New Tracts - experiences?

[Kingdomproclaimer1914ce]

Hello all,

Over here in the UK we have had several nice experiences by using the presentation the Faithful Slave has directed for the tracts- question, scripture, offer tract and make the foundation for the return visit by pointing to the back cover.

Have any of you got nice experiences to share?

(doesn't need to be big or negative but funny ones are welcome!)

[carlos]

We start tomorrow with the new campaign. I am looking forward to have a lot of experiences to tell.

 

Last year there were 17 people who came to our convention with the invitation in their hands (the convention had an attendance of some 1100). That proves that the campaign with invitations is efficient.

[Kingdomproclaimer1914ce]

We start tomorrow with the new campaign. I am looking forward to have a lot of experiences to tell.

 

Last year there were 17 people who came to our convention with the invitation in their hands (the convention had an attendance of some 1100). That proves that the campaign with invitations is efficient.

Sorry I meant the 6 new slim tracts, not the convention handbills.

[carlos]

Sorry I meant the 6 new slim tracts, not the convention handbills.

 

Oops! Then I will try to offer the tracts to have soem experiences to tell. But that will have to be after the convention campaign.

[GStorrs46]

   How many have seen the new tract on the Society's website ( by the way, since I was supposedly corrected

that I was now using archaic language, what is now the new term to replace it ? ) that will be used in the cam-

paign in August  ? I am very much looking forward to that, even though my share, due to my circumstances, will

be limited. Clearly the "Society" wants to get before the eyes of everyone knowledge of their website. And I

think that is great. The presentations they present there are  many times better and much more professional

than we are capable of individually, And who of us can match all of the languages available there. And with the

Dramas, video presentations, the news updates, the counsel for dealing with life and Bible answers to so many

questions, it is now an amazing tool Jehovah has given us to use in the final part of these days. I pray he causes

it to go on from strength to strength in breaking down the last citadels  of falsehood  and proclaiming the truth

and the Kingdom message.

 

                                                                                                                                                 GStorrs46

[Beggar for the Spirit]

   How many have seen the new tract on the Society's website ( by the way, since I was supposedly corrected

that I was now using archaic language, what is now the new term to replace it ? )

 

                                                                                                                                                 GStorrs46

 

Hi Brother Michael,

 

I appreciated your enthusiasm in your full post about the new tract for the upcoming campaign for JW.org.

Also I saw you inserted this question about "the Society"  that I quoted you above.

 

I have learned that while the Jehovah's Organization would like us to use proper terms, they have have encouraged us not to "debate" or get frustrated when others use terms that we feel are incorrect or not up-to-date.

So I am sure many of the Brothers/Sisters on jwtalk.com will not look down on you for using a term like the "Society" which has been used by many faithful servants for decades and it is not easy for many to change our vocabulary.

 

But I think you will appreciate some of the reasons why we are being encouraged to use terms like, 

"FDS = Faithful & Discreet Slave", "Governing Body", "the Bible says" rather than "the Society".

Here are some excellent paragraphs you will like!

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** w98 3/15 pp. 18-19 Living Up to Christian Dedication in Freedom ***

 Someone may argue that the way the Witnesses speak about the Watch Tower Society—or more often just “the Society”—indicates that they view it as more than a legal instrument. Do they not consider it to be the final authority on matters of worship?

The book Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom clarifies this point by explaining:

“When The Watchtower [June 1, 1938] referred to ‘The Society,’

this meant, not a mere legal instrumentality, but the body of anointed Christians that had formed that legal entity and used it.”

The expression therefore stood for “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45)

It is in this sense that the Witnesses generally used the term “the Society.”

Of course, the legal corporation and “the faithful and discreet slave” are not interchangeable terms.

Directors of the Watch Tower Society are elected, whereas Witnesses who make up ‘the faithful slave’ are anointed by Jehovah’s holy spirit.

4 In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying, “the Society teaches,” many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as,

“the Bible says” or, “I understand the Bible to teach.”

In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect.

Of course, suggestions as regards terminology should never become a subject of controversy. After all, terminology is of importance only to the extent that it prevents misunderstandings. Christian balance is required. The Bible admonishes us “not to fight about words.” (2 Timothy 2:14, 15) The Scriptures also state this principle: “Unless you through the tongue utter speech easily understood, how will it be known what is being spoken?”—1 Corinthians 14:9.

God’s Spirit Reduces the Need for Rules

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Old]

After we all had the new understanding of Mt.24:45 We had at our district convention a brother from Bethel that was introduced as 'working closely' with the governing body. In his talk he referred to the Faithful Slave as "The Faithful and Discrete Slave Class" seven times. Made me ask my wife just how close is closely?

It took me many years to use C.E. instead of A.D.

More times than I care to remember I will get back to my seat and My wife will say "Do you know what you said?"

Oh shame, despair, agony on me ;-)

[Kingdomproclaimer1914ce]

What brother Jerry said is right, but you needn't worry coz old terms stick for years. We eventually learn!

[timpin]

   How many have seen the new tract on the Society's website ( by the way, since I was supposedly corrected

that I was now using archaic language, what is now the new term to replace it ? ) that will be used in the cam-

paign in August  ? I am very much looking forward to that, even though my share, due to my circumstances, will

be limited. Clearly the "Society" wants to get before the eyes of everyone knowledge of their website. And I

think that is great. The presentations they present there are  many times better and much more professional

than we are capable of individually, And who of us can match all of the languages available there. And with the

Dramas, video presentations, the news updates, the counsel for dealing with life and Bible answers to so many

questions, it is now an amazing tool Jehovah has given us to use in the final part of these days. I pray he causes

it to go on from strength to strength in breaking down the last citadels  of falsehood  and proclaiming the truth

and the Kingdom message.

 

                                                                                                                                                 GStorrs46

 

 

Hi Brother Michael,

 

I appreciated your enthusiasm in your full post about the new tract for the upcoming campaign for JW.org.

Also I saw you inserted this question about "the Society"  that I quoted you above.

 

I have learned that while the Jehovah's Organization would like us to use proper terms, they have have encouraged us not to "debate" or get frustrated when others use terms that we feel are incorrect or not up-to-date.

So I am sure many of the Brothers/Sisters on jwtalk.com will not look down on you for using a term like the "Society" which has been used by many faithful servants for decades and it is not easy for many to change our vocabulary.

 

But I think you will appreciate some of the reasons why we are being encouraged to use terms like, 

"FDS = Faithful & Discreet Slave", "Governing Body", "the Bible says" rather than "the Society".

Here are some excellent paragraphs you will like!

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** w98 3/15 pp. 18-19 Living Up to Christian Dedication in Freedom ***

 Someone may argue that the way the Witnesses speak about the Watch Tower Society—or more often just “the Society”—indicates that they view it as more than a legal instrument. Do they not consider it to be the final authority on matters of worship?

The book Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom clarifies this point by explaining:

“When The Watchtower [June 1, 1938] referred to ‘The Society,’

this meant, not a mere legal instrumentality, but the body of anointed Christians that had formed that legal entity and used it.”

The expression therefore stood for “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45)

It is in this sense that the Witnesses generally used the term “the Society.”

Of course, the legal corporation and “the faithful and discreet slave” are not interchangeable terms.

Directors of the Watch Tower Society are elected, whereas Witnesses who make up ‘the faithful slave’ are anointed by Jehovah’s holy spirit.

4 In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying, “the Society teaches,” many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as,

“the Bible says” or, “I understand the Bible to teach.”

In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect.

Of course, suggestions as regards terminology should never become a subject of controversy. After all, terminology is of importance only to the extent that it prevents misunderstandings. Christian balance is required. The Bible admonishes us “not to fight about words.” (2 Timothy 2:14, 15) The Scriptures also state this principle: “Unless you through the tongue utter speech easily understood, how will it be known what is being spoken?”—1 Corinthians 14:9.

God’s Spirit Reduces the Need for Rules

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 *** Neil thank you for your thoughts, further correction and a Current related article.   ***

 

It's understandable when we use an archaic term by mistake or accident because we've used that

terminology for so many years, it's simply a slip up. Sometimes in our speech we even catch ourselves

and do a quick self correct as we realize we should be using a newer replacement theocratic term.

Others here have also posted that terms like these are not only "Not Interchangeable" but that there

are separate / different departments.   ~  A primary example being Assembly vs. Convention. 

So while we may make an occasional slip up for various reasons, we will learn to make adjustments

and grow as we keep up with Jehovahs Progressive Organization.  * However when ones know how

to use newer / proper terms and purposely choose to use older archaic terms it would seem to indicate

that they do so just to provoke a debate or argument. Like the title of the  article you quoted from,

this would not be "Living up to our Christian dedication."   ...   there has been a recent thread on this

category    ...  http://jwtalk.net/forums/topic/15456-important-message-to-all-forum-members-argumentative-members/

As we Invite new ones to our IC & RC's may we all keep pace with the rapid changes now and forever.

Edited June 14, 2014 by timpin

[timpin]

 *** Neil thank you for your thoughts, further correction and a Current related article.   ***

 

It's understandable when we use an archaic term by mistake or accident because we've used that

terminology for so many years, it's simply a slip up. Sometimes in our speech we even catch ourselves

and do a quick self correct as we realize we should be using a newer replacement theocratic term.

Others here have also posted that terms like these are not only "Not Interchangeable" but that there

are separate / different Committees.   ~    An example being Assembly vs. Convention.   <<<<<<

So while we may make an occasional slip up for various reasons, we will learn to make adjustments

and grow as we keep up with Jehovahs Progressive Organization.  *** However when ones know how

to use newer / proper terms and purposely chooses to use older archaic terms it would seem to indicate

that they do so just to provoke a debate or argument. Like the title of the  article you quoted from,

this would not be "Living up to our Christian dedication."   ...   there has been a recent thread on this

category    ...  http://jwtalk.net/forums/topic/15456-important-message-to-all-forum-members-argumentative-members/

As we Invite new ones to our IC & RC's may we all keep pace with the rapid changes now and forever.

 

 >>>>> Forgot to include where the Assembly vs. Convention Commities info came from  <<<<<

 

While attending the multi-day summer gathering one year I used the word "Assembly" while talking to a Brother who was visiting our annual gathering.

 

He corrected me outright and told me plainly that "WE call the District/International ones Convention and the bi-annual Circuit ones Assemblies"

 

This particular Brother was from NY Bethel and was on the Convention Committee. He informed me that there were even separate committees for Conventions and Assemblies.

 

Had it not been for being corrected and having it lovingly explained by this Brother I would have never realized that two separate terms are used by the Organization. I have tried ever since to use the correct theocratic terminology.

 

  http://jwtalk.net/forums/topic/14822-where-are-you-going-to-for-summers-assemblies/page-2  

Edited June 15, 2014 by timpin

[Joey]

Lol...no experiences posted yet.:-)

I have been using the tracts as an introduction,nothing outstanding yet.Many have said ,after I read Rev.21:3,4 "We'll see that in heaven."I explained the text then and point to the blue pages of the Teach book or lesson 5 of the Good News brochure.

I am having a study with a Mormon Monday,she's baptized in the church she said. She asked if I would sit down and compare our beliefs, see where we are different.She mentioned there are 4 Holy books they use.One is the King James version but she feels all 4 are equal.I have not had this in depth of a discussion with a Mormon.I want to highlight Bible truth and not dwell on the false.

I have started 4 new studies the past couple weeks.Adding to my 2 regular ones.It keeps me hopping.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Serenity

[Joey]

I had my call today.It went very well.I have her number,and she has mine. She would like to attend our meeting,maybe tomorrow night so I'll give her a call.I am not very good at explaining how things went...lol.

[leoperales]

My wife and I have practiced the new tract presentations during our Family Worship Night.  By following the suggestions in the KM, we are ready to present any of the new tracts with one presentation.  I have 3 return visits this month that started by placing the new tracts.  I'm sure one of them will stick as a Bible study.