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March 1999
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This is our March cover
Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers, and his wife,
Barbara, represented the WCG Jan. 21 at Mission America's annual meeting in San Francisco,
California.
In attendance were 300 church and parachurch leaders from 67 denominations.
"Mission America is a historic coalition movement bringing Christian denominations and ministries together for the common goal of spiritual awakening," Mr. Rogers said.
"Mission America's mission is to pray for and share Christ lovingly and appropriately with every person in our nation by the end of the year 2000." Page 3.
Mr. Tkach writes in
this month's Personal that every so often we receive a passionate plea that the church
choose either old covenant days or Christmas and Easter.
If we try to keep both sets of days, some people reason, we are trying to mix oil and water, stone and Spirit. Some argue we should get rid of the bondwoman, the covenant of slavery (Gal. 4:21-31).
As we know, emotions run high when it comes to worship days. Some people threaten to leave the church if we abandon the old. Others threaten to leave if we keep them as options in the calendar.
We need a Romans 14 style toleration of one another. It is a mentality of "while we all strive for deeper understanding of the Lord's will for us, let's grant one another the freedom to serve the Lord according to our consciences."
We have two basic principles involved here: 1) We want to pastor all our members, to teach and to help. 2) We teach that God loves and sent his Son to die for all of us. Pages 6 & 7.
I want to share a
story that I hope will inspire you, warm your heart and leave you saying, "How did
they do that?" writes Randal Dick in Window on the World.
It is the story of two young members who gave their lives for the better part of a year to help care for the most vulnerable of all God's children--the orphans.
Faith Orphanage Foundation in Kitwe, Zambia, was founded in 1992 on nothing but faith and commitment by Faith Liyena.
Robi Sonderegger and Noleen Sanderson from Australia served there in both an administrative role and in the field from February to November. Pages 12 & 13.
As we
celebrate a piece of our country's history by recognizing Black History month in February,
we can thank God for his gospel and the freedom it brings, writes Paul Sniffen, Pasadena
men's ministry coordinator.
God is reconciling the whole creation to himself, and human beings to each other through Christ. Page 15.
Unlike last January
(1998), where income took a disappointing downturn, January this year (1999) came closer
to our anticipated new budget of $98,000 per day, writes controller Ron Kelly.
Income for the month was $95,550. January is usually one of the lowest income months of the year, so we appreciate your care and support and hope that the coming months will find us at or above budgeted income.
Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. Pages 22 & 23.
SAN FRANCISCO, California--Dan
Rogers, superintendent of ministers, and his wife, Barbara, represented the WCG Jan. 21 at
Mission America's annual meeting in San Francisco.
In attendance were 300 church and parachurch leaders from 67 denominations.
Several U.S. congregations are also involved in evangelism activities sponsored by Mission America.
"A number of our congregations are finding vital spiritual meaning and joy in this evangelistic effort," Mr. Rogers said.
Following is Mr. Rogers' report on the Mission America meeting.
Mission America is a coalition movement bringing Christian denominations and ministries together for the goal of spiritual awakening.
Its mission is to pray for and share Christ lovingly and appropriately with every person in our nation by the end of the year 2000.
One strategy is to equip and bring together Christians and groups of Christians to establish three million Lighthouses of Prayer.
A Lighthouse is a gathering of two or more people in Jesus' name uniting to pray for, care for and lovingly and appropriately share Jesus Christ with their neighbors and others in their sphere of influence.
At the Mission America conference, representatives discussed strategies and ministry resources to accomplish the mission.
They joined in much prayer seeking the Lord's guidance in implementing the strategies that would maximize the gifts, resources and insights of all the ministry partners.
The Mission America coalition suggested a time line to pray for America. The first step is 40 days of prayer Feb. 17 to March 28.
All Christians are invited to join in prayer that the church may fulfill the Great Commission Jesus gave and reach the world with the gospel.
For more information write to Mission America, 5666 Lincoln Drive, Suite 100, Edina, Minnesota, 55436.
Following are reports from local congregations.
"Our Washington Ministerium and the WCG sponsored me to go
with two other pastors to a City Rereachers School in Modesto, California, last
February," said Tom Smith, pastor of the Washington and Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania,
and Wheeling, West Virginia, churches.
"That is where I first heard about Mission America's Lighthouses of Prayer."
Mission America was a cosponsor of the school along with several other paraministries.
The three stayed with three WCG families. They took turns as hosts for a Lighthouse of Prayer on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
"The first night we shared prayers for the neighbors and the community of Modesto," Mr. Smith said. "The next night we wrote down what we wanted out of our lives, since Jesus is now part of our household."
They wrote down these items (such as wrong attitudes and other evils), and tossed them into a wastebasket, symbolic of Jesus removing our sins totally.
Then they prayed for the neighborhood and family members.
That night a family member involved in an adulterous affair called one of the sisters and asked for prayer for their repentance.
She assured them she and the group would pray, then she invited them to the Wednesday Lighthouse Prayer meeting.
On the third night, the group had a prayer walk in the neighborhood.
"We met others doing the same," Mr. Smith said. "It was wonderful. Only those walking knew prayers were being offered. We did not make spectacles of ourselves. The purpose was to change the spiritual climate of the city, claiming it for God."
On Thursday morning, one of the teens declared his desire to make a commitment to Jesus Christ.
Mission America wants to have more than three million Lighthouses of Prayer by April. Each Lighthouse will pray weekly for five homes on their right, five homes on the left and 11 homes across from them, for a total of 22 homes.
Multiply this by three million, and virtually every home in America is covered by the National Day of Prayer, May 6.
A national door-to-door visitation will take place the weekend of May 8 to collect food, clothing or other items for local missions.
"We will also ask neighbors if they have any needs for which we can pray," Mr. Smith said. "Not everyone will accept Jesus in 1999, but we certainly hope they will all know where the church is by year's end."
"We have had a
chance over the past year to meet several people involved with Mission America," said
Frank Parsons, pastor of the San Antonio, Uvalde, Kerrville, Victoria and Corpus Christi,
Texas, churches.
"It has been profitable for us spiritually and organizationally by allowing us to network with other groups."
In May, Mr. Parsons and his wife, Jane, met with Paul Cedar, head of Mission America.
Later, Mr. Parsons attended a meeting with John Quam of Mission America and had lunch with him and a few others to discuss Celebrate Jesus 2000!
"It gave us an opportunity to interact with him for a full day regarding evangelism, neighborhood prayer and Operation Canning Hunger," he said.
Mr. Parsons purchased a copy of their video The Harvest and showed it in the congregations he serves.
Because of prayer and connecting with various groups, the San Antonio congregation is starting a community outreach ministry called New Beginnings.
"We are using some of the principles from the Mission America meeting and are preparing to begin discipling and evangelizing a community around our home."
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.
In the past couple of months I have been doing a "what if I didn't know anything" reading of the New Testament.
I started in Luke, moved naturally to Acts, Romans, Galatians, Colossians and now Hebrews.
It has sent shivers up and down my spine, because I felt as if I had been reading a history of the past decade of the Worldwide Church of God.
It then dawned on me that a fabulous legacy of the WCG is that because of our history we have lived through the Bible's stories, not just read them.
For so much of our history, we identified with the Israelites, their acceptance of the law, their struggle to keep it, their problems with rebellions in leadership and their dedication to God.
Our fellowship understood the Old Testament so well because we were living it. And, like the Israelites, suddenly Christ was plopped into our midst, and he turned our world upside down.
He was not the Messiah we wanted, and we expelled him from our presence, but he came back.
What we have gone through the last seven or eight years has all but been a re-enactment of the New Testament, especially in the books I mentioned above.
Those of us who have come from the old era of our fellowship are developing a living Bible perspective that will be a great boon to our newer members as well as members of other fellowships.
Kevin Blackburn
Bato, Japan
I just started using the Internet the last week of January at a Muncie, Indiana, library.
When I finally found the Worldwide Church of God and PTM websites, it just made me so proud to be a part of the WCG.
I pray for the church and all of you daily. Also, I pray for all my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially the new ones being added daily. I especially pray for those in the mission fields.
With love in Jesus,
Dale Shaffer
Muncie, Indiana
BOGOTA,
Colombia--Several Worldwide Church of God members lost their homes in an earthquake that
struck Armenia, Colombia, Jan. 25, reported pastor Hector Barrero.
According to the Red Cross in Armenia, 922 people were killed and 3,995 injured.
Many roads are not good for transit, Mr. Barrero said, and rescuers and government officials are trying to re-establish the electricity and water supply.
Survivors depend on food sent from all over the country. Many have migrated to other cities to live with relatives.
"Evangelicals are united to help out their members," Mr. Barrero said.
"I have contacted some of our friends of The Bible League to offer our help. We have sent $400 in food and supplies to our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Gabriel Velez, his wife, Luz Mary, and son Mauricio migrated to Popayan. The WCG member leader there, Efren, and his wife, Flor Maria, received Gabriel and his family at their home.
The church sent money to Gabriel. They also needed clothing as they had to abandon everything they had in Armenia.
Amanda Oviedo lost her downtown business. So far it is not clear what her situation is and that of her family, as telephone communications are difficult.
David Leguizamon lost his home. He went to a camp shelter with his mother, and the church is trying to communicate with him.
"Our friends of The Bible League, who have permission to enter Armenia, said they would look for him," Mr. Barrero said.
Alvaro Berrio, not an active member of the WCG, was happy to receive a call from Mr. Barrero. He lost his downtown business. He and his family moved to the countryside to live with relatives. He said he wanted to receive again El Noticiero (Spanish WN) and taped sermons from Bogota.
"We also have 10 more people, not members, but people who used to attend Bible studies when I visited Armenia," Mr. Barrero said. "We hope to have news about them and help them in any way possible.
"So, we have a lot to do, and we ask for your prayers that God and Jesus Christ will lead us to do all we can to help."
"How
long will you halt between two opinions? How long can we try to straddle the fence and
still move forward?" (ouch!)
Every so often we receive a passionate plea that the church choose either old covenant days or Christmas and Easter.
If we keep both sets of days, some reason, we are trying to mix oil and water, stone and Spirit. Some argue we should get rid of the bondwoman, the covenant of slavery (Gal. 4:21-31).
Some ask, shouldn't our festivals remind us of Jesus, not of the errors of our past?
As we know, emotions run high when it comes to worship days. Some threaten to leave the church if we abandon the old. Others threaten to leave if we keep them as options.
No matter what we do, some people will leave. But we must not make our decisions on the basis of who might leave. We must always strive to make them on the basis of what we believe before God to be right.
Some think the church has no clear direction about annual festivals or about the weekly day of meeting.
I feel the frustration of those who see things this way. I certainly am not out to hold back the church from positive momentum in terms of leaving behind our former old covenant legalism and embracing the faith of the new covenant in the blood of Jesus.
Yet there is more to leadership than pulling out all the stops. I feel deeply the responsibility God has given the leaders of this church to shepherd the people God has given us, and not to leave them in a spiritual desert.
We must sacrifice the inherent human desire that everyone do everything the same way. We must give up the desire to have everyone feel exactly the same way about everything, and the desire to have everyone conform to all the same things.
We have to give up the temptation to eliminate or leave behind, rather than bear with, the people who can't see or understand what we think we see and understand.
Please don't misunderstand. Our practices as Christians need a certain degree of conformity. And yet, that conformity needs to be centered on the right things, the central, fundamental, basic essentials of Christianity.
Some diversity can exist within those boundaries. The reason the church needs to provide that room for diversity is not because we "halt between two opinions." It is because Jesus lives in us, and Jesus loves all his people.
We need a Romans 14 style toleration of one another. It is a mentality of "while we all strive for deeper understanding of the Lord's will for us, let's grant one another the freedom to serve the Lord according to our consciences."
Our denomination can pursue two kinds of unity. One is unity that springs from our Spirit-led commitment to allow people the freedom to think. That brand of unity requires a certain degree of commitment to people as people--people Jesus loves and died for--rather than a mere commitment to particular dates of practices.
Another kind of unity is based on conformity, or uniformity. The cost is high in terms of people. It requires a commitment to abandon people for the sake of dates and practices.
Surely, the question of where are we going has got to be bigger than what days we keep, what songs we sing and what we do with our hands during prayer and singing.
Where we are going is to declare and teach people that God loves them, despite their sins, and that for the sake of Jesus, he invites them to his banquet, despite the fact they've got nothing clean to wear.
Where we are going is to teach people that nothing is more important than accepting and believing the gospel: the soul-changing truth that God extends his unconditional love to them.
The more we teach that, the more we can all begin to live among our fellow members of the WCG in the peace and love of Jesus Christ.
The gospel is centered on Jesus' death and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Many feel that Sunday, Christmas and Easter are more connected to Christ than our old worship days are.
However, the point of the gospel is the significance of Jesus and his resurrection, not which day we choose to worship and commemorate him. We need to distinguish between form and substance, symbol and reality.
We cannot focus on differences over which day to meet on at the expense of losing sight of the real significance of what Jesus did for us and for all humans through his birth, death, resurrection and ascension.
The real significance is that he threw open the doors of the kingdom of God to us, the undeserving, and he purchased God's eternal grace for us.
The New Testament criticizes those who focus on certain days as obligatory. Grace must triumph over conformity, if we are to be true to Jesus.
I am firmly convinced--I am not torn between two opinions--I have one opinion: that we must allow both sets of days, simply because a more important principle is at stake.
The choice is not between this day or that--it is between heavy-handedness and gentleness, between an externally imposed unity and a faith-generated unity, between legalism and grace.
If we try to enforce one set of days over the other and still try to preach grace and freedom in Christ, then we are trying to mix oil and water.
We must distinguish clearly between our traditional festivals themselves and the legalism we applied to their observance.
We have abandoned the legalism associated with our traditional festivals. That is, we have condemned the teaching that Sabbath-keeping and festivals are required for salvation, that they are commanded for Christians, that no person is a true Christian unless he or she keeps them.
On the other hand, we have not abandoned the freedom in Christ to celebrate the festivals themselves, because to do so would be to jump right back into the very legalism Jesus has led us to abandon.
Salvation is not in days. Righteousness is not in days. Salvation and righteousness are in Jesus Christ. We are saved by the grace of God by putting our confidence in Jesus.
Confidence in days, whether Sunday, Christmas and Easter on one hand, or Saturday and the annual festivals of Leviticus 23 on the other, is misplaced confidence. We preach Jesus Christ, not days of worship.
What would happen if we abolished all Saturday services and the annual festivals? We would be compromising the very principles of the gospel, of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, upon which we stand.
Many people would see it, and rightly so, as hypocrisy. This approach still would not guarantee unity, for then people could squabble over whether to observe Pentecost and Maundy Thursday (Thursday before Easter), whether to have All Saints Day and Epiphany, whether to use the Common Lectionary or expository series on books of the Bible. And who knows what kind of disagreements might happen over other doctrines?
Does unity really come from creating a list of rules? No, that is not the kind of unity Jesus wants us to have. Our unity is in him, by his grace.
Now, I do not for one minute imagine that it is easy to have two sets of annual festivals. I do not imagine that it is easy for a church to come out of legalism.
It is not easy to unlearn things, especially when we once made so many things tests of true Christianity. We need patience, and patience and tolerance do not come easy.
We are taking a stand. We do have a position. We are allowing both sets of festivals. We have been patient with people on both sides of this issue. Some are still pushing observance of the seven annual festivals; others are pushing to require traditional Christian celebrations only.
We teach balance and tolerance, with a willingness to learn. Jesus' command is that we love one another, not that we denigrate one another in the name of holy days.
Two principles are involved: 1) We want to pastor all our members, to teach and to help. 2) We teach that God loves all of us and sent his Son to die for all of us. (How excited is God about adding converts to a church whose members have not yet learned how to love one another in their differences?)
While the Jews and Samaritans argued about the proper location for worship, Jesus declared that the main thing about worship is attitude, not place (John 4:20-22).
I believe Jesus would give a similar answer to the question of worship days today: You will worship the Father neither on this day nor that--days will no longer be the major concern.
The time is coming and now is when God's true worshipers will worship him in spirit and in truth, without undue obsession about external things such as place or time.
Those things can be important to us, but they are not necessary for true worship. Knowing that, and trusting Jesus to save us all, we can tolerate this diversity in one another.
This is important about worship: Jesus is worthy of worship. He is the truth and the way. No one can get to the Father except through Jesus, and no one can honor the Father without giving equal honor to Jesus.
He is our judge, our advocate and our source of righteousness. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, and run with patience the race that is set before us.
Let us look to him, listen to him and point to him! Everything else will be much easier to deal with, once it is set in the context of Jesus, the Truth of God.
All you who are weary and burdened, come to Christ, and he will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you and learn from him, for he is gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For his yoke is easy and his burden is light. If it seems too heavy at times, perhaps we are trying to do too much of it by ourselves.
Friends, I love you and pray for you. I thank God daily for your labors of love.
To Jesus be honor and glory forever--and a crown of glory will be given to us, too, when the Chief Shepherd appears.
Scripture teaches us that as often we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Cor. 11:26). There is a beautiful and meaningful parallel between the rituals of the old covenant and of the new covenant.
In the old covenant, a sacrament was performed once in a person's life--circumcision. This is true of baptism in the new covenant. Baptism is done once, when the person enters the covenant.
The old covenant also had sacrifices that were performed twice daily, weekly, monthly, annually and whenever the need arose. In the new covenant, the Lord's Supper replaces all those animal sacrifices, because Jesus' death fulfilled them all.
The following table illustrates the parallel:
Once in a lifetime: circumcision
Frequently: daily, weekly, annual, and other animal sacrifices
Once in a lifetime: baptism
"As often as you eat it": the Lord's Supper, commemorating Jesus's death
We have freedom in Christ to observe the Lord's Supper as often as we wish to remember his death in this way. When we take the elements of his Supper, we are doing it in remembrance of him and proclaiming the significance of his sacrifice for us. For a more detailed answer, see an article on our website:
www.wcg.org/lit/holidays/howoften.htm
Since Jesus began the Lord's Supper after having told his disciples to prepare for the Passover, it would seem reasonable to conclude that he used unleavened bread.
From the historical situation, we can also conclude that the bread Jesus used was made from grain harvested the year before, as required by old covenant law (Lev. 23:10-14). However, neither the Scriptures nor the symbolism requires us to imitate these particular details.
The Bible does not attach any significance or importance to the age of the flour, nor whether it was leavened. Similarly, it does not specify whether the bread was made with wheat or barley. Scriptures about the Last Supper do not use the word for unleavened--the Bible simply says that it was bread. It used the common word for a common food.
When Jesus said, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:51), he did not specify whether he was wheat or barley, leavened or unleavened. The point he was making does not rest on such details. He was simply comparing himself to food in general, the most common staple of the diet. Just as bread is the basis of physical life, Jesus is the basis of eternal life.
When Jesus called himself bread, he was referring to its value in the common people's diet, not to any specifics of shape or density. If he had lived and ministered in southeastern Asia, he might have compared himself to rice as the staff of life. His point did not depend on the specific grain being used--just that it was a common part of the diet. Jesus is the staple of our spiritual nourishment.
The wine that Jesus used was probably red fermented wine from the previous year. That was what was available. It may have been mixed with water, as wine often was in that day. Scripture does not mention these specifics. It simply says "fruit of the vine."
When Jesus instituted the symbols, he did not make detailed requirements for the food or drink. He used words that were commonly used for ordinary food and drink. This made it easier for the disciples to do "this" in his remembrance. Whenever the original disciples shared a meal, they could remember what Jesus had done at the Last Supper.
The significance of the bread is not the type of grain it is made from, its texture, or whether it has fermented. Its significance is that it is food, and that we share it.
Scripture simply says it is "bread," without specifying "unleavened." That is why the church teaches that members may use any type of bread whenever they observe communion. We always provide unleavened bread at our annual Lord's Supper on Nisan 14, but leavened bread may also be provided then, too.
Similarly, the significance of the wine is not its fermentation. The significance is that it is liquid, thus allowing it to represent Jesus' blood of the new covenant, and that we drink it, symbolizing our taking the new covenant into ourselves.
Jesus called it by a general term: "the fruit of the vine." Therefore we allow juice to be used for communion. We always have wine at our annual Lord's Supper, but we also offer grape juice in consideration for those who have reason to avoid wine.
Some people avoid wine because of allergies. Others avoid it because their body reacts with alcohol in undesirable ways. Some Christians in less-developed nations simply find it difficult to find wine. That is why substitutes are permissible. The effectiveness of the ceremony does not depend on chemistry, but on our relationship with God.
The Lord's Supper is for people who have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, even if they have not been baptized yet. Under normal circumstances, such a person will soon be baptized. We tell people that the bread and wine are for those who have faith in Christ. They must make their own decision as to whether to partake.
We do not believe it is appropriate to refuse to let people partake if they want to do so, even if they are not baptized. God knows those who are his.
We explain that the Lord's Supper is for those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. However, we can't, nor do we wish to, police everybody's heart as to whether their faith is real.
Some people may actually become convicted and come to faith during the course of the Lord's Supper service, and it would be right for them to partake.
Anyone is welcome to observe the service.
We have always made arrangements for members to take the elements (bread and wine) in their own homes when they were unable to participate with the congregation. Although an elder would officiate in such situations when one was available, we permitted a member to lead when an elder was not available.
The New Testament never even hints at the idea that administering at the Lord's Supper is a function restricted to ordained leaders. For example, Paul did not mention anything about ordained leaders when he addressed the Corinthian church about the Lord's Supper. No verse connects the Lord's Supper with leadership offices.
As far as we can tell from the New Testament, Christians were able to observe the Lord's Supper as often as they wanted, without any need for elders, whenever two or three or more were gathered in his name. If an elder is present, it is traditional, though not required, that he lead the communion.
Both are appropriate. Our denominational practice is an annual, collective worldwide Lord's Supper service with footwashing on Nisan 14 or Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter, observed in some churches as the anniversary of the Last Supper).
For those who miss this annual service for reasons such as sickness and travel, private services can be held at any convenient time or location. We have also observed the Lord's Supper or communion at special conferences, retreats and other congregational meetings, including the fall festival.
We also teach that members may partake of the Lord's Supper at any time in small groups, and many are doing so. This is an already established practice.
We are pleased that groups commemorate our Lord's death, and see their own existence in that context, knowing that our unity comes because of our participation in him.
Our annual denominational service includes footwashing. It is optional to include this ceremony for Lord's Supper services celebrated at other times.
We want our annual denominational service to follow a general standard, including prayer, a basic explanation of and blessing on the bread and wine, footwashing and worshipful music.
Other communion services can follow any dignified and respectful format that brings glory to God and does not bring reproach on the name of Christ.
It must never be done flippantly, but with meaning. It should be a solemn and dignified occasion, yet at the same time, a joyous occasion--thereby appropriate for coming into the presence of God.
We have not heard of any problems in this regard, and we therefore do not feel it is appropriate to establish restrictions at this time.
We are not going to specify a dress standard, music, time limits or quantities. We pray that members will seek to be guided by God's Spirit to the level of formality appropriate for each situation.
Yes. This function is not restricted to pastors, elders or other church leaders, as discussed above, and may be done by women or any other lay members. Just as women may sing prayers in church, they may also pray at a communion service that God will bless the elements for our commemoration of the Lord's death and our participation by faith in our Lord.
Of course, when only women are present, women will lead. There is no need to invite a man in, as if his prayers would be more effective, or as if women cannot picture their union with Christ unless a man prays over the symbols.
Moreover, a woman may lead the service even if men are present. As we have previously explained (May 20, 1997, study paper), women may pray and read scripture, and these are the primary roles involved in leading a communion.
Jesus said, "This is my body." Some churches take this statement literally. However, other churches take this statement to be only symbolic.
In either case, Jesus did mean what he said. In some way, the bread and wine communicate the grace of Jesus to us.
However, it is quite possible that what Jesus said, and what he meant, was something symbolic or metaphorical. Jesus often used figurative language. For example, when Jesus said, I am the bread that came down from heaven, he did not mean that he was literally bread. He meant what he said, yet he meant it figuratively. Whether communication is literal or figurative, it still has meaning.
At the Last Supper, when Jesus actually said the words, he was right in front of the disciples, holding some bread, telling his disciples, This is my body.
The disciples could see his body. They could see the bread. They could tell that there was a difference.
In the original setting, the disciples would have understood Jesus' words in some figurative way.
Jesus also said that the cup was the new covenant in his blood. That's figurative language. He was not concerned about the actual cup. He used the word cup to refer to the wine inside the cup. It was a figure of speech. And the wine itself wasn't the new covenant, either. Jesus was speaking figuratively. He did not say that the wine was his blood.
The pattern is consistent: Jesus was speaking figuratively. The bread symbolized the body of Jesus. However, this does not mean that the bread is "only" a symbol--as if symbols are not important. Symbols are important. The bread represents the body of Jesus, and that's an extremely important representation.
Moreover, Jesus is present in the ceremony, as well as in the physical bread and wine, in some spiritual way. By partaking of the bread and wine, we participate in our Lord (1 Cor. 10:16).
Our doctrinal changes have caused us to reevaluate the role of our denominational headquarters. During the past year, we have been working to clarify how headquarters can best serve the congregations worldwide.
To help us focus our thoughts and to give consistency to our work, we have developed the following statement of headquarters mission, vision, values and goals.
As the international denominational administrative center for the Worldwide Church of God, Headquarters exists to help each congregation of the Worldwide Church of God attain its God-given potential by providing theological, doctrinal, administrative, financial and legal integrity and accountability to all its United States congregations and theological, doctrinal and spiritual leadership to all its non-U.S. Regional Offices.
Worldwide Church of God Headquarters exists to help each congregation of the Worldwide Church of God attain its God-given potential.
* Encourage and facilitate the clear proclamation of the gospel in word and deed in each congregation.
* Provide denominational identity for all Worldwide Church of God congregations.
* Maintain the Worldwide Church of God Statement of Beliefs and the theological and doctrinal integrity of the denomination.
* Provide denominational leadership characterized by humility, integrity, honesty and faithfulness to the Word of God.
* Provide effective biblical instructional materials and church news and information for members.
* Provide effective preparation, training, selection, continuing education and supervision of competent, Christ-centered, Spirit-led pastors for United States congregations.
* Provide skilled administrative, accounting and legal services for United States congregations.
* Provide active spiritual support and international coordination for all non-U.S. Regions.
* Administer the articles and bylaws of the Worldwide Church of God in the United States.
* Provide denominational outreach in the form of an inspirational and motivational Christian message aimed at the Christian world and/or the general public.
* Interact and partner with other churches at a denominational level for the purpose of furthering the kingdom of God.
* Maintain the official history, legacy and continuity of the Worldwide Church of God.
Servant leadership that is centered in:
* The humility and meekness of Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:25-30).
* A faithful and committed personal walk with Jesus Christ.
* Christian character and faithfulness.
* A grace orientation to life.
* A commitment to fairness and equality without favoritism.
* Financial responsibility and integrity.
* Trustworthiness and earned credibility.
* Bible-centered teaching and preaching.
* Responsible theological methods and exegesis of Scripture.
* World missions.
* Denominational unity.
* Regular communication with members.
* People are precious to God, and the needs of people are more important than programs.
* All people, without exception, are of equal value and spiritual potential.
* Respect for human cultural diversity.
* The interconnectedness of the Body of Christ and the command of Jesus that we love one another.
* Making visitors welcome.
* A staff that is committed to life long learning and personal excellence in skills, education and job performance.
* Maintain a church administration department that:
-Licenses all United States elders.
-Maintains and supervises a careful selection and training process for potential U.S. pastors.
-Appoints and supervises all U.S. pastors.
-Maintains effective in-service training program for all U.S. pastors.
-Maintains the office of Superintendent of Missions to coordinate non-U.S. regional offices.
* Maintain a financial affairs and planning department that:
-Accounts for and receipts all U.S. donations.
-Complies with all federal and state regulations regarding U.S. donations, church expenses and disbursements of funds.
-Provides accounting services for all U.S. pastoral salaries and congregational expenses.
-Provides accounting and legal services for all U.S. church business.
* Publish the doctrinal teachings and beliefs of the Worldwide Church of God in the Statement of Beliefs and in other denominational publications.
* Maintain a doctrinal advisory team that reports to the advisory council of elders and is responsible for researching the accuracy and theological integrity of the Statement of Beliefs and the doctrinal content of denominational literature and instructional materials.
* Provide administrative support for denominationally sponsored conferences, conventions and annual worship events.
* Establish, maintain and administer revised articles and bylaws for the Worldwide Church of God in the U.S. that ensure a high level of accountability and integrity of denominational leadership.
* Maintain the Worldwide Church of God U.S. web site and provide space for local church web sites on the internet.
* Produce denominational publications including The Statement of Beliefs, Cross Road, The Worldwide News and various other publications for the edification, instruction and personal support of pastors, their wives and members.
* Maintain a Church Relations office for official communications with news and other public agencies.
* Protect denominational interests through responsible legal counsel whenever warranted.
* Maintain a partnership with Ambassador Center at Azusa Pacific University to facilitate an accredited Christian education for Worldwide Church of God young people and to mentor a leadership base for Worldwide Church of God congregations.
* Maintain an adequate, economical, functional, safe, clean and attractive facility for Headquarters operations.
* Maintain membership in appropriate Christian organizations and partner with other denominations in denominational level initiatives aimed at strengthening unity in the Body of Christ and building the kingdom of God.
Window on the WorldI want to share a story that I hope will inspire you, warm your heart and leave you saying, "How did they do that?"
It is the story of two young members who gave their lives for the better part of a year to help care for the most vulnerable of all God's children--the orphans.
Faith Orphanage Foundation in Kitwe, Zambia, was founded in 1992 on nothing but faith and commitment by Faith Liyena, a Zambian mother in her 30s. Although she had two young children of her own, she stepped out on faith to do something for the thousands of babies (many born with AIDS) orphaned because their parents died of AIDS.
Robi Sonderegger and Noleen Sanderson from Australia served in both an administrative role and in the field from February to November. Here are excerpts from their diaries.
Feb. 25 (Noleen): Getting to know the little faces and names at the babies orphanage.
These are the children who have been abandoned and subsequently found on street corners, bushes and rubbish bins. They don't have anyone to comfort them when they cry, or to smile, play and laugh with them.
I spend my time just hugging and holding each toddler in turn (and sometimes five at once). I have fallen in love with one little boy, Derrick, more than a year old but tiny.
Although he most likely has AIDS, he is just so beautiful. I wish I could take him home with me.
March 6 (Noleen): Where do I start? I find myself living with about 13 Zambians squished into a house in Kitwe.
It's a crazy place with constant noise, a multiplying rat population and absolutely no privacy. Last night the house was over-full with people, but this morning I wandered around looking for some food and someone to talk to, but didn't find either. Welcome to Zambia!
March 12 (Robi): After many lengthy discussions with Faith Liyena about the vision and aims of the Faith Orphanage Foundation (FOF), I have officially been appointed to the position of administrative director and given authority to do whatever is necessary to get FOF up and running.
March 25 (Noleen): Robi has malaria! It started to develop on the way back from Lusaka yesterday.
We sat on a crowded bus for seven hours, and the temperature inside was higher than that outside. Sheer hell! He's so sick, and I'm left alone to care for him.
I don't think I've ever felt this alone. Robi can't eat, is not always fully conscious, can't see, is vomiting and having diarrhea. I think it could be cerebral malaria. I've been praying like I've never prayed before.
April 5 (Robi): Lying on my bed feeling utterly exhausted. We've just returned from three days in the bush conducting a census of our registered orphans in remote rural villages.
It is just horror to continuously listen to the kids relate their family history and witness their current welfare status.
May 15 (Noleen): The poverty of some people in the bush is staggering, and the deeper into the bush you go the worse it seems to get.
Most people only eat one meal a day, have one set of worn-out clothes, and maybe (if lucky) have a blanket or flour sack to sleep on.
Most young children (orphaned or not) are terribly malnourished with big swollen tummies. Many have large open wounds on their legs. It's so sad to see.
June 14 (Robi): I'm sitting in the setting sun on the step of Mibenge school outside the principal's office.
It's been a long day but a great one. This morning after a Zambian breakfast of sweet potatoes, we had an encouraging meeting with FOF's staff and community members.
Aug. 9 (Robi): Mibenge's chief came through for us, and we have been granted our own African residential village.
The community has been mobilized to assist us in renovating it for future volunteers, educational programs and administrative operations.
Sept. 19 (Noleen): Last night we had a scary time with our friend Judith, a teacher and FOF implementer at Mibenge.
She has come down with cerebral malaria and is in serious condition. I've never seen anyone in so much pain! We gave her some of our malaria medication, but we didn't have enough for a full course.
Being late at night and out in the bush, no transport was available, and Mibenge has no access to health clinics or medical assistance.
Early this morning we rushed her to the hospital a few hours away in the nearest town Kalulushi. I hope and pray that she will be OK. Malaria is such a horrible disease. Robi's had it three times now. It's amazing that one little mosquito can do so much damage.
Sept. 20 (Noleen): Judith is dead! It doesn't seem real. I was so sure she was going to be OK.
Oct. 1 (Robi): Everything is so quiet and peaceful in the mornings.
The morning birds and the voices of our neighboring villages filter their soft sounds for miles. A little girl has just snuck over to watch our morning activities and is peering at me from behind a tree. I guess we white people really are a strange sight.
Oct. 22 (Robi): While sitting by the camp fire last night, under a sky full of stars, we realized that we only have three weeks left in Zambia.
Can hardly believe how fast this year has flown. We arrived back in Mibenge village again last Tuesday after being out on a field assignment. We are encouraged by the progress being made in the community.
Now that time is running out, we don't want to leave! We are just so impressed with the newly implemented leadership training seminar workshops.
Moved by Judith's death, the community has been mobilized to establish its own medical clinic. It's fantastic to see the people so motivated. No sitting around waiting for handouts from charitable organizations.
One thing we have come to learn this year in Zambia is that it's not money the people need to get themselves back on their feet; it's vision.
The leadership-training program has challenged the Mibenge community's thinking and allowed them to see that yes, they can do it on their own. That they can achieve anything they set out to, because everything they need is already within them.
This has been my most rewarding venture and to see it in action has made this year in Africa all worth it. I'm just so ecstatic!
Nov. 9 (Noleen): Well, it's the day before we leave Zambia.
Robi and I are racing around doing last minute things and trying to pack up a year's worth of experiences. Mixed emotions!
I'm so excited about traveling in Zimbabwe and then finally getting home to see family and friends. However, I know I'll miss the dear children, our newfound friends, and the simple village life-style.
It's been such a privilege to work here in Zambia this year and to live with the people in remote rural communities. It's something not many people ever get the opportunity to experience.
This year has taught us so much. Robi and I voluntarily came to Zambia to give and help where we could, but we both agree that we have received so much more than we ever could have given.
Although we had some really tough times this year, if it came down to it, we would do it all again! Our departure from Zambia now leaves us wondering what our next adventures will entail and where that road will take us.
Worst memory: Hand washing 100 dirty nappies (diapers) at a babies orphanage in Uganda.
Best memory: Our last night in the village; we became engaged to be married!
Congratulations, Robi and Noleen! And thanks for sharing your experiences. It's a tremendous example for all of us. We wish you much happiness and many more adventures in Christ's service.
ZAMBIAN ORPHANS--Some of the 108 orphans registered with Faith Orphanage
Foundation.
ZAMBIAN MISSIONS TRIP--Noleen Sanderson (above) takes a break in the
bush. Lower photo: Robi Sonderegger. Some villages are accessible only by water.
By Don Mears
If you are a longtime member of the Worldwide Church of God, you may recall literature and sermons that said humankind in general and each of us personally are responsible for the death of Jesus Christ.
Many of us believed this. As a result, many grieved and labored under a huge burden of guilt. Particularly in the spring of each year, as we approached the Passover, the burden would be remembered anew.
But are we truly responsible for the death of Jesus? And, if we aren't, then who is?
The fact is, only one set of shoulders is broad enough and strong enough to bear that burden of responsibility without breaking. And those shoulders are not human, but divine.
Certainly we are responsible for our own deaths: by our sins we have brought death upon ourselves. Our own deaths (Ezek. 18:4, 20) are the wages we have earned by our sins (Rom. 6:23). "You shall surely die!" is what God said (Gen. 2:17).
But Jesus has chosen to die in our place, to make us free from the penalty of our own sins. "I lay down my life for the sheep," he said (John 10:15).
We did not compel him to die. He was under no external compulsion to die for us. "I lay down my life.... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 15:17-18).
I speak with all respect when I say that we did not make him die for us. We did not even ask him to die for us. We were bound up in sin, and we did not know enough to ask for such a thing.
The sacrifice was made at God's initiative. Nothing outside of Jesus compelled him. Only his own nature, his own love, compelled him. The self-sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was the expression within time of the self-giving love that is the nature of God in eternity.
Jesus "loved us and gave himself up for us" (Eph. 5:2)--he gave his life as a sign of his love. His act was designed to create in us a response of love and gratitude and wonder. It was not intended to make us feel guilty every time we think about it.
Consider this: If I were guilty for causing the death of Jesus, what could expiate that guilt? To claim the blood of Christ to cover it would incur the same guilt again!
I would logically be forced to the conclusion that the only way to be free of the guilt of Christ's sacrifice would be to die for my own sins, rather than bear the burden of responsibility and guilt that comes along with having him die for them.
Here is a paradox: When we receive his sacrifice as a gift, we are free from responsibility for his death.
Our merciful God did not intend that we, his children, carry a burden of guilt through our lives today, or through life everlasting, based on our mistaken notion that by accepting his gift we bear the responsibility for Jesus' death.
God intended that we be freed from and remain free from such a sense of condemnation and guilt (Rom. 8:5).
Praise God, and thank him that he took the responsibility of giving his Son for us! Praise Jesus, and thank him that he willingly laid down his life for us, and rejoice that he invites us to take advantage of his gift of love without guilt, without reluctance and without condemnation.
By Paul Sniffen
As we celebrate a piece of our country's history by recognizing Black History month in February, we can thank God for his gospel and the freedom it brings.
God is reconciling the whole creation to himself, and human beings to each other through Christ.
With the fall in the Garden of Eden, God's perfect handiwork became subject to the curse of sin. This curse resulted in the disruption of the positive relationship of human to human and the harmonious state of the environment. It caused alienation from God and each other, and ultimately, death.
God paid the price for reconciliation through Jesus, who cried out, "It is finished."
Through God's power and love in Christ, the partition of separation was opened and direct access to God was restored (2 Cor. 5:18-19). We can believe it, claim it and live out the process through our daily lives.
Just as the realization of personal salvation can come as we intentionally turn to God for grace, so reconciliation can come to us as we intentionally turn to each other. Passive recognition of a theological truth is not enough. God calls us to real relationships.
Transforming experiences are often painful. It is akin to childbirth, because we are becoming new creations in Christ.
As new creatures in Christ, we can take the lead in living out the truth of the gospel and be part of the process of the reconciliation of all things.
We can rejoice in God's grace in moving the WCG leadership to initiate an organizational effort to exemplify our oneness in Christ in race relations (2 Cor. 5:20).
While neither African slavery in America nor the Jewish Holocaust in Germany were unique expressions of oppression, their magnitude and historical time-frame stand as pivotal points in the horrors of racism.
However painful these realities maybe be--and some ask, why bring up the past--there is wisdom in using the past as a reminder so as not to repeat it.
The apostle Paul was an example of remembering where he came from as a way of reminding himself, and conveying to others the magnitude of the grace of God (1Cor. 15:9-10).
I am an American who happens to be of Seminole, African, Irish and Mexican descent.
I grew up in an ethnically diverse community in West Texas near the border of Mexico. As a child, I remember my grandmother running her hand through my hair as we listened to the adults tell stories about our ancestry and its rich cultural mix.
She was a Seminole Indian and her husband, my grandfather, was African, the son of a runaway slave. My mother, Johnnie Mae, was their youngest daughter, and she married Oscar Sniffen, my father. He was the son of an Irish father and a mother of Mexican and African descent.
He told the story of a slave named Cynthia, his maternal grandmother, and the first generation American from our African family line.
I celebrate my individual identity, and that of my fellow human beings in the reality of God's truth and love. There is only one race, the human race, diverse but equal as we are made in his image regardless of ethnic or cultural mix.
Many Americans have a diverse ethnic lineage. Unfortunately, people of color tend to be categorized narrowly and identified, primarily, by skin tone and hair texture. Often they do not think of themselves beyond these stereotypical characteristics. As a result, limited knowledge of family history is passed on generationally.
This minimizes individual identity, and ancestral appreciation, which may affect self-image. Our unique composite of traits, characteristics, strengths, weaknesses and needs are what makes us the one-of-kind child of God that we are.
Fortunately, God knew all about us even before we were born, and we can become like Christ no matter who we are. God placed us in the body as it pleased him.
My wife, Leigh, and I have been WCG members for more than 30 years, but our Christian beliefs and the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ go back to our youth.
Yet, we are still learning what it means to let the Holy Spirit lead us into an intimate relationship with Jesus and the Father.
Since God cannot be encompassed by any single entity, he has given us beautiful, purposeful, complementary and reciprocal diversity in all of creation. In order for us to grasp this, we must see things from the perspective Jesus gives us, as well as from that of our fellow humans.
It is unnatural for humans to be other-focused, so we need to allow ourselves to be transformed by the continual renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2). After all, that is why he came among us, and that's what he is doing.
Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham, Women's Ministry Support coordinators, each gave 15 presentations, including five question-and-answer sessions during visits to Zimbabwe and South Africa Dec. 11 to 21.
First stop was a regional women's retreat in Zimbabwe Dec. 11 to 13. From there they flew to Durban, South Africa, to speak at a women's seminar Dec. 14. From Durban, they flew to Cape Town to speak Dec. 15. The next day they flew to Johannesburg, where Mrs. Tkach joined her husband, Joseph, at a ministerial conference.
Dec. 18 Shirley Henderson, wife of James Henderson, superintendent of African missions, drove the two women to the Summer Educational Program (SEP) camp to speak to the staff and campers.
After lunch at camp, they drove two hours to Magaliesburg for a women's retreat Dec. 18 to 20.
After the retreat they drove back to Johannesburg to join Mr. Tkach and Randal Dick, superintendent of missions, to begin the flight home the next day.
Ninety-three women traveled from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and elsewhere in Zimbabwe to hear Tammy Tkach, Sheila Graham and Shirley Henderson Dec. 11 to 13. The theme was "Comfort, O Comfort my People" (Isaiah 40:1).
"We sang, danced and praised the Lord for an hour and a half as the bus journeyed to Sanganayi Creek," said Agatha Paul, organizing committee secretary.
Catherine Gondwe, a deaconess in the Blantyre, Malawi, congregation, said: "We had problems with the bus and with immigration officers in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We thought we would not make it to the Zimbabwean border in time, but we managed to cross the border post by a few minutes before it was closed."
The opening night meeting started with singing. After coordinator Elinah Mandimika's welcome, Nsama Kaoma spoke on God Is With Us All the Time, and Mrs. Henderson spoke on How We Can Comfort Each Other.
Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham gave messages the next day confirming the women's relationship with Jesus Christ. A woman is equally important in God's plan, they said.
Jane Ngula spoke on Planting to Reap, and Rosemary Chiutare spoke on the Power of Prayer. After dinner several women gave testimonies on how God was working in their lives. Hymns were sung in Shona, English, Chewa and Nyanja.
"We certainly felt the presence of God throughout the retreat and the unity and love for one another made possible by God's Spirit," remarked one delegate. As Mrs. Tkach said, "It was Jesus who brought us here together."
(Compiled by Elinah Mandimika with contributions from Agatha Paul, Gladys Mpofu and Catherine Gondwe)
Applause broke out as Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham arrived at the Dutch Library in Pinelands Dec. 15.
Debbie Klynsmith introduced the guests to the waiting audience of 66 women from the Cape Town North and South churches. Members had heard about their work; now they would hear them speak.
Before closing, all the women held hands and prayed for God's love to be expressed through each and every one, and for unity and strength in Christ, so they may serve in whichever way he leads. (Contributed by Hilary Dahms)
More than 120 women made friends with Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham at the Youth for Christ Centre in the Magaliesburg Hills.
Earlier that same day Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham shared a message of choices with the SEP teens and staff.
Nanette Robertson, president of Johannesburg's Women's Development Forum, was inspired by James 4:2, "You do not have because you do not ask."
So, she asked: "Tammy and Sheila, please come to our retreat. If you can get here, we'll look after you."
The answer came, "No ... but if ... yes." She asked again and God heard our prayers for the "if" to happen.
Wendy Holladay gave our guests a warm welcome. The uplifting evening ended in praise and worship led by Gill Khoury and Lorna Leister of the Durban Worship Ministry.
After breakfast Saturday, Joyce Ndungane led praise and worship. Four workshops were offered that afternoon by Yvonne Tavares, the Durban Music Ministry, Shirley Henderson and Sharon Vischer.
Helen Botha led Sunday morning's praise session. The Durban Women's Ministry also provided signing for those hearing impaired.
All the women were taught to sign the theme song, "The Power of Your Love." Mrs. Tkach said, "It's like worshiping God with your body as well as your voice."
(Contributed by Meri Matti)
SEP--Wendy Holladay (right) gives tour to Tammy Tkach (left), Shirley
Henderson and Sheila Graham (behind camera).
SANGANAYI CREEK--Women meet in African gazebo.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN--Workers clean up after meal in Sanganayi Creek,
Zimbabwe.
MAGALIESBURG--Tammy Tkach (right) with friends. [Photos by Sheila Graham]
ZIMBABWE--Rosemary Chiutare and Jane Ngula speak at retreat.
CAPE TOWN--Women listen to presentation by Tammy Tkach.
CAPE TOWN OFFICE--Tammy Tkach and Debbie Klynsmith look over South
African publications.
PRESENTATIONS--Coordinator Nanette Robertson in Magaliesburg, and Sheila Graham
in Cape Town.
CAPE TOWN--Bryan and Ina Mathie with Tammy Tkach (center). Mr. Mathie is a
retired employee of the South African Office.
Need more information about women's ministry?
Visit our website at www.wcg.org/womensministry/
You'll find the women's ministry information packet and news of coming retreats and conferences, Tammy Tkach's monthly letter, Something to Think About, and a link to Sheila Graham's newsletter, Christian Women in Touch.
By Ralph K. Helge
Church legal counsel
PASADENA--As many of you know, the Philadelphia Church of God (hereafter PCG), produced 50,000 unauthorized and unlicensed copies of the entire Mystery of the Ages book written by Herbert W. Armstrong.
The only modifications they made from the one published by the Worldwide Church of God was that they deleted the name of the WCG from the copyright notice, deleted a notice that prohibited copying of the book and deleted a suggested reading list of booklets that could be requested from the WCG.
The WCG carefully reviewed this conduct, and concluded that it could not just stand by and simply ignore the confiscation of its assets. As a consequence, it felt compelled to file a lawsuit in federal court against PCG for violation of copyright.
From the outset, the court held what, in my opinion, was an erroneous view of the law. As a consequence, we were apprehensive that this was going to have a negative impact on the outcome of the case.
In fact, from early on in the case, we even requested that we be permitted to take the legal contentions of the District Court and PCG to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for review.
This we felt would bring about an early correction of these erroneous views and save a considerable amount of time and attorneys fees for the parties.
However, PCG's attorneys opposed this and hence the court refused to permit such an early appeal.
In order to bring the matter to the quickest resolution possible, we filed a motion for what is called a summary judgment.
This is a procedure whereby it is contended that there are no factual issues, only legal ones, and that the legal issues were in favor of the WCG. PCG filed a cross motion.
On Feb. 8, our apprehensions came to pass, and the court granted PCG's motion for summary judgment, which authorized PCG to copy Mystery of the Ages for the time being.
We are of the firm opinion that the legal grounds articulated by the court are not in accord with the existing law.
In fact, the court admitted to this, but went on to pronounce its application of the law to this case as being somewhat unique.
It should be understood that this decision does not end the matter.
It is the WCG's firm intent to appeal the same to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in order to correct the erroneous ruling.
Some have asked why the WCG wants to prevent the PCG, or anyone else for that matter, from copying Mystery of the Ages.
The answers are threefold:
1. A copyright is property. It is appropriate stewardship to protect the assets of the WCG.
2. PCG did not request permission to print Mystery of the Ages or a license to publish. They simply confiscated the same. Hence, it was necessary to defend against such conduct.
3. The WCG has been discussing plans for the thousands of copyrights that it holds of WCG's literature. It could not sit back and let PCG simply come in and confiscate whatever it could get its hands on, and thereby disrupt all this planning and future control and direction of such literature by the WCG.
Although the intent of this article is to explain some underlying aspects of a lawsuit, nevertheless, I do not want to burden it with legal arguments.
In our opinion, I feel that the principle of the legal and spiritual contentions were correctly summed up by Judge Wendell A. Miles of the U.S. District Court, in his decision regarding a copyright case.
In his case, a religious radio station played religious songs without paying a royalty to the copyright holder.
Judge Miles stated that in doing so, they "violated the commandment, Thou shalt not steal."
Even a secular judge recognized that the taking of somebody's copyright without paying for it, indeed without even offering to pay for it, was a violation of God's law.
Here we believe that the PCG is in violation of both the commandment of God and the copyright law of the United States.
We will keep you posted from time to time as the appeal progresses. We request your prayers that the rights of the WCG be vindicated and the untoward action of the PCG be exposed.
By Jeb Egbert
I received a phone call from an old friend some time ago.
"Jeb," he started, "how is everything going with SEP?"
"Fabulous!" I responded, wondering where the conversation might be headed.
"Well, I just want you to know that I attended SEP in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it served as the foundation for my life. I was just hoping SEP would still be there for my son."
When I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but reflect on what just occurred. A man in his 40s went out of his way to share his excitement over what had happened in his life almost three decades earlier. SEP had helped to make him the person he is today.
SEP has had a significant and generally positive impact in the lives of thousands of young people over the years.
What makes it so successful?
SEP has a clear sense of purpose. The mission of the program is to help teens either develop or reinforce their relationships with Jesus Christ. SEP is about relationships.
SEP is also about community. It is about bringing hundreds of young people from around the hemisphere together for a two-week action-packed spiritually charged experience.
It does all this within the context of a program that has been successful for more than three decades.
Some ask why we have so many recreational activities at SEP. The reason is simple--Christianity is more than what happens when you go to church. Christianity happens when you are at a dance, in a volleyball game, shooting a rifle or learning more about your Savior.
Every element of SEP's active program is filled with spiritually teachable moments. Whether one is out on a three-day canoe trip, on the high ropes at the challenge course, or tossing a ball in a softball game, each activity is ripe with opportunities for young Christians to learn what it means to be young Christians.
SEP is designed to catalyze spiritual development in the young people who come. It doesn't happen to everyone, but for most, the spiritual embers are stirred and burst into full flame.
According to last summer's post-camp survey, most campers indicated that SEP helped them to develop or strengthen their relationships with Jesus. More than 10 percent of the campers were baptized last summer.
Some ask how SEP can be replicated within a local congregation. It is virtually impossible for this to occur simply because the dynamics of camp are so special.
This summer we anticipate 200 teens in each session to come from around the United States, Canada and beyond. Many of these young men and women will come as strangers and leave as lifelong friends.
SEP has worked for more than 35 years. Because of the undeniable and unapologetic spiritual focus, SEP will work again this summer.
I hope that SEP will flourish in the years to come. Then, one day, 25 years from now, we can receive another phone call. "Jeb, how is SEP? I want you to know that I attended in 1999, and it helped to change my life. Now I want my children to have that same experience."
When?
First Session: Campers arrive June 27, depart July 12
Second Session: Campers arrive July 14, depart July 29
Where? Orr, Minnesota
Cost? $595 per camper
Also, we need qualified college, adult and high school volunteer staff. To request more information or an application, write or call the SEP Office at
SEP Office
Box 2211
Frisco, Texas, 75034
Phone: 1-972-712-KSEP (5737)
e-mail: sep.orr@wcg.org
By Ronald Kelly
We
are off and running with another year and have completed our accounting processes for
January 1999.
Unlike January of the previous year, where income took a disappointing downturn, January this year came closer to our anticipated new budget of $98,000 per day.
Income for the month was $95,550. January is usually one of the lowest income months of the year, so we appreciate your care and support and hope that the coming months will find us at or above budgeted income.
As another year has come to a close, this issue of the WN gives us an opportunity to report our 1998 income and expenses.
You may remember that we began the year anticipating an income of $115,000 per day. Early in the year, however, we saw that was unrealistic, and so we made the difficult decision to reduce the budget to $110,000 per day. That meant a further reduction of employees including some of our church pastors.
As we closed the year, income didn't quite reach the hoped-for new budget, and we closed with a daily average income of $106,793. We had to dip into our reserve fund more than we wanted to. We pray that will not reoccur in 1999.
I thought you might like to see a comparison of our annual budget for 1998 compared to several years ago. As you view the pie charts on page 23, I think you can easily see that the focus of the church during the decade of the '90s has significantly shifted to support our local churches.
Putting together numbers for a chart can be done in a variety of ways.
For example, if you were to compare a chart we published two or three years ago, it would be different from the ones you see in this article.
The reason is, I am focusing our church finances on what we believe will be the primary emphasis of the church after the Pasadena property sells.
I chose not to break out such departments as Computer Information Systems, Accounting, Human Resources and Shipping & Receiving.
In past years, you might have seen charts with several more departments. In the charts you see in this issue we have lumped those administrative functions into one category --headquarters support.
Also in previous years, we generally allocated a percentage of Pasadena administrative functions to the Church Administration chart because so much of what our headquarters employees do is directly related to the field ministry.
This year we have placed all of those items into a chart showing what we think will be necessary to support a small headquarters staff.
My purpose is to show you that after the property sells, a much larger share of member donations will be channeled to the work of the local church. This is a time we all eagerly anticipate.
The accompanying charts show that in 1989 the media expenses for the work of the church were 33 percent of the annual income.
The Ambassador Foundation expense was five percent and property was one percent.
The remaining 60 percent of the income was allocated to church and congregational support including the college, the international churches and congregational support services.
Last year, the media expenses, now allocated to PTM, were only two percent of our annual income.
Because we no longer operate Ambassador College and Ambassador Foundation, the remaining 98 percent of income was allocated directly to congregational support and included discretionary assistance to retired church employees, property maintenance pending the sale of the Big Sandy and Pasadena campuses and congregational support services.
(To understand the importance of maintaining denominational support services, please be sure to read the mission and vision statement on pages 10 and 11).
As we prepare for the future, we envision a relatively small expense involved in leasing, purchasing or building a headquarters office facility. That amount, compared to the past, will be small.
All we will need is an appropriate office facility for a small headquarters support team and warehousing for corporate archives and literature supply.
I hope this will help you see we are on a steady track to fund programs at the local church level. And when our property sales are completed, an even greater percentage of income will be apportioned to local church programs.
We are excited and optimistic about the future possibilities for our local congregations. So please keep the property sales high on your prayer priorities.
And please be patient. The sale of our properties is a complicated process, and if all goes well with the Pasadena sale, we are probably looking at one to two years from the time we enter escrow until the sale is finalized.
Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support during the past year. We look forward to a positive 1999.
Surely our God has a great plan for the Worldwide Church of God in the coming years. We are all privileged to be part of a wonderful work God is doing.
PASADENA--Packets have been sent out for the May 28 to 31 elders' wives conference.
"Like last year, we want to invite all elders' wives to attend," said coordinator Jannice May.
Speakers will include Jill Brisco. The theme is bonding and connecting and growing and changing.
Air-4-Less travel agency will give attendees up to 25 percent off on preferred carriers. Send e-mail to Monica at mparra@air-4-less.com or call 1-818-553-3218 or 1-888-247-4537. Reduced rates are available for personal travel too.
Please mention Jannice May or Worldwide Church of God.
If you did not receive a packet for the elders' wives conference call Jannice at 626-304-6138.
By Thomas C. Hanson
PASADENA--William A. Shubin of Legacy Partners, the firm that signed a letter of intent to purchase the church's headquarters property, talked to community members about plans for the property Feb. 24 in the Ambassador Auditorium.
The event was the first of several in which Legacy will seek input from the community about future use of the property.
Legacy said it intends to establish a working partnership with the city of Pasadena, neighbors, merchants and the Worldwide Church of God "to ensure a world class property in a world class city."
The firm wants to create a top quality mixed-use environment that preserves the quality and heritage created by the WCG.
The firm must follow guiding principles adopted last summer by the City of Pasadena in its West Gateway Specific Plan.
One principle calls for the preservation "of the significant historic buildings and gardens on the Worldwide Church of God property, including Ambassador Auditorium."
Legacy will explore opportunities to retain the Auditorium as a performing arts venue.
Historical buildings will stay, but Legacy will study whether some buildings built solely for the college still have a possible use.
Mr. Shubin indicated that he saw little use for the former Grove Terrace men's dormitory, the one-sixth mile running track, and the library, Fine Arts and Science buildings.
The main area of development will be along Green Street and St. John Avenue and less intensely along Orange Grove and Del Mar boulevards.
Some streets the college covered over may have to be reopened to allow access to some buildings.
"We want the property to look like it hasn't changed, only gotten better," Mr. Shubin said.
COMMUNITY INPUT--William A. Shubin of Legacy Partners answers questions
about Legacy's potential use of church headquarters property in the Ambassador Auditorium
Feb. 24. [Photos by Ron Grove and Thomas C. Hanson]
By K.J. Stavrinides
Last year's Festival in Greece was so successful that, by popular request, we have added an optional ninth day, Sunday Oct. 3, for this year's Festival.
The Festival days are Friday evening Sept. 24 to Saturday evening Oct. 2.
To accommodate those who would like to see the islands, we are adding an optional, post-conference cruise. All of this is done at affordable prices, given sufficient participation.
This year, our resort facility will be north of Athens, on the Mediterranean coast. It offers indoor and outdoor activities (such as sea sports, tennis and table tennis), musical evenings, dances and excursions.
We plan to have meetings in the mornings and use the afternoons for educational tours. All-day tours include visits to places where the apostle Paul spoke, and the group will also take a ship for a pleasure cruise to three Greek islands.
Service opportunities are available for ministers, deacons and deaconesses, musicians, medical personnel, activity organizers and people with talent in all areas.
For details, write to Conference, Greek Department, 300 W. Green St., Pasadena, California, 91123; call Delores Schroeder at 1-626-304-6140; or send e-mail to her at delores_schroeder@wcg.org
It is difficult to summarize in two pages what the Gospels say about Jesus Christ. These four books contain more than 100 pages of information about Jesus, and so much of it seems important.
Perhaps we can summarize the Gospels by looking at three questions: 1) Who is this person? 2) What did he do? 3) What does he mean for us today?
Jesus looked like an ordinary person. He was born in an ordinary way, in humble circumstances. Like other Jewish boys, he was circumcised. As a firstborn child, he was dedicated at the temple. Two pigeons were sacrificed, showing that the family was poor (Luke 2:24; Lev. 12:8).
Like other children, Jesus grew physically, intellectually and socially. Later, he was known as "the carpenter, the son of Mary" (Mark 6:3). He walked and worked like other people did. He ate, slept and became tired and hungry and thirsty. Later, he died, as all people do.
Jesus did have a special interest in religion. His family went to Jerusalem for the Passover every year, and when Jesus was 12, the temple teachers were surprised at how much he knew (Luke 2:46-47).
His cousin John was also religious--and quite out of the ordinary. John lived in the wilderness, eating strange food and wearing strange clothes. He preached repentance, and baptized people as a symbol of forgiveness. Crowds of people came to rededicate themselves to God. Jesus also came, and he was baptized.
At Jesus' baptism, something extraordinary happened --a voice from heaven, and something like a dove came upon him (Luke 3:22). This was a major turning point in his life. His behavior suddenly changed. He quit his job, moved to the desert and stopped eating for 40 days.
When Jesus came back to the synagogue at Nazareth, he practically claimed to be the Messiah when he said that God had anointed him to preach. He announced that he was the fulfillment of Scripture (Luke 4:16-29).
Jesus began to do some extraordinary things: turning water into wine, feeding thousands of people, healing all sorts of diseases, giving sight to the blind, even raising the dead. He commanded demons to leave, and they obeyed! Repent, he preached, for the kingdom of God is near.
No way, said the experts. They liked Jesus when he was 12, not now. He disrupted temple-related businesses, turned over tables and drove out the animals (John 2:13-17). He publicly criticized the Jewish leaders, calling them blind leaders, snakes, children of the devil, sons of hell (Matt. 15:14; 23:15, 33; John 8:44).
And no one ever taught like Jesus did. What extraordinary things he said about himself! Such as, If you don't do what I say, you will not be in the kingdom of God. No one comes to God except through me. I am the judge of your eternity. I can forgive your sins (Matt. 7:26; 9:2-6; 10:33; 16:27; John 5:22; 14:16).
Moses is not enough, Jesus said. Moses said one thing, but I teach something else (Matt. 5:21-39). He claimed to be greater than the temple, greater than Solomon and Jonah (Matt. 12:5-8, 41-42). He said that people should be more righteous than Pharisees, but he ignored their rules about ritual washings and Sabbath-keeping.
Who is this man? Where did he get these extraordinary ideas?
If Jesus didn't do any miracles, his teachings might have been ignored as ridiculous. But his miracles gave evidence that he really could forgive sin, he really could bring spiritual light to the blind and he really did have authority from God. This man could not be ignored.
The people saw Jesus' miracles, and they wondered, Could he really be the Messiah? (John 7:25-31, 40-44). Could this person who criticizes our traditions really be anointed by God?
Jesus often called himself the Son of Man. Sometimes this phrase meant "an ordinary person." Sometimes it referred to an extraordinary person--someone "like a son of man" coming with the clouds of heaven, crowned and given great glory (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus said that he would come in great glory, at the right hand of God (Matt. 24:30). This was such a bold claim that the high priest accused Jesus of blasphemy (Matt. 26:64).
Paradoxically, Jesus also used the phrase Son of Man to predict his own death on a cross (Matt. 20:18-19; 26:2)--but crucifixion was the most shameful way for any Jew to die. "Anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse" (Deut. 21:23).
How could anyone have both shame and glory? How could a blasphemer be honored by God? If Jesus were the Messiah, why did he say that the people would reject him and kill him? A dead Messiah made no sense.
That's why Peter said, Not so, Lord! We will never let this happen to you! But Peter could not stop the envy of the Jewish leaders, nor the injustice of the Roman rulers. Peter was powerless against sin and evil.
And so Jesus, once hailed by the people as a king, was soon rejected, betrayed, deserted, condemned, beaten and crucified. The disciples' hopes were crushed. Some left town; some planned to return to the fishing business.
The Gospels do not hide the shameful death of Jesus. Indeed, all four books spend a disproportionate amount of space on this tragic event. These books were designed to tell us what Jesus did (Acts 1:1), but they give a lot of space to Jesus' suffering and death. Could it be that his death is part of what he did? Could it be that his manner of death was part of his ministry? What made his death so newsworthy in the eyes of the Gospel writers?
Even in death, Jesus was a controversial figure. One Jewish leader asked for permission to put him in a brand-new tomb. Other Jewish leaders posted a guard.
Early on a Sunday morning, some women came to put burial spices on his body, but they came back with a strange report. There was an earthquake, they said, and an angel rolled the stone away, the guards fainted and Jesus suddenly appeared to the women.
The disciples "did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense" (Luke 24:11). Even after Peter examined the evidence, "he went away, wondering to himself what had happened" (verse 12).
It was not long before Peter became convinced about what had happened. But why? If God wanted Jesus to be alive, why did he allow him to die in the first place? Is this what Jesus was all about?
"Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself" (verse 27). The disciples began to learn a new understanding of Jesus--not just his resurrection, but also the purpose of his death, the meaning of his life and most astonishing of all, who he was.
Who was this man from Nazareth? He called himself the Son of Man. Blind men and a Canaanite woman called him Son of David, another name for the Messiah. Demons called him Son of God--but could they be right?
Nathanael, Peter and Martha also called him the Son of God. He accepted that title in front of the high priest, and was condemned for it. The crowds ridiculed him for it, but the centurion said, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Mark, Luke and John begin their books by calling him the Son of God--not a child of God in the same way that believers are, but Son in an unprecedented way.
Despite appearances, Jesus did not begin in the usual way, Matthew and Luke tell us--he was conceived by the Spirit of God. Even when he was a baby, the Magi worshiped him. His disciples fell on their knees and worshiped him (Matt. 2:11; 14:33; 28:9, 17).
John tells us something even more astounding: that Jesus was, from the beginning of time, the Word of God, who "was with God, and the Word was God." Through him all things had been created (John 1:1-3). John calls him "God the One and Only" (verse 18). Thomas called him "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Jesus said he had the glory of God "before the world began" (John 17:5).
Who was this person? He was God, worthy of worship and honor and absolute obedience.
How could Jews ever come to believe such an idea? Not easily! But the Gospel writers had seen the evidence, and they report to us the evidence that convinced them. They describe for us a Jesus who is both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time.
Well, if Jesus was God in human flesh, what was he doing on the cross? Why does it seem that the focal point of his ministry is an ignominious death? The Gospels do not give us many details why (other New Testament books give us much more). Jesus did say that he would draw people to himself through the cross (John 12:32). His death would be a means of acquiring disciples.
Jesus said that his death had been predicted in the Old Testament (Matt. 26:24; Mark 9:12; Luke 24:46). So we can look to the Old Testament to learn more. But where does the Old Testament predict someone sent by God to die for others?
In Luke 22:37, Jesus pointed the way by quoting a specific prophecy that "must be fulfilled in me." He quoted from Isaiah 53, which describes a servant who carries our sins, suffers and dies, brings forgiveness, and is honored by God. Jesus saw himself as that servant. He is the one who would "give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28).
As a ransom for many, as a sin-bearing sacrifice, Jesus accomplished more in his death than he did in all his miracles. This is the reason he came (John 12:27). There was no other way to achieve his purpose (Matt. 26:42).
What then are we supposed to do with this person? How is he relevant to us today?
John tells us that he wrote his Gospel so that we would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing we may have eternal life through him (John 20:31). We can have eternal life only by being forgiven, and it is only through the death of Christ that we can be forgiven. It is to him we must respond. We should fall to our knees and confess, My Lord and my God.
Michael Morrison
By John McKenna
In the beginning of our study of the book of Hosea (January WN), we saw how the I-AM of God in Israel's Exodus (Exodus 3:13-14) lies behind the development of the prophetic vision of the People of God.
We saw how the People of God became Not-My-People because they turned the I-AM of God into the Not-I-AM and made way for themselves to "marry" their idols to the names of God in the Old Testament.
Hosea's marriage to the temple priestess Gomer and the three children she bore him portrays God's judgment upon Israel.
The final consequence of this judgment will bring about, in the latter days of the history of God's People, a great messianic salvation for Israel. It is with the grace of this judgment and the judgment of this grace that we can see the book's shape and substance for us.
If we consider chapters one to three as an introduction to the whole of the vision, then we notice that both judgment and salvation are bound up with one another in the mind of the author with a passionate and personal commitment to the covenant between God and his people.
God and Israel are in relationship with each other just as Hosea and Gomer are married to one another. The reversal of their broken marriage is surprisingly described throughout the book. Though an oracle of judgment is announced, Israel's ultimate salvation is proclaimed (Hosea 2).
Then the call of Israel to hope in her God is made with great anticipation (Hosea 3). We cannot understand the judgment apart from the salvation proclaimed in the book. We cannot understand the reversal of her fortunes foretold in the book apart from this judgment.
How can we learn to think the modes of judgment and salvation in the being of God's great I-AM? How may we develop some meaningful concept of the message of this prophet to the People of God?
After this introduction to the prophecy of Hosea, we begin to read two judgment speeches. They are addressed first to all Israel and her corruption of the covenant with her God (Hosea 4) and secondly to Israel's priesthood (Hosea 5:1-7).
To come to an appropriate understanding of the judgment, we may study Hosea 4:1-3: "Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, Because the Lord has a lawsuit against you: There is no faithfulness, there is no covenant love, there is no knowledge of God in the land. Instead there are only curses, lying and murder, stealing and adultery. All the boundaries are broken, and violence follows bloodshed. Because of this, the land mourns, all who live on it waste away. The beasts of the fields, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea are dying" (my translation).
This judgment speech begins with a call to attention. The exhortation is important in Israel. Deuteronomy 6:4 ("Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!") also calls Israel to attention. Without hearing the word of God, his people will not obey.
Once the attention is obtained, the covenant lawsuit is announced against the nation. In it God will act through the message of the prophet as a prosecutor of his people. The irony is not lost upon the prophets. His people will be convicted and punished through the very prophets they refuse to hear.
This is because they have turned the great I-AM of God into a Not-I-AM, according to what we have read in chapter one: "There is no truth or faithfulness, no covenant loyalty or love, and no knowledge of God throughout the nation living on God's promised land."
These three terms mark the reason for the judgment just as, in the introduction to the prophecy, the names of Gomer's children marked the curse of God upon the monarchies of Israel and Judah.
1) There is no truth, no ultimate reality upon which Israel can rely. She is doomed for desolation.
2) There is no covenant love (hesed) in the land. Scholars have studied this term thoroughly. It is the fundamental concept by which the promise of God in covenant with his people will be kept.
He took it away from Saul's house, but promised never to remove it from the House of David (2 Sam. 7:13-14). It is with the freedom of the Lord God's divine passion to keep the promise made once to Abraham that the term achieves its significance. The whole history of Israel is bound up with its meaning (see Psalm 136).
There is no knowledge of God in the land. Knowledge of God is knowledge gained in an intimate and saving relationship with him. This knowledge cannot be divorced from the wisdom by which the Lord gives himself to be known in covenant with his people.
When they turn the great I-AM that he truly is into the Not-I-AM that he is not, then whatever they possess as knowledge is no knowledge. It is but the dumb and deaf dreams of idols and idol makers. It is also the stuff that allows the Torah of God, given through Moses at Mount Sinai, to go unheeded.
That is what the list of sins against Israel are--deafness to the Torah of the People of God. There was a prohibition against swearing and cursing in the Law. There was a prohibition against lying and deceiving in the Law. There was a prohibition against murdering, thievery and adultery in the Law.
When all these are broken, what can the land do but mourn, and when the land mourns, what happens to those who live upon it? They waste away. Beasts of the fields, birds of the heavens and fish of the seas die.
In his lawsuit against his people, we are plainly taught that all of the creation suffers under the curse upon God's people. When Israel is cursed, the whole world suffers. The creation itself is made to bear witness to this judgment.
The covenant lawsuit of the Lord God against his people does not result merely in a lack of knowledge about him, from lack of loyal love for him, from lack of a faithfulness that belongs to his truth's faithfulness, but it results in the demise of the whole world.
When Israel is punished, the whole world knows death rather than life.
The profundity of this judgment must be announced throughout the society of ancient Israel. Beside the people, priest, prophet and king must understand the thoroughness of its accusation against all Israel.
Thus we read the progress that is made with the writhing repetitions of judgment that whirl on throughout the rest of the chapters of the book's accusations against Israel.
Though all of society protests, still Israel is judged. Hosea announces in no uncertain terms the reasons for the judgment against people, priesthood, prophet and royal rule alike.
All of them together shall experience not only the thoroughness of the judgment, but surprisingly also the faithfulness, the holy love and the wisdom of God in his covenanted interaction with Israel.
Without this kind of judgment, there will be no salvation of the God who would be known among his people. In the latter days he will be known for who he truly is.
It seems that the judgment is absolutely devastating, but it also is not the last word from the Lord God.
There will come again the salvation of the Lord God for them. There will be real knowledge of God in the land. There will true loyal love for God among his people.
Faithfulness and holy love will be wed in Israel once again. Israel will know in the latter days the deep and profound love of God for her. He will win her back to himself. We shall look into the nature of this passion in the salvation speeches we find in Hosea for Israel in our next study.
Hundreds of articles are available on the church's Internet site. All articles in The Worldwide News back to September 1995 are available at http:
www.wcg.org/wn and are arranged by date.
Hundreds of other articles in the lit section (http://www.wcg.org/lit) are organized more by subject. Most of these have been edited from previously published literature: booklets, study papers, the Cross Road newsletter for ministers, letters and selected articles from the early 1990s.
Here are a few titles that may be of interest:
* He Is Risen!
* The Gospel: Your Invitation to the Kingdom
* Welcome to Our Fellowship
* Festival Calendars 1999-2002
* Luke: Open Letter to a Wealthy Man
* Why the Messiah Had to Die
* Racial reconciliation articles from the WN
* The Greatest Commandment
* Discovery Group Lessons for New Christians
* Revelation: Book of Cosmic Symbols
* What Scripture Says About War and Military Service
* A Brief History of the Worldwide Church of God
* The Deity of the Holy Spirit
* Heaven When We Die?
* The Importance of Scripture
Although we do not have the staff to supply printed copies of this literature, we are able to make it available through the Internet.
In this way, it is accessible to millions through public libraries, public schools, businesses and personal computers. The literature can be read on the computer, or printed for later reading.
Our Internet literature serves several audiences: 1) members who want to study a particular subject again, 2) potential members who want to research the teachings of the church or to find a congregation near them, 3) journalists who want information about the church, 4) former members who want to study a subject again, 5) others who want to study a subject such as Anglo-Israelism or the Sabbath, and may be directed to our site by an Internet search or index service.
Since our primary mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, we give the gospel-related articles the most prominent place on our literature site. The other doctrinal issues can easily be found in a subject index or an alphabetized list of all our articles.
The Australian, British and Canadian offices have well-established sections on the WCG website, as do many local churches.
Following are the dates
for the annual festivals in 1999
Lord's Supper observance:
Tuesday evening, March 30
First Day of Unleavened Bread:
Thursday, April 1
Celebration of Jesus'
Resurrection: Sunday, April 4
Last Day of Unleavened Bread:
Wednesday, April 7
Pentecost: Sunday, May 23
Feast of Trumpets: Saturday,
Sept. 11
Day of Atonement: Monday,
Sept. 20
First Day of Tabernacles:
Saturday, Sept. 25
Last Great Day of the Festival:
Saturday, Oct. 2
Celebration of Jesus' birth:
Saturday, Dec. 25
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines - "One of our cell groups seems to be exploding again," reported pastor Johnny Logrono.
"Six of our members started it a few months ago," Mr. Logrono said. "At present more than 30 new people are attending the cell meetings--mostly young adults and teenagers. A few of them have started attending church on Saturdays."
Sunday, Jan. 10, 15 youths came and played table tennis and basket- ball at the church. They also come to practice singing praise songs on Tuesday evenings. They live nearby and walk to the church.
Mr. Logrono said that "though they are just starting out and some are just interested in the games and fellowship, it is encouraging to see them come. And, I'm not even involved. It's a ministry of our members.
LAWTON,
Oklahoma--Pastor Doug Johannsen of the Lawton and Ada, Oklahoma, churches, was elected
secretary of the Lawton and Ft. Sill Clergy Association Jan. 21.
The association has more than 30 members, half of whom are Army chaplains from Fort Sill.
"I have been a member of this group for nearly three years and have found them to be wholehearted, committed servants of Jesus Christ," Mr. Johannsen said.
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas--Grace Fellowship, a WCG congregation in Fayetteville, had its first baptism Jan. 17 since its beginning in Sep- tember.
Amber Snyder was baptized after services. Dimmed lights and lit candles added to the atmosphere. Lanny Wait and Dale Bare officiated.
The whole congregation joined in for the laying on of hands and prayer. Carrie Bare, Amber's grandmother, asked the blessing. Dale Bare.
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina--The Fayetteville youth group is sponsoring its third annual Discovery Weekend, April 16 to 18, at the FFA Conference Center in White Lake, North Carolina.
This event was designed by Fayetteville youths to help other young people discover their personal Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jeb Egbert, director of the Summer Educational Program, and his wife, Barb, assistant director, will be hosts for the weekend.
The cost is $35 per person. For more information about the event, call Warren McKoy, youth minister, at 1-919-776-2731 or send e-mail to realmckoys@alltel.net Greg Williams.
PASADENA--Alyssa
Akers of the BOLD (Being Our Lord's Disciples) congregation in Pasadena took first place
in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest sponsored by the Martin Luther King
Coalition.
Alyssa's essay, "What I Am Doing to Make Dr. King's Dream a Reality," was chosen best in the high school division out of 1,200 entries.
She read her essay at the King Day celebration, Jan. 18, at the Jackie Robinson Center in Pasadena and received a cash award, trophy and certificates from the state senate and assembly.
Alyssa is a junior at John Marshall High School and plans to attend Azusa Pacific University.
AUSTIN, Texas--Pastor Frank Parsons and his wife, Jane, were invited to the inaugural prayer breakfast for Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Lt. Gov. Rick Perry Jan. 19.
"Most of the new state officials were there, and it was interesting to hear both of the top officials speak so positively about the need for hav- ing a relationship with God," Mr. Parsons said.
"Gov. Bush said he knows one cannot truly govern unless God is a part of his life."
Mr. Parsons added: "It was en- couraging to see so many of the state officials beginning the inau- gural day in prayer and listening intently to a message about the importance of having a relationship with God in their lives."
James Robison, television evan- gelist and head of Life Outreach International, was the featured speaker.
Afterward, Mr. and Mrs. Parsons spoke with Mr. Robison and his wife, Betty.
"When I mentioned being a Worldwide Church of God minister and how we had seen Mr. Tkach on his program, he told us how thankful he was to see the transformation that is taking place in the church," Mr. Parsons said.
Mr. and Mrs. Parsons serve the San Antonio, Uvalde, Victoria, Kerrville and Corpus Christi, Texas, churches.
Lisa Huber, accounting and budget manager for the church, passed
the certified public accountant examination Nov. 4 and 5, on her first attempt.
The 15-hour exam includes topics such as financial accounting and reporting, federal income taxation, not-for-profit accounting, auditing, business law and professional ethics.
The exam is offered twice a year in all 50 states. It is taken by an average of 65,000 candidates each time. However less than 10 percent of candidates pass all four parts in one sitting.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana--A Summer Educational Program (SEP) Christian Youth Rally took place Dec. 11 to 13 at Fontainebleu State Park near Baton Rouge.
Jeb Egbert, SEP director, and his wife, Barb, assistant director, conducted the rally for 75 teens from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Anthony Rice, pastor of the Baton Rouge church, worked with a team of adults to sponsor the event.
The rally began Friday evening with a praise service conducted by Ross Jutsum, president of State of the Heart Ministry.
After games, Dr. Egbert closed the evening with an address on The Saddest Sound. He showed video clips of several movies that showed someone crying out for help, and no one responding.
"This never need be the case with you," Dr. Egbert said. "When you need help, God is always there."
Saturday began with a praise and worship service featuring Nuclear Family (the Egbert family), after which the teens broke into groups for team-building exercises and discussions on Christian-living topics.
Later, Dr. Egbert gave a message in which he described a man who was willing to give his life for someone he did not know. He drew the analogy of how Jesus did the same thing that we may be saved. He asked those assembled what the appropriate respon