Is it now safe to say the pioneer hour reduction rumor was a hoax?

neverendingjourney

As far as I know, there's been nothing new on this front. I first heard the rumor over the summer, and most of us assumed the change would be implemented in September, the beginning of the service year, yet nothing's happened. Should we admit to being deceived, or is there some reason to believe the reduction of hours is coming soon, sort of like Armageddon.

asilentone

It could be possible that one of the Bethelite spies read it here and decided to postpone the annoucement.

blondie

I read where it would be announced at a December or January service meeting.................

wha happened?

I'd give it until Jan. '09. After that I would pile it in with all the other rumors.

oompa

actually...it is just that every minute will be counted as an hour...kinda helps the growth thingy..................oompa

WTWizard

I have heard on JWS that they had to cancel it because the apostates were spreading the rumors. Either they wanted to make the apostates look bad and not announce it (so they would make liars out of us apostates) or they were embarrassed about the wussiness of the witlesses (and I think the liar issue is more plausible). Either way, it is a victory for us apostates because we would have forced them to alter their policy, effectively successfully sending the Celestial Chariot off course.

Then again, it could be delayed indefinitely. They felt bad that the apostates got the news ahead of the active witlesses. So, they are postponing it. That puts them in a pickle, because the longer they delay, the more the apostates are ahead of the active witlesses. And, if they cancel it altogether, the apostates will have succeeded in making the organization go off course. Not good for the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger.

dozy

It is surprising that there hasn't been an announcement , bearing in mind just how widespread the rumour was. There isn't a hint of it in the letter for the pioneers to be discussed in December , but Bethelites are still talking about it as if it is a done deal - in fact , I know a couple of pios who are deliberately taking a bit easy on their time because the change in pioneer hours will bail them out.

FWIW , my money is still on an announcement in the Jan KM , implementing the change from 1st Jan 2009 (like the announcement of the reduction last time - see below). I would imagine the WTS will dress up the announcement with concern for "current economic conditions" , a bit like the letter for the scrapping of the book study. Look out for much stronger encouragement for the usual "pioneer during Mar / Apr / May" that the WTS has been promoting in recent years - "now that the hour requirement is only 35 hours , many more witnesses will be able to aux pioneer during this period".

***
km1/99p.7AdjustmentinHourRequirementsforPioneers***
Adjustment
inHourRequirementsforPioneers

1
All of us appreciate having hardworking regular and auxiliary pioneers in the congregation. Even where the territory is limited and thoroughly worked on a regular basis, the pioneers have set a fine example by their zealous Kingdom service. They have encouraged all the publishers to keep busy in searching for those who are "rightly disposed."—Acts 13:48.
2
The Society has observed the mounting difficulties faced by pioneers, especially with regard to finding part-time secular work that will allow them to care adequately for their personal needs so as to remain in the full-time service. The present economic situation in many lands has also made it increasingly difficult for others to enter the pioneer work, even though that is their heartfelt desire. During recent months, these and other factors have been carefully considered.
3
Therefore, in view of the above, the Society has reduced the hour requirement for both regular and auxiliary pioneers. Starting with the 1999 calendar year, the requirement for regular pioneers will be 70 hours each month, or a total of 840 hours for the year. The monthly requirement for auxiliary pioneers will be 50 hours. The hour requirement for special pioneers and missionaries remains unchanged, since provision is made by the Society to help them care for their basic material needs. Thus, they can concentrate more fully on their preaching and disciple-making work.
4
It is hoped that this adjustment in the hour requirements will help more pioneers to hold on to this precious privilege of service. It should also open the way for many more publishers to take up the regular and auxiliary pioneer work. What a blessing this should prove to be for everyone in the congregation!

cognac

I know it's not in the Dec. km.

The fact that it has infiltrated among the JWs so much does show us apostate are talking to JWs a lot. I think that in itself is a good thing...

DanTheMan

actually...it is just that every minute will be counted as an hour...

iow, making an unoffical practice official...LOL

OnTheWayOut

Besides the fact that the last reduction was in a Jan. Kingdom Ministry,
I am convinced that they don't want more pioneers to join up. The warehouses
in Brooklyn are empty of books that were made in the past when they had
excess money. Now, they lose money on printing extra literature if the
donations are down.

With the current economy, the donations won't be up. So they really don't want
their pioneers to distribute more. They cannot bring themselves to eliminate
pioneering altogether yet. They delay so that nobody joins the ranks in the
cold winter (it is cold in most of the areas where JW's are in January). That way,
the old pioneers cut down on their time by spring. No new ones join up for the
service year. Maybe the economy will be different by next Sept. and they won't
mind new pioneers, plus they can figure out how to have special campaigns with
flimsy tracts next service year to further reduce the cost of pioneers placing
literature. They might even try to have months without placements, but focus
on "scriptural thoughts" shared with householders.

Is it now safe to say the pioneer hour reduction rumor was a hoax?

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