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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, December 5, 1980
Page 22
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT
One of the sections of the Mail Processing Center is the Personal Corres
pondence Department. Mr. Armstrong started this function of God's Work
nearly 30 years ago when senior students of Ambassador College, under his
and his wife's supervision, began answering letters from people responding
to the broadcasts and publications. In 1972 all mail handling functions
including the Personal Correspondence Department were consolidated into
the Mail Processing Center.
The PC staff presently consists of four senior writers who have been
answering letters for 15 to 20 years. There are four other men, mostly
with several years experience, and six secretary-typists. We also hope
to begin using Ambassador students again, supervised by the senior writers
as was the practice in earlier years.
In an average week, the PC team handles between 450 and 500 letters.
These include letters directed to the ministry, anointed cloth requests,
serious personal problems and prayer requests, as well as questions.
People ask every imaginable kind of question, ranging from very minor
curiosity points to major doctrinal questions.
Each letter is given personal attention and answered in a way we feel
will uphold Mr. Armstrong's teachings and actually help the person. A
curiosity question is usually answered, but also put into perspective and
the person is gently directed back to the trunk of the tree. Letters
sharing personal problems are handled by reminding the inquirer of God's
plan and,promises, encouraging him to study God's Word and ask for the
faith to believe in order to receive God's deliverance and help. And,
of course, we pray for these people too!
Doctrinal matters which God has established in the Church through His
Apostle are answered by referring the person to materials Mr. Armstrong
has written and messages he has preached over the years. The few
questions which have not been settled to the point where we can give an
answer from Mr. Armstrong are sent to him for his consideration. He may
then be inspired to write an article on the subject or in some manner
address the matter.
The Personal Correspondence Department serves and supports Mr. Armstrong
and the field ministry. Members and PMs who write with problems are
encouraged to counsel with their local pastors. Often our writers will
call the local pastor for advice in answering a letter from someone in
his congregation so as to coordinate with him and best serve the person's
needs.
--Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center
ON THE WORLD SCENE
TENSION IN POLAND MOUNTS; WILL SOVIETS INVADE? For the next few weeks the
eyes of the world will be focused upon Poland. The big concern is this:
Will the Soviet Union feel compelled to militarily suppress the independ
ent labor union movement--and resultant political liberalization--that has
sprung up with amazing strength?
The so-called "Solidarity'' union, the largest of the independent trade
groups, alone claims a membership of between 7 and 10 million workers--