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Walk with God 2004 District Convention
SATURDAY MORNING
10:00 Symposium: Walking Progressively as Ministers
Helping Those Who Speak Another Language OK, lets just say that it took 20 minutes to explain the 1 page of direction in the Good News Booklet. Some rousing statements heard here are ?Reaching people of all languages is a matter of prayer at world headquarters? and ?This is the largest educational campaign in history.?
Watering and Cultivating the Interest Found Make return visits progressive. Demonstration shows JW reporting foreign language call on form and giving it to the secretary elder.
Helping Multitudes Join Us in the Ministry Show Bible study (that?s a person for you non-JW speakers) how to go door-to-door. Stat: In 1914 5,000 total. Now 5,000 are baptized every week.
11:10 Walking by Faith, Not by Sight Politicians have reputation of going back on their word. Jehovah keeps his word. Shun the feeling that the kingdom is far off. Do my activities show that I believe the end is near? Instant gratification and Moses. Would Moses have been known today if he had remained in Egypt? Also Esau: wanted bowl of soup now, instead of inheritance. Demonstration: Brother lamenting, ?I?ve lost sense of urgency. We used to be so active!? 2 Tim 4:10 Demas ?forsaken me? was not apostate or stopped loving Jehovah, still loved truth.
11:30 Go On Walking as Jesus Christ Walked Elders not to hold grudges, example of Jesus and Peter. Elders are not to expect more then followers can bear. ?Trust in holy spirit to do the rest.? Do not abuse authority. (To all:) Do not let imperfections of others create critical spirit in us.
11:50 Walking With Jehovah by Appointment (Baptism) Normally a classic rehash talk, the speaker gave a very interesting illustration this time? Salmon return to river of origin, swim upstream, like making decision to go against world by getting baptized. Fishermen use baited lures at river mouth while salmon are still feeding, like desire of flesh. Upstream anglers switch to ?spinners? and flashy lures, like desire of eyes. Bears catch salmon as they jump out of the water, like we can make a showy display and get caught by Satan. Salmon congregate in schools in shady parts of the stream, like we go to meetings. Salmon find the exact spot they were hatched, like we find the truth that preserves us. Like salmon spawn, this will produce everlasting life for you. (Don?t salmon also die after they spawn??) Total of 84 baptized, age range of 9 ? 83, about 75% were teenagers. I n a procedure change, the baptismal candidates sing the song with the rest and are ushered out after the session ends. The procession was applauded during the time it took for them to leave the floor (about 3 minutes).