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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, AUGUST 10, 1984
PAGE 3
(6) Conduct at the Feast Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." We
have a responsibility before God to set a right Christian example at all
times. At the Feast we are all the more under close scrutiny.
Another area that has been a problem, sadly, is conduct on the Sabbath. The
Sabbath is not the time for pool parties, loud playing and shouting by chil
dren, playing video games, sports, etc. Let's show respect for God by keep
ing the Sabbath holy as God created it. The same admonition certainly would
also apply to God's annual Sabbaths.
(7) Prepare Your Children for the Feast We should be preparing our children
for the Feast by discussing with them their own examples. Their behavior in
public, not being noisy, not running in buildings, etc. should be a part of
their instruction well before the Feast.
Now is also the time to discuss the Feast with your children's school
teachers. Many hard feelings and problems for your children can be avoided
by politely and courteously discussing Feast plans with their teachers far
in advance, thereby showing respect for and cooperation with the teachers'
needs and plans.
God intended the Feast of Tabernacles to be a time of great rejoicing. With
careful preparation physically and spiritually, we can all have a superb
Feast this year!
Supervision of Teens at the Feast of Tabernacles
It seems that one of the biggest problems at the Feast of Tabernacles each
year is the number of unsupervised teens. In some cases, the parents have
attended one site and left their teen-agers to stay with friends at another
site.
The Feast is a family occasion--something we should all strive to emphasize
in every possible way. Therefore, teen-agers should not be attending the
Feast alone. If there is a case where the parents must attend a different
site than their children, they should see to it that the children are under
the supervision of qualified adults. This provides not only for the proper
supervision of the youngsters, but also for their safety and well-being!
In the case of teen-agers no longer living at home, it should be up to the
pastor to determine whether they should attend the Feast away from their
parents. If the young person is genuinely interested, he or she should be
treated as a prospective member.
Even for those teen-agers who are attending with their parents, there
should be some instruction in services prior to the festival regarding par
ental responsibility and the proper supervision of children of all ages at
the Feast.
Comments From Monthly Church Reports
From Australia
MELBOURNE (EAST), VIC--BILL BRADFORD:
Enthusiasm, confidence,
and zeal continue to be exhibited in members' lives.
Many are
commenting how excited they are with the direction of their lives