Just got in email a few minutes ago.....
Note, there are three different sets of notes, they may seem repetitive but please read all three as some notes may have left out things where other notes added other points.........
Annual Report
The holy spirit is just jumping off of me! I feel so good after the annual meeting. Jehovah knows I needed that shot in my arm. Something about being in Bethel and getting that instruction from the Governing Body. They are so precious. I got a chance to meet brother Guy Pierce and Bro. Lett, they are two of the most humblest men I have encountered. Can't be one of them if you're not humble to the tenth degree.
I know you all know the Wayan's Brother's, well their father, Brother Wayans picked me up for the Annual Meeting, he is anointed as well, he is very humble too and sweet as apple pie. I found out that Damon is the only child that is baptized however he is inactive. Bro Wayans wife is not in the truth. Seems like the anointed have their issues just like us.
Altogether there 13, 242 in attendance for this wonderful event.
5,262 in New Jersey
2,396 in Patterson
2,329 in Walkill
2,810 in Brooklyn
445 in Canada
One thing that stuck in my mind is what one of the brothers from the Pennsylvania Corporation said, "The greater responsibility one has, requires GREATER humility!"
I'm going to give you the light stuff first, but the meatier stuff, such as the real reason the Governing Body has changed the book study arrangements and the text for the year is closer to the end.
Ok...here are the notes!!!
The meeting opened promptly at 10am with song and prayer.
Bro Herd, member of the governing body opened the meeting by stating, in the voice of Bro Sydlick (he sounded just like him, it was quite comical), "It's good to be alive and serving the living God. We are serving a God that is Good. " Psalms 25:8, Psalms 100:1-5
Reports from distance lands:
Argentina, Down under really applies to Argentina more than Australia . There's a saying about Argentina, Aqui termina el mundo (here the world ends) The preaching working commenced there in the 1920's, in spite of two government bands the work has continued. The work grew under ban, from 33, 503 to 50, 151. There is seldom worked territory in Argentina, in fact there where 400 brothers that moved to seldom worked territory and commenced on a long 4 month campaign. This resulted in a 20, 000 increase, Isaiah 42:10. 8 congregations in that area, they have now finished the Bible Teach in sign language. How thankful we are that Jehovah has held back the 4 winds of destruction to save these souls!
Hong Kong, There are 500, 225 JW's in Hong Kong, Buddhism has left a strong mark on this country. Many accept ancestor worship and Buddhism only because it is common. The people are poor so they have constant challenge of making a living. Commercialism and materialism keeps them from learning about Jah.
One young man named Keith wanted to know why there are so many god's? What happens to the dead? Keith had 4 earrings in his ear and looked like a thug. A sister witnessed to him and he heard the ring of truth. He is now a regular pioneer.
Street witnessing is a portal they use to witness. They set up a booth and passersby’s look at the literature. Almost 100 studies have been started that way in one month.
Madagascar, the 4th largest Island in the world, also known as the red island. There is no translation for the word soul, and Christendom has really taken advantage of this. The New World translation has just been translated in Madagascee, a glossary has been provided to give a true definition of the word soul.
There are over 20k publishers there, over 54k Bible studies being conducted.
A person in a rural area requested a bible study. "You people come to all the villages except ours and we need someone to teach us the Bible and since you people have an advertisement regarding free Bible studies , we would like a visit!"
Someone followed up and this isolated area yielded 528 in attendance for the Memorial.
Where does the land end and the sea begin??????
Portugal (I found this brothers comments about the water and fish and their responses very interesting) Portugal is divided by two types of water and fish, the warm African waters which contains the warm fish that are easy to catch and cultivate, then you have the other side of Portugal that is the European sea which is cool waters and fish that are not so easy to cultivate that require more patience.
In the Cape Islands, there was a woman by the name of Silvita, who was heavy into politics and was very prejudiced towards Jehovah's Witnesses . A dear friend of her died and wanted answers. She started a bible study, she denounced her lifestyle along with the politics. She is now a regular pioneer.
Prison witnessing in Portugal has been producing good works. There are currently 56 studies being conducted and 30 unbaptized publishers in the prisons. 2 after release became Ministerial servants and three have become elders and some have become pioneers.
Year text 2009 is........drum role please....Given by Guy Pierce
Nothing greater can happen to a human being than to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. A lot of times the law of diminishing returns can affect us. Our enthusiasm begins to lose fire in our hearts. (this is a direct quote) If worldly people had a bit of sense they would realize their financial situation is the least of their worries. If they don't have a good relationship with Jehovah, they have more serious problems ahead, instead of lining up at banks they need to be lining up @ the Kingdom Hall .
Acts 20:24 is where this years text is taking from, with emphasis on, "bearing thorough witness to the good news of the undeserved kindness of God."
Please eradicate all thinking from your mind that since we are at the end there is no need to preach more. That is Satan’s thinking and we need to be at the preaching with urgency!
WILL YOUR FAMILY SURVIVE ARMAGEDDON ?? by Steve Lett
Jeremiah 35:23
The question you must ask is, "Will my household survive this momentous event? Will my children and will my mate survive that great day?"
A key ingredient for the family is having a family worship evening. A major factor for the bookstudy change was the importance of family study.
What are the family worship objectives?
Draw closer to Jehovah, Ezekiel 9:5.6, the objective is to have the mark, the mark is the Christlike Personality.
What are the three elements for a successful family worship?
1. Be consistent.
2. Make it practical, ex: Have field ministry practice sessions, have practice sessions on how to cope with peer pressure in school. Use this evening to encourage spiritual goals!
3. Make it ENJOYABLE!
One young brother took that chapter of Isaiah that Jesus read aloud in the temple which he fulfilled and removed all the verses, then used rolls like we use for aluminum foil and paper towels, tied it to both ends and rolled it up like the scroll and re-enacted what Jesus did and he stated, "Boy was it hard to find that scripture without the verses."
After Armageddon is over SPIRTUALLY STRONGFAMILIES will be in tact.
Out of all the people Jah could have chosen a wealthy family to raise his son, he chose a poor family? Why? He knew they would keep His son's spiritual interest at the fore.
(My personal side note) Question to ask oneself, "If I where around at that time, would Jehovah had chosen my family to raise His son?"
Who is the faithful and discreet slave? (this talk stresses their personality) Bro Splane
True anointed ones listen to the congregation as Paul and Barnabas did. Paul spent 3 years in the Arabian desert and was directly appointed by Christ, yet he never usurped the governing body's and their decisions, he always respectfully asked their decision and direction on things. 1 Cor 12:14-18
The faithful and discreet slave don't go around introducing themselves as anointed and expect special treatment. NO, quite contrary, they understand being anointed is not a calling card. It is a privilege to receive this invitation, they understand it is just that, an invitation and they must remain loyal to the end.
They understand among the governing body there will be differencing of opinions and it is an advantage to that, it's good to see how someone views things outside of yourself, doesn't mean you're right or wrong, just means you have different views. Whatever decision the Governing Body makes is out of AFFECTION and we love one another no matter what the decision is. The same is expected of the great crowd when they make decisions and getting along with one another.
The last talk was awesome because it was an interview of the oldest serving Governing Body members , Barr, Jerez and Losch. I can't report everything because it was just that good. BUT one thing that stuck out was Bro Losch, he wasn't raised in the truth and NONE of his family is in the truth. So for those of you kinda like me and really don't have family in the truth, it's all right, just do what you have to do.
Bro Jerez stood out because he was the youngest to receive privileges. At 21 he was a district overseer and at 49 he was invited to be part of the Governing Body. He said he could really appreciate what Paul said to Timothy as far as not letting anyone look down on your young manhood. So folks, don't give these young people a hard time that are reaching out, encourage them.
Bro Barr, stated he is terribly shy, he had to pray to Jehovah to this day (he's in his 90's to combat this), in addition, he once wanted to go to Gilead and was rejected, he was hurt, he felt he was qualified, but he respected the brothers decision. He then learned a vital lesson, NO ONE CAN STOP YOU FROM A PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE IF JEHOVAH WANTS YOU TO HAVE IT....a lot of times we think we know what's right and we don't. We feel we're suited for certain things and we are not, we need to accept Jehovah's instructions when he says NO and accept the assignment with pleasure that he does give us.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed what I pieced together.
Number 2
The Annual Meeting was PACKED OUT. There were so many visitors. There were a total of 13,242 in attendance.
Guy Pearce gave the talk regarding the 2009 Year Text. It is Acts 20:24 to bear thorough witness to the good news.
The talk was all about Paul and how preaching was his main concern. Bro Pearce said they've heard some people think we're in the gleaning work as if the major harvest has been done. He said emphatically 'Eradicate that thinking from your mind'. We have much work yet to do and we are not in the gleaning work.
Steve Lett gave the talk Will Your Family Survive Armageddon? This talk was all about the family study night. He said to family heads that it's their main responsibility to make sure their families are spiritually strong and that we will survive only if we are spiritually alive and strong when the great tribulation begins. He said the GB has prayerfully deliberated this matter for several years before making the decision they did. There are 2 objectives for the family study night:
1. To Draw Closer to Jehovah-He read Ezekiel 9:5- Pass through the city after him and strike. Let not your eye feel sorry, and do not feel any compassion. Old man, young man and virgin and little child and women you should kill off to a ruination. - He emphasized the fact that children must be taught to draw close to Jehovah if they are to survive Armageddon. They must receive their own mark if they are of the age of accountability. Parents must use this time to help their children draw close to Jah.
2. To Draw Close as a Family- Married couples who spend time together with Jehovah draw closer to each other. This goes for parents and children too.
He said there are 3 elements for success. They are:
1. Be Consistent- Do not adopt a hit or miss arrangement. Such arrangements are usually miss. Their suggestion is that we use the same evening that we currently use for Book Study. Also, we have prep time for book study such as getting ready, travel time to and from so our evening is longer than the one hour for the study. He said this to emphasize that we do not have to limit our study time to one hour. He said if we use this time for TV viewing instead of study, Satan will have gained a victory. He read Job 1:6 and 2:1 to show that Jehovah has set aside designated times to instruct his heavenly family. Shouldn't we?
2. Make it Practical-periodically we could have Field Ministry practice sessions, have practice sessions on how to help your kids cope with peer pressure at school, use this time to implant spiritual goals in your children such as pioneering, bethel, int'l construction, Gilead etc. Use material that addresses specific family needs.
3. Make it enjoyable- There are pages in the new YPA book that are designed for family discussion. Use this tool. We can view and discuss any of the society's videos. Read the bible as a family perhaps assigning roles. Do something innovative- for example, a family in Asia has a son who was absolutely fascinated with scrolls and wished his bible was a scroll. So they reconstructed one. Made it 24 feet long and used paper towel tubes at the ends. They used the computer to copy Isaiah onto pages and erased the chapter and verses and then glued all the pages together and then to the tubes and had their son act out the scene in Luke where Jesus stands up to read the scroll of Isaiah. He realized how hard it was to find Isa 61:1,2 and how hard it was to roll and unroll and decided he was glad we don't have scrolls today. Interesting project.
Annual Report
The holy spirit is just jumping off of me! I feel so good after the annual meeting. Jehovah knows I needed that shot in my arm. Something about being in Bethel and getting that instruction from the Governing Body. They are so precious. I got a chance to meet brother Guy Pierce and Bro. Lett, they are two of the most humblest men I have encountered. Can't be one of them if you're not humble to the tenth degree.
I know you all know the Wayan's Brother's, well their father, Brother Wayans picked me up for the Annual Meeting, he is anointed as well, he is very humble too and sweet as apple pie. I found out that Damon is the only child that is baptized however he is inactive. Bro Wayans wife is not in the truth. Seems like the anointed have their issues just like us.
Altogether there 13, 242 in attendance for this wonderful event.
5,262 in New Jersey
2,396 in Patterson
2,329 in Walkill
2,810 in Brooklyn
445 in Canada
One thing that stuck in my mind is what one of the brothers from the Pennsylvania Corporation said, "The greater responsibility one has, requires GREATER humility!"
I'm going to give you the light stuff first, but the meatier stuff, such as the real reason the Governing Body has changed the book study arrangements and the text for the year is closer to the end.
Ok...here are the notes!!!
The meeting opened promptly at 10am with song and prayer.
Bro Herd, member of the governing body opened the meeting by stating, in the voice of Bro Sydlick (he sounded just like him, it was quite comical), "It's good to be alive and serving the living God. We are serving a God that is Good. " Psalms 25:8, Psalms 100:1-5
Reports from distance lands:
Argentina, Down under really applies to Argentina more than Australia. There's a saying about Argentina, Aqui termina el mundo (here the world ends) The preaching working commenced there in the 1920's, in spite of two government bands the work has continued. The work grew under ban, from 33, 503 to 50, 151. There is seldom worked territory in Argentina, in fact there where 400 brothers that moved to seldom worked territory and commenced on a long 4 month campaign. This resulted in a 20, 000 increase, Isaiah 42:10. 8 congregations in that area, they have now finished the Bible Teach in sign language. How thankful we are that Jehovah has held back the 4 winds of destruction to save these souls!
Hong Kong, There are 500, 225 JW's in Hong Kong, Buddhism has left a strong mark on this country. Many accept ancestor worship and Buddhism only because it is common. The people are poor so they have constant challenge of making a living. Commercialism and materialism keeps them from learning about Jah.
One young man named Keith wanted to know why there are so many god's? What happens to the dead? Keith had 4 earrings in his ear and looked like a thug. A sister witnessed to him and he heard the ring of truth. He is now a regular pioneer.
Street witnessing is a portal they use to witness. They set up a booth and passersby’s look at the literature. Almost 100 studies have been started that way in one month.
Madagascar, the 4th largest Island in the world, also known as the red island. There is no translation for the word soul, and Christendom has really taken advantage of this. The New World translation has just been translated in Madagascee, a glossary has been provided to give a true definition of the word soul.
There are over 20k publishers there, over 54k Bible studies being conducted.
A person in a rural area requested a bible study. "You people come to all the villages except ours and we need someone to teach us the Bible and since you people have an advertisement regarding free Bible studies, we would like a visit!"
Someone followed up and this isolated area yielded 528 in attendance for the Memorial.
Where does the land end and the sea begin??????
Portugal (I found this brothers comments about the water and fish and their responses very interesting)
Portugal is divided by two types of water and fish, the warm African waters which contains the warm fish that are easy to catch and cultivate, then you have the other side of Portugal that is the European sea which is cool waters and fish that are not so easy to cultivate that require more patience.
In the Cape Islands, there was a woman by the name of Silvita, who was heavy into politics and was very prejudiced towards Jehovah's Witnesses. A dear friend of her died and wanted answers. She started a bible study, she denounced her lifestyle along with the politics. She is now a regular pioneer.
Prison witnessing in Portugal has been producing good works. There are currently 56 studies being conducted and 30 unbaptized publishers in the prisons. 2 after release became Ministerial servants and three have become elders and some have become pioneers.
Year text 2009 is........drum role please....Given by Guy PierceNothing greater can happen to a human being than to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. A lot of times the law of diminishing returns can affect us. Our enthusiasm begins to lose fire in our hearts. (this is a direct quote) If worldly people had a bit of sense they would realize their financial situation is the least of their worries. If they don't have a good relationship with Jehovah, they have more serious problems ahead, instead of lining up at banks they need to be lining up @ the Kingdom Hall.
Acts 20:24 is where this years text is taking from, with emphasis on, "bearing thorough witness to the good news of the undeserved kindness of God."
Please eradicate all thinking from your mind that since we are at the end there is no need to preach more. That is Satan’s thinking and we need to be at the preaching with urgency!
WILL YOUR FAMILY SURVIVE ARMAGEDDON?? by Steve LettJeremiah 35:23
The question you must ask is, "Will my household survive this momentous event? Will my children and will my mate survive that great day?"
A key ingredient for the family is having a family worship evening. A major factor for the bookstudy change was the importance of family study.
What are the family worship objectives?
Draw closer to Jehovah, Ezekiel 9:5.6, the objective is to have the mark, the mark is the Christlike Personality.
What are the three elements for a successful family worship?1. Be consistent.
2. Make it practical, ex: Have field ministry practice sessions, have practice sessions on how to cope with peer pressure in school. Use this evening to encourage spiritual goals!
3. Make it ENJOYABLE!
One young brother took that chapter of Isaiah that Jesus read aloud in the temple which he fulfilled and removed all the verses, then used rolls like we use for aluminum foil and paper towels, tied it to both ends and rolled it up like the scroll and re-enacted what Jesus did and he stated, "Boy was it hard to find that scripture without the verses."
After Armageddon is over SPIRTUALLY STRONG FAMILIES will be in tact.
Out of all the people Jah could have chosen a wealthy family to raise his son, he chose a poor family? Why? He knew they would keep His son's spiritual interest at the fore.
(My personal side note) Question to ask oneself, "If I where around at that time, would Jehovah had chosen my family to raise His son?"
Who is the faithful and discreet slave? (this talk stresses their personality) Bro Splane
True anointed ones listen to the congregation as Paul and Barnabas did. Paul spent 3 years in the Arabian desert and was directly appointed by Christ, yet he never usurped the governing body's and their decisions, he always respectfully asked their decision and direction on things. 1 Cor 12:14-18
The faithful and discreet slave don't go around introducing themselves as anointed and expect special treatment. NO, quite contrary, they understand being anointed is not a calling card. It is a privilege to receive this invitation, they understand it is just that, an invitation and they must remain loyal to the end.
They understand among the governing body there will be differencing of opinions and it is an advantage to that, it's good to see how someone views things outside of yourself, doesn't mean you're right or wrong, just means you have different views. Whatever decision the Governing Body makes is out of AFFECTION and we love one another no matter what the decision is. The same is expected of the great crowd when they make decisions and getting along with one another.
The last talk was awesome because it was an interview of the oldest serving Governing Body members, Barr, Jerez and Losch. I can't report everything because it was just that good. BUT one thing that stuck out was Bro Losch, he wasn't raised in the truth and NONE of his family is in the truth. So for those of you kinda like me and really don't have family in the truth, it's all right, just do what you have to do.
Bro Jerez stood out because he was the youngest to receive privileges. At 21 he was a district overseer and at 49 he was invited to be part of the Governing Body. He said he could really appreciate what Paul said to Timothy as far as not letting anyone look down on your young manhood. So folks, don't give these young people a hard time that are reaching out, encourage them.
Bro Barr, stated he is terribly shy, he had to pray to Jehovah to this day (he's in his 90's to combat this), in addition, he once wanted to go to Gilead and was rejected, he was hurt, he felt he was qualified, but he respected the brothers decision. He then learned a vital lesson, NO ONE CAN STOP YOU FROM A PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE IF JEHOVAH WANTS YOU TO HAVE IT....a lot of times we think we know what's right and we don't. We feel we're suited for certain things and we are not, we need to accept Jehovah's instructions when he says NO and accept the assignment with pleasure that he does give us.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed what I pieced together.
Number 3
Subject: Annual Meeting Part One
The Annual Meeting was PACKED OUT. There were so many visitors. There were a total of 13,242 in attendance.
Guy Pearce gave the talk regarding the 2009 Year Text. It is Acts 20:24 to bear thorough witness to the good news.
The talk was all about Paul and how preaching was his main concern. Bro Pearce said they've heard some people think we're in the gleaning work as if the major harvest has been done. He said emphatically 'Eradicate that thinking from your mind'. We have much work yet to do and we are not in the gleaning work.
Steve Lett gave the talk Will Your Family Survive Armageddon? This talk was all about the family study night. He said to family heads that it's their main responsibility to make sure their families are spiritually strong and that we will survive only if we are spiritually alive and strong when the great tribulation begins. He said the GB has prayerfully deliberated this matter for several years before making the decision they did. There are 2 objectives for the family study night:
1. To Draw Closer to Jehovah-He read Ezekiel 9:5- Pass through the city after him and strike. Let not your eye feel sorry, and do not feel any compassion. Old man, young man and virgin and little child and women you should kill off to a ruination. - He emphasized the fact that children must be taught to draw close to Jehovah if they are to survive Armageddon. They must receive their own mark if they are of the age of accountability. Parents must use this time to help their children draw close to Jah.
2. To Draw Close as a Family- Married couples who spend time together with Jehovah draw closer to each other. This goes for parents and children too.
He said there are 3 elements for success. They are:
1. Be Consistent- Do not adopt a hit or miss arrangement. Such arrangements are usually miss. Their suggestion is that we use the same evening that we currently use for Book Study. Also, we have prep time for book study such as getting ready, travel time to and from so our evening is longer than the one hour for the study. He said this to emphasize that we do not have to limit our study time to one hour. He said if we use this time for TV viewing instead of study, Satan will have gained a victory. He read Job 1:6 and 2:1 to show that Jehovah has set aside designated times to instruct his heavenly family. Shouldn't we?
2. Make it Practical-periodically we could have Field Ministry practice sessions, have practice sessions on how to help your kids cope with peer pressure at school, use this time to implant spiritual goals in your children such as pioneering, bethel, int'l construction, Gilead etc. Use material that addresses specific family needs.
3. Make it enjoyable- There are pages in the new YPA book that are designed for family discussion. Use this tool. We can view and discuss any of the society's videos. Read the bible as a family perhaps assigning roles. Do something innovative- for example, a family in Asia has a son who was absolutely fascinated with scrolls and wished his bible was a scroll. So they reconstructed one. Made it 24 feet long and used paper towel tubes at the ends. They used the computer to copy Isaiah onto pages and erased the chapter and verses and then glued all the pages together and then to the tubes and had their son act out the scene in Luke where Jesus stands up to read the scroll of Isaiah. He realized how hard it was to find Isa 61:1,2 and how hard it was to roll and unroll and decided he was glad we don't have scrolls today. Interesting project.
More to write about later.