i think the gb needs to expand publishers' volunteer activities beyond door knocking.. gb has shifted away from door-knocking to more varied forms of witnessing and no longer counting time for publishers.
my prediction is that the gb will start encouraging jws to participate in broader community volunteer efforts: clean-up drives, food banks, senior citizen support, and other non-proselytizing activities.
this move could help them gain goodwill with government agencies and the public.. expanding volunteer activities could significantly shift how jws are perceived by the wider community.
Not that I read the Bible or religious anymore, but Jesus cared for people's physical needs (food and healing), dealt with the environment (storms, trees, fish), and hung out with marginalized people.
The GB could use these examples (not that they need to...can simply say, "GB has decided..." ha ha) to roll out the ok for an expanded volunteer service.
i think the gb needs to expand publishers' volunteer activities beyond door knocking.. gb has shifted away from door-knocking to more varied forms of witnessing and no longer counting time for publishers.
my prediction is that the gb will start encouraging jws to participate in broader community volunteer efforts: clean-up drives, food banks, senior citizen support, and other non-proselytizing activities.
this move could help them gain goodwill with government agencies and the public.. expanding volunteer activities could significantly shift how jws are perceived by the wider community.
I think the GB needs to expand publishers' volunteer activities beyond door knocking.
GB has shifted away from door-knocking to more varied forms of witnessing and no longer counting time for publishers. What's next? My prediction is that the GB will start encouraging JWs to participate in broader community volunteer efforts: clean-up drives, food banks, senior citizen support, and other non-proselytizing activities. This move could help them gain goodwill with government agencies and the public.
Expanding volunteer activities could significantly shift how JWs are perceived by the wider community. It might also alter the internal culture, offering members new ways to fulfill their spiritual and social needs.
What do you think?
Would expanded volunteer work impact the JW identity?
Could this shift alter public perception about the organization?
there's been a lot of discussion about the changes in the org.
you might think all this would shake things up, especially for the older or super dedicated jws.
but remember when gb decided all the khs and the bank accounts needed to be transferred/managed from the top?
OP I agree Watchtowers land grabbing of kingdom halls etc was an outrageous stunt that should have caused massive outcry.
The fact it didn't has more to do with the fact so much of that sort of thing is kept from ordinary JWs.
You're correct. The property and bank account transfers weren't widely known. I suppose most JWs don't pay attention to motions that are passed or paperwork posted on the information board.
I guess my thinking is that while some JWs won't like changes, the majority (whether they like them or not) will accept whatever the GB announces.
I don't think it is that difficult for most JWs. Regardless of how much the GB controls their lives, the rank and file just want to be happy and content; and whenever the GB grants a few allowances, the members will eat it up. A few people will grumble, but I don't think it will cause a major schism.
there's been a lot of discussion about the changes in the org.
you might think all this would shake things up, especially for the older or super dedicated jws.
but remember when gb decided all the khs and the bank accounts needed to be transferred/managed from the top?
There's been a lot of discussion about the changes in the org.
You might think all this would shake things up, especially for the older or super dedicated JWs. But remember when GB decided all the KHs and the bank accounts needed to be transferred/managed from the top? That was huge, talking about a lot of property and dollars changing hands. But did we see a big split? Nope. And here's why I think that happened.
JWs have a strong sense of unity, built up over years. So, even if some rank and file member needs a minute to get used to new ideas, in the end, they stick together. I believe whatever changes come next, the same thing will happen. Sure, not everyone's going to be on board right away every time. But they’ve been through changes before and stayed tight.
I'd love to hear what you all think: Do you think the R&F, will stick together “in unity” like always, or are you spotting some bumps in the road?
hey folks, .
it’s been a long time since i’ve posted, good to see the forum well attended & spicy as ever.
this just in from a close & trusted source, names & local places redacted for obvious reasons:.
This letter has been read to nurses in the central Arkansas, US area. A lot of JW nurses here. This has caused some stress for a few.
this notice is not official yet and it should be confidential until released thru the proper channels.
a friend of mine told me about a huge elders meeting in southern california.
the subject was the relocation and dissolution of some congregations; it seems that this is the result of some project that has been going on for some time and is going to be implemented right now.. please let me know if this is happening all over the country?.
The Branch is looking at every KH, Assembly Hall, living space for Special Pioneers, and any other property (at least in the southern U.S.). LDCs are meeting to discuss consolidation, maintenance, eliminating redundancies, etc.
if you don't already know this; the latest revision of the insight book has no mention of the "overlapping generation" bs online library, insight book .
obviously that change will not bee seen by the vast majority of people, so when will this "brighter light" shine through in a wt or assembly talk?
predictions?.
the annual meeting of the governing body of jehovah's witnesses will be in october 2014.. .. in november 2013, just after the last one they published this now famous statement in the 15th of november 2013 watchtower page 16 paragraph 17 says:.
"at that time, the lifesaving direction that we receive from jehovahs organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint.
all of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.".
Changes to field service. I posted about it earlier this year...thought it would be released this summer, bad guesstimate. Look for changes announced at Annual Meeting broadcast; doubt it will be during the Branch meeting since this will only be for U.S. territory.
a minny man in a local congregation has a beard...he was bullied by the elders to remove it.. then the co came along and told the elders to allow him to keep his beard.
(not as the result of any skin condition or anything).. i kid you not!!!.
what do you make of that?.
Thanks for posting that pic Tim Hooper. I know women acted in the capacity of congregation servant, but surprised to see one attending the school. Did your dad ever say how the elders felt about her attending?
Do any elders at London branch have beards today?
a minny man in a local congregation has a beard...he was bullied by the elders to remove it.. then the co came along and told the elders to allow him to keep his beard.
(not as the result of any skin condition or anything).. i kid you not!!!.
what do you make of that?.
It definitely varies from UK to U.S.
I wonder about parts of Africa. My family took a picture with an African delegate at the international convention in Arlington, TX. The delegate had a beard. This was surprising to me. I thought the foreign delegates had a dress code. Are beats ok in parts of Africa?
That question sounds so strange to me... "Are beards Ok?" Gotta be a high control group.
