A. Llewellyn – WT Summary (“Why Modesty Still Matters”)
I won’t go into this much as an individual can read it for themselves and conclude as s(he) sees fit. What I would say however, is that I remember Llewellyn using phrases like “knowing your place in Jehovah’s organisation” and “taking care not to act presumptuously”. I’ve singled out these two thoughts as they came across as quite condescending.
For example, “knowing your place” – yes the organisation of Jehovah’s Witnesses is one of the most highly stratified of religious organisations on earth today. To act outside of one’s place is therefore probably seen as a lack of modesty. Of course, this organisation is one which disseminates information only. It does not listen. So is it any wonder that individuals increasingly ignore this perceived “place” and seek a listening ear elsewhere? Such as for example, this online forum?
My ears popped up when Llewellyn talked about not acting presumptuously! Well, north of the border a cliché derived from scripture says that one should “look in before you look out”! The organisation of Jehovah’s Witnesses has “presumptuous” as a middle name in practice!
When discussing this subject of modesty, neither Llewellyn or the WT bothers to make reference to the Insight Volume where 1 Cor 4:6 is referenced - “Do not go beyond the things that are written [that is, do not go beyond the limits that the Scriptures set for humans in their attitude toward one another and toward themselves]...” Of course, the WTBTS / GBoJW goes way beyond the things written with regularity.
S. Papps – Branch Report & Experiences
Theme: Blessed in the City & Blessed in the Field (Deut 28:3)
Papps stated that the 2016 harvest work has really blossomed. It is really going forward. Evidence of God’s blessing on the Britain branch of JW he cited as follows....
- · 12 countries in our branch territory, including the Falkland Islands, Malta, and Pakistan.
- · In these territories, there are 149,080 publishers.
- · There has been an increase in pioneer publishers over the last 10 years
- · 14,796 pioneers currently, ranging in age from 11 to 88 years
- · 10% of publishers in Britain are engaged in the pioneer service.
- · Hours in ministry for 2016 service year totalled over 27.4million.
- · Bible studies have increased to over 69,000.
However, Papps concluded, Jehovah doesn’t focus on statistics but on people! He then went on to disclose that 4,350 literature carts have been distributed to congregations. The carts he said, have been instrumental in reaching those who used to serve Jehovah. Then gave an example of an individual who was a former elder and a pioneer (serving for 7 years) who took literature from the cart regularly and expressed an interest in being reactivated.
With reference to cart use in the ministry, Papps stated that there is a need to be consistent, patient, and positive. Reason: results may not be known to us or perhaps be delayed. Went on to add that there has been 4000+ requests for Bible studies made via JW.org.
He gave examples of ministry, including a congregation which organised visits to hand car washes during rainy weather. Another congregation focussed on the two creation brochures and placed 400 in a month.
Papps then moved on to the branch relocation project, revealing that a new and updated video would shortly be released and that in consequence, individuals would be able to see for themselves, Jehovah’s blessing on this project.
For my part, I thought it was very significant that Papps’ portrayal of statistics seemed to be based on the territories supervised by the Britain Branch. He avoided any statistics regarding publisher growth augmenting this by saying that Jehovah doesn’t focus on statistics. The truth is closer to the fact that the publisher numbers in Britain are falling. That there was a paper increase of a paltry 26 in 2016 has to be understood in the context of numbers being buoyed up by significant immigration to Britain (many foreign language congregations and groups for example). If Jehovah doesn’t focus on statistics then perhaps publishers no longer need to submit field service reports?
H. Corkern – “Always Rejoice in the Lord” (Php 4:4)
This talk lasted an hour. Corkern stated that he and his wife visited the branches in Belgium and the Netherlands en route to Britain. (See how “precious kingdom resources” are being used!) I was at a loss as to why he travelled so much to deliver a seemingly innocuous pastoral talk. However, maybe it wasn’t quite so innocuous or pastoral. My ears popped up when Corkern stated that we should never use unscriptural means to get away from trials. Doing so may delay relief or make it more difficult to deal with the trial. He emphasised that one is saved if you endure to the end.
I’m being highly subjective here, but I could not dismiss the suspicion that this HQ high flier was delivering such a message to provide a spiritual / intellectual pretext for not yielding to any governmental / court demands to fundamentally change the WT child safeguarding policy. He went on to affirm not deviating from Jehovah’s standards for example.
I was surprised, but then again not so surprised, when he disclosed that the most common reason for brothers losing their joy is because of one another. [I thought God’s true organisation was marked by love!] In dealing with this subject, he merely mentioned that man tends to error (Psalm 130:3) and there isn’t a man who doesn’t sin (John 8:46). So he side stepped this important issue. He didn’t mention that much of the loss of joy is attributable to BoEs and CO's who think more of themselves than it is necessary to think. He did not take the opportunity to quote the Insight Volume on the subject of humility where it is said:
“And when one person offends another, it tests his humility to obey the command to go to the other person and admit the wrong, asking forgiveness (Matt. 5:23,24)”. Well, he wouldn’t want to upset BoEs by giving them more work to do would he? The unwritten policy of the WT is that BoEs and others in positions of authority simply do not apologise! If you have received an apology from a BoE or an individual elder, do share!