Wow 1.4% growth! I can't recall off the top of my head what the percentage of growth was last year. Does anyone know? I believe it's lower this year compared to last year.
Thanks for the information darkspilver!
2017 grand totals.
branches of jehovah’s witnesses: 90. .
number of lands reporting: 240. .
Wow 1.4% growth! I can't recall off the top of my head what the percentage of growth was last year. Does anyone know? I believe it's lower this year compared to last year.
Thanks for the information darkspilver!
some of you might remember this period of time better than i, but i can recall a huge issue in the mid 80’s with the lack of qualified “legal” brothers “reaching out” in my circuit while we had an unusual spike in bible studies (mainly undocumented immigrants and visa overstays from central and south america).
many of these new bible studies were actually very well educated but most knew little to no english, so they eventually settled into their nearest spanish congregations.. as they “progressed in the truth”, the society saw huge potential in these illegal immigrants but could not give them any privileges beyond cleaning the toilets after meetings… until the 1986 amnesty program.. however, this program required proof that they were in the us since before 1982 and a large percentage of these illegal immigrant bible studies snuck in after 1982. in fact, the largest surge started in 1983 and continued well into the 90’s.
it got so bad that kingdom halls in certain parts of the us simply had no qualified legal brothers to fill the numerous elder vacancies that this unexpected situation created.
then the fees that would be paid would be viewed as paying for services rendered rather than as contributing to a false religious organization. […]”
I don't remember those instructions since I wasn't an elder in the 80's but it goes to show how they can bend their own rules to whatever degree to obtain what is needed. But if a jw paid a religious org for any other services rendered there would be hell to pay.
I was in Spanish and if we had an undocumented brother who was ms or elder material he would be recommended as soon as he turned in an application with the Federal government to become a legal US resident even though the application process could take years. We never had one rejected from bethel even though the person was still working illegally with a false SS # or fake ID while waiting to become a legal resident. Bethel didn't ask about that. I guess it's "don't ask, don't tell".
it's almost 2018, almost 100 years since 'judge' rutherford confidently prophesied that 'millions now living will never die!'..
so how many of those millions are left?
well, since it was 100 years ago, all we need to do is find out how many people of age 100 and above are currently living.
And all those millions died not realizing they wasted their lives for that cult, without the possibility of being resurrected.
i live in a very rural part of the northeastern united states.
after 9 years of waiting, the local witnesses are getting their new kingdom hall.
it is being built on a back road next to a sandpit.
It very well may end up as a Burger King with the way congregations are disappearing.
went to the meeting last night with my believing wife.
the co was visiting and delivered a really cult-ish talk on loyalty but that's another story.. they made the announcement that starting january 1st they were going to have only 3 congregations in this town instead of 4.. they are dissolving one and growing the territories of the remaining 3. the reason given is that many of the elders are getting up there in age and can't do what they used to do.
basically not enough elders and ministerial servants...or even men reaching out for that matter.
Lastmanstanding did they actually say brothers not reaching out are apostate thinking? If they did that would mean apostates really are making them worried.
today i made a classic christmas music station on pandora.
it's great being able to listen to this type of music at this time of the year without my conscience bothering me or in fear of being killed over it😁.
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Today I made a classic Christmas music station on Pandora. It's great being able to listen to this type of music at this time of the year without my conscience bothering me or in fear of being killed over it😁.
come to "witness world"!
at our new lakeside corporate resort we have a bible museum!
take a picture with caleb and sofia!
They have a diner now next to the hotel?
you, a jw:.
"how're you doing, mary?
" joe witness asks the grocery clerk.. "not so good, joe.
First time in my life I've actually said "have a happy Thanksgiving" to a few people. Feels a bit strange saying it but sure feels good.
moscow.
1983.. william plunkert.
diplomat at the us embassy in moscow.. sue pamela carne - american jehovah's witness woman employed as governess to plunkert.
With things we've learned regarding WT such as Malawi, Mexico and UN situations it is very likely they have been involved with these type of operations in some way or another. Thank you Orphancrow and Darkspilver for this information!
i am now officially 'inactive' so am no longer chased by an elder a for a report.
the congregation i belonged to never had much time for me anyway, i said once i could drop down dead in the k.hall and no one would notice.
so i never expected anyone to be particularly bothered that i wasn't there and they aren't.
Sorry you're going through this Phoebe. Those 7 "meek" men in Warwick wield alot of abusive power.