Basic HTML Version
-6-
But, perhaps some are confusing these deep feelings and emotional
reactions with their responsibilities as a minister of God's Church.
A man is an elder because he is spiritually to be just that. His
spiritual maturity -- his stability in not being easily tossed to and
fro, his capacity to keep his own troubles, ups and downs, and needs
for personal ventilation of frustrations from getting mixed up with his
service to those in his care -- should always be present to govern his
conduct.
When this governor is no longer there or is not
man has lost those qualities that set him apart as
fast disqualifying himself to serve as a minister.
would be true in any church and, for that matter in
pursuits, and it certainly is true in the Church of
exercised, then a
an elder and he is
In principle, this
many secular
God.
We have noticed that as a general rule a church congregation is as
stable as its leader. Where we have a relatively large number of
problems, people ready to walk out, etc., we often have leaders who are
uncertain, frustrated, doubtful and tending to ventilate themselves
before the people.
Fellows, this just can't be! Before we allow ourselves to get
into a frame of mind whereby tens, perhaps scores or even hundreds of
God's people are hurt by our conduct or by our words, we should take
definite steps to remove ourselves either temporarily or permanently
from the arena of leadership.
Please let us all examine ourselves and use this time during the
Feast of Tabernacles to sort out our own attitudes and frustrations
if they are getting to us, and affecting our ministry.
I'm your friend, fellows. At all times I want to help. I believe
my record of giving time, being long-suffering, not accepting every
rumor and accusation is apparent and stands on its own. I've heard
that some have said, "It's time to clean house." I may agree with
that, but I may also disagree strongly concerning the method by which
it might be done.
But I also want you to know that I will not defend deliberate or
uncontrolled actions to upset and disorient God's people. Neither will
I protect and defend a minister who openly expresses to the people
doctrines, speculations, and personal notions that are contrary to the
teaching and doctrines of God's Church. There is a forum for inputting
personal thought. We have made positive change�as a result of such
input. None has just cause to believe that any true and proper reform
is hopeless. We have done it. Mr. Armstrong is ready and willing to
listen -- though slow to change, as indeed he sho�lq be.
I was very impressed with a statement apparently made by the late
Pope John Paul I. He said in effect that he was lenient on moral
sins but tough on sins of the spirit and sins of doctrine. In other
words, he understood the weaknesses of human flesh but wasn't quite as
tolerant towards fruits of wronq attitudes and was quite intolerant of
members and clergy who defied and/or ignored official doctrine.