I received this and am passing it on email. Found it curious....:
Subject: Good News
Date: Wednesday 16, 2011 at 11:40 a.m. Dear All,
Today the WORLDWIDE REPORT that will be in the Yearbook was announced:
This year 20 branches were merged and 2 new were created for a total now of
98.
The world had an increase of 2.4% (average publishers)7,395,672
Hours were up 6.4% to 1.7 billion.
Regular pioneers were up 6% 867,421 and auxiliary pioneers up 62.1% 466,911
specials up 7.9% 28,423
16 seminars were held in 13 countries to teach an accelerated language
course, resulting in 1000's learning the truth in their native tongue.
A pilot program was started in Manhattan where 4 couples along with selected
pioneers will work in busy areas. In some congregation territories in
Manhattan the ratio is 1:8,000 as many live in high security buildings.
Memorial attendance was up 3.6%, to over 19,374,377 million.
Watch for this if you visit New York City in the future--it's just in the
"kick-off" stages now, but I think it's a commendable effort, because: Soon,
anybody who wants a Bible will be able to EASILY get one on the streets of
New York City, with no mention of a donation! This volunteer effort will
most likely spread to other major cities around the world. How can any group
ever hope to accomplish such an enormous effort? Think of the mind-boggling
financial cost alone, not to mention finding enough volunteers to do this...
Plus ordering the printing in the language the individual speaks/reads upon
request, if their particular language is not displayed... It can only be
accomplished with God's holy spirit backing it.
IMPORTANT: Jehovah's Witnesses who volunteer for this should have the same
qualities as Gideon's 300 men, as explained near the end of the below
meeting notes. Somebody who doesn't reflect those qualities could hinder
this project rather than help it:
I wanted to drop you a note regarding the kick-off meeting for the
'Manhattan Project' to provide a spiritual service to the New York City
(NYC) area by Jehovah's Witnesses. (Before you start wondering about the
name, it was acknowledged at the meeting that the previous worldly use of
this term cost millions of lives (in producing the atom bomb); but this new
use of the phrase intends to instead SAVE many lives...)
In the opening prayer, our Circuit Overseer, Bro. Houghton, mentioned that
tens of thousands of people in NYC have not yet come to know God; but that
is about to change. With the Manhattan Project, Jehovah's word will become
more available on the streets of NYC. In attendance were all the Circuit
Overseers for NYC, several from the Branch Committee & the Service Dept.,
plus four recently graduated pairs from the new School for Married Couples,
(the first class which graduated a few weeks ago).
Bro. Breaux chaired the meeting, saying that it was just scarcely one month
ago when they were commissioned by our Governing Body for the need to
implement this Manhattan Project to provide for the spiritual needs of the
masses of people in NYC--and other urban areas. It harkens back to
originating from a 1958 pre-District Convention statement that said: "Public
witnessing is an effective avenue, especially in major cities." Two factors
driving this current effort are: the overwhelming number of high-security
buildings restricting access and the large number of "Not-at-Homes" here
when we try to help people door-to-door who might need a Bible or want to
learn what it teaches... Plus, currently seeing our presence in street work
too rarely. The Governing Body believes that a greater witness can be given
to urban areas, in compliance with Jesus' instructions at Matthew 24:14.
It's hard to reach the people when you can't get into their buildings and/or
when they're not often home... Thus, the need for the Manhattan Project.
In sending out application to NYC pioneers (who volunteer full-time in the
ministry service), the Service Dept. Had hoped for a handful of Jehovah's
Witnesses from the NYC area who might be interested in volunteering... But,
the response was overwhelming (600+ Regular Pioneers were in attendance).
However, the speaker then made reference to Gideon's 300 men. If you recall
from the Bible account, Jehovah whittled down Gideon's army from 32,000 to
only 300. How did the Bible instruct to select them? Gideon's men were
chosen because of their ALERTNESS and their concern for true worship. All
credit for success went to God back in Gideon's day, and likewise it goes to
God in this project, too.
The high traffic areas of Manhattan have been divided into four Zones. Each
Zone will be under the oversight of one of four 'Couple' grads (who at
present still don't even have their housing arrangements settled down!
That's an indication of the urgency of this project, due to the fact that
we're living in the time of the end.) We will be using six-foot tables and
what they term 'rolling tables' (aka carts), patterned after those currently
being used in Paris, France (if anybody has seen them in Paris). The goal:
high visibility and consistency; broadcast the good news; start Bible
Studies.
The theme of meeting was Proverbs 1:20, which says: "Wisdom is calling out
in the streets." In ancient Israel, the city gates were the location that
folks could go for assistance for practical help with their problems from
the older men. This is where wisdom was disseminated. If this program works
here, the Governing Body will consider perhaps expanding it to other major
cities in USA... and around the globe.
They discussed practical aspects and organization of this project. Three
qualities will be vital: courage, willingness to approach people, and
discernment. The last, said Br Chappel, will be the most difficult:
discernment. Before we initiate, we must be selective, ascertain what this
person is all about ...is this the right time for them? If not, there will
be another day; they'll see us regularly. We're looking to establish
relationships by our "constant" presence.
Three types of people will be encountered in this field: those who work
there, live there, are "out-of-towners". If someone raises a stink, we are
NOT to press it but simply say: "I'm sorry you feel that way. Have a good
day." We are certainly NOT looking for any confrontation to be on the news,
such as those Wall Street confrontations in the world.
Our conversation-starters are to be simple, simple, simple... Did I say
simple? Also, relaxed and friendly. Attention is to be directed to our
Jehovah's Witnesses website & coupons they can mail in if interested. We are
not to be a BIT "stingy" with our literature (especially Bibles!) Bibles are
to be given generously to all who want them, with NO mention of donations.If
possible, get their e-mail address or cell number; if they'd like us to text
or email them for follow ups and/or to establish Bible Study arrangements.
If an approach does not work, change it... adapt. We'll report our
experiences--good/bad/other--along with placements/particulars to our "Zone
Captain" for the benefit of posterity. Each of the four Zones will be
organized out of key 'Contact Congregations' as a hub for literature, etc.
(Hope ours is one!)
Unlike in our door-to-door ministry service, with the Manhattan Project (and
as this spreads elsewhere}, permits, insurance and indemnities usually will
be required. Anyone volunteering in this area of the ministry MUST comply
with Caesar, and is responsible for obtaining them individually, as an
expression of our personal ministry. We are NOT official representatives of
an organization; the Branch will NOT do this for us. This work falls under
the category of 'Expressive Activity' and must be done individually, so
nobody should be involved with this who cannot be responsible and reliable
to make sure his/her proper permits, insurance, and indemnities are not all
in place FIRST. However, the Legal Dept. is a resource for research on what
is needed & supporting our success by answering questions, of course.
A real treat was all the demonstrations, because they were done by the
Circuit Overseers and their wives... we don't often get to see them doing
the demonstrations. How terrific and appropriate to see them in the
demonstrations, since it's the Circuit Overseers and their wives who have
been so instrumental in getting "legs" to this Manhattan Project; teaching
us by enacting the "do's" and the "don'ts". It was commented that the
Circuit Overseers in our area all unanimously opted to even step down from
traveling work and become local Regular Pioneers so as to qualify for this
project; but the branch flatly refused their resignations!
The meeting concluded by saying we are not out there working alone. The
Governing Body is keenly interested in our results and are praying for us.
Our reliance must be on Holy Spirit and the angels, whose numbers far exceed
the population of Manhattan. Revelation 14:6,7... Just think how excited
those angels are who have been assigned to the mid-heavens over NYC to work
with us on the project!
"PSALM 83:18"