Kingdom Ministry, January 1958
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JANUARY, 1958
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FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
“As for me, in my integrity I shall walk.”—Psalm 26: 11.
VOL. 1 NO. 1
Increase Praise to the One God!
“Watchtower” Campaign Offers Opportunities to Do This by Showing Kindness to Strangers
1 This is the day for increased praise to the One God, Jehovah. And it is not just increased praise in the United States; it is international praise that must be increased. The command is: “Praise Jehovah, ail you nations.” (Ps. 117:1) Increasing international praise to the One God—what a fitting theme for the beginning of the world-wide 'Watchtower campaign I
2 How can we increase international praise to Jehovah? Certainly not by being hermits. The Christian’s life should bring him in contact with strangers. “Do not forget kindness to strangers,” admonished the apostle. So we must miss no opportunity to show kindness by talking to strangers of Jehovah’s goodness, helping them to come to know the One God.—Heb. 13 : 2.
3 To help these strangers respond to the command of Psalm 117:1, we must do a work of kindness, just as the kind Samaritan did. In this “time of the end” Satan’s highwaymen have beaten the masses and left them half dead. Who will come to their aid? “Happy is he who is showing favor to the afflicted ones.” Wiry? “He that is showing favor to the lowly one is lending to Jehovah, and his treatment he will repay to him.” —Luke 10: 29-37; Prov. 14: 21; 19: 17.
4 Do you wish to have the unspeakably thrilling privilege of lending to the Creator of the universe? Do you wish to do the most rewarding work there is on earth today, that of increasing praise to Jehovah? Then what opportunities open to you January 1, the beginning of the twentieth annual Watchtower campaign! You can show favor to the afflicted strangers and speed up recovery from their half-dead state by helping them receive regularly the Watchtower magazine. What “healthful words,” what spiritual food a year’s subscription brings I (1 Tim. 6:3) Look at the 1957 subject index in the December 15 issue! There is a feast of spiritual fat things ! There can be no doubt in our minds that the afflicted strangers need The Watchtower. Will you help them?
NEW MAGAZINE QUOTAS
1 God’s Word admonishes King-
6 Then deal rewardingly with your own soul by kindly offering strangers a year’s subscription for The Watchtower. If some Kingdom ministers deem it desirable to offer both The Watchtower and Awake! on a dom ministers : “Let us consider one another to incite to love and right works.” Quotas help incite us to “be rich in right works.” Publishers —you have done commendably in striving for the quota of magazine placements. Congregation publishers, in striving for a quota of nine magazines a month, last yeai- proved themselves rich in right works by reaching an average of 12.4 maga-
“Watchiowe?' TUUW’Tor one) year and three booklets on a J . ‘ contribution of $1. 4
lo the?
One God.—Ps. 117:1. |
zfnes^a^mont^5 Pioneers an<f special pioneers did equally well as to their goals. Since our desire is to increase international praise to the One God, the time has come to set new magazine quotas.—Ileb. 10:24; 1 Tim. 6:18.
2 Consider now the new quotas: For congregation publishers the quota is 12 magazines a month; for pio-contribution of $2, they may do so. Each publisher should use his own judgment as to whether or not to offer subscriptions for both magazines. If a person is already receiving The Watchtower, Awake! should be offered. Publishers will remit ninety cents for each new Watchtower or Awake! subscription throughout the campaign.
6 To help us increase praise to Jehovah by showing kindness to strangers, we have a quota for the fourmonth campaign. For congregation publishers it is two; pioneers 20 and special pioneers 30. Last year’s campaign showed the reasonableness of
(Continued on page 3, col. 3)
neers it is 100 and for special pioneers it is 150.
3 See how attainable the new quota is: Congregation publishers, for example, seek to place 12 a month —about three magazines a week. That really is not difficult. Why, by going into the field service before the congregation book study, you will usually be able to place more than three magazines I Likewise Magazine Day. Additionally, there are so many other opportunities.
4 So carry magazines with you at all times. Incidental witnessing, back-calling and the regular house-to-house work provide numerous opportunities. When you find persons who do not take the regular offer, present two magazines on a contribution of ten cents. One Sunday morning’s house-to-house service alone may easily afford opportunities to place more than three magazines.
5 Individually, let us all strive to meet our new quotas. Do not depend on some other Kingdom minister to make up a deficiency for you. Do your share. Reach the quota, to the increased praise of the true God, Jehovah.
* Paul said: “Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” Do you? *
In harmony with the new program for better servant leadership, this outline schedules assistant servants to make a report to the congregation. In some congregations the servant designated may be a sister. When this happens, the following procedure may be followed: Let the sister give her report under the chairmanship of the congregation servant or some other qualified
brother. They may conduct it, if they wish, in the form of an interview or table discussion. When this outline calls for an assistant servant to instruct the congregation—as in the case of a chairman in a demonstration —and that servant is a sister, then, if there are qualified brothers present, one should replace the sister.
FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY
Theme: Increasing1 International Praise to the One God.
5 min: Welcome, text, comments.
10 min: Talk on “Increasing International Praise to the One God.’’ (See “Watchtower,” October 15, 1957, p. 625, and January 1, 1958, p. 7.)
12 min: Question-and-answer coverage of the main article “Show Kindness to Strangers.”
25 min: Develop and demonstrate a model sermon for the “Watchtower” campaign. A competent brother should be used as chairman.
CHAIRMAN (3 min.) Kingdom ministers need to be “fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” Are you ready for the “Watchtower” campaign? Now is the time to prepare an effective sermon. Multitudes blame God as the one responsible for world woes. The new sermon exposes Satan as the guilty one and points to Jehovah’s kingdom as the remedy.—2 Tim. 3: 17.
PREPARING SERMON (15 min.) Chairman calls for suggestion or two from audience as to appropriate introduction that could be used with sermon below and then have a panel discuss and develop the sermon. In conclusion have suggestions from the audience, especially on going from concluding scripture text into presentation of the “Watchtower” subscription.
Theme: Who Is Responsible for World Woes?
Your introduction might begin this way: “Good morning. I am Mr.---, or
Mrs.----, a minister, doing a public
service in your neighborhood. Have you ever wondered why almost all the news we get today is bad? Who do you think is responsible for these terrible conditions in the world? Some people blame God. They say that he is punishing the world for its wickedness. But is God to blame? It is interesting to note what the Bible has to say on this point:
1. Not God, but Devil is responsible one. He is misleading whole world
■—Rev. 12: 9, 12.
2. Satan controls world—Luke 4: 5-8.
3. Promises to destroy Devil—Heb.
2: 14.
4. Taught followers to pray for God’s kingdom —Matt. 6: 9, 10.
In conclusion tell how the purpose of “The Watchtower” is to announce Jehovah’s kingdom, which is why they need it. The magazine opens up before them the hope of a better world on a paradise earth.
DEMONSTRATION (5 min.) Publisher selected beforehand gives model sermon and householder takes offer.
CHAIRMAN (2 min.) Stress importance of all sharing in house-to-house service and being well prepared to give sermon. This subject is of keen interest to many people. Would be well for publishers to review chapter on “Satan the Devil” in the book “Let God Be True” and “Your Word Is Truth” in October 22, 1957, issue of “Awake!” for additional talking points.
8 min: Arrange locally.
SECOND MEETING IN JANUARY
5 min: Welcome, text, comments.
13 min: Talk and audience participation on “New Magazine Quotas.” This talk should stress the value and reasonableness of the magazine quotas and give helpful information on ways publishers may reach their quota. Suggestions from the audience will also be considered.
20 min: “Presenting the Good News” —talk and demonstration by the school servant.
12 min: Talk on “Supporting Kingdom Service.” Include accounts servant’s report. (If a sister is accounts servant, she could relate points of discussion under direction of the chairman.)
10 min: Arrange locally. (Include comments on the text [Heb. 13: 15] at bottom of page one.)
THIRD MEETING IN JANUARY
5 min: Welcome, text and comments.
5 min: New World News report.
8 min: Literature servant’s report. (If literature servant is a sister, she could be interviewed by congregation servant.)
12 min: Talk on “Literature Placements a Means to an End.”
20 min: Talk on “Doing Right Christian Works.” (See “Watchtower,” November 1, 1957, p. 645.)
10 min: Arrange locally.
FOURTH MEETING IN JANUARY
5 min: Welcome, text, comments.
10 min: In “Make Sure of All Things” cover from “The Channel Through Which God’s Love Is Expressed to Us,” page 251, to John 21: 15-17 on page 252. To be handled as a call made by one of the congregation committee upon a brother who is staying away from meetings because of being offended at what another brother said or did. Or cover by question-and-answer method.
22 min: Demonstration on the value of the “Yearbook” and calendar to you.
CHAIRMAN (4 min.) Talk on value and benefit of “Yearbook” to all. Opening pages set theme for coming year and give resume of past year’s activities. Accuracy of report in chart depends on each publisher. So all have part in “Yearbook.” Reports in congregation help make national total in each country. Views from various branches show how internationally Jehovah’s witnesses are a nation of praisers to Jehovah. Helps us appreciate worldwide unity of Jehovah’s organization. In Bethel homes throughout world text is discussed each morning, a couple of questions are asked on the text and members of the family are called on for their comments. Much spiritual maturity is result of consistently starting day this way. Watch how this can be done in family.
SCENE I (6 min.) Setting is theocratic home with family gathered at breakfast table. Father looks at calendar for date, makes brief comment on calendar picture, reads text and calls for questions from family. Young son asks question on point he does not understand. Father asks others for comment. Daughter of high-school age has looked up point and offers comment. Mother too gives Scriptural reason. Father asks young son for own thought. He replies that now he understands and gives comment showing he has grasped the points made. Father sums up points in text. Comments from “Yearbook” read and mention made that report from a branch will be read and discussed at evening meal. All look forward to discussion.
SCENE II (8 min.) Audience discussion. Chairman calls for expressions from audience on value of “Yearbook” to them. Different thoughts expressed, such as: much knowledge gained through daily reading and discussion of text (just 5 to 10 minutes a day would mean 30 to 60 hours of study a year); better understanding of new truths expressed in past year; expressions from brothers in other countries on overcoming problems in field service and meeting situations in divided homes most helpful; sisters whose husbands not in truth find interesting experiences enjoyed by mates and interest is aroused to know more; experiences used to help persons of good will we study with to see need of association with organization and to preach; others may mention value in preparing talks, etc. (It may be well for the chairman to assign brothers these various points in advance so that they will be brought out during the discussion.)
CHAIRMAN (4 min.) Recounts points made. Like all other theocratic endeavors we get out only what we put into it. As we sow, so we shall reap. (Gal. 6: 7, 8) Daily use the “Yearbook” to advantage and benefit spiritually, coming to deep appreciation of Jehovah’s Word and organization. Also, point out the value of the new calendar and how it is an incentive to cause us to remember our brothers in concentration camps, in Asiatic countries, attending the international convention in New York and those in faraway places doing magazine work.
13 min: Service talk on “This Is the Year.” Include material pertaining to local congregational matters and increases.
10 min: Arrange locally. (Include comments on text [Heb. 10:23] on bottom of page four.)
FIFTH MEETING IN JANUARY
Congregations having a fifth meeting should arrange their own program.
CONGREGATION
Congregation Servant Visits with Literature and Accounts Servants
1 Like the human body, an organization is made up of many parts, all functioning smoothly together. As Paul said: “There should be no division in the body” if it is to work effectively. The literature and accounts servants perform essential services in each congregation organization. The goal of all congregation servants and literature and accounts-servants during January will be to see if they can improve their efficiency to create a more effective, smooth-working organization to Jehovah’s praise.—1 Cor. 12:12-27.
2 Some time prior to their meeting, all three servants should go over the material in Preaching Together in Unity, Kingdom Ministry and other publications of the Society pertaining to accounts and literature. The three will then meet together at a convenient time and have their discussion, using the following outline as a basis: (1) Check records. (Auditing of accounts to be done at another time.) (2) Ordering of literature so as to have ample on hand
New Public Meetings
The 1958 public address outlines are being sent with this Kingdom Ministry so that the brothers may have ample time to give careful thought and preparation to them. The titles are: Which Religion Really Matters? What Did Christ Ransom? Why Zionism Must Fail, Should Worldly Science Weaken Your Faith? What’s This World Coming to? Testing the Holy Trinity’s Foundations, Why Spiritual Famine in Time of Plenty? Is Everlasting Life Only a Dream? It would be advisable for congregation servants to consider paragraphs 133 and 134 of Preaching Together in Unity before making the assignments. They will want to be careful to select qualified speakers who are capable of giving a talk that is interesting and instructive to persons not in the truth.
New Circuit and District Servant Talks
The new public talk for circuit servants will be “Meeting the Needs of Life-Seekers,” starting March 2. In February the district servants will begin the new talk “Facing the Future Without Fear.”
ORGANIZATION
but not to overstock. (3) Care of literature, to keep clean and protected. (4) Co-operation between two servants and co-ordinating of work. (5) Promptness of handling subscriptions. (6) Closing out records promptly at end of month and forwarding remittance and credit request to Society. (7) Field service activity of servants and support of training program through service centers to which assigned. (8) Counsel on improving service before and after meetings. (9) Discuss any local problems.
3 With both servants being present at the discussion with the congregation servant, they will become better acquainted with each other’s duties and will better understand how the two departments can co-operate together. The overseer should direct the discussion in such a way that places for improvement will receive attention and not too much time will be spent on nonessentials or minor points. The congregation servant will work with each of these servants in the field, and the meeting with them should be early in the month.
April 6—Special Talk
Around the world all public speakers will talk on the subject “A New Song for All People of Good Will.” The time: April 6, 1958. More information on this in February Kingdom Ministry.
Publications Now Available
After Armageddon—God's New World—Hungarian “This Means Everlasting Life"—Thai (Siamese) Life in a New World (T8)—Dibabaun, Mandaya, Mansaka, Samareno
Christendom or Christianity—Which One Is “the Light of the World”? —Bengali
“Make Sure of All Things” (Revised edition of April, 1957) —English
1958 Yearbook and Calendar —English
Mailing of Supplies
All congregations receiving Kingdom Ministry by second-class mail may expect to receive all supplies formerly sent with Kingdom Ministry (such as ministry school items, etc.) under separate cover in one or more envelopes.
NOVEMBER SERVICE REPORT
Fobs.
Av.
Hrs.
Av. B-C
Av.
Bi. St.
Av.
Mags.
Sp’l Pios. 422
146.1
54.8
8.0
137.4
Pioneers 5,946
93.6
32.9
5.5
107.7
Vac. Pios. 1,154
86.9
24.4
3.7
76.6
Pubs. 185,220
10.1
3.3
.6
12.9
TOTAL 192,742
Public Meetings Held: 14,215
UNITED STATES QUOTA FOR 1958 206,538 Publishers
Literature Placements a Means to an End
Our Yearbook report shows that world-wide we placed over 18 million books and booklets, more than 76 million individual magazines and obtained more than one and a quarter million subscriptions during the 1957 service year. Why do we endeavor to place literature with the people? Because we want them to learn about Jehovah and his kingdom and get on the road that leads to life.
But for this literature to serve its purpose it must be read and understood. That means that we must call back and stimulate interest in the literature and then aid people to understand it. If we fail to do that we miss the very purpose of our placing the literature in the first place, which is thus seen to be merely a means to an end. The same is even true of our subscriptions. Unless we encourage them to read and help them to understand the magazines, it may be that after a few issues they won’t even take the trouble to remove the magazines from their wrappers. So, let us never forget, placing literature is only a means to an end.
Increase Praise ... (Cant’d)
this quota: Congregation publishers averaged 1.7; pioneers 19.2 and special pioneers 29.8. That was fine.
7 What can you do to reach the quota? Remember where subscriptions mostly come from—the house-to-house ministry. So benefit from the new sermon outlined in “Your Service Meetings.”
8 What can congregations do to aid all to reach their quotas? At service centers and service meetings helpful suggestions may be presented. At the Kingdom Hall the congregation servant might arrange for a chart to show the week-by-week progress. Overseers should outline a program to cover the entire territory with the offer.
9 And let us not forget that kindness must be directed not only to strangers but to our friends and brothers: “Become kind to one another.” Those who started in the service during December need our kindness. Assist them.—Eph. 4: 32.
10 Forward, then, into the rewarding opportunities January brings! Use The Watchtower to comfort those oppressed by the Devil. Yes, deal rewardingly with your own soul: Show kindness to strangers and thereby join in with Kingdom ministers world-wide, who are using The Watchtower to increase international praise to the One God.
Essential Qualities of Sermons Part 4-—Tactfulness
1 Jesus, the great Exemplar, gave good counsel on one of the prime requisites for quality sermons, namely, tactfulness. He said: “Prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.” This meant that they must be tactful. Paul also declared : “But a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be tactful toward all.” But precisely what does it mean to be tactful? Tactfulness may be defined as: a sensitive mental perception; or an acute, keen discernment of the best course of action to take under given conditions; or the peculiar ability to deal with others without giving offense. Tact is knowing what to say, how to say it and when to say it. —Matt. 10:16; 2 Tim. 2: 24.
2 Hence, the importance and value of being tactful is seen at once. It has many benefits to offer. Its proper use will aid us to go far in giving our sermons and will help us to reach the objective. It will help us to get oui- information across to the householder without offending him and closing his mind to the message. Tactfulness should not be confused with compromise or deceit. We can go too far in. the matter of tact and become overtactful, servile, apologetic, even compromising the truth, which would be wrong, the same as being untactful. So strike a happy balance and use the right amount of tact at the proper time.
Supporting Kingdom Service
As dedicated Christian ministers all we have belongs to Jehovah. We are merely stewards, obligated to make the best possible use of everything entrusted to our care, not only of our time and strength, but also of our money. As noted in The Watchtower, March 1, 1955, we have privileges and obligations to give support to our local congregation, to the Society and to needy brothers, especially those serving full time. And until the big convention next summer, we all have an added privilege and obligation along this line, namely, to contribute toward bringing as many missionaries and other fulltime servants as possible to that convention.
3 A few examples perhaps will aid us to see the point clearly. We may meet a householder who says, “I’m a Catholic and I’m not interested in your work.” You could counter with, “I’m glad to know that you are a Catholic. We have at least one thing in common—we both see the importance of spreading religion in this delinquent world.” Such a statement is both truthful and tactful. You are glad to know that he is a Catholic, for that will aid you to adapt your presentation to appeal to him and at the same time you acknowledge his objection.
4 Another illustration would be the householder who says, “I’m busy.” In all sincerity you could say, “But you shouldn’t be too busy to listen to the message I have for'you.” That would be truthful, but not tactful. It would be better to tactfully acknowledge we live in a busy world and then point out that even in a busy world we must pause to think about God and his purposes.
5 So always work for a tactful presentation. Think of what you say and how you say it. Think in terms of the householder’s reaction.
OFFER FOR FEBRUARY , “Watchtower” subscription for one, year and three booklets on a contribution of $1. '
Hoidin'S «?a1
—Rev.
FEBRUARY j
ing to the Nations-22: 2. ,
THIS IS THE YEAR!
1 Here it is ! A new year, a special year I Why? Because of the greatest international assembly Jehovah’s modern-day witnesses will have ever held. Imagine! Two big stadiums for one gathering of God’s people. And think of the rich spiritual food that will be served.
2 This great assembly will certainly open the eyes of many who now sit in darkness. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Isa. 9:2) This is the year for the light
NEW WORLD NEWS
& New peak of 4,761 publishers in Argentina; only 12 short of 10-percent quota for 1958 service year. Other peaks: El Salvador, 428; Bolivia, 259; Guatemala, 600; Morocco, 60; Nicaragua, 268. & Circuit servant in Spain arrested. Details expected later.
& 3,150 attend assembly in Trinidad during visit of representative of president’s office. 61 baptized. At British Guiana assembly 2,159 attend public meeting and 46 immersed, and at Surinam 775 assemble and 18 baptized.
& Morocco reports new peak in October of 72, well over 20 percent. Some brothers have succeeded in getting work there, to serve where the need is great.
$ Brazil reaches new peak of 11,747, already passing 10-percent quota for new service year.
& Fiji has first circuit assembly, with 98 in attendance.
$ 27,995 attended assemblies in Northern Rhodesia, with 637 baptized. Many traveled miles on foot and cycle to attend.
$ Taiwan reports restrictions on work have been lifted; brothers will be able to meet together freely and engage in service.
$ After nine months in his assignment a special pioneer in Nyasaland has 69 people organized for field service. $ 12,307 attend district assemblies held in South Africa; 385 baptized.
$ Turkey reaches new peak of 175 in October, exceeding 10-percent quota.
$ New Zealand reports a total attendance of 3,372 for their three assemblies. 59 baptized.
from God’s enthroned King to shine brighter than ever before.
3 But big things can be expected from this year before the assembly arrives. What about The Watchtower campaign? This is the year to make it the greatest of all, as an appropriate match for the greatest assembly. And what about a new peak of 225,314 publishers in April? These two great achievements, along with a big Memorial attendance, would be the finest kind of introduction for the climax of the year—the assembly. Indeed, we can expect this to be a great year with great things for Jehovah’s people.
* “Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope.” *
' ' nioiithly by WatchtowerBibkan^ Tract Society York^ Ine', J
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