The new book study arrangement...what it could mean

by undercover 36 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  eyeslice

  Here's my take:

  1. More centralization. 1/2hr public talks, all question and answer parts totally scripted. At least the book study gave the opportunity for a much less formal appraoch, to involve the kids and those on the shy side. The meetings have become increasingly regimented over recent years - this is a step too far in my opinion.
  2. It will polarize the hard-liners and the 'spiritually weak'. The 'spiritually weak' will see it as another night off. The 'hard-liners' will relish the new arrangement.
  3. The elders will be asked to monitor even more carefully those families not reporting a family study and will be targeted for special shepherding.
• 

  watson

  Eyeslice, I definately agree with #3. Thus a new grading system for the shepherds.
• 

  undercover

  Blondie,

  Interesting article. There's a church near where I live that is trying something similar. Some people have nicknamed it coffeeshop worship. They have a small coffee shop where they sell espresso, coffee, etc along with a few pastries. People are invited to come in their street clothes and they have a relaxed atmosphere where they sit around and discuss things more than sitting listening to a sermon.

  While you won't see me attending any church service, I think it's interesting to see more and more churches trying similar formats which is probably a lot more like the early Christian meetings than today's typical church service.

  edited to add: Which shows how out of touch the Society is. While "Christendom" is trying to find a way to make worship enjoyable in today's world, the Watchtower Society drops the one aspect of their worship that could be easier to enjoy and was probably the closest thing to how the first century Christians met and worshipped.
• 

  passwordprotected

  The church we attend is wonderfully chilled out. Between services on Sunday they serve coffee, people mill about chatting, drinking their coffee, before settling in for the mid-morning service. Street clothes are extensively worn, I've only ever not worn jeans once, and even then I wore chinos. My son wore 3/4 combat-style shorts this week. Its regularly mentioned in the service that we're at church to relax and enjoy being in the presence of God.
  
  It's great.
• 

  snowbird

  A relaxed atmosphere is the key here. We learn more and connect better with others if we're comfortable with our surroundings.

  Da Vinci's Last Supper is historically and theologically inaccurate because, in Jesus' day, meals were typically eaten while lying down. How much more relaxed can you get than that?

  Sylvia
• 

  passwordprotected

  What's funny is that the WTS have abolished meeting in private homes while, conversely, local churches are encouraging the congregation to meet up in private homes. Why? It develops a sense of belonging, community and closeness.
• 

  wannaexit

  The family worship night
• 

  wannaexit

  I'll try again There is a lot of talk about this FAMILY WORSHIP NIGHT. I was wondering if this is to replace the family study or does "mother" want this family worship night on top of the regular family study. Another thought, I was wondering if elders are going to monitor this arrangement. For example elders might want to come and sit down on family's worship night. I have to believe that there is going to be some type of control to this.
• 

  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  I think Watch Tower Corporation would like to reduce the number of Kingdumb Halls and local congregation expenses with the hope that the sheeples will send more money for the World Wide Work. I doubt it will work that way.

  While I agree with many of the comments about missing the social aspects of the Book Study and other "get-togethers" that used to be enjoyed, lately the "friends" don't get along that well anyway. Many won't go to their assigned group because they have "issues" with someone, usually the conductor. Perhaps with fewer meetings, there will be less fighting.

  As we know, the door-to-door work is worthless with fewer numbskulls being tricked into joining. Much of the growth is internal with concentrated effort to keep the kids "in". While the Family Worship Night nonsense would supposedly try to keep the kids blinded into obedience, it would also provide an extra free night for Mom & Dad to get some alone time to, er, produce more baby sheeples... Another crazy idea brought to you by...

  B the X
• 

  Bonnie_Clyde

  I cannot see the financial benefit to the Society as a whole

  The congregation that Clyde used to attend was told by the regional building committee (about 3 years ago) that they needed to sell their hall and build a new one. They already had a beautiful, well-built well-landscaped hall, and a lot of people were perplexed. But, obediently they sold the hall, sent the funds to the Society and began a search for property to build the new hall. They found some property, but to this date there is no new Kingdom Hall. For three years they have had to travel to the next town, about 8 miles away for their meetings. I would say that the Society benefited quite nicely from this arrangement. And they can continue to benefit if more congregations start bunching up, forcing them to sell and donate the funds.