Basic HTML Version
•
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, July 3, 1980
Page 3
ALBANY, NY--LYLE WELTY: Members seem to be doing well for the most part.
Pentecost was the big news: Dr. Hoeh's visit was a real inspiration to
everyone. The atmosphere of the combined churches for the Holy Day plus
a special guest speaker, was a real shot in the arm for us all.
POPLAR BLUFFS, MO--JOHN CAFOUREK: The membership has been inspired by
the Pentecost visit from Pasadena which explained the new direction of
God's Work under the active leadership of Mr. Herbert
w.
Armstrong.
COOKEVILLE, TN--DARRIS MCNEELY: Attitudes seem strong and positive.
Everyone is already making plans for the Feast. Now that the site is
close to home, many of our older or poorer members are anxiously awaiting
to attend.
--Joe Tkach, Ministerial Services
QUESTIONABLE THEORY OF LAW BASIS OF STATE'S LAWSUIT
Editor's Note: As mentioned before in the Pastor General's Report, the
California Attorney General is attempting to establish a rule of law
through the courts based on a theory. The Church's leadership and attor
neys believe the Attorney General's theory cannot "hold water" because it
countermands the foundational, long-established law of the land which
guarantees freedom of religion.
Dean Kelley, executive for religious liberty at the National Council of
Churches and an energetic supporter of the Worldwide Church of God in its
struggle with misdirected state power, has written an article explaining
our case. The article appeared in the June 18-25 issue of The Christian
CENTURY. We are reprinting a few excerpts for the interest of our read
ers, beginning with the article's title and drophead:
A Church in Receivership: California's
Unique Theory of Church and State
What has happened to the Worldwide Church of God, appalling as it is,
is not nearly so alarming as the rationale under which it has happened
-which could apply equally to any religious corporation in California.
DEAN M. KELLEY
Mr. Kelley mentioned that the Attorney General's lawsuit and the subsequent
events "is instructive not only for its own melodramatic touches but also
for the singular theory of law on which the attorney general has proceeded
[He]
has claimed authority under the common law to monitor and safe
guard any charitable trust in the state, and such a trust is created, he
says, whenever people give money for a charitable purpose--including a
church!
(Never mind that the common law took shape in England, where the
king or queen is head of the church, or that the Worldwide Church of God
does not solicit money from the general public.)