Well we moved to another city and my wife was handed off to another sister for her study, even though it was only about 10 minutes from where the previous sister lived. Is this standard practice, will a person really only work in thier own territory?? My wife seems to like this sister she is studying with, and last week I met her and her husband, seem like pretty nice people, both born into the organization and seem to be pretty brainwashed by the stuff. One thing that I noticed immediately is they do not fit the socio-economic stereotype of a JW in any way at all. He is well employed, I figure making mid 100,000s and because of this she does not work, he drives a current SUV and she a very new europeon luxury sedan. The house is very well appointed, beautiful artwork, a really nice home entertainment center, leather furniture and all the nice stuff. Seems a bit materialistic to me for a JW......not sure of the status of either of them in the congo, I am guessing she is at least a pioneer, not really sure of him, for I know he puts in some long hours at the office. My wife has been studying for about five or six months and she is about to embark on chapter eight, God's Kingdom and she feels I will be interested in it, so I am cordially invited to participate.....yipee.
Wife has a new sister leading her study......
by insearchoftruth 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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blondie
*** km 11/89 p. 4 par. 6 Presenting the Good News—By Helping One Another Start Bible Studies ***When new congregations are formed or there are territory adjustments, there may be a need to transfer a Bible study you have started to another publisher. You can arrange for a capable publisher from the other congregation to go with you on the study. After a few weeks have passed, that publisher can begin conducting it. Realizing that turning over a study is just another part of the disciple-making work will move you to do what is best for the student.—Phil. 2:4.
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insearchoftruth
So therefore standard practice....do they have pretty straightforward geographic boundaries then for congos? One does not generally attend the meetings that best fits their schedule then?
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blondie
Yes, they have territory bounds, a map is usually posted somewhere in the KH. That territory is broken up into smaller portions on cards that are signed out to individual jws. While you can attend wherever you want, you will be "encouraged" to attend the KH in the territory. Especially elders, MS, and regular pioneers are told to attend in their assigned territory. There are adjustments to make sure that each congregation has the right number of elders. I have seen COs realign congregations this way...the concept is to obey or step down.
*** km 11/02 p. 7 Question Box ***
What are the advantages of attending the congregation that holds the territory where we live?Through the congregation arrangement, we receive encouragement ‘inciting us to love and fine works.’ (Heb. 10:24, 25) Through the congregation we learn the truth and are equipped to fulfill our assignment to make disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) We are also strengthened to endure trials faithfully and are provided with loving overseers to help us cope with mounting pressures and anxieties. Clearly, the congregation is vital to our spiritual survival. However, are there advantages in attending the congregation that holds the territory where we live?
Individual circumstances vary, and such factors as secular employment, an unbelieving mate, and transportation may affect one’s final decision in this regard. Yet, there are definite advantages, both spiritual and otherwise, when a person associates with the congregation holding the territory where he lives. The elders may be able to get in touch with all the publishers more quickly in cases of emergency. Past Question Boxes have highlighted a number of other advantages.—May 1991, March 1976, and January 1967.
Generally, it is more convenient to attend meetings nearby, allowing us to arrive early enough to speak with others, care for necessary matters, and share in the opening song and prayer. When newly interested ones live in our neighborhood, we are usually in a better position to reach them, conduct Bible studies with them, and direct them to the meetings most convenient for them.
We are confident that family heads will prayerfully consider this matter, weighing all the factors involved in determining what is best for the spiritual and physical welfare of their family.—1 Tim. 5:8.
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blondie
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*** km 5/91 p. 7 Question Box ***
Why is it recommended that publishers serve with the congregation that holds the territory where they live?It is important to do things in an orderly and theocratic way. The apostle Paul wrote: "For God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace. . . . Let all things take place decently and by arrangement."—1 Cor. 14:33, 40.
While there may be some exceptions because of transportation difficulties, secular work schedules, or the need for assistance in oversight, generally it is best to attend the congregation in whose territory we live. This makes field service more convenient, and we do not have to travel so far to work with a group outside our neighborhood. It puts us in a better position to work with others in our congregation and to direct newly interested ones to the meetings most convenient to them. And it keeps us in close touch with other brothers and sisters in our area who can help us in time of need.
By working submissively within the arrangements made, we show that we are keeping Kingdom interests first. (Luke 16:10) When a new congregation is formed or Congregation Book Studies are rearranged, we may prefer to stay with certain friends. But by accepting the new arrangement, we can make new friends and widen out in our theocratic associations. Also, it is easier for the elders to shepherd the flock and improve the spiritual condition of the congregation when publishers live within the territory of the congregation with which they associate.
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darth frosty
As far as the couple goes sounds to me like they're the new agewitnesses. What I mean by this there are a lot of younger (and some older) dubs who went ahead and got them an education and sought out gainfull employment and than the kingdom.
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insearchoftruth
Darth Frosty stated (can not get quotes to work right now):
"As far as the couple goes sounds to me like they're the new agewitnesses."
I could see this being the case, I believe they are both in their middle to upper fifties but don't know anything else, this is comfortable for them and they are evidently not bothered due to thier economic stature (most likely a lot of donation to the WWW). One thing I am unsure of is what the status of each are in the congregation......in the brief conversation I had with him however he mentioned how wonderful it is to 'study the bible' as well as insinuated that my job (working for the US DoD) is not in line with proper Christian principles......
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willyloman
"...New Age Witnesses... What I mean by this there are a lot of younger (and some older) dubs who went ahead and got them an education and sought out gainfull employment and than the kingdom."
This isn't that uncommon; it all depends on where you live. I spent three decades as a dub and in every congo I was in, the lifestyle and home described above could be found among active JWs. Not many of them, for sure, but there were always a few families who were well off and not shy about showing it. The women who started a study with my wife way back in 1972 was married to an "unbeliever" who had a huge construction company. She lived in a mansion and drove a new BMW over to our humble apartment every week. Actually, I was impressed that one could be religious and successful at the same time; most of the dubs I had met during that period were working class folks and a lot of them weren't well educated.
There are plenty of dub women who married well and have money. There are dub elders who went to college before they became JWs. There are non-educated dubs who have skills and talents who have made a very good living. Hell, there are janitors who wound up hiring 30 pioneers and generating six-figure incomes for themselves because they possessed good sales and marketing skills.
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Nowman
Growing up I went to a KH in a pretty well-off area, where we lived in this KH territory, was middle class/blue collar...but most of the husbands in this KH were well off, mercedes & BMWs etc....nice big homes...some of them were elders...don't remember any regular pioneer wives though, they just went out in service regularly (required hours +).
I think it depends on where you live.
Nikki
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insearchoftruth
How does affluency match with the wts teachings on modesty, more giving to the worldwide work etc.....is it just sort of looked past if the donations keep coming?? Is the standard different is it is a UBM making the dough even if the money is not coming in?
Another question, how could a person be married to one in an 'unchristian' profession and take the 'blood money' to support the work?