Posts by darkspilver

32

Britain in the doldrums!

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

the 2014 - 2015 jw statistics showed a peak publisher decline of 884 with the average publisher tally showing a gain of 183. .

the 2017 yearbook is now available via jw.org and the statistics for britain show a 2016 peak publisher increase of 630 and an average publisher increase of a paltry 26!.

nothing to shout about on the part of the followers of caiaphas in the britain branch.

darkspilver

darkspilver that looks more comprehensive. How did you get that information?

No secret, just from jw.org.....

The congregation search facility on jw.org appears to have two 'limiters' on the results you get - a maximum number and a maximum distance:

Firstly it limits any search to a maximum of 100 results
Secondly it limits search results to a maximum distance - from a quick check this appears to be 100 miles

This means that Nicholaus Kopernicus' 'problem' wasn't a max number of results, but a max distance issue

Remember that the search facility is really only meant to find a congregation meeting in a particular language close to a particular point to which you can travel to and attend - so the limits actually seem generous - WT wants the search facility to have a quick response time, so they don't want to overload the backend with more calculations etc being done than is needed in a 'real-world' situation.

Which also means I've found three more Polish congregations in Britain:

48: Bristol, Polish
49: Paignton, Polish
50: Cheltenham, Polish

32

Britain in the doldrums!

by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

the 2014 - 2015 jw statistics showed a peak publisher decline of 884 with the average publisher tally showing a gain of 183. .

the 2017 yearbook is now available via jw.org and the statistics for britain show a 2016 peak publisher increase of 630 and an average publisher increase of a paltry 26!.

nothing to shout about on the part of the followers of caiaphas in the britain branch.

darkspilver

This high immigration is reflected in the increasing numbers of foreign language groups and congregations in Britain. For example...
Polish - 32

That seems a significant drop post-brexit?

EDIT: I think you've mis-read the jw.org search facility?

This is my list of Polish congregations (excluding groups attached to other congregations)

1: Aberdeen, Polish
2: Bedford, Polish
3: Bicester, Polish
4: Birmingham, Polish
5: Bournemouth, Polish
6: Bracknell, Polish
7: Brighton, Polish
8: Chester, South
9: Corby, Polish Central
10: Coventry, Polish
11: Coventry, Polish
12: Crawley, Polish
13: Dartford, Polish
14: Derby, Polish
15: Edinburgh, Polish
16: Glasgow, Polish North
17: Glasgow, Polish South
18: Hull, Polish
19: Inverness, Polish
20: King's Lynn, Polish
21: Leeds, Polish
22: Leicester, Polish
23: Liverpool, Polish
24: London, Polish Central
25: London, Polish Debden
26: London, Polish East
27: London, Polish Hillingdon
28: London, Polish North
29: London, Polish Southbury
30: London, Polish Streatham
31: London, Polish West
32: London, Polish Wimbledon
33: Luton, Polish
34: Maltby, Polish
35: Manchester, Polish North
36: Manchester, Polish South
37: Milton Keynes, Polish
38: Morley, Polish
39: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Polish
40: Northampton, Polish
41: Nottingham, Polish
42: Peterborough, Polish
43: Rugby, Polish
44: Rugby, Polish
45: Slough, Polish
46: Southampton, Polish
47: West Bromwich, Polish

117

2017 Yearbook released

by bohm in

jw
friends

i saw this on reddit:.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/5mlgsm/2017_yearbook_of_jehovahs_witnesses/.

overall the numbers are better than last year (1.8% growth compared to 1.5% last year -- as i predicted ;-) ) with an increase in all major figures including 1300 more congregations (i assume this is not physical kingdom halls?).

darkspilver

From the 2015 to 2016 Service Years there was an increase of average publishers reporting of 145,079.

Which countries had the highest increase (and decrease) in the average number of publishers reporting between 2015 and 2016?....

The Top 10 Gainers were: Congo DR; Brazil; Mexico; Zambia; Angola; Malawi; Venezuela; Ghana; Ecuador; and Nigeria.

And just missing out on a Top Ten place was USA which was in 11th place

The Bottom 10 Losers were: Russia; Poland; Ukraine; Japan; Cuba; Hungary; Puerto Rico; Jamaica; Republic of Korea; and Romania.

And just missing out on a Bottom Ten place was Canada which was in 11th place

Here are the charts - link to original full-size

Here are the charts - link to original full-size

20

Faith to Faithless XJW event London, UK

by Fe2O3Girl in

description.

we often come across jehovah's witnesses near station entrances and at our front doors, but we never hear about what happens when they leave.

if you're near london, uk, faith to faithless are doing their first ever event at kings college london, and their first ex jw panel!.

darkspilver

Please post the pictures.

Apparently they hope to video the event - which takes place on Tuesday evening 10 January 2017 at King’s College in London WC2R 2LS - and place it all on youtube:

https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/5ii2pq/in_london_faith_to_faithless_our_doing_our_first/

In the meantime, there is this from an earlier Faith to Faithless event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC7g51hWDy4

44

Update to UK “Child Safeguarding Policy”

by wifibandit in

a known poster on this site (anon) says:.

i have just received a text from an elder i've known for decades in my circuit who has some sympathy for my feelings and who is aware of the arc, the uk charity commission, etc., etc.

here it is verbatim, and my reply.

darkspilver

I do believe that this policy is going to be presented to the UK Charity Commission, to either resolve any concerns that Commission has with their policy or face their continued investigation.

What makes you think it hasn't already?

Regarding dealing with cases of child abuse, the WT has history with the Charity Commission, and the Charity Commission has form with the WT.

It is with great thanks to Barbara Anderson, who has fully researched the matter, that we know the history behind this document:

http://watchtowerdocuments.org/watchtowers-child-safeguarding-policy-great-britain-ireland-uk/

In 2010 the UK Charity Commission required the WATCH TOWER SOCIETY OF BRITAIN to furnish a CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY statement... In February 2011 such a document was made available

Again, through Barbara Anderson's valuable research, we now know that, due to one of the cases leading up to the above, the Charity Commission themselves took direct action against specific WT Directors/Trustess:

The result of the scandal and the complaints to the Commission was the removal by the Commission of three prominent directors on the WATCH TOWER’S Board of Trustees, who lived and worked at headquarters.

I would think that the actual removal of Trustees by the Charity Commission would be a 'last resort' option? and not something they would do quickly, or without enough evidence.

Therefore I would expect that the Charity Commission, in it's official regulatory role would 'keep-an-eye' on the WT, and, even if they're not exactly happy with, then they'd at least be somewhat 'satisfied' with the WT's Child Safeguarding Policy document as currently presented, or they would get them to change - it's been nearly six years since it was first published, how long does the Charity Commission need to rise any concerns with it?

44

Update to UK “Child Safeguarding Policy”

by wifibandit in

a known poster on this site (anon) says:.

i have just received a text from an elder i've known for decades in my circuit who has some sympathy for my feelings and who is aware of the arc, the uk charity commission, etc., etc.

here it is verbatim, and my reply.

darkspilver

I have been involved in child welfare through sport for many years. Every adequate Child Welfare policy emphasises one key point...
If you become aware of an allegation of child abuse you WILL contact the police or social services. If a child doesn't want you to contact the police you will still contact the police. You should also inform the child welfare officer of your local club or national sport governing body. However this is secondary to your requirement to inform the police or social services.

The Child Protection in Sport Unit has the (financial) support of Sport England

https://www.sportengland.org/our-work/national-partners/child-protection-in-sport-unit/

The CPSU has procedure flowcharts outlining the safeguarding reporting procedures for

1. About the behaviour of the organisation’s staff member or volunteer
2. About the behaviour of another organisation’s staff member or volunteer
3. About children and young people arising out of sport (e.g. within the family at home, at school or in the community)

Looking at the WT's 2012 Policy (Section 8) - it would seem that WT is effectively calling the Elders in the individual congregations 'members of staff', and the trained 'Safeguarding Elders' at the Branch Office, the 'Safeguarding Lead Officer/s'.

https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/2014/outline-safeguarding-reporting-procedure-concerns/
https://thecpsu.org.uk/download/media/2473/outline-case-managament-flowcharts-final-oct14.pdf

44

Update to UK “Child Safeguarding Policy”

by wifibandit in

a known poster on this site (anon) says:.

i have just received a text from an elder i've known for decades in my circuit who has some sympathy for my feelings and who is aware of the arc, the uk charity commission, etc., etc.

here it is verbatim, and my reply.

darkspilver

I have just received a text from an elder I've known for decades in my circuit who has some sympathy for my feelings and who is aware of the ARC, the UK charity commission, etc., etc. Here it is verbatim, and my reply.
"New document about CAbuse. Any member of Cong can ask to see it. Says elders to tell police. Much more in line with real world."
My reply: "Glad to see Satan's wicked legal system forcing change. Shame we can't do it without outside pressure."

Having compared the 2012 and the latest 2017 versions, there appears to be no change regarding reporting to the police? Am I missing something?

2012: [14] A report to the police or other appropriate authorities will be made immediately by the congregation elders if it is determined that a child is still at risk. vi
2017: [13} A report to the police or other appropriate authorities will be made immediately by the congregation elders if it is determined that a child is still at risk. v

I've done a side-by-side comparision of the 2012 and the 2017 versions - if anyone is interested you can view it here

First page sample below:

Side-by-side comparision - all six pages

2012 Version: http://www.silentlambs.org/documents/slukChild_Safeguarding_PolicyJan12.pdf

2017 Version: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4oXVPm4nrmfQ2twLUI2T0toekE/view

12

WT sells branch in Hong Kong for 65M

by Viva la Vida in

jw
friends

http://www.savills.com.hk/_news/article/574/141879-0/12/2015/savills-appointed-sole-agent-for-the-tender-sale-of-12-and-14-kent-road--kowloon-tong.

savills appointed sole agent for the tender sale of 12 & 14 kent road, kowloon tong.

the two-storey property at 14 kent road has a site area and saleable area of 10,771 sq ft and 4,303 sq ft respectively.

darkspilver

How many carts has Anon seen? One, at lunchtime; and it was there for less than 2 hours.

Interesting, is this a change? a directive they've had? - this is from a post three month ago......

scratchme1010
In Hong Kong, however, I noticed that they were a lot more and in a lot more places where I wouldn't think I would see JWs with their carts.
......
Also, there were some people from some kind of Christian denomination singing with guitars and other instruments, and the JW cart was right next to them. They looked as if they were part of the other group.
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5636342727835648/cart-witnessing-hong-kong

7

2017 regional convention dates British Columbia

by hoser in

jw
friends

anybody know dates and locations of conventions in bc this year?.

darkspilver

English - 16 to 18 June 2017
South Okanagan Events Centre
853 Eckhardt Avenue W, Penticton BC V2A 9C4

English - 23 to 25 June 2017
Sandman Centre
300 Lorne Street, Kamloops BC V2C 1W1

Chinese (Cantonese) - 7 to 9 July 2017
Greater Vancouver Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
15577 82nd Avenue, Surrey BC V3S 2K8

English - 7 to 9 July 2017
CN Centre
2187 Ospika Blvd S, Prince George BC V2N 6Z1

Chinese (Mandarin) - 14 to 16 July 2017
Greater Vancouver Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
15577 82nd Avenue, Surrey BC V3S 2K8

English - 21 to 23 July 2017
Rogers Arena
800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver BC V6B 6G1

The Convention held weekend of 21 to 23 July will be partly tied in with the Special Convention that takes place in Toronto on the same dates: https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5695993188188160/_post/6018766154498048

21

REVEALED: The number of Bethelites over the years

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

in response to this thread.

i've put forward the argument that i believe that the 'organization' is financially effectively bleeding itself dry - it is actually financially imploding.. i believe that over the last 45 or so years, in particular, it has evolved from a relatively 'lean machine' into what is now a huge unwieldy organization.

as an organization grows i would expect increased efficiency through by both economies of scale, and advances in technology.. how has the watchtower organization fared?....

darkspilver

Thanks.

Good points

I fully understand your concern regarding the question of who actually counts as a 'Bethelite' - that is a full-time member of the Bethel Family - with the above figures I've listed above.

The number has been listed annually in the Yearbook (in the Grand Totals page/chart) since the 2006 yearbook - the number is listed as being "a total of XX,XXX ordained ministers staff the branch facilities."

I understand that Bethel is VERY hierarchical and specific with reference to what you are - ie are you an 'actual' member of the Bethel Family. I understood from those that have worked full-time on construction projects alongside working Bethels, including international, they had to be 'careful' - although the congregation they were assigned to viewed them as Bethel Family, they were not! they were construction.

Also note the language used below

Awake 22 December 2000, page 19
Truly, it is remarkable that the number of branch offices has increased from one a hundred years ago to 109 today that serve the needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 234 lands. And to think that these are staffed by some 13,000 dedicated Christian volunteers! Surely, their work along with that of the some 5,500 volunteers associated with the Society’s headquarters has been vital to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus Christ that ‘this good news of God’s Kingdom would be preached in all the inhabited earth before the end comes.’—Matthew 24:14.

I haven't included the 13,000 in my table (as it is not precise) but it fits for the number of Bethelites - notice WT makes a clear distinction with 'volunteers associated with the Society's headquarters' - they're not 'Family'.

The numbers (references for which I got from the two WT Index Books under the heading 'Bethel Families') are spoken of by WT in a variety of terms - but all indicate to me that they refer to full-time Bethelites. Apart from the 2007 to 2015 references (with the wording as listed above) the others I used are:

Yearbook 1991, page 9
The full-time ministers who serve at Bethel help keep the publishers in their country organized for Kingdom-preaching and well supplied with literature. In 1980 the worldwide Bethel family numbered 5,039; ten years later the figure is 11,092.

Yearbook 1987, page 11-12
the 8,920 volunteers who serve in the Bethel families

Yearbook 1985, page 58-59
the Society increased the number of Bethel family members by 9.9 percent, for a total of 7,233 worldwide.

Yearbook 1984, page 8
Working at the Society’s headquarters and other factories, offices and farms are 6,582 members of Bethel families.

Yearbook 1981, page 14
During 1980, 5,039 volunteer workers staffed the 98 branch facilities

Yearbook 1979, page 10
At the Brooklyn headquarters there are 1,825 members in the Bethel family, and, together with the 646 serving at Watchtower Farms, we now have a total of 2,471. Earth wide there are upward of 3,000 who enjoy this special privilege of Bethel service. All of them share in preaching the good news of the Kingdom in association with the congregations to which they are assigned.

Yearbook 1977, page 10
Around the world Jehovah’s Witnesses have 97 branch offices. Working in these branch offices there are upward of 3,000 members of Bethel families. The largest group is located at the international headquarters in Brooklyn, New York

Yearbook 1976, page 259
In addition, the Society has operated 96 branch offices, where 3,734 members serve.

Yearbook 1975, page 258
In addition to these expenditures, there were expenses for the upkeep of the Bethel homes, where there are 3,307 persons who work in offices, kitchens, laundries, housekeeping and in the manufacturing of literature—all to further the preaching of the good news

Yearbook 1974, page 255
In addition to these full-time workers that were assisted, we have 2,733 members of the Bethel family working in 95 branch offices.

Yearbook 1973, page 256
The Society, with the help of 2,590 members of the Bethel family in 95 branches, is well prepared to see that everyone has plenty of Bible literature.

Watchtower 1 June 1971, page 335
Additionally, 2,304 served throughout the world as full-time ministers at the Society’s 93 offices producing literature and supervising the ministry of Jehovah’s witnesses.

Yearbook 1970, page 79
Families such as this are found in the 94 branch offices around the world. The other branch offices are not nearly as large as the one in Brooklyn, but all of them are doing the same kind of work. The members of all the Bethel families throughout the world total 2,126.

Yearbook 1969, page 61
World wide there are well over 1,800 individuals

Yearbook 1968, page 286
We also have 1,717 members of the Bethel family working in the 96 branches throughout the world. This is an increase over last year's membership of 1,591.

Yearbook 1967, page 319
In addition to all these full-time workers, we have 1,591 brothers and sisters working in Bethel homes around the world in 95 branches. This is grand!

Yearbook 1965, page 531
Some 1,500 Christian ministers are privileged to serve in what are known as Bethel homes, which are attached to branch offices

Yearbook 1965, page 271
Additionally, the Society operated the Bethel homes where 1,461 full-time workers were employed.

Yearbook 1963, page 49
There are 1,423 members of the Bethel families living at the eighty-seven branch offices of the Watch Tower Society.

Yearbook 1962, page 42
In order to keep up with the world-wide demand for literature the Bethel families have grown to 1,376 members in number.

Yearbook 1961, page 30
In these main offices of supervision known as Bethel homes there are 1,299 ordained Christian ministers working.

Watchtower 1 January 1960, page 25
At the eighty-five branches throughout the world there are large and small Bethel families, and in this group there are 1,236 persons