The last District Convention I attended over 10 years ago, one of the speakers made the point that unless a JW turned in a Field Service Report™ every month, they could not really claim to be One Of Jehovah's Witnesses™. In short, Witnesses "witness". They said if you weren't going to bother turning in a Field Service Report™, you might as well call yourself one of Jehovah's By-Standers.
Why Does The WTBTS Really Require JW's To....
by Honesty 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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poppers
I can just see it now: No, Peter, you cant just "tell me" you were out preaching.....you need to chisel the number of hours for me in this little stone tablet and drop it in the box at the back of the cave...."
Good one kid-A - I got a nice little chuckle out of that.
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blondie
It is amazing how the WTS infers by the fact that on 2 occasions a general count was taken of those baptized means that the early Christians kept track of the number of hours they spent talking to others about the kingdom.
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w88 11/15 p. 17 Helping Others to Worship God ***The two elders will inform the student that when he qualifies for and shares in the field service, he may turn in a field service report and a Congregation’s Publisher Record card will be made out in his name. This will demonstrate his affiliation with the theocratic organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses and his submission to it. (This would also be true of all others turning in field service reports.) The discussion should also cover Bible counsel, such as is outlined on pages 98 and 99 of Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry. Hence, this would be an appropriate time for the student to obtain a personal copy of that book.
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w66 11/1 p. 670 Qualifying to Be a Preacher of the "Good News" ***"If someone who does not attend the congregation meetings makes out a field service report, really, what does it mean? He may do it because he feels that it pleases the one who took him along in the service. But are we sure he does it because he feels that he is with the organization and wants to be part of it? Are we sure he is doing it because he wants to have a regular share in Jehovah’s service? Certainly if he is going to turn in a field service report as one of Jehovah’s witnesses and be included in the congregation’s report, he should be associated with Jehovah’s witnesses by attending some meetings (if he physically and circumstantially can) and want to be one of them, in addition to living a clean, moral life and knowing basic truths."
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km 1/97 p. 7 Question Box· Why should we report our field service activity promptly each month?
All of us feel a sense of joy when we hear about good things being accomplished in preaching the Kingdom message. (See Proverbs 25:25.) Acts 2:41 reports that following Peter’s stirring discourse on the day of Pentecost, "about three thousand souls were added." A short time later, that number had grown to "about five thousand." (Acts 4:4) How exhilarating those reports must have been to the first-century Christians! We react the same way to encouraging reports today. We are thrilled to hear about the success our brothers enjoy in preaching the good news worldwide.
Since much time and effort are involved in compiling such reports, the cooperation of every Kingdom publisher is essential. Are you conscientious about turning in your report promptly each month?
Reports of increases bring us much joy. Additionally, reports help the Society to monitor the progress of the worldwide work. Decisions have to be made as to where more help may be needed or the type and amount of literature to be produced. Elders in each congregation use field service reports to determine where improvement can be made. Good reports are upbuilding, motivating all of us to examine our own ministry for possible improvements.
All publishers need to appreciate their individual responsibility to turn in a field service report promptly each month. Congregation Book Study conductors are in a good position to remind the publishers of this responsibility, since they are also alert to give personal assistance to those who may have some difficulty sharing in the field service regularly each month. This reminder could be given at the last book study each month or at another appropriate time. If there is no opportunity to turn in field service reports at the Kingdom Hall, the Congregation Book Study conductor can collect them and see that they are given to the secretary in time to be included with the congregation’s regular monthly report to the Society.
Our diligence in faithfully reporting our field service activity promptly makes the load lighter for those responsible for our spiritual well-being.
I noticed that it was until 1997 that the WTS started reminding the rank and file each month to turn in their time. In 1977 publishers were required to turn their time in at the middle of the month and the end of the month.
And as Scully pointed out the WTS says that JWs that don't speak about God and turn in a slip are not witnesses but then in other areas they say they are still part of the flock. Typical speaking out of both sides of their mouth.
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w93 7/15 p. 27 Tenderly Shepherding Jehovah’s Precious Sheep ***In like manner an overseer should have concern for each member of the congregation. Inactivity in the ministry or in attending Christian meetings does not mean that the sheep is no longer part of the flock.
Blondie
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FairMind
I would have no problem with turning in a field service report if it were put forth as a suggestion and a conscience matter. You can catch more flies with sugar than vinegar but the GB seems to think it owns the rank and file and owes them nothing, not even respect.