My mother was telling me how the elder went up on the platform and said how we can't pass donation plates around, we can't sell cookies or do bake drives, we pretty much can't beg for money. Then he said that at the risk of getting himself in trouble, it needed to be said that they don't know what they're going to do, but they NEED money and contributions. My mother said that there are very few donating money and the congregation is in continual debt PLUS all the wealthier people have stopped going....I thought of Metatron and knew he'd be delighted to hear another testimonial.
Elder Pleads For Money For Local Needs Talk!
by minimus 43 Replies latest jw friends
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blondie
My husband says that JWs vote with their pocketbook. After many years as the accounts servants in several congregations he saw the trends. When people weren't happy with the WTS policies, they gave it all locally. When they were unhappy with the local elder body, all the money went into the box for the WTS. And when they were unhappy with both, they gave nothing. The elders had to dig into their pockets to pay the electric bill so it wouldn't be turned off. He can remember go the BOE and asking if he should pay the electric bill or the phone bill because he couldn't pay both.
I wasn't surprised to see this announcement in the KM (WT-CD 2003)
km 12/03 p. 7 AnnouncementsAs a reminder to the brothers handling the congregation accounts, donations placed in the boxes for the Worldwide Work and for the Kingdom Hall Fund are to be remitted monthly and should not be used for payment on a Kingdom Hall property loan or for any other congregation expense.
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Simon
ie. "We don't care if you are going to have the heating cut off ... as long as we get out money!"
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blondie
I might add that the 2003 KMs had this announcement almost every 3 months:
km 1/03 p. 3 AnnouncementsFor those who wish to make donations to the worldwide work electronically, a set of instructions is available to explain this arrangement. For further information, call or write to Watch Tower, Office of the Secretary and Treasurer, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483, (718) 560-5000.
km 5/03 p. 7 Announcements ***
Donations made by check and put in the local Kingdom Hall contribution boxes for the worldwide work and the Kingdom Hall Fund should be made payable to "Jehovah?s Witnesses." Donations made by check at district conventions and those sent to the branch office should be made payable to "Watch Tower." The branch office financial address is Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, c/o Office of the Secretary and Treasurer, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483.
km 9/03 p. 6 Increased Activity at United States Bethel ***The total cost for the printery addition at Wallkill, including two of the seven new presses and other new production equipment, will likely be $50 million. Where does the money come from to pay for all of it? From voluntary contributions placed in the box marked "Contributions for the Worldwide Work?Matthew 24:14" in every Kingdom Hall, together with donations sent to the branch office by Christians who wish to see the will of God accomplished. Where there has been a need, Jehovah?s loyal servants have always responded generously. For example, in Moses? day, material things were needed to construct the tabernacle with all its glorious attachments and utensils. The privilege of sharing in building the tabernacle went out to all of God?s servants, and they gave according to their ability.?Ex. 35:4-24.
km 11/03 p. 3 AnnouncementsDonations made by check and put in the local Kingdom Hall contribution boxes for the worldwide work and the Kingdom Hall Fund should be made payable to "Jehovah?s Witnesses." Donations made by check at district conventions and those sent to the branch office should be made payable to "Watch Tower." The branch office financial address is Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, c/o Office of the Secretary and Treasurer, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483.
And notice this comment about asking for donations and do not calls while telephone witnessing.
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km 5/03 p. 7 Question Box· When witnessing by telephone, should we explain the donation arrangement?
When we give a witness in person, it may be possible to explain that the worldwide Bible educational work of Jehovah?s Witnesses is supported entirely by voluntary donations and that we are happy to accept such donations. However, no mention of donations or the donation arrangement should be made when witnessing by telephone, as this could be misinterpreted as a form of telephone solicitation. The ministry of Jehovah?s Witnesses is noncommercial in every way.?2 Cor. 2:17.
· When witnessing by telephone, what should we do if a person requests that Jehovah?s Witnesses not call again?
The wishes of the person should be respected. A dated note with the name of the person should be placed in the territory envelope so that publishers will avoid calling that number in the future. Once a year, the list of people who have requested that we not call should be reviewed. Under the direction of the service overseer, experienced, tactful publishers can be assigned to contact these people to determine their current feelings.?See the June 1994 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box.
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Sunspot
**it needed to be said that they don't know what they're going to do, but they NEED money and contributions.
Awwwwww-----what a sham---I mean SHAME!
Just tugs at my heartstrings, it does.
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iiz2cool
My husband says that JWs vote with their pocketbook.
That reminded me of some of the "resolutions" made in my first hall. It didn't take long for me to see that no one ever voted against a resolution, so I simply stopped voting. One elder asked me why I wasn't raising my hand at any of the resolutions, so I told him I thought it was all a farce. I told him I would cast my votes in the contribution box, and that if they didn't see a cheque from me they could assume I was not in favor of their resolution. That was probably the wealthiest congregation I was in, yet they always seemed to be operating at a deficit. Yet somehow they came up with enough cash (over $300,000) to buy a neighboring house so they could tear it down and expand their parking lot.
Walter
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CountryGuy
As a reminder to the brothers handling the congregation accounts, donations placed in the boxes for the Worldwide Work and for the Kingdom Hall Fund are to be remitted monthly and should not be used for payment on a Kingdom Hall property loan or for any other congregation expense.
Can't you just feel the love....
OF MONEY???
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Atilla
It almost seems with all these KM announcements that the WT has lost faith and trust in some local congregations. It almost seems like they are trying to circumnavigate the local KH and go right to the publishers for the donations now. Ah, the Great Unraveling has begun.
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minimus
Simon's right. The WBTS does not care whether the local Hall pays their bills or not. As long as they get their money! Or better yet, wait til the bills don't get paid and the Society just takes it over.
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metatron
Let 'em beg!
This trend does make you wonder as to what the end result will be - an asset rich
non profit headquarters with empty Kingdom Halls?
In the end, the Soviets actually abandoned Eastern Europe because they couldn't afford it.
Maybe history will repeat itself. What will the old Theocrats do if nothing brings them
a 'profit'?
metatron