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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, DECEMBER
16, 1986
PAGE
5
attendant support functions. And again I want to say
I
deeply
appreciate the wonderful job you are doing. Nevertheless, it is
critical that we consider the responsibility such growth puts upon
us
in
the ministry. We as shepherds must be concerned about the whole flock
over which God has made us overseers. The more members we must attend
to, the more difficult it becomes to ensure that each of them receives
the solid, doctrinal teaching that forms the foundation of their
spiritual growth through God's Spirit. Many of you simply can't spend
adequate personal time with new members to thoroughly ground them in
these basic doctrines. It is therefore im erative that we be preaching
Don't fall
into the trap of thinking that you have to come up with some new
or
unusual approach to sermon subjects.
Mr.
Tkach regularly reminds me
that repetition
is
the best form of emphasis.
Keep in mind that we have had dramatic growth in the Church over the
last seven years, and many of these members are actually still babes in
Christ. Not only that, but most of the older members also appreciate
regular review of the basic doctrines. Check yourself by reviewing your
sermon topics over the past year. How many doctrinal subjects
did
you
cover in depth? Do you see a pattern that reveals an emphasis on areas
of
your personal interest? Or perhaps evidence that you tended toward
subjects that required little preparation?
meaty, doctrinal sermons on a frequent
+
and regu ar basis.
When youlre terribly busy it
is
easy to rush your sermon preparation.
But if you consider the number of man-hours invested by the congregation
in listening to your sermon you can readily see the importance of
thoughtful and prayerful preparation. You must know the needs of your
flock and feed them with food "convenient" for them. Avoid the natural
tendency to focus your attention and energy on the small minority who
may be frustrating you with persistent problems.
Every sermon you give
is
a priceless opportunity to edify and encourage
the brethren. Ask God to inspire you and use you as a powerful tool--a
sharp instrument in His hands. Effectively educating and motivating all
in the congregation through sermons and Bible studies will strengthen
their relationship with God. In turn they will be less dependent on you
and more able to help one another.
Even if you are not now experiencing dramatic growth you should realize
that these principles still apply. Building a stable congregation
creates a climate into which God can introduce sudden growth with
confidence that new members will be cared for properly.
Ordination Cards
I want to remind you all of the importance of sending
in the ordination cards for deacons, deaconesses and elders promptly
after they are ordained. The card
is
the only official way to add these
men and women to our files and mailing lists. We do not consider them
ordained until we receive the card.
Y.O.U.
It has come to our attention that there have been several recent
tragedies in high school cheerleading in the United States. At least
two deaths have resulted from cheerleaders falling off human pyramids.
The State of Ohio has outlawed such pyramids. Afte
r
careful