by Noggin 17 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Um, yeah, it was mostly an exercise in self-salvation for me. I did it because it was required...and that was it. I placed plenty of stupid literature but I never really wanted a Bible study and I was rotten at return visits. I'm not a salesperson and I didn't want to be.
Informally, I could talk about it all day...but I wasn't a closer.
You see how that works, right? Even if it is complete waste of time, resources, money, it's still encouraged. It doesn't help the Society out one bit if people have free time, they might start reading and thinking and that will lead to people falling away.
There is the truth..
As a former Mormon, I spent 2 years full time doing something similar to the JW field service as a missionary. It was awkward wearing the black badge of "Elder" as a 19 year old kid running amuck in the streets of Spain pestering people. I hear you guys. It was rough. If I had to do that every week starting as a youngster... ugh.
Thanks for the great responses. I am amazed that so many get out and actually do it. It appears that many don't find "joy" in it. But then again, were I to ask a devout JW if he enjoyed field service, he wouldn't likely give me a negative response... even if he truly despised it. I am sure that in order to continue doing it week in and week out a certain positive attitude would have to be continually fostered.
Noggin
Noggin, nobody likes it. It is extremely rare to find someone who enjoys the field ministry work. Even most pioneers will tell you that while they enjoy the life, the special privileges, the prestige of being a pioneer, the "spiritual blessings," the association, etc., they do not enjoy the actual field ministry work itself. Most pioneers work as hard as they can to get Bible studies, as many as possible, because this gives them a break from the field ministry.
I only did it to salve my conscience so I wouldn't die at the big A. I didn't care to spend a lot of time with our pioneers because they were judgemental and nosy and pretty much wacko. One large family had 5 adult kids in which 4 lived at home and 1 was at Bethel; they all shared one car and lived at home doing janitorial work and pioneering--they were nuts! They were all adult virgins who were against getting married and having kids. It was funny though that they were the first ones to volunteer to help at bridal showers, baby showers and weddings--maybe they were secretly jealous?
Sorry I got off the topic a little.
a) Get 'er done!
b) Keep the guilt at bay for another week.
c) Food actually tasted better after going in FS, or after a meeting or assembly.
Thank Jah I never was instrumental in converting anyone - so no guilt on my head about spreading misery into future generations.
Towards the end, I became less focused on placing rag-azines, and more on sharing about the Bible. Prior to that, I just wanted to put in the 2 hours and go home.
I wanted people to be happy, to have direction and to have access to answers that I felt I had found. I wanted to bring people to Christ - as the LDS jargon goes.
