Dutch conventions organized like circuits

by Gorbatchov 28 Replies latest jw friends

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  Introvert 2

  Yes been doing same in Montreal area past couple years, use of the ASSembly hall with the two giant screens on both sides to enhance the cult like experience.
  
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  John Davis

  I only meant to say that it isn't this earth shattering news that this is occurring. It has happened before in major cities. it just doesn't mean anything other than they are having it an assembly hall.
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  redpilltwice

  Thanks Gorby, my old cong will have their convention new style at 21-23 july and they will have to drive 40-45 minutes longer to get to Swifterbant instead of Utrecht . "Unfortunately" my family got out in 2015, so we will never taste this $pirit-directed improvement...

  Instead...

  
  
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  Magnum

  John Davis, I understand. I do, though, think this will have ramifications. The big, exciting district conventions were one of the main things that kept me going through the drudgery of JWdom. I sort of lived for them and they gave me a boost to get through the next year. The smaller gatherings in smaller buildings just didn't have the same effect; they were boring, even sort of depressing at times.

  Even though this might not be new in certain areas, it seems that it is new in some areas and is spreading. I think that it will have an effect and will contribute to the growing apathy and disillusionment in JW land. JWs just won't get the excitement they got from the bigger gatherings.
  
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  Dreamerdude

  It seems like a good way to make money.

  Gorby, is this the assembly hall featured on jwtv, where the people were bragging about how their faith was strengthened because they had to sell their businesses and houses, and quit their jobs for the privilege to give away their labor for free? Since they are now jobless and homeless, they are eager to give away their labor to build cult structures in Africa, for food and lodging.
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  stuckinarut2

  Yes, Australia has been doing the same for the last few years.

  I Guess The Netherlands needs to do this now to make use of its new Swifterbunt Assembly Hall that we were so wonderfully told about during the June JWbroadcast.....
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  Anders Andersen

  From the Borg's perspective:

  Upsides:

  • Charge fee per publisher and grab money instead of paying money to 3rd party venue.
  • Easier to hide dwindling attendance numbers: rearrange a bit, go from 10 conventions to 9, and everyone suddenly experiences an attendance increase while overall numbers are actually down!
  • Less journalists and film crews visiting and asking hard questions. They might come for a 10k cult fest in a big venue; 2k in a church building isn't extraordinary as there are more than a handful mega churches with that number of visitors each week.
  • More brothers who can be made to feel important because more speakers are needed, and with non-assignments like parking duty.

  Downsides:

  • No very big events to show we're The One True Religion. All big meetings are equally bland and boring. Easier for people to stay away.
  • More speakers needed = speaker quality goes down = less indoctrination power.
  • Even harder for youngsters to find a fuckbuddy mate spiritual healthty partner --> more 'unevenly yoked' marriages -> more people leaving.

  Well money is their first and only priority anyways....
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  stuckinarut2

  One "upside" of this is for "spiritual young ones" who can now visit several assemblies in a row "to check out the talent".

  Also, one advantage for faders is that they can just pretend to have attended a different convention weekend from their "assigned " one...and slip into the cracks...
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  sparrowdown

  What Anders said. Makes sense to save money, WT is a business afterall.
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  waton

  gorby, they might go back to the big ones once in awhile, if there is a bargain venue, and for variety, the spice of life. happening right now in parts of North America, no cost to publishers spared.(read convention invitation thread).