Organization Instructions for the Kingdom Publisher (1945)
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ORGANIZATION INSTRUCTIONS
FOR
THE KINGDOM PUBLISHER
ISSUED BY THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY BROOKLYN, M. Y.
These instructions should be studied carefully by every publisher for The Theocracy.
As the servant of the Lord reads each paragraph he should look up every scripture. These organization instructions are based on Jehovah's Word of truth. "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17) From time to time it will be found profitable to study this publication in the service meetings.
Each publisher over the age of twelve who has shown his devotion to the Lord and Jehovah's kingdom by giving a witness for the Kingdom for a period of three months, or who has reached the company's quota of hours in his first or second month of witnessing, should be given his personal copy of this booklet. Every publisher should be fully acquainted with organization instructions and follow the Lord's Word in the preaching of the Kingdom message.
(Name)
(Address)
Printed in the United States of America ORGANIZATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE KINGDOM PUBLISHER
Effective October 1, 1945
JEHOVAH'S purpose in these last days of Satan's wicked and cruel rule is to have a witness given concerning the Kingdom. Jehovah will vindicate his name through the Kingdom and "shall reign for ever". (Ps. 146:10) "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" was Christ Jesus' telling message over 1900 years ago. (Matt. 4:17) This same message must be heralded forth today with even greater force and power. Christ Jesus, the King appointed by Jehovah, has taken to himself his great power and begun his reign. (Rev. 11:17) "The kingdom of the world [the new world] is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever."—Rev. 11:15, A.S.V.
2 Now, prior to the battle of Armageddon, the "Commander to the peoples" will see to it that those who love righteousness will have an opportunity to hear the truth concerning the Kingdom. (Isa. 55:4, A.S.V.) God's Word declares: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world [Gr. inhabited earth] for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14, A.S.V.) "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations." (Matt. 28:19, A.S.V.) Jehovah's Word will never fail.
3 His servants for restoring the true worship of God in the earth recognize Jehovah's Theocratic arrangements for accomplishing this work. (John 4:24; Acts 17:22-28) They know too that the "higher powers" are Jehovah and Christ Jesus and appreciate that anyone who "withstandeth the ordinance of God" resists the power of God and will receive unto himself judgment. (Rom. 13:1, 2, A.S.V.) The obedient servant, therefore, finds his Guide in the Word of God, follows Theocratic organization instructions, and delights in gaining knowledge and wisdom, for knowledge is his defense. To have this valuable information as set forth in the Bible and to preach it to others means life eternal. —Eccl. 7:12, A.S.V.; John 17:3.
4 For dispensing this knowledge to the spiritually hungry ones Christ Jesus, on coming to the temple for judgment in 1918, appointed a tried "faithful and wise servant". (Matt. 24:45-47) This servant is "The Society", that is to say, the association of all the remnant of Christ's anointed body members, which association acts through its visible governing body under Christ Jesus, the Head of the "servant" or "Society". The Society is Theocratic, because subject to its Head Christ Jesus and guided by the spirit which Jehovah God poured out upon it by Christ Jesus, and also because it acts and decides through its visible governing body. (Col. 1:18; Acts 2:17,18) The Society is the visible part of Jehovah's Theocratic organization under Christ Jesus, and the Lord's "other sheep" take refuge under that Theocratic organization and are subject to it. They assist in the work of the visible part of the organization, in proper submission thereto. (Isa. 61:5,6) Recognizing the forward movement of Jehovah's Theocratic organization, his faithful servants upon the earth want to keep apace with it by making greater proclamation of the glorious Kingdom by letting their light shine.—Matt. 5:14-16, A.S.V.
What is stated in this booklet is for the aid of Jehovah's remnant and their companions and applies to all publishers, companies and branches throughout the earth. (Heb. 13:17) It should be kept in mind that the sole purpose of Organization Instructions is to help each Christian minister in carrying out the commandments of Jehovah, preaching the gospel, making known His name, and maintaining integrity, and to eventually share in the full vindication of Jehovah's name and Word. So that we may share in this we must adhere faithfully to our Commander's instructions. (1 Pet. 2:13, Rotherham) The commission is clear; it is plainly set forth in Isaiah 61:1,2; Matthew 24:14; 28:19,20; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.
THE PUBLISHER
6 Upon the earth today there are many persons who are looking for a new world of righteousness. Those with right heart toward God, Christ, the Shepherd, will gather. He says: "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:16, A.S.V.) This scripture indicates that there will be two groups of persons closely associated together under the direction of the one Shepherd. Concerning the smaller group, named by Jesus as the "little flock", there is but a "remnant" left upon the earth today.
Those of this "little flock" are called to be members of Christ's body; they are the spirit-begotten sons of God and are called to a high calling to be jointheirs with Christ in his heavenly kingdom. (Luke 12:32; Rom. 8:14-17; 1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3,4) The "other sheep" that Christ speaks of will finally form the "great multitude" described in Revelation 7:9. (Matt. 21:8,9) These "other sheep" desire to be associated with the remnant of God's people today the same as the "stranger" class desired to be with God's people in the days of natural Israel. According to God's Word, they had a right to be associated with God's Theocratic organization, there to serve and worship the Most High.—Ex. 12:37,38,43-49, A.S.V.; Num. 9:14; Deut. 5:12-14; Mal. 3:5.
7 The great Shepherd Christ Jesus gathers together all of his "sheep" as he said he would. They become one flock, all Christian men, women and children, desirous of unitedly performing God's worship and work. In some places in the Scriptures these ministers of the gospel who make known the name and Word of God and his good works are called "publishers". In this booklet the term "publisher" will be used in referring to all ministers of Jehovah God and their duties.—Deut. 32:3; Isa. 52:7; Mark 13:10; Luke 9:60, A.S.V.; Acts 13:49.
8 In order to qualify as a publisher of the Kingdom, one must have faith in God and his purposes. (Heb. 11:6) He must make a full consecration to God to do His will. (1 Thess. 4:3, Goodspeed; Ps. 40:6-10) If you have done this, then you must be a publisher. (1 Cor. 9:16) You must love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. (Mark 12:30) You must accept the responsibility of preaching "this gospel of the kingdom" unto "whosoever will" hear the truth. (Rom. 10:13-18; Rev. 22:17) Having once put your hand and heart to this work, you can never turn back; for to do that would mean your eternal destruction. —Luke 9:59-62; Heb. 6:4-6.
9 You, the publisher, having studied God's Word, know that henceforth you can no longer be a part of this world, though in it. (John 17:14) Having separated yourself for Jehovah's service, you will receive persecution from the Devil's organization. (Matt. 5:10,11; 2 Tim. 3:12) This is expected because the servant is no greater than his Master. (John 15:16-20) Come persecution, or even death itself, the Theocratic publisher will be faithful even unto death.
(Matt. 24:9; 1 Pet. 4:12,13; Rev. 2:10) Jesus said: "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God. And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me."—John 16:1-3, A.S.V.
10 Anyone engaging in the Lord's service participates in it out of love, not for any selfish gain, nor from coercion. (1 Pet. 5:2) The preaching of the gospel must be spontaneous and from the heart. Service to God comes because of love. The scripture says that one might gain the whole world but if he has not love it profits nothing. (Luke 9:25) The publisher can be pleasing to the Lord only if he manifests this love toward all creatures, giving everyone he meets the opportunity of hearing that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.—John 13:34,35; 14:21,23; 17:26; 1 John 4:17,18,21; 5:3.
METHOD OF WORK
11 The publishing of the Kingdom is the same world-wide. Christ's method was preaching. He did his talking in the homes, towns, villages, and the countryside, in the synagogues, meeting-places, and by the seashore, to individuals and to multitudes. (Matt. 9:1-10; Mark 6:32-34; Luke 4:14-21; 5:1-3; 8:1) Jesus preached publicly and from house to house. The disciples followed his example in this. (Luke 10:1-5; Acts 5:42) The apostle Paul said; "I . . . have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks."—Acts 20:20, 21.
12 Having equipped yourself with the knowledge of the truth, being an able minister and user of the "sword of the spirit", you go forth doing the same publishing work today, world-wide. (Eph. 6:17) An impressive witness can be accomplished by the individual publisher's talking to a small group of two or three, or, as in most instances, to only one person, answering his questions and dealing with the person individually. You will become more and more proficient in such work as you devote your time to doing it; you will gain maturity. So that you may help each individual gain a clear and full knowledge of the truth, arrangements should be made for back-calls and home book studies. In order to arrange for this private study, you must first go from door to door to find those seeking truth and righteousness, and then make it your business to call back on them to give further instruction.—Jas. 1:27, Murdock; Lamsa; Luther.
13 The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society provides literature—Bibles, magazines, books, booklets, and leaflets at the approximate average cost of production and distribution world-wide so that you can leave with interested persons something to read and study until you make your next visit. In addition to publications, recordings of Bible lectures are available from the Society and can be run for persons interested at the first visit to their homes or at any time later that is convenient to the hearers. Records can be loaned to interested persons for a week or longer so that they may run them in their own homes as opportunity affords. Let them read and hear.—Matt. 13:16, 17; Isa. 43:9.
14 You, as a good publisher interested in the welfare of the people in your territory, will keep a record of what you do at each home as you go from house to house, the type of person you meet at each place, what literature was placed, or any other information, as well as the house number, apartment number, and street. When you arrange to make a back-call this information will be to your and the householder's advantage. In territories where streets are not named and houses not numbered, you should record as much information as you possibly can that will enable you to locate interested persons when you return to such territories for back-calls. Territory should be thoroughly covered. This can be done properly by the use of the House to House Record form, because then you can call at the houses where no one was at home, make back-calls on the interested, and follow up all placements of the literature, the very next time you are in that territory. The ultimate goal of every publisher should be to get a book study started in the homes of the people with one of the latest bound books. (Dan. 11:33) These studies should be of one hour's length. Feed the people regularly, bringing them the knowledge of Jehovah God and his Son Christ Jesus.—John 21:15.
15 After four or five weeks of study in a book, these goodwill persons should be informed of the Watoh tower magazine studies and service meetings. You should bring the "other sheep" to the regular meetings of the company and acquaint them with other brethren. Shortly thereafter they should be given details on your work as a minister and invited to share in the witness work with you. (2 Ki.
10:16) That which those of good-will learn from God's Word they will soon want to tell others. The publisher's responsibility is not only the dissemination of knowledge, but he is also charged with making disciples of all the nations, that is, aiding the interested people of all nationalities in doing discipling work. (Acts 18:24-28) Paul went to Greeks and Jews alike to aid them in receiving the knowledge of the truth. (Acts 17:17,18) We do well to follow his course, for some said: "We will hear thee again of this matter . . . Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed."—Acts 17:32-34; see also 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Timothy 2:2.
16 The public speaking method was widely used in Jesus' day; so the publishers do well to use this method today. Mark 4:1; 6:34; Luke 19:47; Acts 5:20,21,42. (See Public Meetings, paragraph 125.)
17 To do the Lord's work time is required. It should be budgeted, seeking first the Kingdom. (Eph. 5:16) The publisher must have time for house-to-house witnessing, back-calling, conducting book studies, doing magazine work and all forms of witnessing activity, as well as for attending meetings to study with the Lord's people.
18 Individual Territory Assignment. The best place to have a territory is near your home. When you have time off from home duties and work, you will not have far to travel to the territory where you will preach the gospel. This assignment of territory should be obtained either from the Society or from a company organization. (See Territory Servant, paragraph 80.) By having a designated territory of your own, you will be able to work every house according to the description given above, using the House to House Record form. Back-calls will be convenient, and book studies can be held at places not too far distant from your home. You will thus be able to use more time for actual witnessing and reduce traveling time.
19 In many parts of the earth a publisher might find it convenient to hold two individual territory assignments, one in a city and another a rural territory, one of which will be convenient to his home.
20 Group Witnessing. All publishers should engage in group witnessing when convenient. The newly interested persons are encouraged greatly by witnessing with groups, and that is where the real training of the publisher may be accomplished. Group witnessing means about four to six persons working a section of territory under the direction of a "captain" publisher, the one who holds the territory.
Group witnessing should never be organized just for the purpose of covering territory, but when group witnessing is planned territory should be selected with the thought in mind that the group will go back to the same territory at least three or four week-ends or three or four evenings, whichever time is selected. The territory should be sufficiently large that the same group can go back to such territory on at least four different occasions within one month's time. On the first visit to the territory by the group, regular house-to-house witnessing will be done, using the House to House Record form and making notations as described on the form. Sometime during the following week arrangements should be made by this same captain and his group to go back to that territory in the evenings (or at some convenient time) and make back-calls. Evenings so devoted are termed "back-call nights": On such occasions the publisher should call back at all of the homes where literature was placed or interest was shown the previous time there. This would include all placements of literature, not merely the placement of bound books. If making such back-calls takes up all of the time then available for service, well and good; but if not, then the publisher should call at places where no one was at home at the time he engaged in the door-to-door witnessing, as shown on the House to House Record form, using all the time in that manner.
21 On the next visit by the group to the territory a new portion of the territory should be worked (except in the case of public meeting territory; see paragraph 128), and toward the close of the day, if it was impossible to make all of the back-calls on the back-call night, then the publisher should make back-calls on all interested persons before going home. The publisher will also try to call on all persons who were not at home at the time of the previous week's work, this before leaving the territory. Definite hours should be set by the publishers before beginning work, so that everyone will know where and when to meet at the close of the witnessing period.
22 This procedure of covering group-witnessing territory and making back-calls should be continued week by week until all the assignment is thoroughly covered. Such an arrangement should be carried on in city territory, as well as in rural districts.
23 Where a captain is assigned to handle a group of publishers who wish to work in a group-witnessing territory, the captain should gather up all of the House to House Record forms at the end of each day's work.
Each publisher should write his name at the top of the form so that when he returns on a back-call night or the next week for further door-to-door work with the group the captain may hand him his House to House Record form to follow through with as described above. In this manner they will not be lost or left at home, but the group captain will be responsible for these record forms until the territory is completely worked.
24 Covering territory. There are two ways of working territory. In cities the publisher can go around the blocks or squares, or he can go straight down the street for several blocks until he reaches the other boundary of the territory. The latter appears to be the more satisfactory method when using the House to House Record form, because then each house on the street is listed in numerical order. After working all the streets that run in one direction in a territory, perhaps north and south, then you can work the cross streets, which may run east and west, having a separate record for the full length of each street in the territory. By working straight through a territory on one side of the street there will be no confusion in following up calls listed on the House to House Record forms. The Society urges that each publisher keep the House to House Record and use it week after week until a territory is completed. When working rural territories local conditions should govern as to how many publishers should be assigned to the group.
25 Any territory, whether individually assigned or handled by a group, should not be considered completely worked unless every occupied home has been called on and the publisher has been able to speak to someone in the home or has made a special effort to talk with someone in the home.
26 Magazine work is another method of service that may be engaged in by all the publishers. This includes the distribution of the Watchtower and Consolation magazines on street corners, from store to store, in regular route work, and from house to house. (See paragraph 93.)
27 Sound equipment is also used in the publication of the Kingdom message. Sometimes preaching is done through sound-trucks, with loud-speakers mounted on ordinary automobiles, or by loud-speakers placed in public parks where people may assemble to hear a public lecture, or by use of the phonograph and records in regular witnessing work. (See paragraphs 95 and 96.) 28 Every servant of the Lord is qualified naturally to preach and teach the gospel of the Kingdom.
In addition, Jehovah's witnesses have used and will use, by the Lord's grace, any lawful method whereby public proclamation of the kingdom of God can be made.
29 So that systematic coverage of all the territory with the Kingdom message may be accomplished and a record kept, it is requested that all those proclaiming the message of the Kingdom report their witnessing work. All time, that is, the number of hours, spent in proclaiming the Kingdom message to strangers or newly interested ones, either publicly or from house to house, in the many different ways described above or outlined by the Society hereafter, should be reported as time in the field service. It is good to have a record of how much preaching of the gospel each publisher does and how each publisher aids other people through back-calls and book studies, as well as at public meetings, and what literature was placed from house to house.
30 There are many other services rendered to the brethren by publishers in the interests of the Kingdom work, but these are not counted as field service and therefore no time is reported for these on the field service reports.
31 How long should this gospel of the Kingdom continue to be preached? Just as long as the Lord directs. From His Word we have every indication that this message should continue on until the battle of Armageddon, when every vestige of Satan's organization shall be removed from the earth, until the houses are uninhabited. (Isa. 6:11) Jesus preached the gospel even unto death. As for the apostles, it is stated: "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (Acts 5:42) When one territory was thoroughly worked and a good witness had been given, Jesus instructed: "Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth."—Mark 1:38, A.S.V.
32 When a publisher finds interest in a home he should continue to preach the Kingdom there for just as long as the persons show a keen desire to learn the truth and gain knowledge of the Lord's Word. If, on the other hand, the person is not worthy of your good works, then you should abide there no longer. The publisher should be able to spend his time more profitably in other homes. The work is to feed the "other sheep", and not to engage in controversies. All publishers do well to follow the advice of the Lord, "When ye come into an house, salute it.
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you . . . when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."—Matt. 10:11-14.
33 Our work is to feed the "other sheep". Let us look after them.
PIONEER PUBLISHERS
34 Any publisher may make application to become a pioneer if that publisher can arrange his affairs so as to spend a minimum of 150 hours in the field service each month. The Society aids such publishers to continue in pioneer service by providing literature and other equipment for field service at special rates. A pioneer is enrolled by the Society upon acceptance of his application. With his application for pioneer service he must submit a letter from a company servant, assistant company servant, back-call servant, or a servant to the brethren, stating that the publisher is well known, is faithful in service and devoted to the Lord, and that the servant recommends such publisher for pioneer privileges.
35 The same instructions concerning publishers hereinbefore set out apply to the general pioneer. He has the choice of any territory that is open for assignment, either isolated territory or with a company. The pioneer, however, receives his assignment of work from the Society and makes a monthly report to the Society and becomes the Society's special representative.
36 The interest of all publishers is alike, namely, to care for the "other sheep" and bring them unto the Lord's organization. If working in isolated territory, the pioneer's desire should be to start a new company, properly educating the new brethren in the door-to-door work and all field activity by giving personal instruction. Many new companies can be started by pioneers if they give the new publishers proper instruction on company organizations.
37 In many instances pioneers will be assigned as servants in various companies. Such service rendered in connection with a company should not interfere with their regular pioneer service, but should be accepted as added privileges, and they should try in every way to instruct the local publishers to become more efficient. If a pioneer should be a company servant, the company publishers should not feel as though the pioneer should do all of the work around the hall and care for all the details of necessary records in the company.
The company publishers should be anxious to assist the pioneer and to relieve him of all these burdens so that the pioneer can devote all his time, or as much as possible, to the door-to-door, back-call and book-study work and to training new publishers and aiding other publishers to become more efficient in their service. Pioneers are not assigned in a company to relieve the company of its "labors of love", but they are appointed to aid, instruct and guide the local brethren; and the brethren should be thankful to the Lord for whatever assistance is provided through his organization. Good co-operation should be shown toward one another.—1 Cor. 16:10,11.
38 In working isolated territory, all the necessary reports in connection with the proper working of the territory will be held by the pioneer, such as back-call files and study conductor's reports. When the territory is completed and the publisher desires to go into some new territory, if no company has been formed these records will be sent to the Society with the report on the territory completed.
39 When a pioneer works in a territory already assigned to a company, then all such reports will be directed to the company, such as the follow-up reports on back-calls made, the working back-call slip and study conductor's reports. He will obtain the regular territory assignments from the company and have such checked every three months by the territory servant. The same is true of his back-call files. All interested persons will be directed to the company meetings.
SPECIAL PIONEER PUBLISHERS
40 What has been said concerning publishers and the method of work applies to the special pioneer publishers the same as to all other publishers. From the general pioneer rolls the Society selects publishers and invites them to engage in the special pioneer work. To be enrolled with this group of publishers, one must put in a minimum of 175 hours. He may put in many more hours a month if physically able. The Society expects him to devote all his time to the Kingdom service, none to any secular work.
41 In addition to the minimum of 175 hours, the special pioneer publisher is required to make at least 50 back-calls every month. He will receive an assignment of territory from the Society, either a city or territory not assigned to any company or a portion of company territory. So that this publisher may stay on in the special work, the Society assists him financially if he meets the requirements in hours and back-calls and carries on the other work connected therewith in an efficient manner.
Special publishers are expected to do their work in their assigned territories. They will be visited by the servant to the brethren when he is in their vicinity.
42 When a special pioneer is assigned to work in a large city where a company already exists, the Society will select the section of the city the pioneer is to work. If the Society is not certain as to what section to assign, instructions will be given the special publisher to consult with the company servant, assistant company servant, back-call servant, and territory servant as to what portion of the city to set aside for his individual activity and then notify the Society.
43 Two or more special publishers will be sent to the same assignment. They will live together, if possible, so as to reduce expenses. Their assignment of territory will not be considered worked thoroughly until they have gone over it four times, taking care of all the back-calls possible by following up the information recorded on their House to House Record forms and conducting as many book studies as can be arranged for.
44 In company territory the special pioneer publisher will work in close harmony with the local company organization, directing all new interest to the local company rather than to a separate unit. The special pioneer publisher will turn in to the company the regular back-call follow-up slips and study conductor's report slips. Every three months he will make a report to the territory servant of the work accomplished and do all things required of a company publisher with the exception of turning in to the company his monthly report, which goes to the Society.
45 Where special pioneers are working territories not connected with a company, all of these records that are necessarily made out by any publisher will be held by the special pioneers and turned in to the Society when the territory has been completed if no company has been formed (except House to House Record forms, which are for sole use of the publisher).
46 It should be the aim of all special pioneer publishers to aid the newly interested ones and either organize them into a company or direct them to a company already established. If special pioneers organize a company before or after covering a territory at least four times in six months, they should endeavor to remain in that territory for a sufficient length of time after the company has been established to be sure that the brethren are fully appreciating their privileges, are strong in the Lord and can go ahead without any further assistance or training.
Probably one of the special pioneer publishers will be recommended as company servant so as to get all records properly arranged and in good order before leaving the territory to undertake a new assignment. It is not the purpose of special pioneer service to send publishers into a territory to cover it four times in six months with literature and then leave; but their principal objective is to find the people of goodwill, nourish and feed them, get them organized for field service, and establish them in the true worship of God. This takes long hours of undivided attention and shows forth the true love of a Christian toward the "other sheep".
47 When the special pioneer finds someone in his territory ready to go out into the field service, he should take him out in the work with him, giving him individual instruction, showing him how to work from door to door with the House to House Record form, and how to do magazine work, back-call and book-study work. He will not merely tell the new publisher how it is done, but he will take the new publisher along with him and give him individual instruction. The work is that of education and special training, and both publishers will be permitted to count time in the field service during this period of training and instruction. By each special pioneer publisher taking care of his new interest in this manner, strong company organizations will be built up to take care of further interested ones found in that territory right on up until the battle of Armageddon.
48 As long as the Lord prospers this particular service work and the funds necessary to defray some of the expenses of the special pioneer publishers are provided through contributions to the Good Hopes Fund, this work will be carried on and used in the expansion of the witness work. 2 Cor. 9:9.10.
49 All persons graduating from the Watchtower Bible College of Gilead will automatically be put into the special pioneer service, or they may be given other special service. Any general pioneers who might be invited to attend Gilead should always consider the fact that the future service upon graduation will require a minimum of 175 hours and at least 50 back-calls per month, along with all the other privileges that go with such, including foreign assignments or any other work the Society invites such publisher to take up.
Special pioneer service will be arranged for in all countries where it is possible and, if there are no local publishers there that are qualified to take up the special pioneer work, the Society will try to send special pioneer publishers into such countries where it deems a greater witness should be given.
COMPANY PUBLISHERS
51 All persons of good-will toward Jehovah God and his Kingdom of righteousness by Christ Jesus are invited to be servants of the Most High. Not everyone in the Lord's service can be a pioneer or a special pioneer publisher, but everyone who has made a consecration to serve God can and is required to be a publisher or minister of the gospel. (Acts 18:1-4) Each one can talk and make expression of what he believes to others, and by so doing becomes a publisher. (1 Pet. 3:15) He accepts the command and privilege to proclaim this gospel of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness. Each company publisher should devote as much time to field service as possible, and try to put in some time every month. Each company publisher should try to reach at least the local company's quota of hours in field service and, upon reaching this, should strive for as many hours extra as possible, together with twelve back-calls each month, and always conduct at least one book study each week. The company publisher receives his instructions concerning this service from the Society and through the company organization.
COMPANY ORGANIZATION
52 The position of fundamental importance in a company organization is that of being a Kingdom publisher. The minister of the gospel receives his appointment to serve from the Most High, through His Son Christ Jesus.
53 Where a group of these devoted ministers come together to study and to worship the Most High, it is well and Scripturally proper for the Society to make appointment of servants so that the group of publishers may be well cared for and their united efforts organized to do the most good. Such a group is a company organization. Each separate company is to have one of the elder brethren to act as company servant and other elder brethren as other servants. (Acts 20:28) All servants in a company are appointed by the Society, and all companies should have the following servants: company servant, assistant company servant, back-call servant, territory servant, advertising servant, accounts servant, stock servant, school servant, and study conductors.
If it appears that other servants should be appointed for other work, the Society will advise.
54 All servants appointed are assistants to the company servant, and all servants in the company are to co-operate with and serve their brethren. (1 Pet. 5:1-11) The company servant should have in mind the welfare of all publishers; therefore he will check the publisher's record file at the end of the second and fourth weeks of each month so as to ascertain which publishers were not able to get into the field service. The names of publishers unable to engage in the field service should be distributed among the servants and study conductors, and these brethren should see these persons, visiting them at their homes if they have not been attending meetings. It may be that they have been sick and need the comfort and assistance of some elder in the company. Be careful not to fall into the bad practices of the false shepherds. (Ezek. 34:1-10) It is not only the desire of the servants in the company to assist the "other sheep" who have not as yet associated themselves with the congregation, but the servants' interests should be toward those already associated with the company. The Lord says concerning visiting the sick and comforting the brethren in time of need: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matt. 25:40) Where one of the brethren is found to be sick, report it to the company servant, so that some of the congregation may visit the sick and help him. (Jas. 5:13-15) The aged and infirm should not be neglected but helped in every way possible and visited the same as the "other sheep" are, the people of good-will. Assistance should be rendered in aiding all persons of good-will and brethren to engage in field service. Always remember, the elders in the company have an obligation toward all associated with the congregation, as well as finding new interest in the territory.—Matt. 25:34-40.
55 In small groups where there are not enough different individuals to take care of these various servants' positions, then one or more elders may be appointed to serve in more positions than one, so that the work assigned to these servants will be accomplished, even in small companies. Wherever possible the company servant, assistant company servant and back-call servant will be three different brethren.
All of these servants appointed by the Society are responsible to keep their company records in proper order and up to date. The work to be done on company records can be accomplished in most instances by spending approximately twenty minutes thereon before and after meetings, or at home. However, each servant is required to have his records at the company meeting-place during each company meeting.
56 The Society will recognize as a company organization any group of publishers in isolated territory that will report a minimum of eight hours field service per month. In some instances there may be only one person wholly devoted to the Lord in a territory, and if he devotes at least eight hours a month to field service he will be considered and dealt with as any company organization.
57 Every company organization should have as its purpose the reconstruction of the true worship of the Almighty God in the territory assigned, as well as the aiding of the people of good-will to come to the Lord's organization to there praise and worship Jehovah.—Isa. 61:3,4.
APPOINTMENTS
58 All servants, including conductors of regular company study meetings, will be appointed by the Society. To expedite the selection of local servants, the company servant, assistant company servant and the back-call servant will constitute a committee of three brethren for the making of recommendations to the Society whenever necessary. Each one of the committee should be a mature brother who is regularly active in field service and has one purpose in view, namely, advancing Theocratic interests. (1 Tim. 3:1-13, Goodspeed) No selfishness, personal favoritism or prejudice may enter into the performance of their duties. Phil. 2:3; Jas. 2:19.
59 Each time the servant to the brethren visits the company, which will be about twice a year, this committee will have just previous thereto met and filled out the Company Information form in duplicate. They will also have prayerfully and carefully canvassed the names of the company publishers and suggested the names of two mature persons who are capable of filling each place of service in the company. A first and second choice of the persons best qualified to serve as company servant, and two for each other office of the servants and Watchtower study conductor in the local company organization, and a list of company book study conductors, will be filled in on the Company Information form.
When a company servant or any other servant in a company moves away, resigns, or is otherwise withheld from performing his assigned duties, it becomes necessary for the company committee of three (or the ones remaining) to recommend another brother. The committee will suggest to the Society two names, setting out the full names and giving first and second choice, along with age, years in service, date of immersion, anointed or Jonadab, average hours, average back-calls, and average back-call book studies during the previous six months, with the reason for recommending the change. If a new company servant or assistant company servant is recommended, the complete mailing address must be given. Until such time as the Society makes a new appointment, the company servant or assistant company servant will be responsible for taking care of the duties of the service position vacated. The Society will not be bound by this list in making any appointments, but the list will be advisory.
In a city where a company has more than 200 publishers reporting regularly, the Society will subdivide it without regard to language and nationality and establish units. Where companies or units are subdivided, recommendations may be made by the committee of the company (or unit) as to what they consider proper subdivision of the territory and who they believe should act as servants of the newly formed units.
62 Units which comprise a company in any one city will function as entirely separate units. The reports by each unit will be made direct to the Society, and the Society will send instructions and supplies to each unit servant. There is no necessity for all units in a city to meet together unless they are so instructed by the Society. The same is true concerning servants of various units.
63 In cities where there are units the Society will appoint a company servant, who may also be one of the servants in a unit, and he may be called upon by the servants of other units for counsel in times of need; but it will be unnecessary for the company servant to make regular visits to the various units. Each time a servant to the brethren serves a city having two or more units, he will check on the activity of such company servant and counsel him and make a recommendation of someone to act as company servant when necessary in the same manner as he does it for the various units.
COMPANY SERVANT
64 The company (or unit) servant will receive all communications from the Society and will convey the instructions to his respective assistants. All communications addressed to the company by the Society shall be read to the company at the first meeting thereafter, or at the weekly service meeting. He will see that all communications are properly filed for future reference. He will see that a copy of the Informant is supplied to each publisher (regular or irregular) by writing the names of the publishers on the Informant copies and then distributing them. If a company is receiving too many or not enough copies of the Informant, the company servant will advise the Society to make an adjustment in the quantities sent. He will see that each publisher is supplied with the latest testimony card properly and neatly filled out. He is a servant to those in the company and it is not within his prerogative to withhold Society instructions from the publishers.
65 The company (or unit) servant is to take the initiative in all branches of the service-house-to-house witnessing, back-calls, book studies, public meeting campaigns, magazine work, and sound work—and to see that they are properly carried on. He is to check over the work of each of the various servants at least twice a month to see that it is properly done. He has no authority to set aside any servants; where he deems such action necessary he will take the matter up with the committee of three, who will make recommendations to the Society. When any of the assistant servants need additional help to take care of his work, he will consult the company (or unit) servant, who will ask some active and capable publisher to assist in carrying out the duties.
66 In companies where there are no brothers who are consecrated to serve the Lord, a consecrated, spiritualminded, mature sister will be appointed as company servant and other sisters as assistants. She will look well to all the duties of that service until such time as a man who is fully devoted to the Lord associates himself with the company. If a brother is a field worker for at least a year and is capable of directing the work, then a recommendation setting out the qualifications and giving the Society all the facts should be sent to the Society suggesting a change.
(1 Tim. 3:6, margin) When a competent male pioneer associates with the company that has a sister serving as company servant, the sister should call upon that pioneer to conduct the Watchtower studies and service meetings and ministry school in her stead while he is present with the company.—Acts 16:13-15, 40; 1 Cor. 11:1-3.
67 The company servant should plan all service meetings and should welcome suggestions so as to improve such meetings. Publishers should be instructed in the different ways of presenting the Kingdom message. No arbitrary rules should be laid down as to how the message is to be presented at the door or as to the use of the phonograph equipment. Publishers may vary the presentation of the message. The company servant will arrange for Watchtower studies, Theocratic school, company book studies, and back-call nights at a time convenient to the majority of the publishers. The company servant, together with all the assistant servants and study conductors, should work with the publishers, regular and irregular, so as to aid and educate them in better carrying on the work effectively. (For further details and the reporting of time see paragraphs 37 and 134.)
68 Every company composed of two or more publishers should have an assistant company servant. His name and address will be on record in the Society's office so that communications with the company may be sent through him if necessary. This servant should be the most mature and capable brother in the company next to the company servant, so that in the absence of the company servant all Kingdom interests will be looked to just the same.
69 The general duties of the assistant company servant are to assist the company servant and co-operate with him in all matters of service and see that the records of the activities of the company and individual publishers are properly kept. He will keep and post the publishers' record cards, the company progressive report sheet, the company chart, and the monthly record of studies and attendance, and will keep the file of the company appointment letters, Informant, and such other records as may be required by the company.
BACK-CALL SERVANT
70 The back-call servant should help all publishers to increase their back-call and book-study activity, as well as keep the records of this activity.
He should check the publishers' record cards and ascertain which publishers are not making back-calls or conducting book studies. He and all other servants should then try to aid them in this important work, helping all publishers to be regular in reporting backcalls and book studies.
71 He is responsible for keeping a working file and a permanent file of names of all interested persons in the company territory, using the forms provided by the Society. A sufficient supply of forms should be on hand for use by publishers in properly reporting back-call activity also studies. The working file is composed of names and addresses of interested persons listed on working back-call slips that are filed under the number of the territory in which they are located, and arranged alphabetically. (Acts 9:10,11,17-19) Whenever a territory is assigned to a publisher, that publisher should be given all the names in the corresponding working file to call on.
72 A permanent back-call slip file (or duplicate set of slips) should always be kept by the back-call servant, arranged according to territory numbers and alphabetically by name in each territory. When the working set is handed to the publisher, a slip should be inserted in the permanent file showing which publisher has the territory assignment and the working file of back-call names. The publisher's writing his name and the territory number on the back-call follow-up slip will make it easy to post the records on the permanent file slips. When the back-call servant has received three follow-up slips on a newly interested person he will make a permanent slip, so as to check on further back-calls.
73 When a territory is returned, all back-call names (old ones and new ones that were added to the file by the publisher through finding more interest) will be turned over to the back-call servant. Every time a publisher renews his territory he will also turn in all back-call slips, with the up-to-date information posted on the working slip, to the back-call servant for checking against the permanent file. These working back-call slips will be returned to the publisher if he continues to hold the territory. Back-call slips should be renewed every three months, at the same time that territory is renewed.
74 If a publisher's territory is returned, the back-call slips should also be returned; but the publisher may hold out back-call slips containing the names of persons upon whom he wishes to continue to call.
As long as the publisher continues to make a weekly call and reports the same so that the back-call servant knows the slip is out, the publisher may hold the individual slip even though the territory and all other back-call slips have been turned in to the company or even reassigned. If the publisher ceases to conduct the book study or stops making the back-calls, he will turn in the slip or slips to the back-call servant, so that the records will be complete, both in the permanent and the working files.
75 He will also keep a book study file, in addition to having a record of all back-call book studies on the permanent back-call file. This file of studies is made up of the study conductor's reports filed alphabetically under the name of the person conducting each study. The file should be divided into three groups: company studies, company publishers' book studies, and pioneers' book studies. In the first group the back-call servant will file by study conductor's name all the reports on the Watchtower studies, service meetings, Theocratic school, company book studies, and public meetings conducted. In the second group, alphabetically arranged, will be the monthly reports of all back-call book studies conducted by company publishers in the company territory. In the third group will be filed the slips for back-call book studies conducted by pioneers in the company territory. All of these study conductor's reports the back-call servant will have received from the assistant company servant, who first makes the posting on his sheet of monthly record of studies and attendance. These reports will be kept for twelve months.
76 From time to time publishers should be given instructions as to the use of the various back-call forms. This should be done at service meetings or privately, so that the work may be done correctly. Demonstrations showing the various features of the back-call work, the book studies, and the use of the House to House Record form should be carefully prepared for service meetings.
77 He should also keep in close touch with all publisher-conducted back-call book studies in company territory, including those of the pioneers, supplying conductors with the study conductor's report forms so that proper reports can be made to the company monthly. Where some publishers have more book studies than they can handle each week, the back-call servant should try to have some other publisher assist in caring for this new interest.
79 Public meetings need the co-operation of the back-call servant. He should see to it that all interested persons within a reasonable distance of public meetings are notified of the meeting, either by a personal visit on the part of a publisher or by letter or postcard. Where public meeting territory is worked four to six times, many interested will be found, back-calls made and book studies started. After the series of public meetings is concluded, these individuals should continue to have attention.
19 The back-call servant should always see to it that the good-will interest in any territory is properly cared for after the territory has been thoroughly covered, either by an individual caring for the assignment, by group witnessing, or by the public meeting campaign. (See paragraphs 14, 15 and 20.)
TERRITORY SERVANT
80 The assignment of territory to be covered by the company is made by the Society. (Gal. 2:7-9) The territory servant should see that the entire assignment is systematically covered and that the publishers work within the boundaries designated by the Society. The assignment from the Society should be subdivided into small sections of from about 300 to 500 homes, each sufficiently large to keep one publisher occupied for three months of door-to-door, back-call and book-study work at the company quota of hours. He should have a large map of his entire territory mounted and properly marked up in territory sections, if such is available, showing all the territory sections in relationship to one another. He should have a file of each individual territory and a record card showing to whom the territory was assigned, the date assigned, the date returned, and how many times worked. He should co-operate fully with the back-call servant, handing the territory to the back-call servant when assigning it to a publisher. The back-call servant will then give the publisher the back-calls and territory.
81 The territory servant shall assign to each publisher upon his request any open territory that the publisher can conveniently reach from his home and that he will try to cover in three months' time; except special pioneers, who should cover their territory four times in six months. Assignments close to the publisher's home are most desirable, and publishers should be encouraged to take such assignments. (See paragraph 18.) All publishers to whom territory is assigned should be allowed to retain such territory as long as they are properly working it, but once every three months the territory servant will check with the publisher on the assignment made and will renew the assignment if the publisher makes such a request.
Publishers should return territory according to dates indicated thereon.
82 The territory servant will co-operate with the company servant in selecting appropriate locations for the public meeting series. He will assign territories to captains of groups who wish to engage in group witnessing. Where a captain returns a territory used for group witnessing he can ascertain from the captain what was really accomplished in the assignment.
83 When public meetings are scheduled for a certain section of the territory, all individual territories should be temporarily called in and used in group witnessing work by all the publishers supporting the public meetings. The only exception to this will be where the assignment has been made to a special pioneer group, and then the special pioneers and the company servant will work out some arrangement. If the special pioneer wants his particular territory covered in a public meeting series or requests assistance from the company in putting on the public meetings, he will work that out with the company servant.
84 If it is found that a company has more territory than it can cover at least twice in a year, the matter should be reported to the Society by the servant to the brethren visiting the company. The Society may not make any change in the assignment of territory, but will have a notation on hand to the effect that some pioneers or special pioneer publishers can be used.
85 Where a company is covering its entire territory four or more times in a year, the company may make request to the Society for additional territory, which will be assigned if available.
ADVERTISING SERVANT
86 This servant will look after all the general advertising work in connection with the company. It will be his duty to keep the Kingdom message prominently before all the people in the territory, accomplishing this by advertising public meetings thoroughly, arranging for magazine work, the use of sound equipment, and generally aiding all publishers in the use of the advertising material. Isa. 42:10-12.
87 Public meetings should be thoroughly advertised. He will work closely with the company servant and other servants in the company to see that handbills are always on hand and are properly distributed on street corners and from door to door. At the public meetings proper displays of literature should be made on a table at the exit.
88 Where the company has its own Kingdom Hall with a place for a window display, he should change the window display of the Society's literature every month. An assistant to the advertising servant can be appointed to look after these additional duties. In the Kingdom Hall itself the advertising servant, as well as other brethren who are congenial and good mixers, should be alert to always welcome the "stranger". (Heb. 13:2) He should see to it that all visitors who come to the hall for the first several times are provided with a Watchtower magazine at all Watchtower studies, or introduce them to some publishers that have magazines and have these visitors sit with the publishers so as to get full benefit out of the meeting, as well as making it possible for some of the "strangers" to meet the brethren.
89 He should see that sufficient bookmarks are always on hand in the stockroom, so that the Kingdom Hall will be properly advertised through the placement of every bound book.
20 Any special events that need publicity should be handled through the advertising servant.
91 Magazines are handled by the advertising servant. He should see that all publishers desiring magazines for street work, route work, store-to-store work and house-to-house work are supplied. All publishers who want magazines regularly should be registered with the advertising servant, and the proper number of magazines, both Watchtower and Consolation, will be set aside for those publishers. He will receive the monies for these magazines and will turn the funds over to the accounts servant each week, showing the accounts servant how much to apply to the Watchtower and Consolation accounts. He will keep the magazines in good condition, seeing to it that current issues are distributed to the publishers immediately for their use in magazine work. He will consult with the company servant as to the quantity of each issue of The Watchtower and Consolation required.
92 Magazines, when received, should be counted and a report made to the accounts servant as to the name of the magazine, the issue, and the quantity received.
Registered magazine publishers should contribute for the magazines as they get them from the advertising servant; but those who cannot contribute then may have them on credit. The advertising servant will notify the accounts servant, and the accounts servant will make the collection from the publisher. Credit on magazines may not be extended to any publisher for more than thirty days.
93 He will outline territories for assigning publishers to street work or store-to-store work. The regular territory forms may be marked "Magazine Territory", numbered, and then assigned the same as the territory servant will assign territory for house-to-house service. Territories assigned publishers for magazine work must be renewed every three months. The advertising servant should check the publishers' record cards to see that they are properly serving their territories, by observing what magazines are being placed by the publishers.
34 He should be well acquainted with the methods of presenting the magazines on the street corners, showing the publishers how to approach the people and offer them the magazines. He should know how to offer magazines in store-to-store work and how to build up routes. He will be responsible to educate the publishers in these fields of service.
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