Poverty is not enough reason to miss meetings.

by ThomasCovenant 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  ThomasCovenant

  Hi

  Some interesting (to me) quotes from the Society with regard meetings and the Book Study.

  Watchtower 1967 9/15 page 573

  Poverty may be considered by some as a reason for missing meetings at the Kingdom Hall.

  Transportation costs are heavy. But this is not considered an insurmountable problem in Central and South America.

  Consider, for example, the case of a mother and her seven children in Asunción, Paraguay. They regularly attend Kingdom Hall meetings twice a week, even though the long bus ride costs them 36 percent of the family’s average monthly wage.

  I'm trying to copy others but the font size is messing up. As you see.

  Thanks

  Thomas Covenant
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  ThomasCovenant

  Kingdom Ministry 1/94

  Meeting

  Attendance—A SeriousResponsibility

  1 How seriously do you take meeting attendance? That is a searching question, is it not? No doubt most of us feel that we appreciate the meetings. However, reports indicate that meeting attendance in many congregations has recently declined. What could be the cause? Are some of us allowing unnecessary secular work, tiredness, homework, a slight physical indisposition, or a little bad weather to interfere with our obligation to attend meetings regularly? (Deut. 31:12) Since this is a Scriptural requirement, every one of us should give prayerful consideration to the question, How seriously do I take meeting attendance?

  2 Some of our brothers walk for hours along dusty roads and cross crocodile-infested rivers in order to attend meetings. In your own congregation, there may be faithful ones who are "never missing" despite severe health problems, physical disabilities, crushing work loads at their place of employment, or demanding assignments at school. (Luke 2:37) Why do they make the effort to attend? Because they know that they cannot meet the challenges of this pressure-filled world in their own strength. They must rely on the strength that God provides.—2 Cor. 12:9, 10.
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  ThomasCovenant

  The Congregation Book Study is a blessing to us. It gives us the opportunity to meet in small groups and receive more personal attention. Never should we view it as less important than other meetings.

  KM 7/91 para 7
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  ThomasCovenant

  When Congregation Book Study groups are kept small, the conductor is better able to give attention to each one who attends. Additionally, all have ample opportunity to comment in a setting that is conducive to making public declaration of their faith. (Heb. 10:23; 13:15)

  Having smaller groups in several locations throughout the congregation’s territory makes attending the Congregation Book Study and meetings for field service more convenient

  KM 4/01
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  ThomasCovenant

  Watchtower 1966 5/15 page298

  These groups are small so that help can be given to build up balance and maturity.

  These are called congregation book studies, and the one having oversight is called a study conductor. These brothers have the same attitude as Paul tells of at 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8: "We became gentle in the midst of you, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, having a tender affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us." There are many ways these book study conductors help those in their care. They teach them how to study. They train them in the ministry, going with them from house to house. They help them to attend the congregation meetings. In fact, they go to the homes of their brothers and help them to work out a practical schedule that will allow room for all these blessings as well as taking care of the family.

  If one in the group should get sick or meet with an accident or get spiritually sick, this same study conductor hurries over immediately to supply spiritual food and encouragement to make up for what is missed while the person is convalescing. He will assist the shut-in to share in the ministry in some way, helping maintain balance even in times of stress. This is the way it should be,
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  ThomasCovenant

  watchtower 1982 4/15 page 26

  20 God’s inspired Word counsels us not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:24, 25)

  The importance of this is not diminished in times of persecution.

  Meetings may have to be held in small groups in private homes; places and times may have to be varied and may not always be convenient, some meetings being held late at night. Yet, in spite of the dangers, our faithful brothers and sisters make every effort to be present at every meeting. And brothers are willing to let their homes be used for such meetings, even though discovery may lead to loss of freedom for them
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  Gopher

  Consider, for example, the case of a mother and her seven children in Asunción, Paraguay. They regularly attend Kingdom Hall meetings twice a week, even though the long bus ride costs them 36 percent of the family’s average monthly wage.

  These type of experiences always seemed exaggerated, and meant to induce guilt in JW's living in first-world countries. I noted this experience was from 1967, during the pre-1975 era when JW's were being encouraged to make foolhardy financial decisions -- quit your job, sell your house and pioneer -- because Jehovah said the end might be coming during or before 1975.

  Some of these experiences about "crocodile infested waters" may have occasionally been true, but I doubt they were the typical experience of your average African or South American JW. It reminds me of parents telling kids they have it easy, and "back in my day I didn't have the bus take me to school, I walked in snow waist high and it was uphill both ways to and from school."
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  Homerovah the Almighty

  Good work Thomas

  The Publishing House in Brooklyn had a lot more pressure back in those days, to sell and promote their literature

  Thanks for the effort
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  Alpaca

  Damn right!!!!

  Besides anyone who follows the BORG's directives is going to end up in poverty.
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  Homerovah the Almighty

  Maybe the reason they are cowering back now is because their wallets are indeed full and Jehovah has provided them well..

  Maybe too the inter-net is exposing their bullshit to a certain extent also, another reason for cowering backwards

  Do you think this big Publishing House is about to eventually close its doors and then start slicing up the pie.