ARTICLE: Advisory Council of Elders Formed

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  In the organizational pattern of God's Church  an ADVISORY COUNCIL OF ELDERS has been formed. It is not a legal board  of directors.
   Actually the Worldwide Church of God is a spiritual  organism, created by GOD — not a legal corporate organization created  by this world's laws.
   But, in order to function IN the world in  an organizational manner, the Church of God has needed to be  incorporated according to state laws. The members of the Church are NOT  members of the "Worldwide Church of God, Inc.," a California  corporation, nor of "Herbert W. Armstrong, a corporation sole," under  which our financial operations currently are functioning (since the  massive lawsuit by the state of California).
   The California corporation "Worldwide Church of God Inc.," does require a board of directors. The corporation sole does not.
   But,  regardless, the GOVERNMENT in God's Church a spiritual organism, is  government from the top down. God is Head over all — even over Christ.  Christ is Head of the Church. He directs and operates the Church through  His chosen apostle. In such office I have to appoint managers or  directors of various operations under me.
   God says through  Solomon that in multitude of counselors there is safety. We are told not  to put our trust in a man, but there is safety in a number of  counselors. I have always followed that admonition. Beside prayer and  looking to God through Christ for guidance, I have always counseled with  those I consider best qualified to advise in the subject at hand.
   This ADVISORY COUNCIL OF ELDERS, therefore, is a safety valve, in addition to relying on guidance from God.
   For  this Council I have chosen from among our older, tried and proven loyal  ministers — men whose fruits show the guidance and leadership of the  Holy Spirit, men of spiritual wisdom and balance. In order that we may  meet frequently, or on quick notice when necessary, I have chosen men  located in or near Pasadena. They are not the only ones qualified. I may  add others later as conditions require.
   The Council of Elders,  as of now, consists of Dibar Apartian, Dean Blackwell, Robert Fahey,  Ellis LaRavia, Raymond McNair, Leroy Neff, Joseph Tkach, Leon Walker  and, as adviser to the Council, Ralph Helge. 

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