I wonder what effect the rising hispanic influence will have. The culture is so different from the emotionally frigid, pleasure-denying, isolationist Watchtower, that I can't imagine they will either turn to a more spiritually satisfying religion if they can't change this one. Anybody have any experience with hispanic congregations? Are they indeed copies of white congregations? My friend attends a hall in an inner-city predominantly African-American neighborhood and I suspect that is one of the reasons his experience has been less damaging than those in white congregations. (I recognize I am talking completely through my hat and am looking for info from people who have actual, you know, knowledge and experience!)
The Watchtower Attendance Crisis
by metatron 55 Replies latest jw friends
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Marvin Shilmer
This thread of discussion reminds me of a conversation last year with our circuit overseer. He commended the body of elders for improved meeting statistics.
The previous visit we had 115 publishers and an average attendance for the public talk of 110. These numbers meant we had a mean attendance equal to 95.6 percent of our publisher total.
The current visit we had 109 publishers and an average attendance for the public talk of 110. These new numbers meant we had a mean attendance figure equal to just over 100 percent of our publisher total.
The circuit overseer looked at the statistics of 95.6 percent compared to 100 percent and used this as a basis to commend the elder body for improvement.
I asked him what had improved? He said the percentage of attendance had improved.
I asked him how this statistic meant improvement given that no more were attending our meetings than before, combined with the fact that we has lost 6 publishers to inactivity. He asked what I was getting at.
I said that, statistically, our mean meeting attendance was no greater than previously and our actual number of publishers had diminished not due to publishers moving but due to inactivity. This means the only reason the percentage of meeting attendance had increased compared with publisher totals was because we had lost publishers to inactivity and not due to improved meeting attendance or anything else.
He said he did not understand why I was unwilling to accept a compliment given to the body of elders. I didn't waste anymore time on the subject.
My observation on general attendance at JW meetings is that the 9-11 incident dramatically affected an increase. This affect is eroding, as it always does in the absence of traumatic events. I see this erosion not only in meeting attendance but also in publisher activity.
Marvin Shilmer
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logansrun
metatron,
You always post really good stuff in content but they are very difficult to read due to the spacing. I think people would get more out of your posts if you corrected that. Just a thought. (please, don't take that the wrong way)
Bradley
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metatron
For many of us, its the other way. I like spacing ( he said, squinting) because it's much easier for me to read.
metatron ( I wonder if those eye exercises work?)
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garybuss
Interesting thread! Thanks for starting it Met.
I wonder about the growth. I think they will have growth, but is it quality growth? Because if it is not quality growth, it is growth that does not contribute time, money, and management skills needed by any business.
This is a family business. Is the next generation being groomed or doomed?
I guess I have to look at the products produced by the corporation. How will the growth serve the goals and how does the growth affect the product? Or is the growth a product? How will lack of quality growth affect the product and meet the goals? Please help me with suggestions and order.
1. Literature
2. Image
3. Members
The benefits to the company are:
1. People to consume the goods without relying on outside sales.
There are 14 million followers per corporation web site. If all
of them only contribute for two magazines, that's 28 million
every issue. That's 112 million a month from just internal
consumption, or one billion, three hundred forty four million
a year. Then the book donations start.
2. Cash accounts. All those donations add up plus wills and gifts.
3. Ego power positions
4. Buildings and land
5. Job security for the top executives.
More . . . . ? -
RunningMan
I like the spacing. What I don't like is when a long post is single spaced with no paragraph breaks.
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Will Power
1. People to consume the goods without relying on outside sales.
There are 14 million followers per corporation web site. If all
of them only contribute for two magazines, that's 28 million
every issue. That's 112 million a month from just internal
consumption, or one billion, three hundred forty four million
a year. Then the book donations start.This is exactly how multi-level marketing scams like AMWAY work - the SELF USE theory. Add to it book, tapes, motivational functions, ALL ESSENTIAL to prove to your UPLINE that you are serious, want to succeed and WANT TO BE JUST LIKE THEM !!!
AND you are willing to do anything to prove your worthiness !! Especially stop associating with anyone who doesn't belong to the SELF USE group.
WILL
edited for poor grammar.
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minimus
If it's all about big business, then what difference does it make. If it's all about land and aquisitions, then the people mean zero, anyway.......Right????
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Analysis
"If it's all about big business, then what difference does it make. If it's all about land and aquisitions, then the people mean zero, anyway.......Right????"
You forget that it take contributions, distributors and construction workers. If people do not attend, then they are less likely to write the big checks, spend time in service or let the Regional Building Committee control their lives.
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Joker10
There's always more people attending that the number of publishers.