Ever since I've stopped associating with Jehovah's Witnesses I can almost assure you that the first thing to go was my regular ministry involving going door-to-door, calling up people who live in gated communities, doing business territory, and writing letters. I will say the primary reason why I did it was because I wanted to make God happy. I actually received a measure of joy at the end of the day after going through the difficulty of mustering up enough courage to engage in a public ministry. It was not my intention to annoy anyone, in fact, I was probably the meekest M.S. in the congregation, and I NEVER engaged in arguments. Now that I find that my Christian beliefs are not entirely set in stone (I do believe in God and Jesus) I feel kind of guilty that I'm not doing my public ministry anymore. When the topic comes up in an informal setting I do offer what I believe in. I'm not the kind of person to bring up my belief in God all of a sudden; I don’t think it's very tactful. I do try to follow Jesus' example. I do some volunteer work but I don't attend church. Nevertheless, my lack of a.) Not belonging to a religious community and b.) Not publicly discussing God as much as I did in fact bothers me somewhat. Is a ministry actually required of all who profess to believe in God and his son Christ Jesus?
Is Preaching Mandatory in Order to be a Christian?
by Preston 9 Replies latest jw friends
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JeffT
I think a ministry of some sort is a good thing, and strongly encouraged. However I don't think Jesus intended that anything be mandatory. Helping an elderly neighbor with yardwork, or feeding the homeless, or anything else that suits you counts in my book.
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aChristian
Jehovah's Witnesses insist that all their members must regularly engage in their work of preaching and disciple making. However, the Bible says that God gave only "some as evangelists" and only "some as teachers." (Eph. 4:11) Though all true Christians are certainly moved to share their faith with others when the opportunity arises, the teaching that all Christians are required by God to regularly serve as door-to-door preachers contradicts the scriptures.
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AmazingProgeny
I think that there are many forms that ministry can take. Preaching is one of them and not always the most effective. Living the life of a true Christian is one of the best things you can do. I'm into a new thing now of pointing out how many times we are told to show love to one another and care for the poor. I think that quietly working hard to make your hometown a better place for everyone is one of the best ways of showing people what a Christian is. Showing love to everyone, no matter how much they anger you, is another way.
I have a friend who says the real fundamentals of the bible and Christianity is to love God with everything in you, love your neighbor (your neighbor is anyone on earth) as yourself, and to do justice to all. She is trying to encourage all Christians to live by these fundamentals and to forget the rest that causes so much dissention among Christians.
Don't feel guilty about not going door-to-door. I don't miss it at all. I hated it. I am really shy IRL and can't stand just walking up to a stranger's home and telling them anything, let alone what to believe. I prefer to serve by showing love to everyone I meet, supporting the local ministries in my church (they are very locally active), and teaching my children my faith.
I hope this helps.
AP
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aChristian
AP,
As they say, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
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ozziepost
G'day Preston,
Please don't feel guilty about not sharing in the "house to house" ministry. There's no need.
The WTS teaches that the mark of a true Christian is the house-to-house witnessing activity, but just stop and consider the Christian churches. Do you know of some which are growing in numbers? How do they do it? By the door-to-door witnessing activity? Most likely not. But what they do is described by AP in the post above "I prefer to serve by showing love to everyone I meet, supporting the local ministries in my church (they are very locally active), and teaching my children my faith." That's how they show that they are living their faith and it bears witness to their beliefs.
Of the WTS it can be said that they are "having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power, and from these turn away." (2 Tim. 3:5)
Cheers,
Ozzie
"It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."
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Preston
JeffT
I don't think Jesus intended that anything be mandatory. Helping an elderly neighbor with yardwork, or feeding the homeless, or anything else that suits you counts in my book.
I like this point a lot, I think the ministry that he spearheaded with his apostles served as an example but not a mandatory one. I often think about how they pounded that scripture in our heads from Ezekiel, something along the lines of “if you don’t preach your bloodguilty”. I think that scripture was in reference to the context of events of Ezekiel’s day, rather than a command bindingon Christians today.
AChristian
However, the Bible says that God gave only "some as evangelists" and only "some as teachers." (Eph. 4:11).
A great scripture that contradicts the cookie-cutter atmosphere that so identifies the congregation today.
AmazingProgeny
I think that there are many forms that ministry can take… I have a friend who says the real fundamentals of the bible and Christianity is to love God with everything in you, love your neighbor (your neighbor is anyone on earth) as yourself, and to do justice to all…Don't feel guilty about not going door-to-door. I don't miss it at all. I hated it...
Tonight I’m going to say a little prayer to God thanking him that there are people out there just like you that look at the basics. Thank you very much for identifying that so many people despise the ministy. My mom still goes to meetings and she doesn't like it either.
AChristian
As they say, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
I wished more people cared about me in the congregation. I really appreciate your pointed statement.
ozziepost
The WTS teaches that the mark of a true Christian is the house-to-house witnessing activity, but just stop and consider the Christian churches.
Thanks ozzie, it does make sense what is truly important. Most people who are hurt need someone rather than a hope that’s too abstract and hard to define.
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freeman
Although going door-to-door preaching can be considered commendable, and if you wish to, please feel free to do so, however please don’t be deceived into thinking it is mandatory. The Witnesses will tell you that the apostles went door-to-door, nothing could be further from the truth. They will even show you a scripture or two in the NWT to support that supposition, however it is a fact that they did not. The references of “house to house” are in reality “in your homes” in a real bible translation. Also the scripture is talking about instructing people that were already believers, not strangers. To imagine the apostles going from door-to-door is nothing less then absurd. In their culture such activity would have been insulting and disrespectful to the homeowner.
Freeman
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RR
I wouldn't call it mandatory, that sounds as if it is being forced on you. However, I believe that it eventually becomes a character trait, once you learn something of good news, you just want to share it with others.
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"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." -
Billygoat
Preston,
This is a great thread! Don't feel guilty about not going door-to-door anymore. It is probably just residual guilty left over from the borg. If you feel motivated or moved to share your beliefs, you'll find appropriate times to do so. I take a very non-aggressive approach to sharing my beliefs as I don't want to be a "Bible-Thumper". I keep an open mind and listen as much as I share. But if an opportunity opens up I share my beliefs...I don't try to cram them down anothers throats and expect them to follow me.
My Sunday School class has just recently started a new series on Spiritual Gifts. One of the scriptures covered was the one listed above in Ephesians. Another one was 1 Corinthians 12.
The thing I've like about the study is that it pointed out that everyone has a gift to be used in this world. 1 Corinthians 12 (and many other scriptures) mention a whole lists of things that are used in the Christian congregation. Nobody has all the gifts. But verse 7 mentions that "To each is given a manifestation". So even if we don't have them all...we all have a gift!
The ministerial staff at my church is a good example. There are probably 8 ministers on staff that all do different things, most of them using their gift in order to grow the congregation spiritually. The head pastor, Dr. Harbour, is a great preacher, gives fantastic sermons, that inspire and really motivate you. But he's not necessarily the best shepherd in my opinion - he's got too much on his plate to do it well with a congregation of around 2000 people. My singles minister, Jay, is not really a good public speaker, but is a great shepherd - he loves one on one contact with members of the church. But Dr. Harbour knows how to inspire and motivate Jay (and the other staff members) to do their job well. If the staff is encouraged and motivated to utilize their skills to the absolute best, then the church is being run effectively and smoothly.
I have discovered over the last several years that two of my gifts are encouragement and mercy. I have the ability to put myself in someone else's shoes and get an understanding of their perspective/feelings/viewpoint, etc. With that I have also been given the ability to encourage that person to think/love/grow. I do everything I can to use those things in every aspect of my life. Whether it's with my co-workers, Neil, friends, people on this board or strangers. I do believe it's a God-given gift and to not utilize it is wrong - a sin against Him and against myself. I feel better about myself and believe I become a better person when I use them.
Just my thoughts...
Andi