CONFIRMED Book Study amalgamated with the TMS and SM

by yesidid 135 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Scully

  I imagine that the decision came out of a lack of volunteers to host the Book Study™ in their homes.

  When we had the Book Study™ at our house, it was ok at first - we didn't have to go anywhere on Book Study™ night and when the kids were small they went to bed early and slept through the meeting. I also liked that it motivated me to give the house a good cleaning beforehand. Unfortunately, there were a few schleps who came to our group and thought nothing of tracking dirt on the freshly washed floor, and ill-mannered children who liked to clog the toilet and made it overflow on a regular basis. It tends to get old quite fast.

  We also volunteered to have a Service Arrangement™ at our house on the weekend too. Another round of cleaning got done.

  Eventually, we came up with the idea of amalgamating the Book Study™ and Service Arrangement™ on Saturdays - Book Study™ from 9:00 - 9:45 and then Field Service™ immediately thereafter. We had excellent turnouts for Field Service™ as a result. The Circuit Overseer™ didn't like it though and put the skids to it.
• 

  IT Support

  Say, could we start a campaign targeted at JWs:

  Tuesday night is 'Research WT on the Internet' night!

  ITS
• 

  Scully

  Maybe I'm just a jaded, cynical old broad, but I get the feeling that the loosening of the shackles is going to be accompanied by a tightening of the noose. All of these so-called Blessings™ come with a price to pay, in my experience.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  The next step should be to make a few large centers with a live feed so that people can either watch the services on a closed circuit tv or go to assemblies and be a part of the scene. Before you know it, KHs will be no longer needed.

  Let's just put all the meetings on a pay-per-view internet site.

  Okay, I don't really see that happening. Anyway, it is one step closer to
  mainstream normalizing the religion. Soon, they will have the wafers and
  grape juice in dixie cups and be passing the collection plate and allowing
  social programs to run out of the Kingdom Halls.

  No folks, they are never going to normalize their religion. It's just too wacko
  and proud of it. Do you remember what elders would say if someone was going
  to skip the District Convention and listen to someone's tape or even watch it on
  TV from a video camera recording?

  The elder would say, "You know that where two or more are gathered together in
  His name, His spirit is upon them. You get some benefit out of that, but you
  miss out on the wholesome associaition and the flow of Holy Spirit. Also, you
  should be encouraging the gathering together all the more so as the Day of
  Jehovah draws near. You can't do that if you don't go to the Convention."
  
  Sitting there in your Sunday best all day- that ain't normal. Top that off with
  taking the kids in their Sunday best out to dinner instead of relaxing in your
  casual clothes- not normal. Knocking on doors for free to sell magazines is
  not normal.

  I read it in one of the 11 or 12 threads about this announcement (even I have one)
  that it is sad that the WTS takes a step in the right direction. I would rather see
  them be as oppresive and intrusive as possible into the weekly lives of the members.
  That would give them more reason to stop going. But maybe a bigger gap in their
  weekly schedule without meetings would do the same. Maybe studying for the
  small 3 meetings all the night before (or the day of) will cause JW's to prepare
  less for the meetings. Maybe that will help them to start thinking for themselves.
• 

  M.J.

  Wasn't this prophesied by the clay and iron feet of that statue in Daniel? (who says Amalgamated? Must be a JW term)
  
  Isn't it odd that this comes right on the heels of cutting the Sunday public talk to a half hour?
  The spin on that one was so that the congregation can spend more time in fellowship.
  Result? No one seems to hang out any longer after the meeting than they used to.
  
  There will definitely be a spin on this one as well. Perhaps, as mentioned, the spin will be this: "THE TIME IS SO NEAR, WE HAVE REDIRECT AS MUCH TIME AND EFFORT AS POSSIBLE INTO THE FIELD MINISTRY!"
  
  Will hours go up? We'll see...
• 

  Quandry

  now that means they can't use that illustration of the hand. That is represents the meetings and you need to hold on with all five fingers otherwise your grip isn't as strong...

  That is too funny!!!

  Yes, what will they do about this? I think Mickey Mouse only has four fingers-maybe he could be the new spokesman for the four-fingered grip!!!!
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Quandry, that Mickey Mouse comment is great about the fingers.

  But when I want to illustrate the importance of all the weekly JW meetings,
  I can do it with one finger. Guess which one.
• 

  IP_SEC

  Wow you foos better get back too the meetings and into Joehoobas good graces.

  

  "And all the MORESO as you behold the day drawing near"
• 

  Robert7

  Ironically they will be contradicting their earlier reasons for meetings 3 days a week. We were to appreciate that because it was a way to refresh ourselves from Satan's system. We could get regular spiritual food 3 days a week, and missing 1 is like missing a meal during the day.
  
  Now getting less refreshment and spiritual food less often is ok. People will just praise the organization on how they are providing for us properly.
• 

  Wasanelder Once

  I think that if I were still active I would be shocked by this change. They always stressed meetings and the famous "All the more so as you behold...." Now they will not be meeting more so. I would have called it suspect. I think too that the liability of having the meeting in homes has to be too much i.e. molestation in the home. Anyway, glad I'm not going to that shindig. W.Once