Kingdom Ministry, May 1958

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MAY, 1958

VOL. 1 NO. 5

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

“As for me, in my integrity I shall walk.”—Psalm 26: 11.

KEEP FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Permit God’s Spirit to Work Through You

1 As magnetic forces permeate the area around a magnet, so does God’s spirit radiate from him and permeate his organization. That Invisible force activates his earthly servants to be joyful proclaimers of his good news. But they cannot expect to keep filled with it unless they stay close to the organization, where its field of influence is. To remain there it is essentia! to keep active in the ministry. We must speak the truths the spirit has given us and permit it to work through us. “Now we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God. These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the spirit, as we combine spiritual matters with spiritual words.”—1 Cor. 2:12, 13.

2 What is the most effective way for our spiritual words to bring comfort and hope? It is by making back-calls and by conducting Bible studies. Not only does this bring goodwill persons a knowledge of the truth but it brings them under the influence of God’s spirit.

3 We need to pray for them to get a mental grasp of the whole scope of Jehovah’s purposes, just as Paul did for the Ephesians. “On account of this I bend my knees to the Father, in order that you may be thoroughly able to grasp mentally with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge.”—Epi). 3:14, 18, 19.

4 When our prayers are accompanied by zealous ministerial activity on our part God’s spirit can operate through us to answer them. Make a special effort to let it operate through you during May and June. Let these two months be outstanding In your personal back-call and Bible study activity. If all publishers follow the spirit’s leading by engaging wholeheartedly in these two features of service we will have new peaks in back-calls and Bible studies. It can be done by calling on new subscribers and magazine placements.

5 Besides back-calls and Bible studies May has something special for us. It is the opportunity to “comfort all that mourn” by visiting the cemeteries on this country’s Memorial Day. By means of timely issues of The Watchtower and Awake! we will be able to comfort and give hope to those who have lost loved ones.

Increase Home Bible Studies by Assuming Responsibility!

1 As noted elsewhere in this Issue of Kingdom Ministry, it Is the home Bible studies that get results. Weekly study of the Bible with the aid of basic publications matures persons of good will, making them want to dedicate themselves to do God’s will.

2 During May and June we are aiming for a peak In home Bible studies. To attain that we must, of course, also build up our back-calls, for unless we make back-calls there will be no Bible studies.

OFFER FOR MAY

Two books and two booklets on i, ' a contribution of $1. '

- THEME FOR MAY J

’ Keeping Filled with the Spirit of God., < —Eph. 5:18.

3 True, we are making progress. From September, 1957, to March, 1958, we have increased in studies from 140,618 to 177,584. Congregation publishers have improved during that time from an average of .6 to .7; pioneers from 4.9 to 5.8; and special pioneers from 7.6 to 8.1. While the Society has never set a Approach them tactfully, and speak to them with kindness. Each congregation can then send a report to the Society giving the number who engaged in this work, the number of magazines placed and any interesting experiences.

6 By enthusiastic activity during May and June show that you are filled with the spirit and permitting it to operate through you. Use all that the spirit provides for Jehovah’s service. Use the new sermon, use the timely magazines, make back-calls, conduct Bible studies. Be aglow with zeal for Jehovah’s kingdom and for his truth.

quota of studies for pioneers it would be well for each pioneer to try to have at least five different studies a week and each special pioneer no less than eight, even as each congregation publisher should have at least one home Bible study.

4 While the circuit servant has set apart his afternoons for back-calls and studies, many congregations are not fully taking advantage of this provision to improve and increase in these. This is a mistake and shows a lack of appreciation! Congregation servants should arrange for a full schedule so that a maximum number of publishers can work with the circuit servant and receive- needed back-call and home Bible study training.

5 The home Bible study work is not only the most fruitful but also the most joyful part of our Kingdom ministry. There is a warm and friendly relationship between the minister and the good-will student. True the conducting of home Bible studies means responsibility, but there is so much joy and satisfaction in connection with It that the burden seems light indeed!

* To “thoroughly accomplish your ministry” make back-calls. *

FIRST MEETING IN MAY

Theme: Keeping Filled with the Spirit of God.

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

10 min: Talk on “Keeping Filled with the Spirit of God.” (See “Watchtower,” July 15, 1957, p. 436, and May 1, 1958, p. 267.)

12 min: Question-and-answer coverage of main article “Keep Filled with the Spirit.”

25 min: Develop and demonstrate a model sermon. A competent brother should be used as chairman.

CHAIRMAN (3 min.) Much wisdom and knowledge fills the earth, but little of it is life-giving. Only right knowledge can lead to life. New sermon, which all Kingdom publishers should prepare to use, will emphasize the need of and the reward for gaining right knowledge.

DEMONSTRATION (12 min.) Model study group has gathered at service center Sunday morning to review sermon before service. They discuss introduction, scriptures to be used and conclusion for a smooth transition into literature offer. They demonstrate to one another how they will give parts of the sermon. A suggested introduction might be: “Good morning. My name is---. I’m a minister. You may

think it strange that a minister you do not know would call at your door, but I have a matter of the greatest importance I wanted to discuss with you. Today much emphasis is being placed on technical and scientific knowledge and the gaining of material possessions. You may have noticed, too, how such materialistic thinking has pushed spiritual interests into the background. To emphasize the need to seek the right knowledge, Jesus set forth a principle that would be good for all persons to consider. He said here at Matthew 6: 33 . . .”

Theme: Knowledge That Leads to Life

Seek first the Kingdom —Matt, 6: 33 Materialistic knowledge and gain do not lead to life—illustrated by parable (paraphrase) —Luke 12: 16-21

Knowledge, is a superior defense

—Eccl. 7: 12

Everlasting life comes from knowing Jehovah and Christ Jesus —John 17: 3

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (5 min.) Audience asked for other suggestions for introducing and making-transition from sermon to oiler.

CHAIRMAN (5 min.) Calls on mature publisher from study group to give sermon before audience. Then chairman concludes with brief remarks on value and need of all using sermon.

8 min: Arrange locally, including closing announcements.

SECOND MEETING IN MAY

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

13 min: Talk and demonstration to explain and illustrate how to fill out room request forms and volunteer service forms correctly. Stress the need for accuracy, thoroughness and promptness in filling out the forms. Include convention information article.

22 min: Demonstration on “Prompt Revisits.”

CHAIRMAN (4 min.) Talk on urgency of calling back within week while interest still alive. Our responsibility to help good-will persons see need of study. We should make definite appointments and then keep the appointments. “Do not loiter at your business.”—Rom. 12: 11.

SCENE I (8 min.) Literature has just been placed by publisher and she is heard making definite appointment to call again. After she leaves she jots down all information on house-to-house record. Inside home, person of good will is seen reading with evident interest the “Good News” booklet. Through pantomime audience is shown why good-will person is unable to keep up interest. As she reads, postman delivers interesting letter, children come home from school, gossipy neighbor comes in with latest neighborhood happenings, etc. Booklet is forgotten, becomes hidden under other papers.

SCENE II (4 min.) Sister “Positive” calls back at time appointed with back-call sermon prepared. Greets person of good will with friendly smile and enthusiastic expression, saying: “Good evening, Mrs. ---. Since I called on

Sunday morning I took some time to look up some further information on the subject of right knowledge that we discussed. I would like very much to share this information with you.” Publisher is invited in, but householder apologizes for books and booklets not having been read, although booklet was looked at—“they are around somewhere.” Publisher, prepared for such occasion, brings out two “Good News” booklets and mentions that many things interfere with our desire to learn. This is why we call back quickly so life-giving information may be kept alive and expanded. Then she goes into back-call sermon.

CHAIRMAN (6 min.) Discusses with audience points learned from demonstration and calls for experiences from those who have already put into practice the Society’s suggestions on calling back within week.

15 mln: Talk on “Increase Home Bible Studies by Assuming Responsibility!”

5 min: Arrange locally, including closing announcements.

THIRD MEETING IN MAY

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

12 min: Cover “Make Sure of All Things”, on Marriage from page 255 “Christian Duties of the Husband” to the end of page 257. To be handled by audience participation.

20 min: “Presenting the Good News” —talk and demonstration. To be conducted by the school servant.

13 min: Talk on “Continue to Help New Ones.”

10 min: Arrange locally. (Include comments on the text [2 Tim. 4:5] at the bottom of page 1 and closing announcements.)

FOURTH MEETING IN MAY

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

10 min: New World News Report. Include interesting points from the “Yearbook” on countries reported on.

15 min: Talk, together with questions and answers, on “Congregation Organization” article “Aiding the Other Sheep Through ‘The Watchtower.’ ” 20 min: Talk and demonstration on use of May 22 and June 1 magazines. Show how these magazines, discussing death and the resurrection, can tactfully be used at cemeteries and in the house-to-house service during worldly “memorial” season. See “Memorial Day Witnessing” in April “Kingdom Ministry.”

On date of release of the May 22 and June 1 issues, begin featuring the two articles whenever you present magazines. Strive to get considerable experience in offering them before the worldly “memorial” day. Remember to keep presentations brief and to the point. Take with you to the cemetery a supply of the tract “Hope for the Dead.” When people are not receptive to the magazine offer, give them a tract. Those having unusual success may wish to report their experience to the Society.

10 min: Arrange locally. (Include comments on the text [1 Pet. 1: 13] at the bottom of page 4 and closing announcements.)

FIFTH MEETING IN MAY

Those congregations having a fifth meeting should arrange their own program. A suggested talk: “Being Conscious of Your Spiritual Need.” Include points from the article in “Awake!” of April 8, 1958, and counsel on meeting attendance.

The following is also suggested:

8 min: Talk on “Bible Studies Get Results.” Tn the New World society we do not encourage people to make a decision for Christ on the emotional impulse of the moment. We first lay a groundwork so that dedication is intelligently and sincerely made on the basis of faith and love. For this nothing can compare with home Bible studies, as our 1958 “Yearbook” shows. Thus in every one of the following instances the result was one or more publishers.

How vital studies are can be seen from a certain woman in the United States reading “The Watchtower” for years, but taking her stand after just a few studies, even as did a woman Methodist minister. (71) If unable to have the study at home we may be able to hold it at the place of business, with unexpected results, as seen in the report from Argentina. (83) Merely sitting in on a few studies caused a person of good will in New Guinea to start preaching, with remarkable results. (89) Sometimes unknown to us others may be listening and who then take their stand, as it happened in Finland. (156) If children attend we can rouse their interest by giving them “homework” to do, as did one publisher in British Guiana. (102) And for results from studies with booklets see the reports on the British Isles (106) and Greece. (170)

15 min: What Do You Remember from “Kingdom Ministry”? Audience to answer questions based on articles in “Kingdom Ministry.” Chairman will select pertinent points from following issues: September, the main article outlining 1958 goals; October, Are You a Regular Publisher?; November, Parents, Do You Love Your Children?; January, New Magazine Quotas; February, Better Meeting Attendance; April, Can You Serve Where the Need Is Great? Also points from “Presenting the Good News” may be selected.

CONGREGATION

Aiding the Other Sheep Through the “Watchtower” Study

1 To Jehovah’s people the Watchtower study is the most important meetingof the week. Rightly, itshould have one hundred percent support. Not only does it provide spiritual food for the little flock, but the other sheep are also invited to share in this feast. What can we do to aid the other sheep to share more abundantly in these progressive revelations of truth from The Watchtower that, illuminate the path of the righteous ones?—Prov. 4:18.

2 We must first of all build up proper respect for the unique position The Watchtower has in Jehovah’s arrangement. It is Jehovah’s provision for supplying food at the proper time. When studying with prospective sheep from the very beginning The Watchtower study should be held before them as the most desirable of all studies. Mention it often and aid them to see the value of attending so that they can get the benefit of association and of all the mature comments.

Take Them with You

3 Also, do not just tell them about the meeting; accompany them. It is noted that even some of the older publishers do not come to the public meeting and remain for The Watchtower study. In fact, the attendance is only seventy-two percent of the total publishers associated; and since many persons of good will are

Your Letterhead

A number of congregations have been printing letterheads, and they may do so if they think it necessary. Some congregations have printed letterheads with just the words “New-World Society.” This is meaningless, as it does not connect the Society with Jehovah’s witnesses. It could be any kind of a society. It is suggested that, if congregations are going to print letterheads for their use, a more explicit form be followed. For example, it could read: “New York, N.Y., Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Brooklyn Heights Unit.” Then on the right-hand side of the letterhead it could have “Kingdom Hall, 136 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn 1, New York.” On the lefthand side the meeting times could be shown, the hour and the day.

Letterheads printed in this manner advertise the name of the congregation and Jehovah’s witnesses, as well as directing people to the Kingdom Hall. This has meaning and identification.

ORGANIZATION

included, it is obvious that greater appreciation for this study needs to be built up. Vital is the role it plays in gaining greater maturity for all who attend. Therefore, attend regularly. Participate and do your part to create a warm and friendly atmosphere at the Watchtoioer study so that persons of good will desire to return.

4 The study conductor can do much to help new publishers and those newly associated to attend. He can note who among his group are missing at the Watchtower study and then display loving interest by encouraging them, yes, visiting them personally, aiding them to attend the study. Additionally, at the end of the congregation book study he can, from time to time, pose several questions to be answered at the Watchtower study. This will serve to whet their spiritual appetites.

Help Them Comment

5 Each one, including the newer publishers, should see the value of commenting. Help the newer ones to prepare their answers if necessary. Perhaps they may want to tell the conductor beforehand which paragraph they wish to comment on.

6 The Watchtower contains vital food for the other sheep. It is the responsibility of those who are more mature to direct good-will persons to this unlimited source of spiritual truths. Aid them to attend the Watchtower study with you.

American Standard Version Bible

Some congregations have written to the Society regarding the article in the March Kingdom Ministry on the American Standard Version Bible relative to the statement “new thinner edition.” Formerly this Bible was printed on heavier paper, making its bulk 1 is inches. This new thinner edition is printed on thinner paper and thus is 1& inches thick.

MARCH SERVICE REPORT

Av- Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. B*C Bi. St. Mags.

Sp’l Pios. 505 150.7 55.4 8.1

Pioneers 6,046 99.7 35.5 5.8

Vac. Pios. 889 90.9 26.6 3.9

Pubs. 199,443 10.9 3.6 .7

TOTAL 206,883

Public Meetings Held: 15,973

UNITED STATES QUOTA FOR 1958 206,538 Publishers

1958 MEMORIAL REPORT

Total Memorial attendance 323,950

Number of partakers 6,758

Public Meetings 3,735

Attendance at Public Meetings 217,744

Continue to Help New Ones

1 New publishers that have been helped in April to go out in the service should not be forgotten nor neglected during May. Even though they have been aided in the field once or twice, they are still very new and need much training and encouragement before they become sturdy, regular, mature ministers of God. Our desire should be to build these new ones up until they “all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God.” We do not want them to remain babes, being tossed about by doubts and tricked by crafty men. See, then, that they grow up strong in faith, rich in love.

2 For over three years Jesus taught and trained his apostles and disciples how to carry on the ministry. It had its effect, because after Pentecost people recognized by the apostles’ outspokenness “that they used to be with Jesus.” We should desire that our training be as thorough. Our heart should be set on developing ministers of quality, publishers that are efficient in every feature of the ministry. This takes time—sometimes many months—depending on the ability, appreciation and zeal of the new one. If we conscientiously assume our responsibility as teachers and preachers, the new publishers generally come along and do their part. So let us help them grow to Christian maturity through love.—Acts 4:13; Eph. 4:16.

3 What Is the best way to aid the new publisher to maturity? By gradually increasing his theocratic privileges and responsibilities. If he started to serve in the magazine work, keep up with that feature of service with him but Increase his privileges by asking him to accompany you in the house-to-house work, then the back-call and the Bible study work. Teach him to give the three- to eight-minute sermon. Train him how to overcome objections and refute falsehoods. See that he continues to study the publications by studying with him.

4 Preparing for the international assembly, no doubt, will keep you busy. But do not let this cramp your service to Jehovah. Just hustle a little more. Stay close to your studies and help them in the field. Let your advancement be manifest to all persons. “Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”—1 Tim. 4: 15,16.

Essential Qualities of Sermons Part 8: Friendly, Conversational and Direct

1 Jehovah’s people have the most interesting subject in the world—the good news of the Kingdom. However, even though our sermon may have a good theme with excellent material, how does it appeal to the listener? Not only is an intellectual appeal necessary but we need to stir our listener emotionally. Otherwise he will not be moved to action. To achieve this the minister needs to be friendly, conversational and direct.

2 First of all, we need to examine our attitude. Does each home contain potential sheep until you find out otherwise? Then do you get off to a good start with the householder? Avoid undue controversy by starting with a point of common interest. This will gain a listening ear. Further, be friendly disposed toward the people, just as Jesus was. A long face or an unhappy expression has no place with our message. Good news makes one radiate with gladness, thus showing the effect the truth has upon us. Remember- friendliness often begets friendliness and has much persuasive power.

3 To make your sermons appealing never lecture to the people. Converse with them and you will get better results. Conversation, like teaching, is an art. Therefore it must be cultivated. It is sometimes defined as a friendly interchange of views. Hence, do not do all the talking; it is only natural that the householder will want to say something. By being a good listener you may learn just what is needed to put your sermon across. Also, remember to include your companion in the conversation. He should pay attention to what is being said and not appear indifferent or preoccupied. This would detract from the sermon.

International Convention Information

1 Beginning April 27 and until convention time the New York city publishers, along with their brothers from nearby New Jersey and Connecticut, will be diligently going from door to door obtaining rooming accommodations for all you conven-tioners. We feel sure many more rooms will be required this year than in 1953, and we have in mind that there are many more publishers locally to accomplish the task, too, for which we are glad.

2 Hotels in New York city are cooperating excellently by listing large blocks of rooms with the convention committee. Consequently we are confident that everyone will be adequately taken care of in the matter

4 Always look directly at the person spoken fo, since this will enable your facial expression to convey the proper thoughts. Helpful to such directness is proper sermon preparation. It is difficult to convince someone else of the importance of what you are saying if you are not thoroughly convinced yourself. Failure to look right at the householder may indicate lack of sincerity, shyness or self-consciousness.

5 Gain respect for the message by not delivering it in an apologetic manner but rather in a direct, friendly and conversational style. Use these essential qualities to make your sermons even more effective.

OFFER FOR JUNE

Two books and two booklets on a contribution of $1.

THEME FOR JUNE

Congregating Together for Worthwhile , Works.—Eccl. 12:9.

of accommodations. You can help now by filling out your Room Request Form that you received through your congregation and mailing it to: Watchtower Convention, 77 Sands Street, Brooklyn 1, New York. Be sure you have filled it out completely, denoting the accommodations required. In the event that a certain hotel is desired, you may show such preference on the form. Considering that the hotels are working with us so closely, it only results in confusion when you write directly to the hotel and make your own arrangements. It is much better to handle it through the Society, as requested in a special letter that

NEW WORLD NEWS

♦ 73 New York city congregations have 14,505 present at Memorial, with 342 partaking. Attendance increased 1,547 over previous year.

♦ Argentine police rebuked by courts in assembly cancellation (reported in February) . Police edict, basis of the action, is declared unconstitutional in important victory for freedom of worship. Brothers now planning assemblies in Buenos Aires.

♦ Yugoslavia reaches second successive peak in January, with 1,820 reporting. ♦ Increases continue behind the “Iron Curtain.” Poland had thrilling new peaks in January and February and Romania reaches new peaks in December and January. Arresting of servants continues. ♦ Chile reaches another new peak in February (1,414) in working toward 20-percent goal.

♦ Excellent circuit assembly held in Djakarta, Indonesia, with 210 in attendance and 20 baptized. Congregations weakened as many move to Holland, but local brothers taking oversight.

♦ Japan reports sixth new peak of publishers, now reporting 950, bringing year’s increase to over 30 percent.

♦ Brazil reaches 21 percent in February, with a new peak of 12,730. 65 new congregations are formed during first six months of service year.

♦ Publisher in Solomon Islands sentenced to one month in jail for possession of “Make Sure of All Things”.

♦ Italy reaches 15 percent in February, with a new peak of 4,272.

♦ Five vacation pioneers now working in Portuguese East Africa in answer to invitation to serve where the need is great. More planning to join them.

each congregation received last month.

Trailer City

3 So far the Society has been unable to acquire property and obtain municipality approval for a trailer site. Consequently, do not fill out the information for trailer space. The Society is still working on this matter and in the event it is able to consummate arrangements for a trailer city, it will be reported in the June Kingdom Ministry, At present it seems unlikely. If obtained it will undoubtedly be a small “trailer city” provision.

Volunteer Service

4 Do not forget to fill out the application for volunteer service and give it to the congregation servant for mailing.

-X Peter said: “Brace up your minds for activity.” Do you? *

Published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 117 Adams St., Brooklyn 1, N.Y. Entered ar second-class matter at Brooklyn, N.Y. Printed in U.S.A,