COMPLETE YOUR MINISTRY

• ¹ When we say, “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do,” do we mean it? Are we willing to do all that He commands? The Israelites did not keep this promise, and certainly we do not want to follow their steps. But yet we do, if we do not complete our ministry. That is what happens when we call from house to house and fail to make proper notation of the interest found and then call back on it.—Ex. 19: 8.

• ² Obeying the command to feed the Lord’s sheep is not done merely by making an initial call and leaving literature. That is just the beginning of our ministry. We must follow through. But before calling back it is necessary to prepare our presentation. What will be our opening words? How will we get into the back-call sermon? What theme and scriptures will we use? How will we step from the sermon into a study? These are questions that must be answered before we go out.

• ³ Since only two thirds of this country’s publishers do back-call work, and many of these not regularly, it is evident that we have a sizable number of ministers whose ministry is incomplete. Here is a weakness that needs to be worked on.

• ⁴ There is no shortage of calls. Every placement is a potential back-call. And do not forget all the subscriptions taken during the campaign. The persons who subscribed also must be called on. The subscribers can be encouraged to read the magazines by having interesting points drawn to their attention. In case a study can be started it would be well to have a copy of “Let God Be True'’ with you.

• ⁵ The summer is the time to cover territory that is infrequently worked in the winter. Find the interested persons in such territories and strive to develop their interest while the weather permits. Put into practice what you have learned about making effective back-calls.

• ⁶ There is a joy in the. back-call and Bible study work that more than compensates for any discouragements a person may have in the regular house-to-house work. Here are people who have manifested interest. They will listen to you, and you can remove the stumbling stones they may have. When a call develops into a study you will have the pleasure of seeing interested faces light up as understanding of some scripture or doctrinal point comes to them. You can watch them grow from spiritual babyhood to spiritual maturity and

  Extend Your Ministry into Unassigned Territory

  
  

• ¹ When the apostle Paul had a vision of a man saying: “Step over into Macedonia and help us,” he promptly extended his ministry into that area. (Acts 16: 9, 10) A similar call Is now coming from persons of good will in unassigned territories.

• ² It would be wise to offer in these territories the Watchtower and Awake! subscriptions with six booklets for a two-dollar contribution. This will keep the people in constant touch with the theocratic organization. If the two subscriptions are ; ;

OFFER FOR JULY          J

'i Any bound book, 50c. In unassigned । territory, year subscriptions for “The “ ' Watchtower” and “Awake!” and six '>               booklets, $2.

!         THEME FOR JULY

J Help Others to Oneness Under Their ' '     Creator.—1 Corinthians 1:10.     ‘

not wanted, offer one with three booklets. If this also is turned down, drop to the book “Let God Be True".

• ³ The Jehovah sermon would be fine for these people, since they were not privileged to hear it during the subscription campaign. It is a fine have the joy of knowing that you were instrumental in that growth. When they have become an active part of the New World society, you will have completed your ministry toward them in the fullest sense.

⁷ It is the publisher who is balanced in the ministry that experiences such joys. They can be yours if you round out your ministry with back-call and Bible study work. Then you will be doing what Jehovah has spoken through his servant Paul: “You, though, keep your balance in all things, suffer evil, do missionary work, thoroughly accomplish your ministry.”—2 Tim. 4: 5.

invitation to worship Jehovah and glorify his name.—Ps. 86: 9.

• ⁴ The names of interested persons and current subscribers sent to you should be called on. Try to study with them and encourage them. Invite them to attend the public talks arranged for these territories while you are there. It would also be good to show the Society’s films.

• ⁵ As you work the territory make a careful note of the names and addresses of new interest. Capable publishers appointed by the congregation servant can write to them during the winter months. It might even be possible to conduct a Bible study by mail.

• ⁶ If you have information about brothers who are not on the isolated publisher list, the Society would appreciate having that information. Send the correct name and address of each along with what you know about their background in the truth. When the unassigned territory assignment expires the congregation servant will send the Society a complete report of the activity done there, along^- with the names and addresses of interested persons.

  -k        “Not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together.”        *

  
  
  
  
  

  The second service meeting for July deals with convention information. If it is better for your local congregation to shift this meeting to another week because of the time of the assembly you will attend, do so. You may want to switch the first and second meetings for the month. If your congregation will attend at Houston or Miami, you may be able to rearrange your fourth meeting in June so as to con

  
  

  sider then much of this convention information.

  When the question-and-answer method is used in considering articles it could be livened up by the chairman’s givingashortintroduction and then asking several questions on each paragraph. With all points covered he need not have the paragraphs read. He should use a scripture or two, give a few of his own comments and have a fitting conclusion. He should keep within his time.

  
  

FIRST MEETING IN JULY

Theme: Help Others to Oneness Under Their Creator.

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

10 min: Talk on “Help Others to Oneness Under Their Creator.’’ (See “Watchtower,” 4/15/57 and 4/1/56.)

15 min: Question-and-answer coverage of “Complete Your Ministry.” Congregations having unassigned territory will also consider “Extend Your Ministry into Unasslgned Territory.” A short talk on proper coverage of territory can substitute for this in congregations without unassigned territory assignments.

20 min: Demonstration on “Make Good Use of Tracts.”

CHAIRMAN (2 min.) Brief remarks on value of tracts; various subjects; should be carried with us at all times. In this country some eight million have been distributed annually since 1953, an average of just a little more than one a week per publisher, including pioneers! Can make more use of them.

SCENE I (2 min.) Minister’s sermon is interrupted; magazines refused. Householder storms she is a Catholic; reads no other literature; Jehovah’s witnesses are Communists, etc. Minister remembers Proverbs 15: 1 and offers the tracts “What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?” and “Jehovah’s Witnesses, Communists or Christians?”

CHAIRMAN (1 min.) A practical application of James 3: 17, etc.

SCENE II (2 min.) Very busy housewife comes to door with hands dripping wet or covered with grime or flour; doesn’t have time to listen or even take magazines. Minister recognizes situation, briefly alludes to Ecclesiastes 3: 7, offers tract “How Valuable Is the Bible?” comments fittingly on it and says he will call again.

CHAIRMAN (1 min.) Comment on value of so handling situation.

SCENE III (3 min.) Minister concludes last text of sermon and then offers literature. Householder definitely refuses, objects to witnesses because they do not believe in hell, will be sure to go there, etc. Minister asks if householder knows reasons and tactfully refers to Proverbs 18: 13; offers tract on Hell and urges householder look up all texts in own Bible.

CHAIRMAN (2 min.) Stress value of tract in handling such a situation and show that tracts on the Trinity and Evolution can similarly be used.

SCENE IV (2 min.) Minister in a bus sits alongside a stranger. Starts conversation by commenting on world conditions as seen from newspaper headlines and poses questions. Tells that these conditions are cause for optimism, as they portend better conditions in near future according to the Bible. Offers “Life in a New World,” “Sign of Christ’s Presence” or “Man’s Only Hope for Peace” tract, which stranger accepts.

CHAIRMAN (5 min.) Comment on practical application of Ephesians 5: 15, 16 with aid of tract. Note other ways tracts can be used: when anyone not in truth calls at one's home; for comforting bereaved ones by enclosing “Hope for the Dead” tract when writing letter; at funerals conducted by us to strangers present; at public talks instead of booklets, etc. Encourage all to be tract-conscious; a grand witness can be given by their good use.

10 min: Arrange locally. (Include comments on “New World News.”)

SECOND MEETING IN JULY

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

12 min: Talk on “Yearbook” experiences, stressing assembly attendance. July the district assemblies begin. Attend at least one of them! To spur us to attend, consider some assembly items in our 1957 “Yearbook.” Suppose you had to wait seven years, or actually eighteen years, for an assembly? (76, 188) Would you neglect it then? Why show less appreciation because we have to wait only one year? And to get to an assembly, would you travel eight days on an open deck of a ship? (177) Or travel two days on horseback and then two days by bus? (239) Or walk eight days? (209) So let nothing keep us from attending at least one assembly!                                      ’

15 min: Question-and-answer coverage of “Plan Now for Assembly-City Witnessing.”

'18 min: Talk on “Why One Must Be Baptized.”

10 min: Arrange locally. (Include comments on text (Heb. 10: 25) at bottom of page 1.)

THIRD MEETING IN JULY

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

12 min: Cover “Make Sure of All Things” material on Law, from top of page 240, “Other Features of Law Covenant . . to end of subject on page 242.

10 min: Talk on “Let Children Praise Jehovah” based on “Yearbook” experiences. You children can have many privileges to witness. Two boys not only placed many magazines but even won the approbation of the worldly father of one of them. (62) Even an eight-year-old girl can give a fearless and effective witness to a priest, to her schoolteacher and to a stranger. (273) A nine-year-old son of a circuit servant imitated his father in encouraging-others to witness. (266) A ten-year-old Brazilian girl places booklet, has a mature publisher aid her make the back-call. Result: the entire family now are publishers. (95) For a similar instance see page 88. A twelve-year-old girl in Poland gives such a good witness that listeners shed tears of joy. She also has a goodly number of studies. (243) Many more examples could be given from the “Yearbook” but these show what children who are alert can do.

23 min: Demonstration on “Training Children.”

CHAIRMAN (2 min.) Emphasizes need for parental training of children.

SCENE I (10 min.) Servant at service center in discussion with parent. Remarks that it is good to observe little Earnest participating in meetings, giving comments in own words. Notes, too, he does quite well with ministry school assignments—an indication of good preparation, revealing proper parental coaching and oversight. Parent, bubbling with satisfaction, appreciates hearing such kind remarks. He is interested in doing best he can for Earnest. Servant then makes observation. Earnest’s field activity is excellent some months, others very low, at times no report. Spasmodic ministry reveals need for proper training. Does parent devote as much time and effort aiding him with field service as with other privileges? Parent thinks Earnest too young to be regular in service. Feels it inadvisable to require too much of him; does not want to discourage him. Servant understandingly offers suggestions given in “The Watchtower” (1/15/54, pp. 60-62, II 23-27).

SCENE II (2 min.) Soliloquy: Parent muses over different points. Much good in what servant said. Terrible times, much delinquency, best to do everything possible to help children serve.

SCENE III (8 min.) Series of pantomime scenes showing parent training Earnest. Parent demonstrates ease of presenting “Awake!” and “TheWatch-tower,” using simple 30- to 60-second presentations. Parent takes Earnest with him in house-to-house work, trains him to use Bible and share In sermons. At study parent encourages Earnest to participate.

CHAIRMAN (1 min.) Time to start: right now! Parents protect and safeguard child’s spiritual well-being. Teach him proper ways of worship. Prepare him for the ministry, building a sound foundation through effective ministerial training.

10 mln: Arrange locally. (Include comments on the expression (Matt. 21: 15) at bottom of page 4.)

FOURTH MEETING IN JULY

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

10 min: Talk on “Keeping Presentable Kingdom Halls.”

15 min: Demonstration on material in “Presenting the Good News.”

20 min: Arrange locally. Congregations that attended assemblies during this month may wish to use this time for “Kingdom Ministry” material that was missed.

10 min: Arrange locally.

FIFTH MEETING IN JULY

Those congregations that have a fifth meeting should arrange their own program locally.

Keeping Presentable Kingdom Halls

• ¹ The Kingdom Hall should bring honor to Jehovah’s organization. This means keeping Kingdom Halls presentable. We all want to attend Kingdom Halls that are clean and attractive. Circuit servants report that some congregations need to pay more attention to this matter. The minister of God, says Paul, must be “a workman with nothing to be ashamed of.” Never’ are we ashamed to bring good-will persons to the hall because of the truth; may we never be ashamed to bring them because of its appearance.—2 Tim. 2:15.

• ² Responsibility for keeping Kingdom Halls presentable rests upon the congregation servant. All the brothers will be glad to co-operate with him. We all enjoy a neat and clean Kingdom Hall.

• ³ Each week some work may have to be done to keep the Kingdom Hall presentable. The congregation servant may find it practical to appoint service center groups to the privilege. Taking turns, each service group will care for the hall for a specific period of time. Depending upon the circumstances, it may be for a month or for a week.

• ⁴ Those assigned to care for the hall should not be left on their own. The congregation servant should out

Brooklyn Bethel Vacation

The Society’s offices, factory and Bethel home in Brooklyn, New York, will be closed from August 3 to 18 inclusive. Orders and correspondence sent in during that period will be handled some time after the reopening of the offices. Please anticipate your needs and place your orders in ample time for attention before the vacation period.

Memorandum Concerning Reserve Status

The government has made provision for the discharge from the Reserves of persons who, since their release from active duty, have become full-time ministers. For memorandum concerning discharge procedure write to Hayden C. Covington, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn 1, New York. Request the Memorandum Concerning Reserve Status and send a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Counsel on Ministerial Claims

All brothers concerned with the draft should request this new memorandum just prepared by Hayden C. Covington, which replaces and line the things to be done. No time will then be wasted, and the proper things will be given attention.

^s Signs become part of our Kingdom Hall. So they should be presentable. There is one sign that is usually not given enough attention. This is one that tells the time when meetings are held. Does your Kingdom Hall have such a sign? It should. Otherwise how will some good-will persons know when meetings are held? Let us not cause them or any visiting out-of-town brothers to wasfe time finding out when meetings are held.

s'Every Kingdom Hall, then, should have a sign telling when each meeting is held. It may be on the door or in a window. When Kingdom Halls are not on the main floor, it would be well to put up a notice of some kind in the window or at the entrance giving the time of meetings. Only infrequently do hours, for meetings change. Correct the signs when they do.

⁷ The time-of-meeting sign, as with all signs, should be neat, nicely designed and pleasing to the eye. If outside, it should be made weatherproof. Keep everything about the hall presentable. “In no way,” declared the apostle, “are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with.”—2 Cor. 6: 3.

amends Memorandum to Jehovah’s Witnesses Concerned with the Draft. To obtain this send a stamped selfaddressed envelope to him requesting Counsel memorandum. For the congregation servant's use a copy accompanies this Kingdom Ministry.

New Circuit and District Servant Talks

Starting September 1, 1957, circuit servants will give the public talk “Finding Happiness in a Troubled World.” At circuit assemblies starting in September district servants will give the public talk: “What Are the Prospects for Lasting Peace ?”

MAY SERVICE REPORT

Av. Av. Av. Av. Pubs. Hrs. B-C Bi. St. Mags.

Sp’l Pios.     339 151.2 57.6  8.1

Pioneers   5,831   99.1  34.5  5.3

Vac. Pios.  1,601   90.6 27.0  3.6

Pubs. 186,371   10.3  3.3   .6

TOTAL 194,142

Public Meetings Held: 14,755

UNITED STATES QUOTA FOR 1957 186,819 Publishers

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Why One Must Be Baptized

• ¹ No one can become a part of the Christian congregation without first being baptized. Why? Because after making a solemn decision before God in one’s own mind and heart, it is divinely required of that one to be baptized. “For in that way,” said Jesus, “it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.”—Matt. 3:15.

• ² When one makes an unconditional dedication to Jehovah he becomes an alien to this old world. Therefore dedication is like taking out citizenship In the new world, and the formal ceremony of baptism is in effect an oath before witnesses confirming this fact.

• ³ Jesus showed approval of water baptism, not only by his own act in submitting himself to be baptized, but also by specific commandment. “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations,” he said, “baptizing them.”-—Matt. 28 : 19.

• ⁴ Why, then, do so many delay being baptized? Our records show about seventy-five percent or three fourths of all publishers have dedicated themselves and symbolized their dedication. This, however, leaves many thousands who have not taken this all-important step of dedication. Surely you want to serve Jehovah and become part of his organization, don’t you? Then be baptized if you have made a dedication to serve Jehovah.

• ⁵ Increased privileges of service, such as pioneering, giving instruction talks in the ministry school, discourses to the congregation and public talks, servant privileges, etc., are opened to the baptized Christian only. So do not deprive yourself of increased opportunities to serve Jehovah and your brothers.

• ⁶ At the district assemblies arrangements will be made for baptism. Take advantage of this provision. Show your appreciation for the theocratic organization as did the Ethiopian eunuch who, after receiving a brief witness by Philip, said: “Look I a body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?” Follow his example to Jehovah’s praise and for your own spiritual welfare and good.—Acts 8: 36.

Order Extra Copies of September 15 “Watchtower”

The public talk, “Healing of the Nations Has Drawn Near,” will be in the September 15 Watchtower. Congregations wanting to give it special distribution should order extra copies before August 1.

To Persons Who Say: “Someone Was Recently Here”

• ¹ Preaching of the good news will go on “until cities be waste without inhabitant, and houses without man.” (Isa. 6:11) That day when there will be no goatish persons left to confront us draws nearer. But first more sheep must be found. The more often we cover our territory the more likely the sheep will be found. With frequent territory coverage comes the objection, “But someone was recently here.”

• ² This objection is usually the evasive kind. It is used whether we called on a person a month ago or six months ago. As we learned in Qualified to Be Ministers, the best way to handle this kind of objection is to acknowledge it briefly and go right on with our powerful Scriptural theme.

Mental Attitude

• ³ Before answering, though, we should determine the householder’s frame of mind. Is he seriously son’s address and that he requests no more calls. However, the next tactful publisher to get that territory should call at each house. There may have been a change in attitude or in householders.

  annoyed? Or does the tone of his voice indicate an evasive objection? Answer accordingly. Even if the objection is earnest and the territory was covered recently, it can usually be handled with only a brief answer. Be positive. The vital thing is this: Phrase your answer so that it turns the householder’s objection squarely around, making it become an actual reason for listening.

  ⁴ Thus when a householder says, “But someone was recently here,” you might answer: “I’m glad you mentioned that; no doubt you wonder why we call so often.” Or: “Yes, we try to call on people as often as possible because our message is so urgent.” Or: “It’s because we are trying to increase respect for and create greater interest in the Bible that we call often.” Then go into your sermon.

  Strong Opposition

  ⁵ Sometimes a householder becomes violent. He demands that we stop calling on him. When this happens the individual of whom this demand is made can note down the per- |

  
  

⁶ Really, the more often people say, “You were recently here,” the happier we can be. It shows the separating work is going on apace. Sheep are being found. Rejoice, then, and “let us not give up in doing what is right, for in due season we shall reap by not giving out.”—Gal. 6:9; Heb. 12:3.

OFFER FOR AUGUST Any bound book, 50c. In unassigned territory, year subscriptions for “The. Watchtower” and “Awake!” and six' booklets, $2.             '

THEME FOR AUGU5T       .

Please God Through Accurate /

Knowledge.—Colossians 1:9, 10, NW. ।

¹ Assembly time is here! Are you ready? Do your plans include witnessing? “Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah.” And witnesses we must be by witnessing en route to assemblies, during assemblies and when returning home from assemblies. In fact, witnessing is our life. Paul said we are “ambassadors substituting for Christ/’ Let us, then, carry out our assignment faithfully, with dignity and respect.—Isa. 43:10; 2 Cor. 5:20.

• ² If sightseeing, shopping, relaxing and visiting are important to you at assembly cities, then bearing witness should be much more so, because that is your commission. One reason for having assemblies is to provide a great witness to the glory of God; also that men of good will might see the happiness of the New World society and desire to become a part of it.

• ³ Assemblies also provide a wide range for individual witnessing. The Society, in preparing the program, allows time for morning field service. If witnessing were not vital, then talks would be arranged for this time. So include in your assembly plans a big place for field service.

NEW WORD NEWS

$ “Ghana to Curb Some Sects/’ says news dispatch, mentioning Jehovah’s witnesses. Correspondence from secretary to prime minister says report is garbled and advises: “As long as the Jehovah’s witnesses adhere to the Lord's injunction 'Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s’ the Jehovah’s witnesses need not be worried about any curtailment of their religious freedom/’

$ Turkish government bans “Watchtower” magazine in Turkish language. Local brothers make representations to the government.

▼ New Zealand reports land being cleared in Auckland for new branch home.

♦ New Kingdom Hall and branch building is opened in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

♦ Spain reports 715 publishers, eighth consecutive peak; persecution subsides.

♦ Quebec nun receives truth through student. Quits teaching school. Now witnessing. Wants to become pioneer.

♦ 12-year-old publisher in Netherlands West Indies placed over 250 magazines during April, in 42 hours of service.

♦ Ethiopia’s best circuit assembly, in May, had 207 for film and 159 for public talk. Brothers came from seven provinces, some walking or riding buses for several days to reach Addis Ababa for assembly.

Take with you the necessary equipment.

⁴ Witnessing is important, we know. Staying in private homes provides a much better opportunity for witnessing than does staying in hotels. On the way to assembly cities witness to gas station attendants, clerks, businessmen, waiters and waitresses, and others. Let them know Jehovah’s witnesses are on the move! Do not rely on only your lapel badge, or a Watchtower and Awake! magazine placed in the rear window of your car to do. the witnessing for you. While these do bear witness in a silent way, still we must add our warmth and enthusiasm. This comes only from heart-to-heart witnessing. Remember, you, are an ambassador substituting for Christ.

⁵ We must bear witness. That is our assignment. Plan for it now. Take with you plenty of literature to distribute along the way. And as a reminder, do not forget to mail in your service report to your home congregation before the end of July. This year, make your assembly more enjoyable by setting aside time for thankful praise to Jehovah as his witness by bearing witness.

Children praised the Son of David. Do you?           4-

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