At the convention I heard frequent references to Pioneer Elder blahblahblah.
It's not enough to be called an elder if you are pioneering it seems. The higher status should be advertised.
Splash
Posts by Splash
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4Oh, The Irony (vol 2)
by Splash inthis was telling from a recent wt:.
w06 9/1 p. 4 religionwhat good does it do?.
you have probably noticed that many clergymen today use religion to elevate themselves with high-sounding titles and to obtain money from their flocks.
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I got asked THE QUESTION !!
by Tech49 ina little experience that happened very recently:.
another brother, an elder, and i were talking, i was explaining to him and giving him several examples of how a couple of the elders in our congregation were blatantly trying to run their own show, parading themselves around as "representatives" of the body, when the other brothers didnt know what the hell they were talking about.
they are using their "elder powers" to bully and push people around, causing a bit of angst and hurt feelings.
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Splash
Until the revision to the FDS teaching in July 2013, it used to be taught that all members of the anointed and other sheep were under the ownership of the FDS, since they were appointed over them all in 1919 (w09 2/15 p.24 par.3)
Now that is no longer the case.
As such you can reply that the GB have not been appointed over us yet - they have not been insepcted and rewarded. Until that happens, Jesus wouldn't want us to put our full faith in anyone else but himself, and test everything we are taught.
Splash
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Oh, The Irony (vol 2)
by Splash inthis was telling from a recent wt:.
w06 9/1 p. 4 religionwhat good does it do?.
you have probably noticed that many clergymen today use religion to elevate themselves with high-sounding titles and to obtain money from their flocks.
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Splash
No comments from a year ago.
Maybe it was before it's time, but it seems topical now seeing that September will have the Governing Body asking UK congregations for more money for the new bethel.
Splash.
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2014 Distict Convention. Symposium: Anticipate Future Kingdom Blessings! (part 6 "New Scrolls")
by Splash intranscript of the talk from the 2014 uk district convention (aug 2014).. sunday morning.. symposium: anticipate future kingdom blessings!
(part 6 "new scrolls").
(speaker not known).
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Splash
Transcript of the talk from the 2014 UK District convention (Aug 2014).
Sunday morning.
Symposium: Anticipate Future Kingdom Blessings! (part 6 "New Scrolls")(speaker not known)
The Green Cross Code road safety guide has been successful in saving many lives.
Just imagine if you had the 18th century pedestrian road safety guide in today's environment. A guide that was prepared for facing horses and carts, compared to the speed of a modern motor vehicle.
Yes, as events change new instructions are required.Throughout history, Jehovah has always guided his people with appropriate decisions to save lives. For example in Moses day some three and a half thousand years ago, God gave detailed laws that meant life for those ancient Israelites. The reason? An event changed.
For more than two hundred years earlier those Israelites had served as Egyptian slaves. Now, they were free. An event changed and new instructions were required.Moving forward to the first century, the birth of the new Christian era. That brought about new instructions for example in preaching and conduct. Prior to those instructions for Christianity, alien residents were welcome to come to Israel to find true worship, but under these new instructions true Christians were to go, go to all nations preaching about the kingdom. In that way we see that it wouldn't be confined to a small pond of natural Jews, but rather to the entire sea of mankind.
Secondly conduct. The new instructions were based on John 13 to love one another as Jesus loved us. This was love without limits. It was love that required the giving of one's own life in behalf of another, something that the Mosaic law never required.
Today we are blessed with a wonderful understanding of Jehovah's word. In line with prophecy true knowledge has indeed become abundant, and we're ever so grateful living in the time of the end. Bible instruction is here, ready to be applied.
So what of the future? Will we receive new instructions in the new world? Well the precedent's been set, hasn't it. When events changed for the Israelites, moving from slavery to freedom, new instructions were given. When events changed with the birth of Christianity new instructions were given. We just shortly face the greatest event change in the whole of mankind's history. A new world order, and new instructions will be required.
The logic is clear and so is scripture. Please turn to our theme scripture, Revelation 20 and verse 12. The context here is a vision of future kingdom blessings during the thousand year reign. But note the instruction in Revelation twenty twelve: "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds."
Did you note that new scrolls, new instructions, were given in addition to our present day Bibles.
Evidently, these scrolls will tell us what Jehovah wants for us during that thousand year reign. Yes indeed there will be regulations, there'll be guidance, there'll be commandments for us to benefit from, but also those new scrolls will give us a further insight into the mind of Jehovah God. Sure you'll agree we still have so much to learn and so much to prepare for.
When might you reflect on these future kingdom blessings? Please note how two elders conclude a shepherding visit.
(demonstration)
Elder 1: Also Pam, can we commend you for thirty three years as a kingdom publisher, and this last six months as a regular auxiliary pioneer.
Elder 2: Yes, I must say that as someone who has established a fine reputation for learning and applying Bible direction in your life, even when it's a real challenge to do so.
Pam: Well thank you for your kind comments. It's true I find it challenging sometimes but I try not to view things negatively. I think what's helped me is learning more about Jehovah and reading about faithful ones. I've also benefitted from the loving reminders from Jehovah's organisation in making my choices. (inaudible)
Elder 2: Your self-sacrificing spirit is really evident, in fact you really remind me of the faithful women of old.
Pam: Oh, thanks Mark. It has been helpful to consider such ones as Ruth and Naomi who stayed firm during their hardships. They were able to do so because they heeded Jehovah's reminders. Likewise I enjoy learning about Jehovah's (inaudible) and His guidance from His word.
Elder 2: Oh, that's really interesting Pam. Have you ever thought that this is only the start of Jehovah's guidance, because in the new system there will be those new scrolls that will help us to learn even more about Jehovah and his purpose?
Elder 1: Ah yes, Mark is actually referring to Revelation 20 and verse 12 there. The context is the thousand year reign in paradise. Shall we have a look at that together? It's Revelation 20 and verse 12. It says "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds." You know it's interesting that our publications indicate that the opening of these scrolls evidently refers to Jehovah giving detailed instructions to all mankind during that thousand year reign. These scrolls are likely to be published to everyone, including many that are actually resurrected. How people respond to the content of these scrolls will actually determine whether their names are written in the scroll of life or not.
Pam: I see what you mean. With wickedness gone you require new updated direction because we're living in a new world.
Elder 2: Oh, you've really got the point there Pam because, no doubt in the new scrolls there will be rules, but there will also be principles that will give us guidance on how to live our lives in a world that is finally free of Satanic influence. And when that happens can you think how your past record will help you then?
Pam: I'm not really sure what you mean Mark.
Elder 2: Well because of your past application of Bible principles in all aspects of your life even when it's been a real challenge, this will make it easier for you to apply the instructions in the new scrolls, because you've set a pattern of godly direction. And just think, in that wonderful new era of divine guidance there will be so many blessings for all those who do Jehovah's will whole heartedly.
Pam: I can hardly wait.
(Back to speaker)
Thank you. (audience applause)So what is the application of Revelation 20 verse 12, for you and I?
We are to use our imagination. See yourself there during Christ's millennial reign. See yourself with other believers involved in a worldwide extensive education campaign directed by our king, Jesus Christ, guided by ever increasing instruction from Jehovah's word and the new scrolls. Learning more about our all wise and loving God. Where all humans will be in a world where they are treated with love, respect and dignity. Did you note in verse 12 as well, to see your name there, as Revelation 20 promises everlasting life for those who maintain integrity through that final test. To see your name, yes, your name written by Jehovah God Himself, permanently in the scroll of life.
Do you recall our introduction?
The Green Cross Code is successful because physically it calls for us to stop, look and listen. Spiritual success calls for the same. We must take time out of our busy, everyday schedules to stop, look and listen. Take time to anticipate those future kingdom blessings, because for those who are constantly spiritually alert at present, they will receive the new scrolls of the future.
(end)
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All the craziness of the blood doctrine.
by Crazyguy inwell it looks like the wt was slowly moving away from the blood ban going back to the 1990's but not sure of some things i have read concerning thier comments about blood moving through the placenta?.
that some protein fractions from the plasma do move naturally into the blood system of another individual (the fetus) may be another consideration when a christian is deciding whether he will accept immune globulin, albumin, or similar injections of plasma fractions.
one person may feel that he in good conscience can; another may conclude that he cannot.
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Splash
Not wanting to derail the OP's question, but I'll just throw in that when the baby is born it literally eats 'banned' blood products (white cells) when it first suckles on its' mother.
At the same time, if that same baby needed white cells from any other method, it would not be allowed them.
Sane?
Splash
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Fudging the Numbers: Is the WTBTS in decline?
by Coded Logic init's no secret that the wtbts has a cash flow problem.
over the past three years they have closed 20 of their 116 branches.
they have sold off most of their properties in and around ny (including some kingdom halls), drastically reduced the # of printed pages for the watchtower and awake magazines, reduced the printing of books and other materials, increased the number of single page tract campagnes, installed cc machines at their assembly halls, and are now seizing of controll of property assets from local kingdom halls using renovation projects.
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Splash
Watchtower-Free Branch closings last 3 years... (list of 41 branches)
The 2010 yearbook says there were 118 branches in 2009. This is the highest number of branches in any yearly report.
The 2014 yearbook says there were 91 branches in 2013.
This gives a total of 27 closed branches according to the yearbooks.Why the discrepancy? What about the 'missing' 14 branches?
Splash
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Sept 1 service meeting mystery revealed
by Saltheart Foamfollower inthe letter has appeared at last - just for uk.
it is a money grab for the new bethel which has been approved.
there is a video to be shown - just watched it - brief summary of uk bethels, why current one is too small, why we need money to build a new one.
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Splash
If questions are allowed at the end of the item, put up your hand and ask
"When we need money from the Society they give us a loan that we pay back. Can we do the same, and give them a loan that they can pay back once the London bethel is sold?"
Splash
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The long weekend of B.S begins - UK.
by quellycatface inisn't going to be wonderful??.
not being there..
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Splash
Final figures for England:
Total Sunday attendance - 149,174
Total baptized - 787
Ratio - 0.53%
Splash
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2014 MEMORIAL ATTENDANCES FOR REST OF THE WORLD
by steve2 inthe october kingdom ministry for the united states reported the 2014 memorial attendances for the us branch office that has subsequently been well discussed in a separate thread.
in that thread, a poster asserted that in some parts of europe the attendance had been higher than last year - but to date no source evidence has been provided.. so, have memorial attendances for other parts of the world been reported in any of the publications such as kingdom ministryyet?.
if so, could you direct me to the source(s).
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Splash
Due to the efforts and spin around 2014, this year and next will turn in some impressive increases.
Unless they can maintain this level of hyped up activity, I would expect a noticable downturn in the 2015-2016 report.
Splash
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Looking for details about the Org , property ownership and not a religion in Mexico
by Crazyguy ini was unable to find any details on this on jwfacts, anyone have details on the wt not being a religion so they could instead own property?.
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Splash
*** yb95 pp. 211-213 Mexico *** (edited)
However, there were obstacles because of the restrictions that the law imposed on all religions. Objections were raised to the house-to-house activity of the Witnesses, since the law stipulated that ‘every religious act of public worship must be held inside the temples.’ For the same reason, objections were raised to our conventions in public places. Owning property also presented problems, because the law required that every building used for religious purposes had to become federal property.
For these and other reasons, the Society decided that it would be wise to reorganize, with a view to giving greater emphasis to the educational nature of our work. Therefore, on June 10, 1943, application was made to the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs to register La Torre del Vigía as a civil society, and this was approved on June 15, 1943.
With this rearrangement, singing at our meetings was discontinued, and the meeting places became known as Halls for Cultural Studies. No audible prayers were said at meetings, though nothing could prevent a person from saying an earnest prayer silently in his heart. Every appearance of a religious service was avoided, and truly our meetings are designed for education. When Witnesses in other lands began to call their local groups “congregations,” the Witnesses in Mexico kept on using the term “companies.” House-to-house visits by the Witnesses continued, but direct use of the Bible at doors was avoided.
*** yb95 p. 233 Mexico ***
In 1989, with the approval of the Governing Body, a letter was written to all the “companies” saying that as of April 1, we would be operating in Mexico as a religious organization.
During this same time period (1943 - 1989) the WT hypocritically printed:
*** w79 5/15 p. 21 par. 15 Prayer in These “Last Days” ***If we compromise in order to avoid persecution, then, of course, there would be no need to keep on praying. This would not only indicate a lack of faith, but would also result in our losing the evidence of being one of God’s Christian servants.
*** w74 4/1 p. 202 Does Fear of Neighbor Control Your Life? ***Those few of Jehovah’s witnesses who denied their faith while in the German concentration camps during World War II were held up to ridicule before the entire camp by the Nazi officers, reviled as hypocrites and cowards. Some of them were asked, “Now that you have denied your God Jehovah, what god will you serve?”
*** w70 4/1 p. 219 par. 16 When Building Disciples, Motivate the Heart *** (Malawi)When a Christian witness of Jehovah of Ntifinyire Village was beaten for refusing to purchase a political card, Banda’s youths took a knife and made cuts encircling his arms and then his legs and inflicted many cuts on his head. Other Witnesses had six-inch nails driven into their feet, bicycle spokes were forced through their legs and then these Christians were told to run. Still others were tortured with a burning stick placed against their arms, legs, head and entire body. Still these Witnesses refused to compromise their religious beliefs or deny their God Jehovah under such barbaric torture. You may be called upon someday to prove your faith. How will your faith stand up?
*** w57 8/15 p. 496 par. 11 Happy Are the Peaceable ***Though total support and worship is demanded by Satan’s organization today, true Christians follow the example of the faithful Hebrew men of old, who refused to compromise their worship, even though threatened with death.
*** w57 2/1 p. 75 Faith Conquers the World ***Christendom likes to sing hymns about “Dare to be a Daniel, dare to face the foe,” but by their course of action they show that they do not have the faith of Daniel. They see only some visible enemies and even with them they compromise.
*** w52 5/1 p. 264 par. 17 1914 a Marked Year! ***Thus in spite of Satan’s ironlike governments and their strong powers of persecution Jehovah’s people in all ages have stood apart and survived. It is only those who have shown a lack of faith and who compromised that would take themselves out from under God’s special care.
I'm sure that the prophet Daniel would be very proud of them for following his example of non-compromise.
Splash