by JH 28 Replies latest jw friends
Every time I speak to an active JW in my congregation, they don't give me the impression that they are slowing down. If I say that I see less JW's on the street knocking on doors, they will say that many are working full time. They will also probably say that the hall is always full of people.
I don't go to the hall anymore, so I can't say if the hall is full or not, but I notice that there are way less JW's going door to door than before in this area.
Personally, I think it is slowing down in the "english speaking territory" However an elder awhile back on a "shepherding call" said that he sees alot of "hungry ones" from the spanish speaking people. Whats up with that?
The Internet is chipping away at the Witness's strangle hold on free thought. Though they almost demand that the RF stay away from it they know they won't. In the words of "Brave Heart - FREEDOM !!!!!
the hall i attended used to have 100 - 120 people on sundays..90-100 at service meetings.
last time i attended there were maybe 50-60 there on sunday. last time i drove by on a sunday the parking lot looked sparse. so i'm guessing its still low attendance.
I think that part of it might be the angle of sight - from the outside looking in.
When we were 'in' - we thought that the organization was the 'center of the universe' - that no one could miss the work we were doing and the hope of salvation we were offering. Now - from the 'outside' we see just how little activity is really going on there. I have found that it was just an inflated view of ourselves that made it seem as though we were really busy - when in reality not so much is happening.
The comments about the 'spanish speaking' areas is one that I suspect the org will work hard at. The effect may be less than they expect. Most mexican/spanish speaking people that I know are very family oriented - once the community gets smell of the family dividing effects of the org it will be slow growth.
Jeff
Jeff:
we thought that the organization was the 'center of the universe' - that no one could miss the work we were doing
Ain't that the stupid truth.
I think the Spanish congos may be feeding off mostly recent immigrants that don't know the WTS's game yet (or have internet access yet). This may be true in areas where there is a large influx of recent immigrants. But in my area the Spanish congs seem to be pretty static and insignificant in relation to the spanish speaking population. But those that are "in" can tend to be really zealous, which I think is owed in part to their culture and background.
What fascinates me more than anything else is the absolute futility that I see when ones are even out doing street work. The slow steady walk thats done merely to increase the clock's second hand and increasing the hours spent out in the ministry.
They spend more time conversing with each other and nodding as if it were to passersby, I mean, I've been one of the passersby, no one even tried to place a magazine, they didn't know me to have been previously associated with being a JW, and as a passerby, I'm pretty much given the traditional head-nod, ( I truly have no idea what thats all about ) at best am offered a tract and they keep right on going and going and going.......
Last time that I saw someone from the hall that I last used to be involved in , he was bemoaning the low numbers at the meetings and lack of enthusiasm. - Still, he always was a whinger.
But , when we were young, one might expect 15 - 20 to be baptized ata circuit assembly, now you can count them on one hand and they seem to be youngsters growing up.
The reports of activity in the western world over the last decade have been pretty much static ... and if you dont go forward then in effect , you are going backwards.
Just as dubs view things over optomisticly, we are also prone to jump to conclusions that the org is in trouble. I do see a very gradual slow down .
Lets hope!!
I think the signs are obvious:
1) They had to make the 15min reporting fieldservice rule.
2) They have lightened up a little on oppsition to get a higher education after high school.
3) They have brouchures that emphasis the need to keep Jehovah's day close in mind.
4) Many are interested in preparing for retirement,, a real sign that the friends are not taking the Wt as seriously as before despite repeated warning of soon to come end of system.
5) Many among JWs know how to put on an appearence of loyalty to the Organization while going against its council in many areas of life.
6) The internet is private and many jws have information at there finger tips,,it don't take but a moment of curiousity for them to get deprogramed by the net.
7) The human species is a very question oriented species,,and curiousity will kill the cat.
