In a recent post, Sir82 wrote that a trainee missionary attending the school of Gilead emailed the following..
"It was brought out that Christendom and the world smacks of
Baalism today. Sad to say, like the Israelites sometimes even Jehovah's
people can be affected with Baalism. Sometimes they say that there are
too many meetings. They don't want to exert themselves. They don't want
the deeper things of the truth but always say to keep it simple. They
wont take Friday off for the convention. They reserve many weekends for
leisure. Where do they get their enjoyment; from a weekend away from
Christian activities with their brothers or with the brothers in
theocratic activities? Sometimes their parties and weddings become
Baal-like. They slow down in service and meetings to get more material
prosperity. They say pioneering is not for everyone, but a university
education is very important. They will offer up their children on the
altar of education. The Canaanites were destroyed, we don't want to be.
Powerful stuff! "
To back up those comments, the September 15 th Watchtower, under the first study article entitled, “Walk by Faith, Not by Sight!” has this to say…
Page 18, para. 10
Some questions we do well to ask ourselves are: ‘What place do material things occupy my life? Am I using the material possessions I have to live a life of pleasure or to promote true worship? What brings me the greatest satisfaction? Is it Bible study and fellowship at Christian meetings, or is it weekends away from Christian responsibilities? Do I reserve many weekends for recreation instead of using such time for the field ministry and other activities in connection with pure worship?’ Walking by faith means that we keep busy in the Kingdom work, with full trust in Jehovah’s promises.
Top of page: Two pictures, one of a family of four in their SUV going on a road trip and the other of the same family out on field service.
Caption: Does recreation often keep you from theocratic activities?
The rhetorical questions in this paragraph are very telling. The USA has had 0% increase this year (based on service reports in the Kingdom Ministry), that the witnesses are very lacklustre in their ministry. Clearly, some if not many witnesses feel that there time is better spent, and enjoying, on weekend activities.
Does this situation really affect the organization? You bet it does! How?
- Less time spent on spiritual weekend activities, means less hours in service.
- Being absent at field service meetings means lower attendance and possible discouragement by some of the friends if they feel that people are happier going on a weekend trip than attending a field service arrangement.
- Perhaps these weekend goers are not making return visits or being responsible for Bible studies – this would also affect the monthly and annual service report.
Perhaps this situation exists more in developed lands, where witnesses have the money to go away for pleasure trips. Note that the paragraphs say some witnesses reserve many weekends for recreation. This is not cheap. Even a road trip costs a lot in terms of the outrageous gas prices.
What can we learn from this? Zeal in the preaching work has slowed down. And it’s not just field service arrangements that are being missed – the Public Talk and Watchtower meetings would also show lower attendance and less audience participation. It’s clear, that things are only getting worse for the Society.