Posts by quango

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

quango

Does leaving JWs leave every one so bitter? Is it not possible to have any happy memories? Does every single belief , moral , value disintegrate?

"Most actually avoid trying to get Bible studies, probably because that further complicates their already busy JW schedule. " Sorry - that is total rubbish - you know it , I know it!

"I doubt you will find a reputable source to corroborate your "JW's are the fastest growing religion" claim." I've never claimed this , so I won't seek to find any reputable sources!

"1.3% growth is about consistant (sic) with population growth. JW's are baptising primarily family members they birth." Other posters are claiming that few teenagers are being baptised , so I'll let you argue this one. Population growth in Western lands is very low - even static. Allowing for 0.8% death rate , the increase in JWs is 2.1%. That is remarkable in an increasingly secular society.

"Anglicans in my state are pushing for a 10% increase" I'm "pushing" to lose 2 stones in weight next year - aspirations and realities are often different. How are the Anglicans trying to do this? Dumbing down , more tamborines & guitars? How many of the 10% will be active witnesses , preaching the gospel in the streets and how many will be pew-sitters , turing up for the occasional meeting (but boosting the figures). It is far easier to grow from a State base than a global base - Walmart won't grow as much as your corner grocery shop next year.

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

quango

Fair enough Ballistic - I can sympathise with you. Ironically , when I was a young pioneer , I was always happy to drop in on some of the old "biddies" during the day for a cuppa - sadly I don't often have the time to do that nowadays to anywhere like the same extent. I wholeheartedly agree that time spent on the ministry because it can be "counted" should not limit time spent with the brothers.

People do get missed - I often wonder how many ex-witnesses posting on this forum and perhaps quite bitter and opposed now would still be associated if they had been shown more consideration & time when they were going through difficulties.

The classic example is a 50 something sister in my congregation - divorced. She is very zealous & very bright - university educated with a very demanding job. Occasionally she can be quite critical & many of my colleagues regard her as a bit of a loose cannon. I fight her corner in my body of elders - for one thing , often her criticisms have justification and we can learn from that. Secondly , my wife goes home & can moan at me - this sister goes home to an empty house & has no-one. The danger is that sisters like her can end up the "Blondies" of the future.

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

quango

However you try to calculate it , a 1.3% increase on a base of 6 million is pretty good - most organisations and virtually all religions would gag for that kind of return. Where you & I live , the Anglican church and most other religions are in free-fall , yet in the UK we had a 1% increase.

As you know , we do spend much time in caring for our families - I'm playing football (soccer for the benefit of our friends across the pond) with my kids this afternoon. I've lost count of the time I spend on congregation activities , visiting the brothers , caring for the flock. It doesn't absolve me for the need to share the bibles message with others.

Don't forget - ministry has another purpose as well. It draws the family & the brothers together - quality time , whether spent in the field or in the doughnut shop or back at a brothers' home afterward. I'm sorry so many are negative on this forum - we have a vibrant , loving , close congregation who love the service. The experience of most witnesses is the same - very few would regard time spent in ministry as a waste , whatever the tangible results.

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

quango

How is it a "waste" talking to others about the bible? How is it a "waste" telling them about the Kingdom , about Jesus & his father? Was Jesus' efforts or those of the apostles a "waste" of time? ( Should there be an apostrophe after Jesus ?!)

All who have shared in the ministry have had members of other churches telling them that they wish their members had the same zeal or that they themselves had the "guts" to preach. It is an obligation on all Christians to preach and become "fishers of men".

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

quango

I have to concur with David2002 on this one. I've been a congregation secretary in 2 congregations and I personally believe the brothers and sisters substantially under report their ministry. I suspect the real number of hours spent witnessing is probably at least double the reported figure.

To illustrate: an elderly brother in my congregation is in the street work every day , talking to others about the bible. He must do well over 100 per hours per month. His report is 5 hours per month - he simply refuses to count time spent informal witnessing.

Hardly any family head in our congregation books the 4 hours they are allowed to report for family studies. We must have 20 family studies - do the maths yourself!

The comments from various posters on JWD that they "pad" or lie about their reports probably tells more about them than the average genuine witness , who is basically honest. It would be impossible to lie on a report slip on a regular basis - the book study overseer would query an inflated figure.

51

question, need some info

by onetwofour in

.

can some1 explain to me what does the laodicean messenger mean?.

quango

"Part of the difficulty with visiting people is that they live so far apart, and most often are still trying to deal with their own issues after leaving."

Is that not a bit weak , LT? Your former friends & brothers make the effort & put forth much expense & travel many miles to witness , including the long trek to Harris. My knowledge of your former congregation is that it is a very zealous one and has many pioneers. That is commendable , bearing in mind the geographical challenges.

Jesus gave a commission to preach & teach others about him & his father. Rather than introvertedly "deal with issues" , surely the best option is to reach out & talk to others.

51

question, need some info

by onetwofour in

.

can some1 explain to me what does the laodicean messenger mean?.

quango

If it is respect and belief in the bible you are looking for Kep81 , I suggest you have probably come to the wrong place in this forum , as most posters no longer believe in it (with one or two exceptions , like little toe). I suspect that few would make the time or effort to visit you at your house , as most believe that they do not have any obligation to preach.

JWs would argue that asking apostate witnesses for advice would be like asking Judas for information on Jesus - unlikely to get an accurate picture.

Good luck in your journey.

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

quango

My wife's uncle (who regards himself as a prominent apostate) told me back in 1980 that JWs would go ex-growth and that apostates would "soon" organise themselves into a evangelising force. No doubt the same claims will be made in another 10 years time , if this system is still around.

It is often difficult to leave an organisation or relationship without secretly hoping that your ex-employer or ex-wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend (delete as appropriate) goes bust or messes up their lives. Sadly , it usually doesn't happen that way.

51

question, need some info

by onetwofour in

.

can some1 explain to me what does the laodicean messenger mean?.

quango

There isn't a central bible translation body as such - effectively anyone can translate & publish a bible. The New World translation is generally respected , and it does restore God's name in the text.

To be honest , any question you pose here will get a negative response - this is basically a forum for ex-witnesses - so use your judgement when you read the replies.

22

My Family or Thiers?

by Dondi in

i am new to this site and am seeking a little advice from some of your more seasoned veterans.

i met my girlfriend about 7 years ago, when we met we fell in love and 2 years later had a baby and we moved in together.

i brought with me 2 children from a previous marriage and she had one from a previous as well.

quango

"Get custody of the child!"

I rest my case!