WORLDWIDE NEWS, SPECIAL EDITION March 6, 1981, Page 1 STANLEY R. RADER RESIGNS EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES -- CONTINUES AICF, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ADVISER TO HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG At a congress of ministers of the Worldwide Church of God in Pasadena Feb. 25, Herbert W. Armstrong, Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God, made the following comments. By Herbert W. Armstrong Just over two years ago, on Jan. 3, 1979, armed deputies from the California attorney general's office suddenly, without notice, invaded the Pasadena headquarters of God's Church and college. It was a massive lawsuit attack that threatened to DESTROY God's Church and His Work. It was primarily through the extraordinary work of Stanley R. Rader that the Church, its activities, facilities for those activities, properties and assets were protected, preserved, kept in continuous operation and their destruction prevented. These properties and facilities, which I would conservatively value at more than $100 million, were saved for the Church. 1) Mr. Rader had the expertise to guide the installation of what I feel undoubtedly is the most sophisticated accounting system of any church in the United States, prior, of course, to this massive government, unconstitutional invasion. During our legal defense, which he masterminded, he had the wisdom to hire the largest CPA firm in the United States, Arthur Andersen & Co., to go over all of our records, and to relate to this very prestigious accounting firm so as to clear the Church and its officers of any allegations of financial wrongdoing. This was a mastermind strategical move. The attorney general's case was doomed from the time of the Arthur Andersen & Co. audit. 2) Mr. Rader masterminded bringing together in our defense highly qualified attorneys from several top legal firms to defend the Church in the many hearings and court appearances. Mr. Rader had the ability to command the respect of these prestigious legal firms, and to assume overall legal leadership as a master general of a master legal army to defend us against the overwhelming legal army of the State. 3) Mr. Rader spent much time in Sacramento, Calif., working behind the scenes with other organizations that were working to put the Petris bill through the legislature. This the attorney general's office based their case against the Church. 4) For two years Mr. Rader was working effectively with the media nationally, including television, radio and the press, using expertise in the media field over and beyond ordinary lawyer services. He appeared on talk shows over the nation, on many interviews, press conferences, turning public opinion in the Church's favor. 5) He utilized authorship in writing articles and his book "Against The Gates of Hell" communicating the Church side of the lawsuit. 6) He had the extraordinary ability to coordinate all of this and put it together in an effective and winning spearhead. These activities extended in extraordinary manner, completely beyond the abilities and services and efforts of even the best and most famous of attorneys. Yet normal attorney's fees, totally incomparable to these extraordinary and effective activities, would run into many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Corporations have to pay very highly for ordinary legal services in corporate lawsuits. Ordinary legal services, even from top lawyers of national reputation, in my judgment could not have won the battle and kept God's Church alive and active. I feel that Mr. Rader's salary is grossly inadequate for these extraordinary services. Mr. Rader had expressed a desire to retire from his official Church executive position prior to the Jan. 3, 1979, state invasion. He and I had agreed to his retirement from this executive position very shortly before Jan. 3, 1979, to take effect very soon after the beginning of the year in 1979. When the State attack was launched Jan. 3, it became necessary for him to stay on. For many years now, Mr. Rader has rendered extremely valuable services to this Church in the fields of law, accounting and finance, besides invaluable services as my assistant in carrying Christ's Gospel message to and through kings, emperors, presidents, prime minister and other leaders of nations over all the continents of the world. He has the expertise in the field of government to complement me in talking to as many as 70 heads of governments or near heads. I feel sure no man has talked in private conversation with as many such government heads, in their own capitals over the world, as have Mr. Rader and I. I feel this Church would be derelict in its appreciation if it does not make suitable acknowledgment for such service rendered two years after Mr. Rader had planned to retire from active executive duty. For the past five months or so he has said publicly, in the public press, and before our own congregations, that it is his desire to return to private law practice, and has made public statements of intent to resign as treasurer and board member of the Church by July 1. Now he has asked that this date be moved up to March 1. To show our appreciation, it is my judgment as Pastor General of this Church, that we should express our gratitude and heartfelt appreciation by a special bonus of $250,000, net to him. I would at this time like a voice approval from you who are leaders in the ministry of this Church. Mr. Rader will continue on as executive vice president of AICF, the performing artist series in Ambassador Auditorium, and in time and space buying for television, radio and publication space, and as my chief adviser in the legal and financial areas and in Gospel trips abroad as I shall take, but resigning his executive responsibilities in the office of treasurer. Leroy Neff, evangelist in God's Church, will assume the executive responsibilities relinquished by Mr. Rader.