Kingdom Ministry, June 1966
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KINGDOM MINISTRY
FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA "We should not neglect the house of our God."—Neh. 10:39.
VOL. IX NO. 6
Dear Publishers:
We have been asking ourselves, "What will the results in the U.S.A. be for April?" Now the final figures are in, and we rejoice because such a fine witness was given and you worked hard.
First, look at the hours. Excellent! There were 5,263,371 hours spent preaching. Bible studies conducted, one-quarter of a million! To be exact, there were 258,569 Bible studies, a new peak for the U.S. Your magazine distribution, 7,191,379 copies. Additionally, you obtained 148,280 new subscriptions. The report is fine and all Kingdom publishers have reason to be glad. But now we have another question. Did we lose some sheep in April? A year ago we had 327,588 publishers in the field. But this year we had 318,559. We are wondering why, and we guess you are too. This is serious, isn't it? Did your congregation have fewer sheep in April than last year? How many? How did it happen that we had 9,029 fewer publishers in April? True, this is our best month in publishers so far this year, but why did we not have as many as in 1965? Really, we had a whole year, twelve months, to help mature those publishers who worked with us last year. Did we get these publishers to the meetings regularly during the year and help them mature? Did we continue to show interest in them and have studies with them? Did we try to take them in the field service with us during the past twelve months? Why did some of those persons discontinue publishing? Who were they? Teenagers? Children? Grown-ups? Baptized ones? It makes us think, doesn't it?
It is easy to say, "It is the trend of materialism, you know," and to let it go at that. It could be. But we would rather look at it from this point of view. Have we, Jehovah's witnesses, done everything possible to help our brothers who once shared this glorious treasure of service to fully appreciate it?
We Have What They Need
1 No doubt you have observed, as we have here in Brooklyn, that perhaps the majority of homes have a Bible. Yet we know that merely having a Bible has not given people accurate knowledge of God's purposes. Haven't you also discovered that even those who have done some Bible reading often admit that they have difficulty in understanding it? Of course, we know that the archaic language is one of the problems. Yet we are aware that their lives depend on understanding and applying God's Word. So when we call at the homes of the people with the New World Translation we can have confidence that what we are offering is what they really need. And if they will listen for just a few minutes, any one of us can show them that it is a Bible that is a delight to read, can't we?
2 But in addition to that, people need help to understand the full significance of what the Bible says. Again, Jehovah has provided us with just what people need in order to be guided aright—the 'Impossible to Lie' book! We've all enjoyed reading the book and discussing it together at the congregation book study, and we realize that it is just what people need if they are going to come to an accurate knowledge
of the truth. So when we offer these two publications—the New World Translation and the 'Impossible to Lie' book, and two booklets, for $1.50—we can be confident that this is what people need.
3 Realizing what people need, haven't you often used the scripture at John 17:3 in your ministry, stressing the householder's need to take in life-giving knowledge of God and his Son? And here in the 'Impossible to Lie' book we have just that! A whole chapter on the true God and another on his Son!
4 Something else that all of us have found that deeply concerns honest-hearted persons is this: Why does God allow wickedness? Many have become agnostics because they stumbled over this issue. Others may profess to have faith, but it is weak. What can we do to help them? Offer them the 'Impossible to Lie' book; chapter 15 answers their question, and satisfactorily.
5 Some other people that we would like to help are difficult to reach for a different reason—they are seldom at home when we call. Here again we have something to fill the need! The Society has printed 10,000,000 folders advertising the 'Impossible to Lie' book and
(Continued on page 2, col. 3)
Where are these lost sheep, 9,029 of them? Have we neglected something during the year? Maybe we were so busy with our own Kingdom interests that we failed to look around and help some of our brothers who were in need. We have a responsibility toward them to help them, maybe even find them again.
They are nearby because they attended the Memorial. There were 558,494 in attendance with us,22,763 more than during the previous year. That is wonderful. There were 5,016 partakers of the emblems,107 fewer than during 1965; but, then, we expected the number of the remnant to decrease. Interested people are
associating with us, because at the special public meeting we had 326,-263, an increase of 9,483 over the previous year. That's good! But the question is, Where is that one sheep, or two, that strayed from the ninety-nine? Do you think we can find him?—Matt. 18:12-14.
May Jehovah bless all of us as we make it our business to find the lost sheep, feed them, cherish them and help them get back into the fold, there to enjoy the fellowship of God's flock.
May Jehovah bless all of you in your happy, interesting work.
Your brothers,
THE BROOKLYN BRANCH OFFICE Your Service Meetings
SECOND MEETING IN JUNE
Theme: Sharing Our Spiritual Plenty with Others. Song 65.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments. Include some reference to Isaiah 25:6.
20 min: "We Have What They Need," also "For Use on Bible Studies." Questions and answers; perhaps a short demonstration.
10 min: Branch letter. Discuss with congregation as a whole or in an appropriate demonstration.
15 min: Plan for an Upbuilding Summer.
(2 min.) Chairman: School is out or soon will be in most localities, and youths in the congregation are looking forward to an enjoyable summer. With planning, it can also be upbuilding What are you and your family planning to do in the next few months?
(4 min.) Mature brother, preferably one with a family, discusses with two other parents his plans for himself and his family for the summer. Highlight attending the assembly. Comment on any plans for enlarged field service, which may include vacation pioneering for some of the family, or at least more service for the children under the supervision of the parents. Brother asks what the other parents are planning for the summer months. Perhaps they have not given the matter much thought. May have in mind going to the assembly, but had not really planned anything definite as to added service activity. Brother comments that summer goes by fast. Advance planning helps us to get done the things we want to; otherwise we find that the summer is gone and we never did get them done. Parents agree that added theocratic activity would make the summer especially enjoyable and upbuilding; they plan to discuss prospects as a family.
(6 min.) At mealtime the next day father, mother and children discuss prospects for summer. Father asks children what they are planning to do. One says he is looking forward to assembly, relaxing, sports, etc. Other child agrees. Mother says that it would be fine if they could plan some of their outdoor recreation together while the weather is nice; others like the idea. Father suggests that the children might enjoy having an increased share in field service, and perhaps they can arrange so the family can do it together. Children would enjoy that. Mother says that she could plan to take some time several days a week to work along with them in service during the day. Father comments on when he can be with them. If anyone in the family can plan some time to vacation pioneer, by all means include that. All delighted with prospects; something to look forward to when plans are made in advance. (Make the demonstration true to life.)
(3 min.) Chairman encourages families to work together as much as possible during the summer. Point out the blessings of vacation pioneer service, whether for two weeks, a month, two months or more.
2 min: Accounts servant's report.
8 min: Concluding comments. (Include appropriate Announcements, "How Did We Do in April?" and "Assemblies Start This Month." Song 62.
Theme; Helping All to Keep "a Firm Hold" on Life. (1 Tim. 6:19) Song 66.
THIRD MEETING IN JUNE
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
15 min: Talk based on article "Time Is Running Out!" in June 1, 1966, "Watchtower."
15 min: Servant discusses with undedicated publisher questions that that one has about dedication and baptism. Draw material from "Make Sure," pages 39-42, 150-153.
15 min: Presenting the Good News —"Getting a Hearing Ear." Talk and demonstration of main points. Make it applicable to local circumstances.
10 min: Concluding comments. Local experiences with current offer may be tied in with items from Theocratic News. Remind brothers to bring "Preaching and Teaching in Peace and Unity" booklet next week. Paragraphs 1 to 4 will be covered. Song 78.
FOURTH MEETING IN JUNE
Theme: Making the Truth Available to All. Song 85.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
20 min: Magazine Distribution.
(10 min.) After magazine-territory servant starts talking about 'street witnessing' a brother raises his hand and, on being acknowledged, says, "Are we still supposed to do street witnessing? I hardly ever see anyone doing it except at assemblies. Usually we go from house to house." Servant shows it is good to go where we can meet people and accomplish most good. All features of service are good. Scripturally based street witnessing is not out-of-date. (Prov. 1:20, 21; Acts 20:20. For further information see "The Watchtower," issue of November 1, 1957, page 668, paragraphs 11 and 12.)
Where and when is street work advantageous? Some publishers and pioneers enjoy excellent results in magazine activity early in the morning before it is wise to witness from house to house, or at times when persons are leaving for work or are coming home. In areas where there are people living in hotels or inaccessible apartment houses publishers often do more street witnessing than they would in other areas, because this is about the only way that many of these people can be contacted with the Kingdom message.
As with any magazine activity, it is well to be familiar with contents of issues you offer and it is usually good to highlight one point or article in a magazine. Since persons on the street are usually in a hurry, it is important to keep that in mind when approaching them and make your presentation brief. How can this work be done? The most successful way is to approach persons waiting for others in automobiles along the street or in parking lots at shopping centers, those waiting at the bus stop or train station, persons leaving or entering large factories or other buildings, people walking down the street, etc. Why not share in street witnessing yourself? (See "Qualified to Be Ministers," Study 46, page 185.)
(8 min.) Demonstrate some ways that it would be appropriate in your territory to do street witnessing. Magazine-territory servant may call on
various publishers he has asked to prepare presentations. As much as possible use publishers who really do that type of work. Before or after each demonstration, it may be helpful to explain pertinent points regarding the approach.
(2 min.) Chairman encourages all to share in street witnessing as opportunity affords. When offering magazines, always be kind, respectful and polite, never insistent. Street witnessing can be done at any convenient time, morning, afternoon or evening, and usually in any public area or place, as long as one does not block the door or disturb others, allowing the passersby free access to the street.
15 min: Question-and-answer coverage of paragraphs 1 to 4 of "Preaching and Teaching in Peace and Unity." Remind brothers to bring booklet next week (unless you have a fifth meeting in June) and study paragraphs 5 to 9.
8 min: Question Box. Person now associating with congregation asks a servant if he should send a letter of resignation to church with which he was previously affiliated.
12 min: Concluding comments. Comment on article entitled "Is It Up-to-Date?" Include suggestions on places and means for magazine distribution locally. Song 89.
FIFTH MEETING IN JUNE
This can be prepared by overseer. Consider carefully needs of the congregation and arrange for interesting beneficial program.
Theme: Maintaining Worship at "the House of Our God." (Rev. 7:15) Song 63.
FIRST MEETING IN JULY
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
10 min: Talk on theme for month, "Maintaining Worship at 'the House of Our God.'" See "The Watchtower" of July 1, 1966, and December 15, 1965. 15 min: "Carrying the Load Well." Overseer (if possible) discusses points with congregation book study conductor who has difficulty getting everything done.
20 min: Question-and-answer coverage of paragraphs 5 to 9 of "Preaching and Teaching in Peace and Unity." Read and comment on scriptures as time is available.
10 min: Concluding comments. Literature offer for July. Encourage any who can to share in witnessing activities on the fourth of July. Song 119.
We Have What They Need (Cont'd) explaining the free home Bible study service that we offer. So even when people are not at home, we can slip this attractive folder under the door, and this may stimulate them to obtain what they need. Have you obtained your personal supply? Be sure to use them all.
6 We have all come to realize that there has never been a time when more people needed to learn God's will before it is too late. Our work is urgent! We have what they need. It is a privilege for all of us to share in taking it to them.
Carrying the Load Well
1 "How do you get everything done?" is the question that is often in the minds of assistant servants reaching out for the office of overseer, especially so when they see all the work the congregation servant has to do. (1 Tim. 3:1) His duties are certainly many, aren't they? However, week after week a capable overseer endeavors to care for these responsibilities so that the congregation will operate smoothly. It is apparent that he must take care of small matters as well as big ones day after day. But how does he find the time, and how does he remember all the things he must do?
2 Many capable overseers keep a checklist to help them. Do you? Some may use a notebook, others a small diary, desk pad or a calendar, writing down things to be accomplished at certain times and checking them off when finished. It saves time, organizes their work and serves as a constant reminder. Their checklist for the coming month is made out as soon as they receive their Kingdom Ministry and have read it over. The publishers also reading Kingdom Ministry know what should be done and, when they see their overseer progressively carrying out his work, they develop even greater respect for him as one who can be depended upon.
3 To see the work involved, look
Assemblies Start This Month
1 Yes, the "God's Sons of Liberty" District Assembly opens at Toronto June 22 through 26. Will you be there? Evidently a great crowd will be, and what a spiritually upbuilding five days they will have together!
2 Incidentally, if you are going to one of the Canadian assemblies you may want to keep in mind that the U.S. dollar is worth approximately $1.08 in Canadian funds. However, if you do not want to, it is not necessary to convert U.S. funds into Canadian currency, as American money is readily accepted anywhere.
3 Rooming work will also be starting in other cities during June. In San Francisco and Dallas the brothers will begin to sign up rooms on June 12, and on June 19 in Baltimore. So, your brothers are getting ready for you. They are anxious for you to be with them for the full five days of the assembly. And you will be glad if you make arrangements to do just that. The program is just what we need, and it is one that we will all long remember.
through this Kingdom Ministry and put down all the things you would have to do if you were overseer. For June you would need to assign meeting parts, plan for rehearsals so that the brothers will gain the most good from the meetings, and meet with the school servant. Did your list cover all these points? Local congregation events and the individual spiritual needs of publishers will make the list even longer.
4 Can the overseer carry all this load by himself? No, it is apparent that he needs help. Whether you are a servant in the congregation or
Literature offer for July and August: "Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie" and a booklet for 50 cents.
Announcements
It is suggested that a half hour on the service meeting following the week most of the congregation attend the district assembly be used to review assembly highlights. Encouraging experiences may be included. Overseers will want to plan this in advance, making whatever adjustments are necessary in the service meeting schedule.
Those who wish to share the joys of vacation pioneering for two weeks, a month or more this summer are encouraged to get an application and fill it out right away.
Congregations may find it advantageous to arrange for group witnessing on the fourth of July, since that is a holiday for many persons.
Suggested meetings for field service: June 12: Deal with common objection encountered when making the offer. June 19: Suggestions for 'getting a hearing ear.' (See Presenting the Good News.) June 26: How studies can be started. July 3: Review current sermon.
Starting July 3. circuit servants will give the public talk "Christendom or Christianity-Which One Has Failed?"
Please order handbills four to six weeks in advance, and remit exact cost with handbill order, figuring cost at 25 cents a thousand.
Overseer and school servant will meet early in June to discuss the congregation's ministry school.
When ordering bumper signs for conventioners, please be sure to indicate the assembly city for which they are desired. If you have not yet ordered bumper signs and lapel cards, now is a good time to do it.
Pioneers may obtain songbooks at half the publisher rate. Records are available to pioneers for their personal use at 50c each.
When the new records are used to accompany congregation singing, at least at the beginning it may be wise to remind the brothers not to sing during the introduction or during the interlude before the final verse.
New publications available:
From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained —Tswana, Ga
1966 Yearbook —English, Spanish
1965 Watchtower and Awake! bound volumes —English, Spanish
a publisher, you can assist the overseer. For example, the assistant congregation servant can advise the overseer of trends that need attention in the congregation. Study conductors have certain things that need attention at their service centers and they can call these to the overseer's attention as well as making personal calls on publishers who need assistance. Publishers, by cooperating with the overseer in every way, just getting their field service reports in on time, helping to keep the Kingdom Hall clean, and supporting arrangements for field service, are a great aid. If all cooperate together, the overseer can carry his load more effectively and efficiently, and that with benefit to the entire congregation.
Question Box
Before becoming one of Jehovah's witnesses, is it necessary to request that one's name be removed from the membership roll of his former religion?
Generally speaking, what does coming out of Babylon the Great mean? Straddling the fence and keeping a nominal membership in a Babylonish religious system and at the same time desiring to be listed in the files of a congregation of Jehovah's witnesses? What does Revelation 3:15, 16 say? When a person approaches Jehovah to make a dedication, is He pleased to accept such one and at the same time let him list himself as a member and supporter of Babylon the Great? Where, definitely, does one stand? Or is one indifferent?
One's serving personal notice on Babylon the Great furnishes an opportunity for a witness. If a Christian writes his former church, this should be done with dignity, briefly stating why he is becoming one of Jehovah's witnesses. One may wish to enclose an appropriate magazine, booklet or tract, such as "What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?"
In some lands failure to remove one's name from the membership roll of a false religious organization means that part of one's tax money will continue to go to that church. That, of course, would not be desirable; so, in such a case, diligent effort ought to be made to get one's name removed from the church register.
If a person withdrew from Babylonish religion many years ago, he does not need to be disturbed if he did not make a formal withdrawal from the church with which he was associated. The fact that, perhaps in childhood, one's name was entered on the membership rolls of a church has no bearing on his present course; nor does it make his dedication invalid. What is it that actually makes one a member of a Babylonish religion? It includes attending church services, engaging in church social or recreational functions and contributing to the church. By ceasing to attend, participate, share in false worship and contribute, it should be clear to the church organization and observers in general that one is no longer a member, whether an actual letter of withdrawal was submitted or not. With an individual's ties to a false religious organization cut, he may share in the Christian ministry and make a valid dedication to Jehovah God, if otherwise qualified.
Presenting THE GOOD NEWS
Getting a Hearing Ear
1 Are you finding it difficult to get people to listen to you in the ministry? Many of us are having this difficulty, at least in some of our territories. But why? Is it because people are deciding they do not want the Kingdom good news? In some cases this is no doubt the reason. Yet in others it is not, especially when other publishers can go into the same territory and have good success. Well, how is it that they get a hearing ear? You will no doubt find that a number of things are involved.
2 For instance: Have you observed that children, even though their presentations are very simple, can often hold the undivided attention of adults? Perhaps you have noticed that foreign-speaking publishers and new publishers often get a hearing ear where others do not usually succeed. Is it that their presentations are both simple and very expressive? Perhaps we, too, should strive for greater simplicity and warmth.
3 It has been said that women do not take as great an interest in technical things or political subjects as men do. Women are interested in living conditions, their relatives, other people, their homes and children. So when you talk to women in your territory build your presentation around the things that are of greatest concern to them, and keep it simple.
4 Men, too, are often more interested in local events and problems than they are in those of other countries. A man's job, his family and their safety are of immediate concern to him. Young people are interested in their future; older people, in their security and better health. But no matter what people are interested in, it soon becomes apparent to them that they cannot remedy all the difficulties they face. It will take someone more capable than man. Their hope lies in the Kingdom.
5 Jesus said that the good news of the Kingdom is the message we are to carry to all in our territory during this "time of the end." If we feature the Kingdom theme, we will be able to keep things simple. Also, you will find it easy to make personal application of information concerning God's kingdom. Help the householder to see himself being benefited by the Kingdom. If our presentations are simple, warm and fit the individual's needs personally, it may be all of us will be able to reach the ears and hearts of more people in our territory. In this way we will be able to aid more people by our presentation of the good news.
For Use on Bible Studies
1 You will be interested to know that we already have the book "Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie" printed in nine languages—Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish—and more are on the way. These are tongues that are spoken by 833 million of earth's inhabitants, and it is wonderful to realize that we are equipped to use this fine study aid to help any of them to learn the truth from God's Word. We would like to do more than place the book with them; what we really want is to have a regular home Bible study with them.
Our brothers have found this book ideal for the purpose. It comes to grips with the thinking that is
prevalent in our day and helps persons to see why they should build their faith on the Bible. In most cases it is good to start right in at the beginning of the book. Of course, at times we meet a person who is particularly interested in a certain subject, and we need to be flexible. It may be necessary to start studying the chapter that specially interests that householder. But when the study is well established, it would be good to go back and cover the earlier part of the book too. The important thing is to help interested persons to study on a regular basis; and Jehovah, through his organization, has provided us with a fine instrument to accomplish it.
THEOCRATIC NEWS
The forty-second class of Gilead School began April 25,1966,with 106 students from 13 lands. Seventy-nine of them are learning Spanish; others are learning French or Japanese.
Italy reports a new peak of 9,984 publishers in March-a 10.4-percent increase. Congregation publishers reached the ten-hour goal for the first time.
Gabon, West Africa, reports 92 publishers in March, for an increase of 26 percent over last year's average.
Is It Up-to-Date?
1 Not long ago two Witnesses on vacation in Connecticut inquired in the town where they were staying as to the location of the Kingdom Hall. Without hesitation the shopkeeper told them where it was, near the edge of town. They drove out to the hall and stopped to read the sign in front to make sure of meeting times, so they could plan to be there. It did not appear that any of the brothers were at the hall just then, so the visitors started to drive away. But as they did, a brother came from behind the hall, curious to see who had stopped. The visiting Witnesses were glad to meet him, and told him that they were looking forward to being at the meeting there Friday evening. "Our meetings have not been on Friday for quite a while," he said. "We meet on Thursday." It was a good thing that the visitors met him, because, if they had followed the sign, they would have missed the meeting.
2 In another location, in Pennsylvania, a Witness whose husband is not in the truth located a Kingdom Hall and checked the sign in front to be sure about meeting times. She worked hard to get the children ready and, with her husband's permission, left for the hall just in time for the concluding song. Meeting times had changed, but not the sign.
3 What about the sign that shows meeting times at your Kingdom Hall? Is it up-to-date?
APRIL SERVICE REPORT
Pubs.
Av. Hrs.
Av. B-C
Av. Bl. St.
Av. Mags.
Sp'l Pios.
143.1
54.0
7.9
190.7
Pios.
9,083
95.9
33.6
5.2
139.1
Vac Pios.
18,646
76.2
22.0
2.3
102.6
Pubs.
290,092
9.9
3.3
.6
13.4
TOTAL
318,559
Public Meetings Held: 20,928
UNITED STATES GOAL FOR 1966 332.695 Publishers
Be at the preaching work urgently!