The last watchtower I commented on, was about the friends tiring out and slacking off meeting attendance.
Well, the July 1st issue of the Watchtower, 2nd study article entitled "Teach Them To Observe All The Things I Have Commanded You", seems to be a desparate attempt to stem the tide of inactive witnesses.
After talking up how many millions of hours the Witnesses preach each day (3 million), and how many lands they are active in (now 235), paragraph 11 says this...
It saddens us, however, to notice that some of our fellow believers have grown spiritually weakened and, as a result, have slowed down or stopped carrying out Christ's command to make disciples. Is there any way we can help them renew their association with the congregation and resume their share in making disciples? The manner in which Jesus helped his apostles when they were temporarily in a weak condition indicates what we may to today.
so, in other words, if you slow down (do less hours each month) this means you are spiritually weak. Do they never take account that people's circumstances change? For example, a father may have had a part time job and 3 kids, and let's suppose he auxiliary pioneered. He later loses his job, and now finds he has to take a full time job for the same money. He can no longer pioneer. Consequently, his hours drop, and he is looked down upon.
Show Concern
paragraph 12
At the end of Jesus' ministry on earth, when his death was imminent, the apostles "abandoned him and fled." As Jesus had foretold, they "scattered each one to his own house." How did Jesus deal with his spiritually weakened companions? Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus told some of his followers: "Have no fear! Go, report to my brothers, that they may go off into Galilee; and there they will see me." Although the apostles had shown serious weaknesses, Jesus still called them "my brothers." He had not given up on them. In this way, Jesus was merciful and forgiving, just as Jehovah is merciful and forgiving. How can we imitate Jesus?
I think the Watchtower forgets, that their system of worship does not imitate Jesus.
paragraph 13
We should have deep concern for those who have slowed down or stopped sharing in the ministry. We still remember the works of love that those fellow believers performed in the past-some perhaps for decades. We truly miss their companionship. How though, may we express our concern for them?
So, it looks like those long time faithful ones, yes those who have 30, 40, or 50 years of service are quitting the rat race.
There are so many experiences here on this board that when you become inactive you are ignored and no one calls on you. where is this so called "concern"?
This article is such complete drivel, yet it displays a desparation as the rank and file, not to mention elders, thin themselves out.
But, what does this really translate into?
Consider the numbers for the February 2004 Service Report, United States.
Each publisher did: 9.2 hours
Placed: 8.1 mags
Made: 3.6 return visits
Conducted: 0.4 bible studies
Now multiply those figures by 12 to get the annual performance for one publisher..
110.4 hours
97.2 magazines
43.2 return visits
4.8 bible studies
OK, so the above is for one publisher. Now consider that 1,000 publishers become inactive in the United States.
110,400 hours
97,200 magazines
43, 200 return visits
4800 bible studies
When you look at the above figures, you can see why the Society is so desparate.
Consider if each publisher donated $5 a month into the Kingdom Hall fund. Over the course of a year, that publisher would have donated $60. Multiply that by our one thousand inactive publishers and you have $60,000 in lost donations.