Has WTS abandoned "house to house" ministry?

by ozziepost 37 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  ozziepost

  Many years ago now i remember hearing Harold King sing the song he had composed whilst incarcerated for his beliefs in China; it was called "House to House".

  Nowadays it doesn't seem as though it's in favor. Notice its own description of its ministry which the WTS has placed on its website:

  Jehovah's Witnesses are probably best known for their person-to-person ministry. Each congregation tries to reach all the people in its neighborhood with a brief Bible message at least once a year. This is usually done by Witnesses visiting from door to door. Witnesses will also talk to people on the streets, in parks and in other public places—wherever someone can be found who has a spiritual interest and a few minutes to talk. This approach is the same as that used by Jesus Christ and his apostles. The apostle Paul, for example, said, "I did not hold back . . . from teaching you publicly and from house to house."—Acts 20:20.

  http://www.jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm

  Is it possible that the lack of enthusiasm for the house to house service has forced the GB to do a re-think?
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  compound complex

  Hello, Oz!

  It's purely andecdotal, but I know a great deal of time has been spent locally traveling hither, thither and yon - via the automobile - making a call, running an errand, getting coffee, making another return visit. While not a direct answer to your question re: the Society's point of view, it seems the hard and rigorous role of the intrepid, pavement-pounding publisher is a thing of yesteryear. The publisher has drawn his own conclusion: door-to-door stinks.

  How do the JWs afford the petrol?

  CoCo
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  jefferywhat

  I actually wrote a letter to bethel about this some time back, at the start of the last century we prided ourselves on our early adoption of technology and now we are way behind.
  
  There are so many forms of media not being utilized, the only reason Jesus did door to door is because that was the only option.
  
  The economies of scale do not add up for the old method of door knocking, I go out mid week and weekends.....no one is home....ever, if they are, they're unemployed or on drugs!!
  
  I think we need to introduce "new media" before we can get the "new system"
  
  Jeff
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  kerj2leev

  Maybe they will adopt the Mormon's way of preaching. Where ever the spirit directs them, that's who they call on.
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  blondie

  I think the fact that jws are not finding people at home when they call, is making the WTS do a rethink. Most jws are told to set aside Saturday morning, a time when more and more non-jws are not home. Or pioneers that call during weekdays, when most people are at a secular job. No longer are women at home during the day. Actually, the jws I knew were relieved when no one was home so they did not have to talk to anyone, they could count their "two" hours whether they talked to anyone or not. Based on the current magazines, there is still stress on the door to door work, contacting individuals.

  Blondie
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  ozziepost

  Actually, the jws I knew were relieved when no one was home so they did not have to talk to anyone, they could count their "two" hours whether they talked to anyone or not.

  Same downunder too!
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  GoodnessGracious

  if they stopped door to door, their numbers would go up LOL
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  Wasanelder Once

  For years now they've been encouraging the pubs to go where the people are, parking lots, parks etc. One nearby cong is going out from 9pm to midnight and working the parking lot of the mega-allnight-Walmart. It was close to the end of the month so it could be they were trying to get their hours in for the month. W.Once
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  WTWizard

  These are some of the other service items that I have heard of:

  Street work. The Feb 2004 Kingdumb Misery suggests mandates having congregations meet for street work at the Kingdumb Hell at 5:30 in the morning, and they hound those who do not make it for whatever reason.

  Parking lots and casinos. This happens late at night, when it is the most dangerous of all. Parking lot Witlessing happens any time the business(es) is(are) open, and they try to capture the customers. Casino Witlessing is not recommended because of crime in many cities.

  Bus stops. We drive to a bus stop and attempt to catch the people with litter-ature while they are waiting for the bus. I used to root on the bus to pick up the pace so it would beat us to the stop.

  Drive-bys. You see someone walking, and you roll down the window and give them the litter-ature.

  In-stores. Some stores are set up with browsing sections. You go in with litter-ature and place it to customers. Sometimes, the store managers are doing their jobs and will kick the Witlesses out.

  Phone and letters. You call people in phone territories. You verbally give a presentation. This can lead to long-distance and toll calls, as well as hopefully plenty of hang-ups. Letters are written and usually mailed with a crapt, at the sender's expense. Both can be done at odd hours.

  Hospitals. I have had to do this. You roam the corridors of a hospital and place litter-ature to people in the corridors. I have yet to see room to room work, but with all the contagious diseases and people that are simply too sick to receive litter-ature, I would definitely wuss out if they pulled that crap.

  Schools. You set up a booth at a school or college (I have seen them do that crap at public markets and stores). You have a display that attracts people, and you hand out litter-ature.

  Businesses. You hit people at work, particularly in service industries. Never mind if there are other customers that are legitimate business. You continue harassing them until they take the litter-ature and commit to a study. If they get fired or lose business because of it, then they should have taken the litter-ature and study sooner.
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  katiekitten

  Drive-bys

  LOL! Visions of people being assaulted by Witchtowers being hurled from blacked out limo windows attached to bricks.