Which is more important to the WCG: the days on which we meet or learning to love one another? asks J. Michael Feazell, director of Denominational Publications. We know what we want the answer to be, but sometimes it seems our different viewpoints on such things as festivals crowd out the Christian love we'd like to experience.
Two of the underlying values that guide our church policies are these: 1) All our members are important. 2) Jesus commands us to love one another.
May God grant us all hearts that can see beyond these forms of worship into the real substance of worship: knowing and loving him more deeply. Pages 4 to 7.
"Some pastors in my region haven't been able to rally their churches to a vision of reaching out to the community," a district superintendent said.
"Some have general goals, but don't have a specific vision. Others are frustrated because the congregation isn't supporting the vision the pastor has."
Mr. Tkach responds by offering a few encouraging words for such pastors--and for members in their congregations.
It is good to have goals larger than what we can achieve. On an individual level, Christ calls each of us to perfection, or wholeness.
Even though we are unable to achieve complete wholeness in this life, we should still strive toward it--yet without discouragement, for we know we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).
Because of God's faithful grace, we are encouraged to go forward with confidence, knowing that Christ lives in us. Pages 8 and 9.
We have compiled the results of the member worship survey that was distributed last November, writes Ron Kelly, Festival administrator.
A total of 15,440 adult members completed the survey. Your participation helps us more accurately plan for festival seasons and other worship opportunities during the year.
The purpose of the survey was to help us understand what festivals members would like to see the denomination sponsor.
As members expressed preferences, it is important to realize the rights of others to feel differently than us.
Our preferences should not be a source of division, but an allowance to celebrate with joy as we choose. Pages 10 and 11.
When Jesus said, "I am the bread of heaven, the bread of God, the bread of life," he was tapping into a rich reservoir of religious symbolism.
Bread had represented many things to the Jews in the past, writes Don Mears.
But now Jesus challenged them to see that these historical meanings had been wrapped up in, and were superseded by, one great new meaning. The true bread is Jesus Christ! Page 24.
Accounting for the first two months of 1999 is now complete, writes controller Ron Kelly.
Income has been fairly steady, but just a little under our budget estimates.
To meet February projections we hoped for a daily average of $103,000 per banking day. However, February closed at $97,634 per day.
Mail income is about 12 percent below last February. Pages 22 and 23.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999