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully human, two natures in one Person.

Jesus is the Son of God and Lord of all, worthy of worship, honor and reverence.

As the prophesied Savior of humanity, he died for our sins, was raised bodily from the dead, and ascended to heaven, from where he mediates between humanity and God. He will come again in glory to reign as King of kings over all nations in the kingdom of God.

(John 1:1; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 3:16; John 3:16; Matthew 1:20; Acts 10:36; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 19:16)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, is the Comforter promised by Jesus Christ, sent from God to the church.

The Holy Spirit lives in us, transforming us through repentance, sanctification, and continual renewal. The Holy Spirit is the Source of inspiration and prophecy throughout the Scriptures, the Source of unity and communion in the church, the Provider of gifts for salvation and for the work of the gospel, and the Christian's constant Guide into all truth.

(John 14:16; Acts 2:4, 17-19, 38; Matthew 28:19; John 14:17, 23; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Acts 20:28; John 16:13)

The Holy Scriptures

The Holy Scriptures comprise the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments. They are the inspired Word of God, the foundation of truth, and the accurate record of God's revelation to humanity.

The Holy Scriptures constitute ultimate authority in all matters of doctrine, and embody the infallible principles that govern all facets of Christian living.

The Angelic Realm

Angels are created ministering spirits, endowed with free will. The holy angels serve God as messengers and agents, are appointed to attend to those who will obtain salvation, and will accompany Christ at his return. The disobedient angels are called demons.

Satan

Satan is a fallen cherub who heads the evil forces in the spirit realm. He is referred to in the Bible in various ways including the devil, adversary, evil one, murderer, liar, thief, tempter, accuser of the brethren, prince of demons, and god of this world.

He is in constant rebellion against God. Through his influence, Satan generates discord, deception and disobedience among human beings. His dominion and influence as god of this world will cease at the return of Jesus Christ.

(Revelation 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44; Revelation 12:10; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:1-3)

Humanity

Humanity was made mortal, male and female, in the image of God, and endowed with mental and spiritual faculties.

God formed the first man, Adam, of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. He formed the first woman, Eve, from Adam's own body.

They were given dominion over all the earth and the freedom to choose whether to obey their Creator. Because they chose sin, they and their descendants became alienated from God and can be reconciled only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and his saving work.

The destiny of the saints is to inherit eternal life in glory through Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God.

Sin

Sin is lawlessness, that is, a state or condition of rebellion against God. From the time sin entered the human race through Adam and Eve, humanity has been under its yoke--a yoke that can only be removed by God's grace through Jesus Christ.

The sinful condition of humanity is manifested in the tendency to consistently choose self and self-interests over God and God's will. Sin causes alienation from God, and suffering and death. Since all humans are sinners, all humans need the salvation God offers through his Son.

(1 John 3:4; 5:17; Romans 1:20-21; 5:12; 7:24-25; Mark 7:21-23; Galatians 5:17-21; Romans 6:23; 3:23-24)

Salvation

Salvation is deliverance from the bondage of sin and death, and the restoration of human fellowship with God. It is the gift of God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by personal merit or good works. God gives salvation, not only for the present life, but for eternity, to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Grace

Grace is the free, unmerited favor God bestows on a sinner who repents. In its broadest sense, grace is expressed in every act of God's self-disclosure. By grace, a person comes to know God and Jesus Christ, is justified, and is saved. Through faith in Christ, the Christian remains always under grace.

Justification

Justification is God's gracious act of pronouncing a believer righteous in his sight. It follows repentance and is made possible through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and acceptance of him as Lord and Savior.

Faith

Faith is belief and trust in God as our righteous, omniscient, and omnipotent Lord and our gracious, merciful, and faithful Savior. Faith includes the conviction, based on natural and scriptural evidence, that God exists, that he rewards those who seek him, and that he gives eternal life to all who are in Jesus Christ. Faith is enabled by God's grace.

Sanctification

Sanctification is the state of holiness imparted to the believer through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Though all Christians sin, the Holy Spirit leads them in a life characterized by repentance, obedience, and Christian growth--that is, a converted, or changed, life evidenced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is made possible by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Repentance

Repentance is a change of mind and attitude toward God. It follows conviction by the Holy Spirit and is grounded in the Word of God.

Repentance entails an awareness of personal sinfulness, accompanied by a positive response to God's call. Repentance toward God leads to faith in Jesus Christ and a converted life sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 2:38; Romans 2:4; 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11; Matthew 3:8; Romans 12:2)

Water Baptism

Water baptism signifies a believer's repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Worldwide Church of God practices baptism by immersion.

The Lord's Supper

The evening before Jesus was crucified, he took bread and wine, saying, "This is my body.... This is the new covenant in my blood."

At our Lord's Supper service, we participate in the new covenant as we partake of bread and wine in remembrance of our Savior, who gave his body for us and shed his blood so that we might be forgiven. Our ceremony includes the washing of feet, which represents our spiritual cleansing in Christ and points us to the Christian life of humility and service in love.

The Church

The church, or the Body of Christ, consists of all who have faith in Jesus Christ and in whom the Holy Spirit abides.

The church is commissioned to preach the gospel, to teach all that Christ commanded, to baptize, and to nurture the flock. In fulfilling its mission, the church is directed by the Holy Scriptures, led by the Holy Spirit, and looks continually to Jesus Christ, its living Head.

(1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:9; Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22; Acts 2:1-47)

Church Leadership

The Head of the church is Jesus Christ. He guides the church in the will of God, as revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures.

In the Worldwide Church of God, the decision-making process under Christ involves councils of ministers who report to the Pastor General, who holds the chief administrative office in the church.

The Christian

The Christian is the person who lives by faith in Jesus Christ and in whom the Holy Spirit abides.

The Christian experiences a new birth through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit and is placed in a right relationship with God and fellow humans by God's grace. The Christian's life is characterized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 8:9, 14; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:4-6; Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:35; Galatians 5:22-23)

The Gospel

The gospel is the good news about salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

It is the message that Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to his disciples. It is the good news that the kingdom of God has been inaugurated by the saving work of Jesus Christ.

(Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 8:12; 28:30-31; Luke 24:46-48; 1 Corinthians 15:4-5)

The Law of Christ

Christian faith includes allegiance and obedience to our Savior, who gave himself for us.

The purpose of his law is summarized in his commands to love God and neighbor. Therefore, faith in Christ leads to works of love and service.

Through the Holy Spirit, Christ transforms the hearts of his followers, producing in them the fruit of love, joy, peace, faithfulness, meekness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, righteousness and truth.

(2 Corinthians 5:15; Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:9-10; Galatians 5:6, 22-23; Ephesians 5:9)

The Christian Sabbath

The Christian Sabbath is the regenerated life of faith in Jesus Christ, in whom every believer finds true rest.

The weekly seventh-day Sabbath, which was enjoined upon Israel in the Ten Commandments, was a shadow that prefigured the true Reality to whom it pointed--our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Because Christians are not enjoined by Scripture to limit corporate worship to any particular day of the week, our practice is to accommodate the choice of day which the local congregation, in its discretion, prefers.

Annual Festivals

The Worldwide Church of God sponsors a variety of annual festivals, including traditional Christian festivals and festivals based on the feasts God gave to Israel in Leviticus 23.

While the program of annual festivals varies from congregation to congregation, all these festivals are to serve as memorials of God's great acts of salvation in history and as annual celebrations of God's power, love and saving grace in Jesus Christ.

The church places primary emphasis on the celebration and rehearsal of God's great saving act in Jesus Christ as expressed in the biblical record of Jesus' incarnation, death, resurrection and return.

(Leviticus 23:1-44; John 7:37; Acts 2:1; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Colossians 2:16-17)

Tithing

Tithing is the scriptural practice of giving a tenth of one's increase to God. Giving tithes and offerings was commanded under the old covenant, but is a voluntary expression of worship and stewardship under the new covenant.

The church uses tithes and offerings to fulfill its God-given mission to preach the gospel and feed the flock. Tithing and giving reflect the believer's worship, faith, and love for God, who is the Source of salvation and Giver of all good things.

Bible Prophecy

In Bible prophecy, God reveals that human sinfulness can be forgiven through repentance and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Bible prophecy proclaims God as Sovereign Judge of all, assures humanity of his love, mercy, and faithfulness, and motivates the believer to live a godly life in Jesus Christ.

The Second Coming

Jesus Christ, as he promised, will return to earth to judge and reign over all nations in the kingdom of God. His second coming will be visible, and in power and glory. This event inaugurates the resurrection of the dead and the reward of the saints.

(John 14:3; Revelation 17:14; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

The Millennium

The Millennium is the time span described in the book of Revelation during which the resurrected saints reign with Jesus Christ for a thousand years.

After the Millennium, when all enemies will have been put under his feet, and all things made subject to him, Christ will deliver the kingdom to God the Father, and both heaven and earth will be made new.

(Acts 3:19-21; Revelation 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Revelation 21:1, 5; Revelation 20:1-15)

The Inheritance of the Believer

The inheritance of the believer is salvation and eternal life as an immortal child of God in communion with the Father and Jesus Christ.

This inheritance is reserved in heaven and will be bestowed at the second coming of Christ. The resurrected saints will reign with Christ in the kingdom of God.

(1 John 2:25; Romans 8:16-19; Daniel 7:27; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 5:10; 1 John 3:1-2)

The Fate of the Unrepentant

Unrepentant sinners are those who deliberately and ultimately reject the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. Their fate is to perish in the lake of fire. This death is eternal, and the Scriptures refer to it as the second death.

The Kingdom of God

God reigns in the church and in the life of each believer who is submissive to his will. The kingdom of God will be established over the whole world after the return of Jesus Christ and will increase to encompass all things.

(Luke 17:20-21; Daniel 2:44; Mark 1:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 11:15; 21:3, 22-27; 22:1-5)

Eternal Judgment

God will gather all the living and the dead before the heavenly throne of Christ for judgment.

The righteous will receive eternal glory, and the wicked will be condemned. It is the belief of the Worldwide Church of God that the Lord has made righteous provision in the Judgment for the unevangelized dead, and that many will respond to their risen and glorified Savior in faith and be saved, while the rest will be condemned.

(Matthew 25:31-32; Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 10:43; John 12:32; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Hell

Hell is a term commonly applied to the eternal separation from God reserved for all incorrigible sinners.

In the context of spiritual judgment, hell, like heaven, is not primarily a location but a spiritual condition.

In the New Testament, hell is figuratively referred to by the terms "lake of fire," "outer darkness," and Gehenna (a gorge outside Jerusalem where garbage was dumped and burned).

Hell is characterized by punishment, torment, anguish, eternal destruction, weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The biblical terms Sheol and Hades, often translated "hell" or "the grave," usually refer to the realm of the dead, not to eternal destruction.

Because the precise nature of the afterlife is not defined in Scripture, the Worldwide Church of God does not hold a dogmatic position on whether unrepentant sinners are annihilated in the lake of fire or experience conscious eternal ruin.

(2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8; Matthew 10:28; 25:41, 46; Revelation 14:11; 2 Peter 2:6; Psalm 49:14-15)

Heaven

Heaven is a biblical term commonly applied to the abode of God and the eternal destiny of all God's redeemed children.

To be "in heaven" is to live in the presence of God, apart from all pain, sin and evil. Heaven is characterized by everlasting joy, blessedness and peace, and the righteousness of God.

(Deuteronomy 26:15; 1 Kings 8:30; Matthew 6:9; Acts 7:55-56; Hebrews 8:1; John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 5:5, 8; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-8; Philippians 1:23; 1 Peter 3:13; Revelation 22:1-5; 21:3-4)

The Intermediate State

The intermediate state is the condition of the dead until the resurrection of the body.

Christians hold various viewpoints on the nature of the intermediate state based on their interpretation of relevant biblical passages.

Some passages suggest a conscious intermediate state, and others an unconscious state. The Worldwide Church of God holds no dogmatic position on whether humans are conscious between death and the resurrection of the body.

(Isaiah 14:9-10; Ezekiel 32:21; Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 1:21-24; Revelation 6:9-11; Psalms 6:5; 88:10-12; 115:17; Ecclesiastes 3:19-21; 9:5, 10; Isaiah 38:18; John 11:11-14)

Eternal Security

Eternal security is a term that refers to the belief that the elect in Christ, by God's power and grace, will never lose salvation.

The Bible affirms that all who remain in Jesus Christ will be saved, and that nothing can snatch them out of the hand of Christ. Whether a person can fall out of belief is not made absolutely clear in Scripture.

The Bible emphasizes the infinite faithfulness of the Lord, the total sufficiency of Jesus Christ for our salvation, the dynamic love of God for all peoples, and the gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe, while it urges believers to remain firm in the faith and to make their calling and election sure.

(John 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-30; 9:21-24; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:4-5, 11; 2 Timothy 1:9; Luke 8:13; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26, 29; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Timothy 2:13; John 6:35; Hebrews 7:25-26; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Hebrews 4:14; 12:1; 2 Peter 3:17-18)

Teen Ministry

SEP: a rousing,
Christ-centered success

Those lyrics summarize the focus of a camp community in excess of 450 campers and staff for the one session conducted July 14 to 30 on the shores of Pelican Lake in Orr.

More than 300 teens came to the Summer Educational Program (SEP) to initiate or develop a relationship with their Savior.

They converged on this tiny Northern Minnesota town for 17 days of praise and worship, activities, dorm socials and fellowship with one major theme--"Jesus Christ is your best friend."

This year saw several innovations for SEP. Each morning campers engaged in what was called solo time, a half hour devoted to prayer and study before the activity day began.

The first chapel was given by Jeb Egbert, SEP director, who observed how the world is groping for answers. "Stay tuned to learn how and who can get to the crux of the solution to all of our problems," he said.

Then, Jeff Broadnax, department manager over the basketball and volleyball program, introduced Jesus Christ. "He is your Savior, not just the God of old people," Mr. Broadnax said.

Then Ed Mauzey, camp chaplain, used the lyrics of a Phil Collins song in which the writer told of how his father, no matter how repentant the son was, told him that he was "no son, no son of mine."

Dr. Mauzey contrasted that approach with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. "The heart of the matter," Dr. Mauzey concluded, "is forgiveness."

Charles Taylor, department manager of the softball program, took the next chapel message to explain to those assembled that they need what Jesus has to offer.

The theme of his message was that the world was looking in all the wrong places for answers. He demonstrated that Jesus is indeed the answer. SEP.jpg (13056 bytes)

Jim Blackwell, department manager of water polo, then invited the campers to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Mr. Blackwell noted that since Jesus is the answer, belief and acceptance of Jesus is our responsibility.

At the final Saturday service, Paul David Kurts, Christian Living instructor, coordinated a group of six campers who gave testimonials of what SEP, but more importantly what Jesus Christ, was doing in their lives.

Dan Rogers, WCG superintendent of ministers, then showed a video of the crucifixion before reading from Acts 2.

He explained that just as those who witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit had asked Peter "what shall we do?" those at camp should understand that the next step after accepting Jesus was to repent and be baptized.

Afterward, most of the camp community went to Pelican Lake to watch 24 campers be baptized. Ross Jutsum, coordinator of music at SEP, led the assembly in singing "Amazing Grace" before the baptisms.

During the final chapel, Mr. Rogers urged the SEP family to share the good news of what Jesus had done at SEP, and what he has done through time. His message was a call for personal evangelism.

Each activity at SEP had a Christ-centered message. It didn't matter whether it was softball, all terrain biking, or the newly constructed challenge course--each activity focused on Jesus or the principles he taught.

"The greatest human agents of change at SEP are always the counselors who spend 24 hours a day with the campers," Mr. Egbert said. "Clearly those who answered the call to serve in this capacity this year believed they were divinely appointed for the task."

For the final banquet, Rick Peterson and the dance staff transformed the gymnasium into an elegant banquet hall. The Food Service staff, anchored by department manager Gretchen Garey and supported by Big Sandy residents Helen McGiver and Glenn Roberson, prepared the meal. Shasta Kalin, office manager, led an effort to create a special atmosphere for the campers on this, their final night.

In his opening remarks for the evening, Mr. Rogers reminded the assembly of the high priority that the WCG places on youths.

Awards were then presented by Dan and Barbara Rogers and Barb Egbert, assistant director, to participants in musical endeavors, as well as outstanding participants in activities and within the dorms.

Finally, awards were presented to campers selected for the Extra Mile award, the Inspirational award, and the director's award.

Florida's Jordan and Adam Brown were selected for the director's award, and received an automatic opportunity to return to SEP in 1999 to serve on the high school staff.

Floyd and Mardell Kielczewski, director and assistant director of the facility in Orr, were presented with a plaque for their 34 years of service to SEP.

At the end of the dance, Mr. Rogers led the camp benediction. As the campers filed out to prepare for their departure, the staff sang a highly emotional "Til We Meet Again." Two hours later, more than 260 of those assembled were on their way to the Minneapolis, Minnesota, airport for their flights home.

SEP 1998 was truly a rousing success. Many either came to Christ or rededicated themselves to him. As the last bus left for the airport early in the morning of July 31, the northern lights flickered overhead. It was as if God was saying, "This is my beloved camp, in which I am well pleased."

Trust in God
is theme of
Buffalo South retreat

ORCHARD PARK, New York--The Buffalo South Teen Ministry was host for a teen retreat July 31 to Aug. 2. Thirty teens and adults from Florida to Syracuse, New York, focused on trust as the theme for the weekend.

Activities included swimming, volleyball, worship, Bible studies and campfire discussions.

Saturday morning began with a nature walk after breakfast, allowing teens to experience the awesomeness of God's creation.

A worship service, led by Dan and Dorice Maybury, teen leaders in Syracuse, provided the focus on the Lord and his awesomeness.

Pastor John Knaack and his wife, Hannah, divided the teens into separate male and female Bible studies to discuss trust in relationships.

From friendship to dating to marriage, they were encouraged to have love as a foundation (1 Corinthians 13).

Later that evening, Eric Lasch, an elder, presented a Bible study on Trusting Yourself. If you lean on Jesus, Mr. Lasch said, you are grounded and can be held up no matter how much of your burden you give to him.

A guest worship leader, Dan Danforth, and his teenage son, David, provided worship music on guitar and keyboard. Mr. Danforth, a music teacher in the Buffalo public schools, witnessed how he trusted God to lead him to his calling as a church worship leader to share in the gospel of Christ.

Saturday evening was capped off by a campfire discussion centered on Christian-living questions solicited from teens earlier that day.

Sunday began with a work party after breakfast to complete a project for the hosts, Mark and Jennifer Regoord.

The final Bible study for the weekend, Trust in God, given by Martin and Beth Koenig, brought the weekend to a close with why God allows bad things to happen to good people, and why God knows what is best for us.

Update from the Treasurer

Greetings from the Treasurer's Office. The summer seems to be flying by. It seems like only yesterday that I wrote last month's column.

Be that as it may, our Accounting Department has just closed the month of July and reported the results of operations for the month.

Again, as I review the figures, I am reminded of the prudence of making the painful but necessary budget cuts we made during the past several years both here at headquarters and more recently in the field ministry.

July closed with a daily mail average of just less than $98,000. This ranks second only to January of this year ($90,000 a day) as the lowest income month in recent memory.

When I think back to just two summers ago when we were projecting a daily average of $165,000 (68 percent more than this July), I am thankful to God for helping us to always scale back our spending just in time.

July's average brought the yearly average down to $108,000, a little less than this year's revised budget of $110,000 a day.

The good news is that because of the prudent measures taken by Mr. Tkach and the board of directors, our cash reserves are relatively stable. The reserves are not the result of income surpluses over expenses, but primarily from asset sales and Ambassador University's closure.

Hence, the reserves are merely some of previous net worth now in liquid form. It is critical that we do not run these down. If we do, we not only do not have them in a financial crisis, but our goal of using eventual facility sale proceeds to fund a pension plan and for mission work becomes more difficult.

On a related item, PricewaterhouseCoopers issued the final audit of Ambassador University, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997. They also issued a report on the federal awards distributed to students by Ambassador University during the same period. I am happy to report that the auditors gave us a clean bill of health on both reports.

As in the case with the yearly church audit, the Ambassador audit is available to any current church members who request one from me.

And, by the way, the church audit is almost complete. We expect it to issue within the next month or so and we are expecting an unqualified opinion again this year.

Finally, please remember that we have many church expenses during the summer, just like we do throughout the year, so please don't allow the summer doldrums to make you forget your tithes and offerings.

Teens discover Christ,
the Source of true happiness

Teens.jpg (16771 bytes)
DISCOVERY WEEKEND--
Front row (from left): Jamel Wilson,
Jamie Davis, Garrett Williams.
Back row: Jeffrey Graham, Barry smith, Michael Best.

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina--Refreshing! Just what I needed! Better than last year!

This is how teens described this year's Discovery Weekend June 12 to 14, the annual retreat sponsored by the Fayetteville youth ministry.

This year's theme was Discovering the Steps to True Happiness. Teens from WCG congregations in North and South Carolina, as well as some teens who are not in our fellowship, gathered at Camp Pee Dee in South Carolina for this fun-filled weekend of worship, learning and fellowship.

Campers took part in four small groups, where counselors led Bible studies. Each Bible study discussed at least two of the Beatitudes, pointing out how to apply these principles and how they can help lead someone to greater happiness.

Between each small group session, youths took part in numerous activities--water games, a pool party, a talent show, a play written and directed by teens and basketball games.

"The idea of small groups was great and easy to follow," said camper Stanley Decker. "I had a great time, and because it was directed toward teens I think it was a lot more understandable."

Friday evening began with a contemporary praise and worship service, led by members Jack Decker and Barry Smith.

After the time of worship, Warren McKoy, camp director and youth director of the Fayetteville congregation, gave an introductory message.

Mr. McKoy discussed ways people try to find happiness, and pointed out that the only source of true, lasting happiness is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

After the worship service and message, youths and parents gathered for games and fellowship.

The high point of the weekend was the Saturday worship service. During that service, Greg Williams, Fayetteville senior pastor, spoke on how God molds us as a potter molds clay into useful pottery.

During the message, member Susan Smith demonstrated the numerous types of clay. Using her own potter's wheel, Mrs. Smith shaped a piece of clay, giving campers a vivid picture of what the Bible means by us being clay in the hands of a master potter.

After the service, the youths and their families gathered to witness the baptism of Jessica Bigsby.

The weekend closed with a final message from Pastor Williams, in which he called on the youths to commit to make Jesus the center of their lives and to live out the principles of the beatitudes.

By doing this, he said, they can find security and lasting joy in the midst of whatever life sends them. The retreat ended with all campers joining in reciting a statement of commitment.

Plans are in the works for Discovery Weekend '99. Contact Warren McKoy at 2808 Cemetery Rd., Sanford, North Carolina, 27330.

Womens' Ministry

Let's reaffirm
each other's Christianity

"I'd like you to meet my new friend, a member of the Worldwide Church of God, the former cult that God has so miraculously changed."

The first time I was introduced this way, I instantly recoiled. I wanted to say: "Stop, it's not true. We weren't a cult."

When I had a chance to talk to my friend, I explained to her that we had never viewed ourselves as a cult. I told her when we were baptized, we were baptized into the church of Jesus Christ, not into any denomination. We were baptized into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We had always believed in Jesus, who died for our sins and through whom we receive salvation. I told her we believed wholeheartedly in the Bible and our desire was to obey and serve God in every way we could. She was a little surprised by my statements.

I remember when I was baptized my freshman year of Ambassador College at the age of 18, I was totally convicted of my sins and knew I needed the Holy Spirit if I were to continue on this Christian walk.

On the morning of my baptism, I was a little nervous. But I went through the ceremony, glad to be taking this important step.

After the prayer, I walked around the Big Sandy campus, not on the ground, but about two feet up in the air. I had never felt so exhilarated. It was a high I hoped would last forever. Had I received the Holy Spirit? You bet. Was I a part of the Body of Christ? No doubt about it.

Some have wondered if our lives have been wasted because we didn't understand the new covenant. Others have been offended and deeply hurt because they somehow got this impression.

Is this true? Were all the prayers, Bible study, good works, acts of obedience, acts of love and tears of confession in vain?

We have been Christians all along. We have had God's Holy Spirit all along. God has been with us every step of the way, and he knew what we needed, when we needed it.

Looking back at the legacy Herbert Armstrong left us as members of the WCG, I see deep commitment to the Word of God, a strong desire to obey and please God, a willingness to be transformed by Scripture and genuine love for fellow believers.

This affirms my Christianity. I have been a Christian ever since I took that plunge beneath the baptismal waters, and every experience since then has been part of my Christian journey.

Let's affirm each other's Christianity and remind ourselves that our lives have no more been in vain than any other human being on this earth. God knew us while we were being formed in secret places, he has plans for us and he will continue this work he started in us.

Heart of Hope
Women's Conference
--Sharing the Joy

TUKWILA, Washington--The Heart of Hope Women's Conference--Sharing the Joy will take place Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Embassy Suites in Tukwila.

The guest speaker is Marie Powers, national conference and retreat speaker and author of the Bible Study Shame, Thief of Intimacy, and is co-author with Jane Hansen of Aglow International's new release, Fashioned for Intimacy, both published by Regal Books.

Marie is one of the speakers at this year's Time Out for Women Only national conferences.

Theme speakers are Diana Frey, from Alderwood Manor Community Church, and Tina Kuo, from East Gates International, a ministry to Christians in China. Tina attends the WCG congregation in Federal Way, Washington.

The theme of the conference is Sharing the Joy. The desire is to lay a foundation in seeking God and surrendering to God's will, validate that the women have an impact through their life example, and give a foundation on sharing the joy.

Cost is $37 and includes all sessions, handouts and luncheon in the Atrium. For registration information write to Sarah-Ann Woodfield, A Heart of Hope Women's Conference, 16641 SE 26th Place, Bellevue, Washington, 98008 or e-mail her at sarah.woodfield@mcione.com

Women's conference
in Brandenton, Florida

Bradenton, Florida--Women, Arise and Renew the Spirit is the theme for
a women's retreat Nov. 6 to 8.

For more information see the August Worldwide News
or contact Lorna Peterson at SBMINC@aol.com.

Bible Study

What the festivals picture

The old covenant included a wide variety of religious rituals and duties. There were special garments, special incense, special offerings, special utensils and special times. Each of these had significance in Israel's worship.

In some cases we are not sure why the ritual had to be performed in a particular way. In other cases the Bible itself tells us the meaning of the symbolism. Let us look at the annual festivals to see what they pictured.

1. The Passover sacrifice was commanded when Israel was in Egypt. What were the Israelites told to do? Ex. 12:3-11. Were they told why they should select a lamb on the 10th rather than the 11th? Verse 3. Was a young goat just as acceptable as a lamb? Verse 5. Was the significance of bitter herbs explained? Verse 8.

2. Why were they to put blood around the door? Verses 12-13, 23. Why was hyssop (not some other plant) used for the blood? Verse 22. Was this to be done every year? Verses 14, 24-25. Since the original purpose did not apply in later years, why was this to be repeated? Verses 26-27.

Comment: Scripture tells us the overall purpose of the ritual, but it does not comment on all the details. We are not told here the symbolism of twilight, roasting, eating, not breaking bones or burning leftovers. Commentators (see bibliography) offer various ideas, some of them good and some rather farfetched. These ideas may be right, but they cannot be proven, since the Bible itself does not tell us. For most details, we cannot be dogmatic.

The overall symbolic picture given to the Israelites for the Passover is this: God passed over the Israelites when he killed the Egyptian firstborn. The entire ritual--lamb, herbs, bread--was a memorial of escape from death.

It was also a memorial of escape from Egypt: "Celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God, because ... he brought you out of Egypt" (Deut. 16:1, 6).

Were the Israelites told that the lamb pictured a future sacrifice and a spiritual escape from death and slavery? No, the only sure word they had about the Passover is that it looked backward to the Exodus, to a physical rescue.

3. Right after the Passover, came the week of unleavened bread. When was leaven to be removed? Ex. 12:15. What reason is given for this festival? Ex. 12:17; 13:8. Historically, why was their bread unleavened? Ex. 12:34, 39. Why was the bread unleavened in the yearly festival? Deut. 16:3. What symbolism was given to the other rituals that were part of this festival? Num. 28:17-25.

Comment: This festival included several rituals. Everyone was to 1) remove leaven, 2) not have or eat any leaven for seven days, and 3) not work on the first and last days. Every day, the priests were to 4) sacrifice two bulls, a ram and seven lambs, 5) give 10 grain offerings mixed with oil and 6) kill a goat as a sin offering.

All of these were part of the festival--but which had symbolic significance? Why two bulls and not three? Why only one ram? Why seven days? We are not told. All we know for sure is this: 1) the goat was offered to make atonement for the people, 2) the unleavened bread was a reminder of their haste in leaving Egypt and 3) the entire festival was a memorial of the Exodus.

4. The festival was connected not only with the Exodus, but also the yearly harvest. What additional ritual was done during the spring festival? Lev. 23:9-11. When was it done? Verse 11. What three offerings were the priests to make? Verses 12-13. How did all the people participate in the ritual? Verse 14. Were the symbols explained?

5. Fifty days later, another harvest festival was conducted. How was it celebrated? Ex. 23:16; 34:22; Deut. 16:10-11. What unusual grain offering characterized this festival? Lev. 23:17. How many bulls, rams and lambs were offered? Verse 18. What additional ritual was done? Verses 19-20.

Comment: Again, we are told many ritual details, but not many meanings. We are not told the significance of 50 days or the variety of sacrifices. This was the only time in the year that leaven was used in an offering. We might speculate on the meaning, but we do not have any proof.

6. Several months later came the last set of festivals. What was done on the first day of the seventh month? Lev. 23:24-25. What was the unusual feature, and what meaning was given to it?

Comment: This festival was given no historical meaning, no agricultural significance and no future meaning. It was revealed simply as a day for blowing trumpets. But trumpets were blown on every new moon and festival (Num. 10:10). They were used both for war and for celebration. We are not told which meaning was significant for this festival. And we do not know if the monthly trumpet blasts had the same symbolism.

7. Ten days later, what did the people do? Lev. 23:27-32. What was the purpose of this day? Verse 28; Lev. 16:30. Was its meaning historical, agricultural, prophetic or religious? What unusual rituals characterized this day? Lev. 16:2-28.

Comment: The Torah says that this day is effective in providing atonement for the people. It does not say that a more effective atonement would be needed in the future.

But atonement was made on other festivals, too. Why was this day so different as to require fasting? Why was one goat released alive--for the same reason that animals were released alive in a few other rituals? Why were the bull and goat burned outside the camp, not on the altar? Why did the man who burned them have to be cleansed? These are areas for speculation, not dogmatism.

8. What agricultural significance did the next festival have? Ex. 23:17; Lev. 23:39; Deut. 16:13. What unusual rituals did the people do for this festival? Lev. 23:40-42. How many bulls were sacrificed each day? Num. 29:13, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32. Why this unique sequence? What was the primary symbolism of this festival? Lev. 23:43.

9. On the eighth day, what were the people to do? Lev. 23:36, 39. What did the priests do? Num. 29:35-38. Was anything unique about this day?

Comment: Nothing unusual happened on the eighth day, so it is difficult to prove any symbolic meaning to it. It just came right after Tabernacles.

The Old Testament shows us that the most common theme for the annual festivals is the Exodus. That was the defining event in the nation's history, the time when the Israelites became one nation under God.

But if an ancient Israelite looked at all the annual festivals, as well as the rules about washings, offerings and various other rituals, it would be difficult to see a unified theme. Let's now look at the New Testament.

10. Did Jesus come to fulfill the Torah and the Prophets, the entire Old Testament? Matt. 5:17; Luke 24:44; John 5:39. Was the law designed to lead people to Christ? Gal. 3:24. Was the old covenant a shadow of things fulfilled in Christ? Heb. 10:1-9. Were the annual festivals also a shadow of Christ? Col. 2:16-17.

Comment: After Jesus Christ came, was crucified and resurrected, it is easier to find ways in which old covenant rituals pictured certain aspects of his work. He was the lamb without blemish, killed without any bones being broken, so that we might escape slavery and death. He was the firstfruit who rose toward God on the day after the Sabbath. He was the lamb who made atonement for our sins, who allows us to enter the heavenly Holy Place. But there are many festival details of uncertain significance.

Moreover, Jesus is much more than what the festivals could picture--he is our Rock, our Light, our Shelter, the fulfillment of the snake lifted up high (Num. 21:8-9). He is our bread, our water of life, the water of washing, the captain of our salvation. He fulfilled the bull sacrifices, the dove sacrifices, the daily grain offerings and the priestly garments. He is everything the old covenant pictured and much more.

It was difficult enough to understand the Old Testament prophecies about the Savior-Messiah. It was harder to get a clear picture of the Savior from the enormous variety of old covenant rituals. The festivals were only a small part of the picture, so it is harder still to get a picture from the festivals alone.

But the New Testament does say that they are a shadow of Christ. But how much detail can a shadow reveal? Can we see the character of a person from the shadow alone? Can we describe what a person looks like from a silhouette? Only in a rather limited way.

It is clear that the Passover was fulfilled by Jesus Christ (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7). But commentators differ as to how Christ fulfills many of the details. Most of the ideas are speculative, not proven, because the Bible does not assign any particular meaning to most of the rituals.

The festivals were shadows of Christ--but new moons were, too (Col. 2:16-17). Ritual washings and grain offerings were shadows of Christ, too, each in a different way, each in a fragmentary way.

When we look back, we can see how a few aspects of the festivals pictured Christ. But we also see many details of uncertain significance. Even after Christ has come, the festivals are only a shadowy representation of Christ. They require detailed explanation because they are not clear in themselves.

Bibliography

Booker, Richard. Jesus in the Feasts of Israel. Bridge Publishing, South Plainfield, N.J. 1987.

Chumney, Edward. The Seven Festivals of the Messiah. Destiny Image, Shippensburg, Pa. 1994.

Glaser, Mitch and Zhava. The Fall Feasts of Israel. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Ill. 1987.

Howard, Kevin, and Marvin Rosenthal. The Feasts of the Lord. Zion's Hope, Orlando, Fla. 1997.

Kasdan, Barney. God's Appointed Times. Lederer Messianic Publications, Baltimore, Md. 1993.

Rosen, Ceil and Moishe. Christ in the Passover: Why Is This Night Different? Moody, Chicago, Ill. 1978.

Church's

Internet
presence
grows

Since the Internet itself is doubling in size and activity every four months or so, the church wants to make effective use of what is essentially a new publishing medium. This is done on the worldwide web, the fastest-growing portion of the Internet.

* Information about the church --designed to answer questions from journalists, researchers and potential members.

* A list of cities in which WCG congregations meet, and pastors' phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

* Links to our international web sites. Australia, Canada and England have separate web sites with local publications and information in several languages.

* Links to the dozens of congregations that have their own web sites, most with meeting times and locations, some with complete sermons, updated every week.

* Literature, including study papers and several booklets. We plan to add more literature each week--mostly articles from the WN, organized by subject. Thus it becomes a permanent archive accessible from anywhere in the world.

* Youth ministry. Teens are among the heaviest Internet users. Here they can find out what other teens in the church are doing, and they can chat through their keyboards.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a worldwide network of millions of computers that can communicate with each other. Users can send e-mail to one another or request data from another computer, which responds by sending text, graphics, audio, video or other computer files.

One computer will often contain hyperlinks to another computer in a different part of the world. A user in Alabama can easily access an Internet site in South Africa, select a hyperlink there and within seconds be rerouted to Sweden, or with a click of a button begin to watch New Zealand television--all without long-distance charges.

Commercial use of the Internet is growing rapidly. Consumers can find information about products, shop for the best prices and place orders from their home computers. Discount prices are offered on books, automobiles and thousands of other products.

How can I use it?

Many public libraries in the United States have computers linked to the Internet, and almost anyone can use these computers. Somewhere along the way, drop by www.wcg.org and explore our site.

Another way to explore the Internet is through a friend. Almost every church area has someone connected to the net.

The volume of material is mind-boggling--huge libraries of information accessible from almost anywhere in the world. How can you wade through the data? The first web site you visit may well be a search engine--a site that specializes in organizing the topics.

At a search engine, such as www.yahoo.com or www.infoseek.com, type in the subject you're looking for and you'll get hyperlinks to sites that may have this information.

It can be a lot of fun, it can be frustrating, and it can be so interesting that it's a big waste of time. All waiting for you, in the electronic world called cyberspace.

Window on the World

The apostolic model
has returned

It is never easy to start over--ask the Hersts, who are having to start over after having their home of 30 years firebombed during civil unrest in Northern Ireland.

As a fellowship, we are no different. We have suffered loss of focus and depression. Now it's time to refocus. We are in a new situation with new challenges and new opportunities. We've been given some new tools to meet these challenges. If you want to be part of the action, read on.

Take it personally

If we want Christ to use us to do a work in this postmodern world, we must also be willing to allow him to do it through us personally. That's the bottom line.

Media has value, but it is the Holy Spirit, flowing through you and me, who will convict the hearts of others.

People today do not ask so much whether Christianity is true. They first want to know, "does it work?" We didn't create that shift in society, but we must adapt to it, or become like old tools in the woodshed, gathering dust. The question is, how do I make a personal difference?

First things first--and evangelism isn't first

As Christians, our No. 1 job is to respond to the love of God by loving him in return. This causes us to place Christ's will above our own, which results in him ordering our lives around the issues of life eternal.

We haven't mentioned evangelism. That's because if the above is not the reality in our lives it does no good to go any further.

When Spirit-led individuals fully commit their lives to God for his use, the kingdom of God will advance in that place. The need to share the pearl of great price with others will always be clear and present in those who have Christ at the center of their lives.

It is essential that we respond to Christ both individually and collectively. Let's consider these co-essential responsibilities.

Christian Schwarz, in his historic analysis, made this observation about evangelism: "Our research disproves a thesis commonly held in evangelistically active groups: that `every Christian is an evangelist.' There is a kernel of (empirically demonstrable) truth in this saying. It is indeed the responsibility of every Christian to use his or her own specific gifts in fulfilling the Great Commission."

Brethren, this is crucial. World mission begins with a community of believers sending forth representatives. It comes full circle when a new indigenous community of believers, in turn, sends forth its representatives to others.

No argument can be made about which is more important, mission at home, or world mission. World mission depends wholly upon mission at home. There would have been no Paul or Barnabas, or books of Galatians and Ephesians, if there had not first been a united community of individuals called the Antioch church.

You can bet that before acting collectively by sending Paul and Barnabas, they were responding individually to Christ by loving those unbelievers who surrounded them.

You might say, where are these people I am to serve, and how do I get at them? Do I get involved in community service? Do I go sit in the train station and strike up conversations about Jesus?

Dr. Schwarz makes another crucial observation: "It is particularly interesting to note that Christians in both growing and declining churches have exactly the same number of contacts with non-Christians (an average of 8.5 contacts).

"Challenging Christians to build new friendships with non-Christians is most certainly not a growth principle. The point is rather to use already existing relationships as contacts for evangelism."

God has given each of us a place to start. We all have a personal community, often involving unbelievers.

We also have gifts, whether it be a desire to serve, a merciful spirit, an ability to encourage, an empathetic ear or the ability to put disarray into order. We are injecting agape into the life of an unbeliever when we use a gift God has given us to serve someone else.

When we are praying regularly for our unbelieving community, an invisible bond is developed. The Spirit, according to the will of the Father, will begin to act in a person's life. Sometimes he will draw a person (possibly kicking and screaming) toward Christ.

Now, instead of hiding behind the fortress walls of media products and professional ministers, we, sons and daughters of God, are there for others when they need us.

We sometimes are given the privilege of escorting others to Christ. If we did nothing more than participate individually in that dynamic and assist in the discipling of those who were drawn to Christ through others, we would be growing, increasing in health and strength.

I call this the priesthood model, because we are told in 1 Peter 2 that Christ is fashioning us into a community of royal priests, and that our job is to offer spiritual sacrifices. Bestowing agape love through laying down a bit our lives for someone who is lost and needs to be found is a profound spiritual sacrifice.

World mission--collective effort

When we serve our High Priest by giving injections of agape to those already near us, we grow individually. This increased health often leads to the community increasing as well.

In fact, at a certain level of health, it is almost impossible to stop numerical growth. The Antioch effect sets in. Brethren stop asking God and each other how we are going to survive. We stop asking how we are going to achieve our goals. Instead we ask God, "What would you like to do with the people of our time and place, and how can we make a significant difference according to your plans?"

As this type of spiritual community extends outward like ripples on a pond, it gathers the strength, resources and desire to play a part in Christ's plans for unbelievers far removed and cut off from the gospel. Like in Antioch, the Holy Spirit puts it in the minds of the church to send forth people gifted to convey the gospel. We need to focus on several principles.

The apostolic model

1) First, the church sent forth Paul and Barnabas. They did not go on their own authority or their own agenda, or their own resources.

They went as apostles--messengers sent with authority. The authority of Jesus Christ was conveyed through the spiritual structure of the church. They were supported. They were also accountable.

And so today, the community of individuals who comprise the church needs to support the mission efforts of the church. Paul supported himself when necessary, but this was not the norm.

2) The apostles went into unchurched territory and gathered people and resources from which to build the same type of community that had sent them.

When these communities began to mature, they were able to advance the kingdom just like their older siblings. But here is the key to the apostles' effectiveness then and now: The apostolic work concentrates on multiplying gifted converted leadership, not on raising, managing or growing congregations.

We are used to doing just the opposite. But where we see steady growth in the WCG, generally someone is behind the scenes operating in the principles of the apostolic model--multiplying effective leadership and mentoring that leadership to maturity.

This form of mission is the most effective, because membership is not simply added. When good leadership is multiplied, congregations multiply. We are not used to thinking in multiplication terms, only in addition terms.

3) The apostolic model is by far the most cost effective. It produces the most lifelong disciples at the lowest cost.

We don't need to send in a team of mission families, set up offices, buy cars or maintain an expensive infrastructure in each location. This is what we used to do, and this is how we eventually turned growth into paralysis in certain parts of the world.

The costs of apostolic mission are salary, travel expenses and sometimes small costs associated with providing the teaching environment.

The apostolic missionary can serve several places at the same time, spending several weeks at a time in an area engaging in intense mentoring situations. Then, the new leaders begin to put into practice what they have learned.

A time of evaluation and improvement takes place when the mentor returns, followed by a new time of teaching and mentoring. New leaders are selected and trained to begin multiplying leadership within their own sphere of operations. From the work of the first generation of indigenous leaders comes the multiplication of pastors and various ministries.

4) In our situation, we have an incredible dispersion of people. Most congregations are small, and many members are scattered. In some cases, they lack shepherds, and mature leadership.

Which should we provide? Should we send them a shepherd? Or, should we send them a person who can develop those among them with shepherding gifts?

Over the past few years, Christ has developed a number of effective apostolic-style mission workers. They in turn have been developing others who can do the same developmental work with others.

Next month I will discuss this new generation of leaders that our sending forth has brought about and demonstrate the effectiveness of the apostolic model.

A final thought

I object to the term "scattered brethren." It carries with it a feeling of weakness. The fact that we are salted around the globe has left us with a nucleus for an indigenous church wherever these groups are located.

An effective team of apostolic-style missionaries, along with the encouragement and financial support of the established churches, will result in spiritually potent indigenous missions all over the world. These indigenous churches will then continue to grow and extend outward.

They will take their places one by one as full and mature parts of the fellowship of the WCG.