2024 Governing Body Update #2

[Dolce vita]

2 hours ago, Doug said:

 

Yes, but 1Cor 11:4 doesn't make any distinction whether praying privately, with your wife, or for the congregation.

 

Curiously, a woman covers her head on certain occasions as a sign of submission.  But a man uncovers his head on certain occasions as a sign of submission.

 

Have we ever seen an image of a pre-Christian Bible character without a head covering (usually fabric with a headband) ?  It's hard to think of one.  Possibly Daniel when he prayed on the balcony. 

 

Did Moses remove his head covering when he publicly prayed for Israel?  Was there anything in the Law about it?

 

But images of Jesus and his followers are always with the head uncovered.  Why?

" Have we ever seen an image of a pre-Christian Bible character without a head covering (usually fabric with a headband)?"

 

In the two-part video 'Imitate Their Faith: Abraham' it seems to me that Abraham did not wear a head covering most of the time when he spoke to Jehovah.

[jwhess]

4 hours ago, Pjdriver said:

 

John, can’t you see?  there are 2 brothers and 3 sister in the  back row on the balcony wearing hats.  

Are you sure they are not program participants in native clothing?...😀

[Dhanyel]

9 hours ago, jwhess said:

Just for curiosity sake, is the convention outdoors (like a stadium or such)?

Somewhere in Portugal probably outdoors like a grandstand.

[Doug]

5 hours ago, Dolce vita said:

" Have we ever seen an image of a pre-Christian Bible character without a head covering (usually fabric with a headband)?"

 

In the two-part video 'Imitate Their Faith: Abraham' it seems to me that Abraham did not wear a head covering most of the time when he spoke to Jehovah.

 

You may be right.  Also, the kings in our videos had a simple crown, but not a covering.

 

I think the point has been made that head coverings on men was so common that it takes some thought to come up with an exception.

 

So, did these men, some of them appointed by Jehovah, remove their head covering when praying publicly?

 

In Jesus' time, the Pharisee's are always shown with head coverings, but Jesus himself and his disciples generally  without.  Why?

[jwhess]

17 minutes ago, Doug said:

 

You may be right.  Also, the kings in our videos had a simple crown, but not a covering.

 

I think the point has been made that head coverings on men was so common that it takes some thought to come up with an exception.

 

So, did these men, some of them appointed by Jehovah, remove their head covering when praying publicly?

 

In Jesus' time, the Pharisee's are always shown with head coverings, but Jesus himself and his disciples generally  without.  Why?

The dress for High Priest especially, was prescribed by Jehovah himself.  No shoes but a turban with a gold plate.  Detailed explanations were not always provided.  Obedience was expected.

 

*** it-2 p. 684 Priest ***
Dress. In performing their official duties, the priests served barefoot, in harmony with the fact that the sanctuary was holy ground. (Compare Ex 3:5.) In the instructions for making the special garments for the priests, sandals were not mentioned. (Ex 28:1-43) They wore linen drawers extending from the hips to the thighs for moral propriety, “to cover the naked flesh . . . that they [might] not incur error and certainly die.” (Ex 28:42, 43) Over this they wore a fine linen robe tied about the body by a linen sash. Their headgear was “wrapped” upon them. (Le 8:13; Ex 28:40; 39:27-29) This headdress seems to have been somewhat different from the turban of the high priest, which may have been sewn into a wraparound form and set on the high priest’s head. (Le 8:9)
 

[Dolce vita]

3 hours ago, Doug said:

 

You may be right.  Also, the kings in our videos had a simple crown, but not a covering.

 

I think the point has been made that head coverings on men was so common that it takes some thought to come up with an exception.

 

So, did these men, some of them appointed by Jehovah, remove their head covering when praying publicly?

 

In Jesus' time, the Pharisee's are always shown with head coverings, but Jesus himself and his disciples generally  without.  Why?

It1. p559, I Cor 11:4- This is what we find, as has already been cited previously:
"A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head when leading the congregation, for example when praying or prophesying. This is his normal position in the order of things willed by God. A man who would wear a hairstyle in these circumstances would bring shame upon one's head. It would also betray a lack of respect for Jesus Christ, its head, and for the Supreme Ruler, Jehovah God, because man is "in the image and in the likeness." glory of God."

 

Can't we just think that the headgear worn by certain people, men and women alike, were above all adapted to the way of life, to fashion in short, to the climate and geography of the place? When it was cold or they were crossing a desert, due to the volatility of the sand for example, it might be necessary to cover their head with a cloth, like the Tuaregs today. In the cities this was perhaps made less necessary. 

 

Jesus and his disciples are depicted without head coverings. Maybe it was a distinctive sign of material modesty or the fashion in town, I don't know.

[Pjdriver]

18 hours ago, Doug said:

1Cor 11:4 doesn't make any distinction whether praying privately, with your wife, or for the congregation.

 

Curiously, a woman covers her head on certain occasions as a sign of submission.  But a man uncovers his head on certain occasions as a sign of submission.

 

Have we ever seen an image of a pre-Christian Bible character without a head covering (usually fabric with a headband) ?  It's hard to think of one.  Possibly Daniel when he prayed on the balcony. 

 

Did Moses remove his head covering when he publicly prayed for Israel?  Was there anything in the Law about it?

 

But images of Jesus and his followers are always with the head uncovered.  Why?

 

Under the Mosaic Law there was no requirements about wearing head coverings. The average Jewish man wore head a covering for the weather not anything symbolic....except for the Priest, they wore specific head covering with symbolic meaning.

 

However, by the time of the first century the Jews were living in a Greco-Roman culture where head coverings actually had more meaning for the average person, and people of the nations around were becoming Christians. So Paul gave clear instructions about it. The different instructions for men and women reflect (I think) their different roles, and it reflects the authority structure that Paul outlined..... God, Christ, Man, Woman.

 

A man removes his hat as a sign of honor and respect to Jehovah. A women covers her head as a sign of submission and modesty.  Men and women have a different role in worship.

Instructions for each one is for different reasons and we cannot compare them. The head covering has a little different meaning for each one in relation to their distinct roles. 

Edited September 14 by Pjdriver

[MullumMiss]

On 9/13/2024 at 3:02 PM, Jwanon said:

When I was younger there was a sister who always wore a hat at the meeting

In the 60’s my mother wore hats to the conventions and for the district it was her custom to get a new hat to match her new outfit.  We all wear hats here in Australia in service due to the sun.  I have a collection of hats.  Some for sun and some for cold.  I don’t always take them off when inside, it depends how big they are.  🧢👒🎩🤠💂🧑‍✈️👷🧑‍🍳🧑‍🌾🧑‍🚒🧑‍🎓🕵️

[Junichi NAKANISHI]

It was on 2024/3/15 that GB did the following announcement.

quote

When a brother has a part on the program, he should wear a tie and a jacket if that is the standard

of dress in that land.   Of course, some brothers may choose to wear a tie or a jacket even when

they do not have a part on the program.

unquote

 

What I would like to know might be somewhere in this very huge thread. But I cannot find it.

So, please allow me to ask for your experiences at the meetings.

Does a brother who serves on the platform to adjust the height of speaker's stand

and of microphone wear a tie or a jacket in your congregation?

Thank you in advance for your info.

 

Edited September 17 by Junichi NAKANISHI

[carlos]

1 hour ago, Junichi NAKANISHI said:

Does a brother who serves on the platform to adjust the height of speaker's stand

and of microphone wear a tie or a jacket in your congregation?

Thank you in advance for your info.

 

In some countries (for example the US and the Philippines) the branch has given specific instructions about this. In branches where they haven't, it's up to the body of elders to decide.

 

In our congregation it was suggested to the brother taking care of the platform to use a tie and a jacket. In the case of brothers handling mics or at the sound desk, it's not required. But of course this can change from congregation to congregation if there are no specific instructions.

[Abigail]

Were there any specific instructions for the brother leading field ministry? I can't remember now!! We had a brother go home for his tie on Saturday ...

[jwhess]

2 hours ago, Abigail said:

Were there any specific instructions for the brother leading field ministry? I can't remember now!! We had a brother go home for his tie on Saturday ...

As Br. Carlos mentioned, it varies by branch (local customs, etc).  In the US Branch the instructions said that a conductor for the Field Service did NOT have to wear jacket and tie.

[Tortuga]

6 hours ago, Junichi NAKANISHI said:

Does a brother who serves on the platform to adjust the height of speaker's stand

and of microphone wear a tie or a jacket in your congregation?

 In the U.S. branch territory, the standard of dress for participating on programs at congregation meetings, circuit assemblies, and regional conventions is as follows: Sisters should wear a skirt or a dress and a brother should wear a tie and a jacket. Those handling microphones, working with the stage, caring for audio/video equipment, and serving as attendants should also apply this standard. However, those conducting meetings for field service may choose not to wear a tie or a jacket. 

[luisenriquereyes]

7 hours ago, carlos said:

 

In some countries (for example the US and the Philippines) the branch has given specific instructions about this. In branches where they haven't, it's up to the body of elders to decide.

 

In our congregation it was suggested to the brother taking care of the platform to use a tie and a jacket. In the case of brothers handling mics or at the sound desk, it's not required. But of course this can change from congregation to congregation if there are no specific instructions.

Here in the Dominican Republic, we recently had a very welcomed announcement ( September 6, 2024 ) on the Standard of Dress When Participating in Theocratic Activities.

Brothers may decide whether or not to wear a coat, jacket, or tie when participating in the ministry, attending meetings, and regional conventions and circuit assemblies and when participating in the program. Brothers can also decide whether to wear a formal chacabana (or guayabera) that is appropriate, modest, and dignified. These guidelines also apply to those who are passing microphones, are in charge of the stage, those who handle audio/video or who are serving as attendants, and those who conduct field service meetings. Sisters who participate in the program can also choose to wear a skirt or dress, or dress pants if they wish.

Most of our Kingdom Halls do not have air-conditioning so the brothers are very happy 😁  I know I am since I sweat so much  😰

 

Here a picture from last Sunday of three of our elders wearing formal chacabanas (or guayaberas) that is appropriate, modest, and dignified.  One of them conducted the Watchtower 😉

Edited September 17 by luisenriquereyes

[Pabo]

On 9/15/2024 at 6:21 AM, MullumMiss said:

In the 60’s my mother wore hats to the conventions and for the district it was her custom to get a new hat to match her new outfit.  We all wear hats here in Australia in service due to the sun.  I have a collection of hats.  Some for sun and some for cold.  I don’t always take them off when inside, it depends how big they are.  🧢👒🎩🤠💂🧑‍✈️👷🧑‍🍳🧑‍🌾🧑‍🚒🧑‍🎓🕵️

 

Yes, here in Australia, being the skin cancer capital of the planet, we are encouraged to slip (shirt), slop (sunscreen), slap (hat), seek (shade) and slide (sunglasses) whenever we are outdoors. Sadly, many brothers and sisters don't heed these warnings.

 

I personally have several hats to wear and depending on the situation, I have an Akubra (Territory) when it is very sunny and hot, a smaller rimmed dress hat for when it is milder or cooler for when I am witnessing or at conventions. And if it is bitterly cold, then I will be wearing a beanie.

 

As for taking them off inside, at the meeting there really isn't the need for me needing a hat, as it is only a short distance from the car to the hall. But at the assemblies, I still wear it inside the facility until I am seated. It is very useful for my wife to spot me when I am in a crowd, as there are very few brothers that do wear a hat at all.

 

As for taking of a hat for a prayer being giving by me or by someone else, it comes down to the circumstances that I find myself in. If there is no shade, it stays on. If under a tree with reasonable shade, then possibly (depending on heat and wind). But if I am completely in the shade, then it generally comes off. Some brothers at times find my choices somewhat not to their liking, but they are not wearing the hat and where I am standing/seated.

 

As @DarinS had mentioned, when on LDC projects, there are definately times where it is best not to remove your hat.