I came across this section in the pay attention book just now, about how to welcome newcomers to jw meetings. It seems that the wts think that jws aren't naturally loving, welcoming people, and have to be constantly reminded to extend a welcome to visitors to their meetings.
Newly associated ones are especially in need of attention.
When they first come to the Kingdom Hall, new ones
may feel like strangers; we want to change that feeling to
one of warm friendship.If you notice a new one standing by himself or talking
only with the one who studies with him, take the initiative
to approach and greet him and introduce him to others.Teach attendants to greet new ones, and occasionally
remind them to do this.Train all the brothers and sisters to take the initiative
in approaching new ones and getting acquainted with
them.So that you may encourage and help others, be sure
to arrive at the meetings early and stay for a while
after the program.You can associate with new ones at other times also,
perhaps visiting with them in their home or yours.Such personal interest lets them see that genuine
love exists among Jehovah's people. (John 13:35)It also fills the void created when they cut off
former associations and worldly entertainment.
I was an attendant on many occasions myself, and do recall being reminded by the elders, who bearing in mind which publication this is in, would be responsible for providing this "training", that attendants were required to be welcoming to any new ones who came to the meeting. Personally, I never felt the need for such training, I tended to welcome everyone to the kh whether I knew them or not, but obviously some jws did need to be reminded of how to be nice people, in case they had forgotten. Some of the leading love bombers at our hall certainly exhibited very differrent behaviour outside the meetings, being harsh and cruel to their wives and families, like a guy who would almost become your best friend if he met you at the kh, but belittled his wife at every opportunity away from it. They are both still jws, so I guess he still does that.
I've known people who were impressed, and even almost overwhelmed, by the welcome they received the first time they visited a kh. I must admit I enjoyed what at the time I perceived to be a genuine, loving welcome the first time I attended. I wonder how I, or other first - time visitors, would have felt if we'd have known that the welcome we received wasn't altogether natural, just the dubs carrying out yet another set of wts instructions. They weren't welcoming us because they wanted to, but because they had been ordered to.
dedpoet