Greetings:
Hard as it is to comprehend, we are coming up to the fall festival month! It is both an exciting and challenging time for us. We hope that we do not overlook something important as we prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles. We do not want to drop the ball on one thing.
- We have reviewed the Second Tithe requests, and most have been approved. Some of the amounts have been adjusted to bring them in line with the standards we must apply. We are still exceeding our budget, but manageably.
- International assistance checks have been sent.
- US assistance checks will be sent September 8th.
Mr. Jerry Ruddlesden (in the Accounting Dept.) submitted the following memo which I am including in this message:
Greetings from accounting staff! We hope all festival preparations are going smoothly. We look forward to spending the best feast ever with God's people this year.
As a reminder, the Accounting Department will be closed for the feast from September 20th to October 5th.
The Hall Rental Disbursement vouchers must be turned in no later than September 14th in order to be processed for payment and mailed on time.
We also have a fax in accounting that you may use to send your requests. The Fax number for accounting is: (858) 673-0372
Current Church Issues:
I just received a forwarded e-mail from a local member by way of an Elder. I appreciated his forwarding it because it was important. The message essentially expressed concern that we (i.e. headquarters) do not trust the member's ability to properly judge concerning the recent "Dear Brethren" letter from Global, which was sent to all of the "pre-split" mailing list.
While I understand their concern, I hope that church members of many years will also understand our position. Many people have been disturbed by the emotional appeal of those fellows. We are placed in the position of choosing between two options: (1) if we don't address their statements we permit some to believe, "They must be telling the truth, because they Dr. Meredith has not responded;" (2) if we do respond some members may say "what do they think I am? A simpleton who would believe those guys?" We have chosen the latter option.
The truth of the matter is that we have people who are influenced by their emotional appeal, and people who cannot evaluate properly their claims. We are "condemned if we do, and condemned if we don't" respond. In addition, the people who get hurt (both ways) cannot put themselves in our place so that they can understand.
We did not wish to have to address any further matters pertaining to "Global" leaders. We have sought to focus primarily on doing the work. Rather, we have sought to deal privately with them on some necessary issues. Had they not violated a fundamental principle by approaching you (in violation of their statement that they would not do so) we would not have written.
They have threatened "legal action" against Dr. Meredith and Living numerous times. We therefore assume that they may present all of their claims, charges, and assertions as fact except we refute them. We have considered their threats against us, and their distortion of facts from the beginning to be a serious matter.
They have said that they cannot meet their obligations to repay the loans coming due. They have claimed that they spent great sums of money to discharge their obligation to the ministry who supported Mr. Meredith. They have yet to reimburse some for November expenses incurred before the split (I personally have not been reimbursed for $1,151.05, though reminded a number of times of their default). I'm not whining-I have written it off. If they cannot pay legitimate obligations to others I presume they cannot pay me either.
So they have now presumed to try to shift their burden onto our brethren while retaining all of the "corporate assets." We made what we believe was a generous offer to them, but they refused it. In my opinion they would choose default and bankruptcy rather than to accept responsibility for their error.
While we are not in a position to "tell all" for obvious reasons, I hope our brethren give us credit for trying to fulfill our responsibilities according to our judgment and available counsel. We are not trying to hide something from them—we are contending with the great adversary. As the Apostle Paul wrote, (Eph. 6:11-18) 11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
Moreover, we are not playing games with our brethren. We are quite serious about getting on with doing the work God has commissioned us to do. We thank all of you who stand with us in doing the work.
I will be going to Minneapolis this weekend, then to Alaska for Trumpets. I plan to be in Denver for Atonement, then Panama City and Gatlinburg for the Feast of Tabernacles. We thank God every day for His support, and for our loyal brethren.
Announcements:
- Our congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne (Doc) Krueger of Wasilla, Alaska recently celebrated 50 years together!
- Attention all singers! If you wish to serve God and the brethren this year, please consider serving in the Choir at the Ozarks site. Practice tapes and sheet music is available from Dennis Morris e-mail: [email protected].
- Mrs. Francis Windom, our longtime, loyal sister in Christ has been diagnosed as having cancer. Mrs. Windom is Hostess of our Wheatland, Wyoming Video group.
- Mr. Don Contardi continues to battle cancer.
- Mrs. Linda Labuschagne, of Hoedspruit, South Africa is fighting against serious after effects from malaria infection.
- Mrs. Carolyn Hamby of Casper, Wyoming has just been diagnosed with cancer.
- Mrs. Sharon Graves continues to battle cancer.
- Brethren in the Corpus Christi, Texas area were spared hurricane Bret. However, Mr. and Mrs. Broadwater suffered damage to their home that was in process of remodeling.
I am sure there are some I am overlooking in the above list of prayer requests. I am assuming that others are filling in the missing gaps. Have a great Sabbath.
CEMcNair