daniel-p - You're right, but it sounded from stilla's description as something more than just a local needs thing. I do recall several years ago giving the non-servants a "pep talk" about reaching out. But it was a local needs part that was followed up by a 1/2 meeting conducted by 2 elders. The result from the guilt trip? Nothing changed!
Doubting Bro
JoinedPosts by Doubting Bro
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26
Meeting for baptized brothers only???
by cinnamon1642 inrecently they made an announcement at our hall that there would be a meeting for all baptized brothers only, no matter how young or old, or whether you are serving or not.
any baptized brother.
one of the elders wives said there is a 45 minute outline from the branch and then another 15 minute part.
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Doubting Bro
Dan - your in our thoughts. So sorry for your loss.
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Meeting for baptized brothers only???
by cinnamon1642 inrecently they made an announcement at our hall that there would be a meeting for all baptized brothers only, no matter how young or old, or whether you are serving or not.
any baptized brother.
one of the elders wives said there is a 45 minute outline from the branch and then another 15 minute part.
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Doubting Bro
Stilla, did you guys already have it. I haven't heard a peep about such a meeting here. Sounds riveting, NOT. Was it covered like the lame outline given by the CO to the servants or the annual pioneer meeting? We just had a CO visit about a month ago and nothing was mentioned.
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NEW KM style
by stillajwexelder inthe january km is completely different.
the style has been totally revamped
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Doubting Bro
SBF - I hear what you're saying. You make a good point about the progression. However, why on earth would they now allow wives to count 4 hours a month for the family study in addition to the 4 hours the husband can count? I suspected it was to boost the numbers but why do that if you're going to drop the requirement? That just doesn't seem to fit into the pattern that you described.
What about pioneers & aux pioneers? They have specific hour requirements that while they have dropped over the years still need to be measured.
I recall being told more than once that the whole purpose of the congregation was to preach. I disagree with that statement after actually reading the New Testament since James and Paul seem to indicate to me that the congregation is there as a support mechanism for believers which is the mainstream view of Christianity. Remember, you can't manage what you don't measure and the point of the reporting was to make sure that everyone is engaging in the "life saving preaching work".
I'm not saying it can't happen and agree with your overall point of view that the religion is in the midst of a major transformation. It has to morph to maintain any growth. But the timing is strange because it seems the numbers have been up the past couple of years.
Dropping the reporting requirements would be the biggest cultural change within JWs that has happened in my close to 40 (ouch) years.It would turn the focus from an external top line growth prospective to an internal bottom line retention effort. I personally think that's what they need to do to remain viable and certainly think that the Mormons provide a great template on how to run a large, high-control religion and I think that's exactly what they did.
Sir82 - Interesting on the letter but if they're not going to print the stats in the KM, I guess I can see why they moved the report from the 6th to the 20th. That will certainly hurt the Aug peak giving another 2 weeks to hound the publishers to put in a report.
Another point, maybe they're losing so much money on printing literature, that they want less distribution? Therefore, no need for the endless door knocking to "place" magazines.
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NEW KM style
by stillajwexelder inthe january km is completely different.
the style has been totally revamped
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Doubting Bro
Sir82 - The CO visit could likely keep the BOEs updated on what an "exemplary publisher" means in terms of hours. Also, tradition dictates that 10 hours is the right number although the national average in the US has been around 9 for some time (at least the last time I looked).
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NEW KM style
by stillajwexelder inthe january km is completely different.
the style has been totally revamped
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Doubting Bro
SBF - They are still reporting figures, just not the level of detail that was done in the past. In the US version, it talks about a pioneer peak with specific numbers. Plus, I haven't seen any evidence that they still won't generate an annual report as in the past. Even if they drop it, the monthly reporting is a vital aspect of keeping witnesses busy with preaching. I'm sure you've perhaps even made the statement that you needed to go out on the last weekend of the month to "get your time". Finally, the monthly report is the single most important "qualification" when reviewing someone for appoint to a MS or elder. That is the first thing that the BOE looks at when a person's name is mentioned. Then, if married, the wife's card is pulled. If you're not getting above the national average (at least here in the US), then you are dropped from consideration immediately. Sorry, I see Sir82 made the same point.
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Southpark episode on Morman's
by wha happened? inthe end of the show had a very interesting comment on the lds that reminded me of jw's: .
"look, maybe us mormons do believe in crazy stories that make absolutely no sense, and maybe joseph smith did make it all up, but i have a great life.
and a great family, and i have the book of mormon to thank for that.
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Doubting Bro
Dead on. Although, you could probably apply the same logic to most religions.
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NEW KM style
by stillajwexelder inthe january km is completely different.
the style has been totally revamped
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Doubting Bro
Got mine yesterday. I was talking with the service overseer about the change in format and the fact that we could barely read it because the font is so small. I immediately pointed out that the monthly stats weren't printed and he seemed a bit surprised. I said, oh they must be trying to save space to get everything on 4 pages. Actually, I think that's a big part of it. They can print the whole thing on 1 sheet of paper (4 pages front & back). Remember, at this point everything is about saving money. I doubt they quit taking monthly reporting. Its the reason why most even bother to go in service. If they dump the monthly reporting, the service groups will get even smaller. I'm sure the secretary would love it but I just don't see it happening anytime soon.
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No More Publisher Numbers
by GermanXJW inaccording to a report on the german xjw-board: http://forum.sektenausstieg.net/index.php?topic=13367.msg391400#msg391400 the german kingdom ministry for february 09 does not contain a supplement with the publisher figures.
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furthermore, it does not contain the monthly report for the first month of the service year 2009 (sep 08) as it used to in the past.sixty years.. this may indicate that the wts is not that transparent with their publishers numbers any more if they are not even doing away with it.. can anyone confirm from other countries?.
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Doubting Bro
Speaking of the yearbook, I was told by the PO (COBOE now) that it was going to be made available on jw.org for download. Not sure if its a pdf or just an audio version. On topic, the exclusion of monthly number reporting in the KM would be a very big deal. Its hard to believe simply because the WTS is so obsessed with numbers. It will interesting to see there was something specific to Germany or if its being rolled out worldwide. I don't have my Jan KM yet but I agree with the poster that pointed out Feb is a strange time to quit reporting. The Jan KM has the Sept numbers (start of the fiscal, er, service year). You would think that would be a good time to drop the reporting if that's what they want to do. Very interesting.
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So, is it true they are going to do away with CO's??
by Quirky1 ini remember a thread awhile back regarding this question.
can anyone confirm?
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Doubting Bro
I don't remember seeing any letters posted here. Can some post a link because I can't find them. I see notes from folks "in the know" but that's it. I do tend to believe that the rumors have some truth to them but only time will tell. I think they will restructure to limit their liability and reduce overall costs. In my opinion, its just a matter of when.