Letter to All Bodies of Elders, 1998-12-01: Adjustment in the hour requirements for auxiliary and regular pioneer
25 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11201-2483, U.S.A. PHONE (718) 625-3600
December 1, 1998
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Dear Brothers:
The Society is pleased to inform you that beginning January 1,1999, an adjustment is being made in the hour requirements for both auxiliary pioneers and regular pioneers. For auxiliary pioneers, the hour requirement will be 50 hours for the month. For regular pioneers, the hour requirement will be reduced to 70 hours each month, totaling 840 hours for the service year.
Many of our brothers and sisters have been able to expand their ministry by serving as a regular or auxiliary pioneer, and the Society appreciates their self-sacrificing spirit. However, publishers face increasing difficulties during these "last days." (2 Tim. 3:1-5) It has become difficult to find part-time work that will allow a pioneer to care adequately for his material needs and still reach the pioneer hour requirement. This new arrangement will make it possible for more to expand their ministry and for those now pioneering to continue in the service they love so much.
What if a regular pioneer does not reach the goal of 840 hours for the service year? If he reaches at least 800 hours for the year, consideration may be extended to him, rather than recommending his removal. Of course, there may be legitimate reasons why a regular pioneer may not be able to reach even 800 hours for the year, such as receiving other Society assignments for which credit would be given. The hour requirements for special pioneers and missionaries remain unchanged, since provision is made by the Society to help them care for their basic material needs.
We live in exciting times! World events show that we are moving ever closer to that eventful day when God's Kingdom will "crush and put an end to all [the] kingdoms" of this world. (Dan. 2:44; Rev. 17:12-14) However, it is clear that Jehovah still has important work for us to do in the lifesaving ministry of preaching and teaching the good news. (Mark 13:10) We pray Jehovah's blessing upon this new arrangement and upon your efforts to strengthen the hands of the pioneers in your midst and to encourage others to reach out for this blessed privilege of service.
Your brothers,
Watchtower B. V. G. Society
OF NEW YORK, INC.