Do you include in your time? Cleaning KH, Assembly Halls, etc?

[Maryjane Lee]

Friends,

When there is a general cleaning in Assembly Halls, Kingdom Halls and then you go there and help in the cleaning, do you include that in your time? I heard some of our pioneer sisters said they do. THanks!

[kejedo]

No, I never have.

[Tortuga]

I have been told that if a regular pioneer is assigned a specific task for an activity arranged by the branch, they get to count their time, with some restrictions.

The local assembly hall has scheduled maintenance work that includes cleaning, the duties are part of the branches arrangement to ensure the assembly hall is clean and maintained, if any regular pioneers are scheduled to work or invited to work, i hear they can count their time.

 

My wife and I spend a lot of time at the assembly hall cleaning, doing repairs and grocery shopping for the SKE, neither of us are regular pioneers and so we do not count any of the time we put in.

 

The KH cleaning is a congregation responsibility and I have never heard of any one counting their time for that. The only exception that I can think of is if a regular pioneer was trained to perform a specific responsibility for the KH maintenance and they may count their time when they are specifically scheduled to do the work. 

[Stavro]

In a few specialized circumstances, regular pioneers are given a credit toward the yearly requirement, which is already reported to the service committee. On these months, the pioneer would count their actual ministry time, with a separate note of the credit they've been given during that month.

 

As for what circumstances include a credit, as a general rule if you don't have the exact time spelled out in a letter, there is no credit.

[kejedo]

What about double coupon month? Joke.

[Tortuga]

What about double coupon month? Joke.

You get 5% off..

[vern]

The october monthly broadcast was kinda touching on this by principle.  We can view many kinds of activity as "shedding light" and sacred service that's not specifically "public witness preaching work".  Its good to think more along these lines the closer we get to the new system as our Godly devotion will switch from a preaching work to more hands on total public service.  The governments will be gone and were gonna be taking over everything.

[Sheila]

A couple of weeks ago I was talking to an older sister who pioneered for years and she stunned me by saying that she always counted the time taking an unbaptised person or study to or from a meeting/convention/assembly.   Another way she gained time was...........she lived in a block of flats, and if I picked her up to drive her to the field service group she would close her front door and immediately knock on the front door beside hers and start a conversation with whichever occupant answered.   She would begin counting time from when the door opened.   I try to write my hours down as they occur, but with a memory like mine (after two minor strokes) sometimes its hard to remember to even do that!!  

 

Just an aside, I have a study once or twice  a month with two different students (sometimes its only quarter of an hour or so) but I still count them as studies on my monthly report.   Two weeks ago a neighbour of a RV picked up the copy of the 'Teach Your Children' brochure and told me it was really interesting, so a few days later I dropped in to see her and gave her a copy of her own to read.  This week I dropped in again, and she began to talk of all her family - photos all over her lounge walls - and I noticed that she had lots of religious articles around her flat (yes I know, sometimes Jehovah must want to use a 4x2 on my head to get me to see things).   One picture, of a son that had died 40 years previously also had a rosary wrapped around it, so of course I went into the resurrection thing.   Ended up placing the Good News brochure, and she's agreed to study it.    She's cant wait to find out more.    She's only 95 !!     A bit off topic, but had to share.

[Ahuvah]

I love the scripture that tells us that whatever we are doing - do it wholesouled as to Jehovah ... so that is 24/7 (which I really need to work on), so everything we do whether at work or in town and it's not ministry related ... we should be a lil shining light to those in our community - someone who is attracted to us so they can learn the truth ... do you count time everytime you appear as a shining light? That would be impossible - would be loverly because we would all suddenly be pioneers, but it's not practical or realistic. So it's up to our conscience when those shining moments cross from every day processes to being part of our active ministry.

[Tortuga]

The old saying is to focus on the people and not on the time, the time will take care of itself.

 

I personally don't like the little games people play to start their time, I really appreciate the way the revised OD book leaves it up to each individual to determine their witnessing period. I can't tell you how many times an entire car group was held up because someone in the group stopped to make a quick call to get their time started while everyone else was waiting at the carpool location, waiting to start their time..

 

With that said, I think there are some provisions for some to count their time on other activities. Check with your elders.

[RaymondG]

Yes, it would be unloving to hold up others who haven't started to get a start on one's time...

A number of publishers in our congregation make a point of getting started for the group early and call in at a Rest Area (there are a few of these on the highway in our territory) and give a brief witness to campers etc. But they allow the time for this before they leave home.

[MzT]

Friends,

When there is a general cleaning in Assembly Halls, Kingdom Halls and then you go there and help in the cleaning, do you include that in your time? I heard some of our pioneer sisters said they do. THanks!

The only provision I know of, is on the Mondays after a weekend of Circuit Assemblies, there is a designated date and time for a thorough cleaning. There WERE provisions for including time worked as part of your service report. The time was counted in the same way as LDC time for KH, or any activities associated with Branch assignments. For us, that includes airport runs for incoming and departing brothers temporarily working at the branch as well as runs to pick up groups for meeting attendance.

The proper way to "count" the time is to list it under LDC hours if you use an app like I do, or to write it on the back of your report. It should not be listed in the actual field service time since its a "credit" to your time.

Keep in mind, at least in our area, no one is supposed to just show up for the thorough cleaning at the assembly hall. That has to be arranged thru your Service overseer and he will provide details about how to include the time on your service report.

As far as I know, there is no provision to count the time for your kingdom hall cleaning though. We ALL can share in that and we should. Assembly Hall cleaning is generally different simply because it may include traveling a distance and or expense to travel to and from.

[Maryjane Lee]

thank you all! Ok so now it's clear to me. 

[angi]

From the recent broadcast, it appears that "sacred service" encompasses many christian activities not related to preaching work. However how would the brothers get a true evaluation of how many hours are spend in the preaching work if we were to include other activities.

When I was pioneering there were times when we were given credit for other activities during the month.

[Qapla]

This month I have spent 4 days working at the SKE and will be spending 2 days at a KH project as well as time spent cleaning our Hall and working on the sound system.

 

I will NOT be counting any of that time as hours on my monthly report.

 

I will make a notation on the report so the Secretary can add that to the comment section of my PRC.

 

The same will apply to the week I will spend working at Warwick next month.

 

I do count the time I spend at the table we have at the flea market for Public Witnessing.

[Tortuga]

This month I have spent 4 days working at the SKE and will be spending 2 days at a KH project as well as time spent cleaning our Hall and working on the sound system.

 

If we counted the time we spent at the Assembly Hall, I could have Aux Pioneered this month and have my hours in by now, my wife could have Reg Pio this month and have her hours in by now. We don't count any of our time at the Assembly Hall and that's OK, the joy is timeless (get it? time-less... )

[ChrisC]

Can I count time "by proxy"? If I encourage someone so they start pioneering can I count half their hours.

[On the huh]

I wonder if Jesus and the apostles counted "time"

Whatever we do in theocratic activities should not be about counting time.  We do it for Jehovah, we do it for the brothers, and we do it for the people we are trying to save.  Not to put hours on on report slip.

 

If we have to come up with ways just so we can put more hours on the report, we are missing the point of what we are doing.

[Joe Schmoe]

This month I have spent 4 days working at the SKE and will be spending 2 days at a KH project as well as time spent cleaning our Hall and working on the sound system.

 

I will NOT be counting any of that time as hours on my monthly report.

 

I will make a notation on the report so the Secretary can add that to the comment section of my PRC.

 

The same will apply to the week I will spend working at Warwick next month.

 

I do count the time I spend at the table we have at the flea market for Public Witnessing.

 

This is exactly the right way to do it.

[Chadness]

The old saying is to focus on the people and not on the time, the time will take care of itself.

 

I personally don't like the little games people play to start their time, I really appreciate the way the revised OD book leaves it up to each individual to determine their witnessing period. I can't tell you how many times an entire car group was held up because someone in the group stopped to make a quick call to get their time started while everyone else was waiting at the carpool location, waiting to start their time..

 

With that said, I think there are some provisions for some to count their time on other activities. Check with your elders.

 

Obviously, as the revised OD book brings out, we wouldn’t want to impose our conscience on others in this regard. So, this is basically my own interpretation of what the OD books says. For myself personally, as long as I am out in the ministry, I am counting my time. Regardless of the possibility of sitting in the car for X number of minutes if someone wants to do a return visit, you’re still involved in the ministry. The OD book says that the hours we report “is the time you spend participating in the house-to-house ministry, making return visits, conducting Bible studies, or otherwise witnessing informally or publicly to people who are not dedicated, baptized Witnesses.” The conjunction “or” means any or all of those things are acceptable in counting your time.

 

The first part there about participating in the ministry – I am out in the ministry, participating in the ministry work, whether or not I’m at the door or talking to people. I could work an entire morning and not talk to a single person. I’m still out in the ministry. That being said, if we know an RV is going to take a while or possibly turn into a study, we may plan ahead and run and do another RV, a few doors, or something while the others are at their RV/study. But, sometimes that is not possible. It still doesn’t mean you’re not out in the ministry.

 

If we stop for a break of more than a few minutes, I will stop counting my time because technically we are taking a break from the ministry. However, it doesn’t have to be. During those times, instead of stopping your ministry, you could just switch to a different form of ministry – from house-to-house and return visits to informal/business witnessing. “Breaks” aren’t what they used to be, in that, if we view them the right way, we can still be out in the ministry – and thus counting our time – during those times.

 

Just my interpretation of what the OD book says, though. 

[leoperales]

Amen to Chad's comments.  I see it the same way.  I commute to work on a daily basis and as a Regular Pioneer, I'm always looking at witnessing opportunities.  However, when I'm on the bus, I'm the only witness on that bus on that 45 minute bus ride.  Sometimes I'm able to give a witness, other times not.  Nonetheless, I'm still out in the ministry.  Besides, I pray on a daily basis before heading out to the bus for help in finding someone to give a witness to.

[Greg Dent]

Anyone counting time cleaning the hall or assembly hall would be viewed as stealing from the treasury in the temple. They are treading a very dangerous path. 

[kejedo]

Can I count time "by proxy"? If I encourage someone so they start pioneering can I count half their hours.

In service today, I told the driver she was getting a double coupon for hours this month (so helpful). She told a passenger, "you're getting a half off coupon." So silly. We had fun,had some serious spiritual conversations in our car group, many new calls were initiated, I got some of my territory covered, and did one doorstep study in the Good News brochure. We never took a break.  Tomorrow I have two studies and am working with an unbaptized publisher. It's always interesting and sometimes surprising. Gotta love the privilege of serving our Dear God Jehovah!

Edited November 4, 2015 by kejedo

[Tortuga]

Anyone counting time cleaning the hall or assembly hall would be viewed as stealing from the treasury in the temple. They are treading a very dangerous path. 

That is not completely correct. Regular pioneers may be given a credit for their time if they are doing specific tasks at an assembly hall that may include cleaning. 

[MzT]

Anyone counting time cleaning the hall or assembly hall would be viewed as stealing from the treasury in the temple. They are treading a very dangerous path.

This statement is partially incorrect. While we do not count time for cleaning the LOCAL KH. At least in the US, there is an organized method for REGULAR pioneers to receive credit for their time spent cleaning the Assembly Hall during weekly cleaning. This is covered when you receive your assignment from your Service overseer or COBE. But this is not something that you decide to do on your own. Also, to be clear, this is different from the congregation cleaning assignment the day of a circuit assembly. There are currently NO provisions to credit that time.