Weekly update from LCG HQ 7/4

Greetings from Charlotte,

Summer has arrived in the southeastern part of the United States—and Mr. Apartian is delighted with this news! Mr. Meredith yesterday taped a Tomorrow’s World television program titled, “Are You Ready To Rule?” which offers the booklet The World Ahead: What Will it Be Like? Mr. Ames is working on a script for his next program and on two Tomorrow’s World Bible Lectures that he will give in Springfield and Joplin, Missouri, on July 11 and 12. Mr. Pyle reports that in the first six months of this year, the Tomorrow’s World program generated 108,729 responses—which is a 16% increase over the first six months of last year—and that on an annualized basis, the telecast has grown an amazing 18.8% per year for the last ten years.

Last Sabbath, Messrs. Phil Sena and Wyatt Ciesielka presented a TW Bible Lecture in Temple, Texas, that was attended by 45 visitors (see below). We are also encouraged to report that the income for the month of June was about 3% above what was projected—for which we are very thankful. I had a positive trip to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for a combined Sabbath service and a short mini-conference covering Bible lectures and aspects of congregational leadership. It was inspiring to see the dedication of the ministers and brethren in that area. As registration for Living University continues this summer, we have decided to highlight several classes in each issue of The World Ahead (see below). Please continue to pray that God will bless the impact of Mr. Meredith’s recent semi-annual letter and for our brethren facing difficulties around the world. Please remember Mr. and Mrs. Crockett—they have been “raptured” to Arkansas—but plan to return to Charlotte next week!

LIVING UNIVERSITY

Fall 2009 Registration

Registration is well underway for Living University’s Fall semester 2009, but there is still plenty of time to enroll in classes. This fall we are offering 13 different and exciting courses, all available online. Each week as we move forward to the start of classes, we plan to highlight one or two LU courses for your benefit. This week we will highlight THL 135 and THL 200.

THL 135—Life, Ministry, and Teachings of Jesus. This course covers the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the four Gospels. It takes an in-depth look at each of the four Gospels in the context of the social, political, religious, and geographical conditions of the first century—adding greatly to the depth and meaning of Christ’s teachings. In this course, students will spend time learning from one of the Church’s most experienced and knowledgeable lecturers, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith.

THL 200—Principles of Christian Living. In this course, Dr. Douglas Winnail covers the purpose for human life; human nature; values, morality, and ethics; marriage and family, and career. Topics include values, beliefs, and mores; interpersonal communication, dating, courtship, marriage, and children. The course is designed for all adult age groups and is applicable to all. For younger students, it will give you direction and guidance in these areas. For those involved in counseling and giving of advice, this course is essential to help you make sure you are on the “same page” as the Church and God’s word. This will be an extremely beneficial course for anyone who decides to take it.

For more information, go online to www.livinguniv.com or call Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-844-1960, ext. 304.

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

Reunion

Last week, we announced that brethren in Belgium and Northern France are joining with us once again. This week, we have more great news! We are looking into the possibility of grouping all of the French-speaking brethren in Europe at one Feast site in Forges-les-Eaux. We may be a little crowded, but the joy of keeping the Feast of Tabernacles together will largely compensate for the slight inconvenience. Mr. Roland Lecocq, our France Festival Coordinator, is traveling to Forges-les-Eaux this Sunday to make the necessary arrangements. Please note: As of now, no more transfer requests can be accepted for Forges-les-Eaux.—Dibar Apartian

Temple, Texas Bible Lecture

Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka writes: Another successful TW Bible Lecture! Forty-five very enthusiastic guests joined 28 brethren this past Sabbath for the Temple, Texas Tomorrow’s World Bible Lecture. Forty-five visitors makes this a better than 3.2% response rate, for which we are very thankful. God clearly blessed not only the attendance, but He also blessed the messages and the fellowship—many of our guests arriving more than an hour early, and many staying for nearly 2 ½ hours after the presentations by Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka on “America in Prophecy!” and Mr. Phil Sena on “Restoring Biblical Christianity!”

Many visitors commented that, after years of reading Living Church of God literature, they were very thankful to find a local group where they could attend, and promised to return next Sabbath. Others said they felt that both the warmth and love that the congregation showed, as well as the doctrinal and prophetic understanding that we demonstrated through our messages, our literature, and through the general conversations with the brethren were simply unprecedented in any past church experience. Additionally, many commented that it seemed that the Living Church of God really had a purpose in what it teaches, and they felt that was very exciting.

Many guests requested additional booklets or the Bible Study Course, and all visitors were given copies of the new DVD, The Big Picture. Additionally, about 2/3 of our guests took home copies of our booklets, which complemented the two presentations.

We know that God gives the increase, so we pray that all of these visitors and more will join us to help fulfill the mission of preaching the Gospel to all the world.

German Update

Mr. Adrian Kaefer reports that, from January through June 2009, the overall distribution of our literature in German was up 4.7%, compared to the last six months of 2008. A total of 16,678 items of literature (booklets, articles and Bible Study Course lessons) were downloaded from our German website, www.weltvonmorgen.org. In addition, 473 literature items in print were mailed.

South Africa and United Kingdom Update

Mr. Rod King reports: Mr. Pieter van der Byl called from South Africa and we discussed how things are developing there. We are implementing the Advanced Leadership Training Program in the country and are pleased with how it is helping those involved. A new Spokesman Club is under way in the Johannesburg/Pretoria area with some positive outcomes.

Here in the U.K., we received our first batch of semi-annual letter responses with 600 people requesting The Big Picture DVD that was offered by Dr. Meredith. We expect the numbers to grow in the next few weeks. Our TW subscription list was recently culled so we are keen to add more new names and addresses. Many people commented on Mr. Meredith’s letter and how inspiring it was. Here are just a few comments that we received:

“I have sent for your booklets and have studied them alongside my Bible and it has changed my life.” (N.S., Hinchley, Leics.)

“Many thanks for your wonderful, true spiritual letter. It was a great pleasure reading it over and over. You are certainly one of Jesus’ chosen preachers.” (S.T., Birmingham)

“It is a privilege to have contact with such a chosen, honourable company of God’s people.” (A.M., Liverpool)

LIVING YOUTH CAMP

We have had several camper cancellations for the Living Youth Camp at Voyageur’s National Park. We currently have three and possibly four openings for anyone interested in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure program. If you are interested, please contact Jenny Penman in the next few days at 704-844-1960, ext 237. This is your last chance, as applications must be in this week.

COMMENTS

Christ’s Mind or Your Opinions: How many times have you made or heard comments like, “here is how I see it” or “here is what I think” or “here is the way I think it should have been done or handled”? All too often, these comments are directed at people in leadership positions—even in the Church. Moses was criticized by men who held different opinions (Numbers 16). Peter differed with Jesus over an issue and even rebuked Christ (Matthew 16:21-22Matthew 16:21-22
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21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. ²² Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Be...: Gr. Pity thyself  

). In both cases, the people expressing critical opinions did not recognize the real source of their negative and divisive thoughts and actions (see Matthew 16:23Matthew 16:23
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23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.  

)! Before we share our “different” opinions, we need to remember God’s warning, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8Isaiah 55:8
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8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  

). We also need to remember scriptural admonitions, “the carnal mind is enmity against God” and His ways—including His government—(Romans 8:7Romans 8:7
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7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal...: Gr. the minding of the flesh  

) and “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9Jeremiah 17:9
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9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  

). As Christians, we should not be making negative comments or spreading our own divisive ideas. Our focus should be to develop a godly perspective that reflects the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5Philippians 2:5
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5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  

). Jesus sought to work in harmony with His Father. He did not go around promoting His own ideas and criticizing His Father. His attitude was, “not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39Matthew 26:39
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39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  

). Long ago, Solomon cautioned, “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11Proverbs 29:11
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11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.  

). Our challenge as Christians is to develop the mind of Jesus Christ and let His mind guide our thoughts and comments so we can work in harmony together.

Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail