National Average = Quotas

by zack 21 Replies latest jw friends

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  zack

  The national average for publishers reporting feild service time in the Untited States is just under 10 hours a month.

  This has become the de facto standard for every member of the congregation. If one fails to produce at the rate of others, he is "weak", his service is "divided", he puts the things of "this life" in "first place."

  CO's and elder bodies use the national average as the barometer of a male JW's "zeal" for God. Whether he is recommended for privileges, or not, depends on which side of the ledger his "report" puts him on. This is so very anti-Christ, who measured the widow's two coins of small value, not on their worth relative to the contribution of someone else, but relative to her own situation, i.e., "all SHE had." The publications always talk about what one can reasonably do; when no one else is around, however, it is wholly another story.

  The disconnect between what is published and what is practiced grows ever wider in this specific instance. How long before JW males discover that "reaching out" for the brass ring of the WTS is illusory, futile, and empty? Or have they already discovered that?

  Zack
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  Balsam

  I have been reading William Schnell book "30 Yrs. A Watchtower Slave" printed in 1959. He goes into a lot of the early history of the Society once Rutherford took over. 1925 Rutherford took the Bible students groups out the hands of the individual students and into his hands. He did away with the Elders till the 1970's when they would be appointed by the Society exclusively. Counting time proved to be a very profitable way of making money on the books they were able to produce very very cheaply. It became a requirement for people who were Jehovah's Witnesses. That is why Rutherford wanted all time accounted for and publications counted so they could know how much they could figure on money coming in. Back then the books were charged for, and money rolled in through conventions and assemblies to finance his huge Watchtower Company. It was about making money. It is all geared toward that.

  I remember the times they got onto us about getting publications and not placing them, because they were sitting on our shelves at home. It was not said but they figured that was lost money. Pressure to get contribution when the literature stopped being charged for here in the USA. Endless practicing on the school to ask for donations. What did these donation have to do with sharing the bible? Yes it was all about money, making lots of money. That is what door to door work is all about being salesmen and saleswomen. It is about profit.

  Had they not run into a legal snag here in the USA they would still be charging for literature. Fear of taxation caused them to change thing here because of Jim Swaggart who was forced to pay taxes on his literature he was selling.

  The WTS is a huge publishing organization with slave labor who produces this literature then places it for payment or donations. If that was to stop and the money stop flowing it will come to an end pronto. Will our ex-brothers and sisters ever wake up and understand they are working for a money making corporation and not God? Only time will tell.

  Balsam
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  rebel8

  There is a simple solution to this: just fill in whatever # of hours you want, like I did...and so did many others...I caught a few bros and sistas claiming they went in field service alone on nights I saw them elsewhere.
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  AK - Jeff

  The disconnect between what is published and what is practiced grows ever wider in this specific instance. How long before JW males discover that "reaching out" for the brass ring of the WTS is illusory, futile, and empty? Or have they already discovered that?

  Good point, Zack. I became aware of that years back. I waited patiently for years to be 'made an elder'. I foolishly believed that the requirements as set forth in Paul's writings were the 'real' criteria. I finally saw that the real reason was politics. I went by the most prominent Pharassee's house nearly daily. In the months before they were 'appointed by Holy spirit' the elder-wannabees had to first sew their lips to the a** of he who had the power to make the recommendations. They were always there. Until appointment time came - then voila - no longer were they at his house. I never played the game - but spent years giving talks all over this part of the state, and handling accounts, literature, assistant bs conductor, ect., while they kissed a**. I asked them repeatedly why I was not 'qualified', and when they ventured a Wt article I rejected it, and asked for 'scriptural reasons'. I never got any, because there weren't any. It is all politics. 'Too bad, for her sins have massed themselves together clear up to heaven....' Frankly nothing was missed. At least I did not have to participate in organized hatred and disfellowship anyone. Thank God.

  have been reading William Schnell book "30 Yrs. A Watchtower Slave" printed in 1959. He goes into a lot of the early history of the Society once Rutherford took over. 1925 Rutherford took the Bible students groups out the hands of the individual students and into his hands. He did away with the Elders till the 1970's when they would be appointed by the Society exclusively.

  Balsam - have you read Penton's book - Apocalypse Delayed. ? I found that to be a great historical reference with less bile.

  Jeff
• 

  ithinkisee

  There is a simple solution to this: just fill in whatever # of hours you want

  That's exactly what I do. I used to feel guilty about it. I don't anymore.

  -ithinkisee
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  ezekiel3

  Is the national average a self-fulfilling prophecy??

  If the WTS says 10 hour/month is the average, and a majority of JWs fudge their hours to meet that (for political or other reasons) then isn't the whole "national average" a fake? It is simply a circle of deception.
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  Dragonlady76

  I think most people pad their numbers to look good, my parents sure did.

  Dragonlady76
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  proplog2

  Field service time is definitely the coin of the realm. They will put virtual monsters in positions of authority just because they put in time.

  Field service time is usually traded in for Stage Time. The more field service time the more time you get on stage.

  The funny thing about "quotas (goals)". For every person who pushes to get one extra hour to make 10 hours in a month there is another one who could put in 20 but settles for 15 because he has exceeded the quota by a hefty 50%.

  When I had access to the record cards back in the 1970's I went through several years of individual record cards and made an interesting discovery. Everyone achieves a comfort level after they have been in for a year or two. If their comfort level is 5 hours per month that's where they stay. In spite of all the encouragement and so-called "assistance" arrangements no one moved out of their comfort level to a higher level. In fact - the few that suddenly started to put in a lot of time - ended up getting disfellowshipped or fell away. Probably they were compensating to cover over a bad conscience. I checked this out in 2 different congregations and both had very similar distribution of hours.

  Does anyone here remember radically helping someone increase their field service on a permanent basis?
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  Thinking

  There is a brother in my congregation that recently had brain surgery that left him disabled....he sometimes has a problem with his balance. Other than that he is fine.
  He worked 30 years at the same job.....odd hours so he missed meetings.
  
  Now that he is unemployed we see him more at the meetings and in field service. He even keeps the grounds looking beautiful.
  
  An elder mentioned to me how this brother had grown so much spiritually in the last year. (since the surgery) and my thoughts were ....I don't think he is any more of a spiritual man than before. He just has more time now. He is more visible, not more spiritual. I think JW's get really confused at this. He did not have much of a life outside of work and meetings .......so now his life is all meetings.
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  vitty

  Thinking

  I knew brothers who had lost their jobs, or became unable to work, they also increased their "time"

  I knew one who said he would lead a midweek FSmeeting and within 6 months hed been made a servant

  He had been in the cong 12 years before and nothing

  You only have to put on a show and do the right things for 6 months and if the face fits, you can have all you want. Sick!!!!