DECEMBER 1970

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

“Go therefore and make disciples . . . baptizing them.”—Matt. 28:19.

VOL. XIII NO. 12

QW ^Kingdom ^PubMe/tS:

Well, you did it again! The loving service of all you brothers has resulted in another new peak of publishers. It is the sixth peak for this calendar’ year and the first in the two months of this service year. Isn’t it fine that 394,920 publishers shared in the ministry during October? That is (5,000 more than ever before! And 5,481 have been baptized here in the United States in the first two months of this service year. You are truly living up to our yeartext: “Make disciples.. . . baptizing them”!

It is truly amazing to see how much of an increase we have had here in the United States in just the past two years. The fine October report represents an increase of 71,232 over the average number of publishers for 1968, and that is more than enough people to fill the normal seating area in Yankee Stadium. Just think of it!

Surely this fine increase reflects much hard work. In the past, you have sown much seed, and on many occasions you may have felt that your efforts were not meeting with much response. Yet your faithfulness has had an effect on the minds of observers, and now we rejoice in a marvelous ingathering.

You are to be commended too for the splendid work you did with the magazines during October. You placed 9,087,895 copies of The Watchtower and Awake! Your orders made it necessary for us here in Brooklyn to print 5,030,000 copies of just the special issue of Aivake! and 4,884,000 copies of the special Watchtower. That is enough magazines so that one out of every five families in the entire country could each have had one. The subscription report too is excellent. It shows more than 5,000 ahead of last year —a total of 272,605. You have done a wonderful job, brothers, and it makes our heart rejoice.

What will December bring? Well, our service theme is “Teaching All

¹When Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them,” he had in mind more than the eleven to whom he spoke. It would not have been possible for that small group of eleven to teach all nationalities and baptize them, but they began that work. Today Jehovah has seen fit to gather out of this world more than 1,483,000 of us Kingdom proclaimed so this work could be accomplished, and more are coming.

• ² Through his organization Jehovah has provided equipment for doing the work, including the Bible in a number of languages as well as publications such as the Truth book in dozens of languages. So in the month of December we are busy offering the New World Translation and The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life to all persons whom we can contact. This is an excellent offer because the people do need to have a Bible in their home, and the .Truth book will be the basis for our teaching effort.

• ³ In this country there are people of different nationalities. Sometimes industrial areas have settlements of immigrants. In other parts of the land there are agricultural workers, doctors, technicians, and professional workers who have come from many different nations. Some men who have been in the armed forces have married wives from other nations. Do you know where there may be some persons in your territory who speak another language? The Society has printed a booklet called “Preach the Word” containing a presentation in many lan-Nationalities with a View to Baptism.” So we plan to be busy, and surely Jehovah will bless our efforts.

Be assured of our warm Christian love for all of you and our prayers on your behalf.

Your brothers, Brooklyn Branch Office guages, and you can show the appropriate page to a person who knows the language so as to give the witness. Orders can be taken for Truth books or others. The Cost List, which the literature servant has, shows what publications are available in different languages. Furthermore, on the second page of The Watchtower and Awake! there is a list of the languages in which the magazines appear. Very frequently it is possible to get subscriptions from individuals by showing the English magazine and explaining that it is available in their language. How long has it been since your congregation gave special consideration to the nonEnglish-speaking people? How many foreign-language publications are on the shelves in your Kingdom Hall stock? Offer them to those who use the languages.

• ⁴ In many experiences reported to the office brothers have told about conducting studies with interested people by using their English copy of the book and having somebody else use a book in his language. Others have been able to turn names and addresses over to brothers who know the language of the interested person, and in this way a study can be started. The objective of our work is teaching all nationalities with a view to baptism, and this is done by the home Bible study work.

• ⁵ But whether you have in your territory any who speak a foreign language or not, there is in your territory someone of at least one nation, your own, so make it your goal in December to visit people and present the good news. There is an opportunity to reach a new national peak of publishers in December. Jehovah has been blessing the work very much, and if all of us will have a share in the Kingdom work in one way or another during December, a tremendous witness will be given as we try to teach all nationalities with a view to baptism.

Teaching all nationalities with a view to baptism.          >

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 6

Theme: Using Care in What We Preach. (Titus 2:8) Song 95.

5 min: Introduction, text and comments.

10 min: Branch Letter. Two servants discuss it, also observations on how Kingdom Ministry School benefits entire congregation.

15 min: "Do You Believe Everything You Read?” Questions and answers on “Aw^rake!” article of November 22, 1970, with suggestions on how to be selective in using non-Biblical material in our ministry. When in doubt, better not to use it. Always safe sticking to Bible.

13 min: “Teaching All Nationalities.” Present by talk, making application to local opportunities for preaching. May include fitting local experiences.

3 min: Accounts report.

14 min: Concluding comments. Local report. Song 116.

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 13

Theme: Walking in the Right Way. (Eph. 4:1) Song 85.

10 min: Introduction, text and comments. Family discussion of the text for the day and Theocratic News.

18 min: Presenting the Good News. By now publishers well into campaign. What have they found effective in local territory for quick presentations? or longer ones? Ilemonstrate some. Refer to “Watchtower,” December 15, 1970, on “Basis for the ‘New World Translation,’ ” encouraging all to read it. Remind all that we may find opportunities to start studies where people have time on first call.

17 min: “When Hatred Is a Good Thing—a Protection.” Material from November 15, 1970, “Watchtower.” A talk, including how this is a protection during the coming holidays for all Christians, young and old. Work in appropriate material from the “Truth” book, chapter 16, paragraphs 19-25, also December 8, 1970, “Awake!” article “Do You Care?”

15 min: Concluding comments. Report on how many Bibles and books placed, how^r many publishers reporting to date. Ask how many studies were started recently. Experiences may be included. What is planned for holiday group witnessing? Appropriate announcements. Song 75.

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 20

Theme.: Encouraging One Another. (Heb. 10:23-25) Song 99.

4 min: Introduction, text and comments.

12 min: Discussion based on article “Is It Hard for You to Find Scriptures?” in December 1, 1970, “Watchtower.”

6 min: Question Box. Two servants discuss subject, encouraging all to share in Theocratic Ministry School regularly.

13 min: “Encouragement.” By now should have “Yearbook.” Give talk on how to use it. Have some publishers comment on experiences they found especially encouraging. May select experiences you believe helpful to interested person or someone with a problem to overcome. How are some local families covering “Yearbook” throughout year?

15 min: “Do You Know Them by Name?” Discussion between “Watch

feel is the greatest problem? [Allow the householder time to give his opinion and acknowledge that many governmental leaders work hard to find solutions, but with little lasting success.] Do you realize that there is one government that has the answer and will not fail in carrying out the solution? It will not be government by men. The Scriptures identify this government, calling it God’s kingdom. Matthew 6:9, 10 indicates coming of God’s kingdom will cause God’s will to be done here on earth. [Not necessary to read this text.] [Here use one of the following texts that best fits the problem under consideration. The first could be applied to illness or pollution. The second, to oppression or injustice. The third, to lawlessness or violence, etc.]

Rev. 21:3, 4—God’s kingdom to do away with sorrow, sickness and death.

Dan. 2:44—God’s kingdom to crush all kingdoms that have oppressed mankind.

Ps. 37:10, 11—God’s kingdom to destroy the wicked one and provide abundance of peace.

“So God’s kingdom will provide a lasting solution to mankind’s problems, large and small. We all want to know when this heavenly government will do this for the earth, as our lives are involved!” Refer to article in current “Watchtower” and present offer.

12 min: Concluding comments, with remarks about month’s theme. (“Watchtower,” January 1, 1971) Song 80.

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 3

(Arrange program locally.)

Encouragement

• ¹ We are all indebted to Jehovah for the great encouragement he continues to give us as we serve him. Now the Yearbook is coming out and we will read in its pages a record of the tremendous blessing Jehovah gave to his people throughout, the world in the past service year. During December you may find it possible to read quite a few pages of the Yearbook because of the holiday season or, perhaps, if there is severe weather. Take advantage of your moments at home to begin reading your Yearbook. Make note of the experiences that you find especially fitting for your situation or to encourage someone in yqur congregation.

• ² Maybe there are appropriate experiences that can be used to buoy up and encourage the interested ones, showing how others have had success in coming into harmony with Jehovah despite obstacles. Worldliness has been overcome, demonism has been defeated, marriage problems have been solved—yes, the Yearbook (Continued on page 8, col. 1)

  Do You Know Them by Name?

  
  

• ¹ Jehovah God knows all the stars in the heavens by name. (Ps. 147: 4) Christ Jesus knows all of his followers by name. (John 10:3, 14) Do you know all of your brothers in the congregation by name, or do you know them only by sight? When we are conducting a congregational meeting, do we address the brothers by their names or only by the term “brother” or “sister”? When introducing newly interested persons to others at the meetings, are there some of the brothers we pass by because of not knowing their names? How many in the congregation do we greet by just saying “Hello, brother” or “Hello, sister”?

• ² Here are a few suggestions for improving your ability to remember the names of your brothers .and sisters as well as undedicated persons. Each week try to arrange to be at the Kingdom Hall for sufficient time before and after the meetings to associate with others. Then make it a practice to learn the name of a person or two that you know only by sight and not by name, possibly writing it down on a slip of paper. Seeing the name helps to impress it on the mind. Introduce yourself to him, or perhaps ask another brother his name to refresh your memory,

Encouragement               (Cont’d)

is a very fine encouragement to follow right principles and gain victories. It is being printed in English, French, German and Spanish.

• ³ Now is the time to make plans for your family to consider the experiences from each country in the Yearbook. Some will have the reading each day in connection with the daily text and comments. Others may choose another time for this special event. The best way is to make a plan and stick to it so nothing is missed from this source of Christian encouragement.

Change in Price

Due to increased mail costs it is necessary for the Society to increase rates for the following: Handbills, 50c per 1,000; Memorial invitations and tracts, $1.00 per 1,000. These new rates will apply beginning January 1, 1971.

OCTOBER SERVICE REPORT

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios.     941  146.7 66.2  6.3

Pios.       15,360 100.5 44.9  4.1

Vac. Pios. 13,137  82.6 31.7  1.9

Pubs.     365,482   10.6  5.3   .6

TOTAL 394,920

Public Meetings Held: 22,086

UNITED STATES GOAL FOR 1971

408,717 Publishers and then strike up a conversation with that brother. Greet him by name and use his name during the conversation. Associate the name with the individual and learn something about the brother during your conversation with him, such as, where he lives, what congregation book study he attends, etc. Listen to his field experiences and share yours with him.

• ³ With a national average of 107 percent attending our Watchtower study during the year, there are many newly interested ones at the Kingdom Halls each week. Having this in mind, let us all make a special effort to learn their names and to try to help them. With the newer one, one good method to learn his name is to walk up to him and say: “My name is ---. What’s yours?”

Then, knowing his name, you can continue in an enjoyable conversation that will make him feel welcome at the Kingdom Hall.

• ⁴ Though we will never equal Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, who never unintentionally forget names,' we can know all in our congregation by name. This will do much to promote the family-like spirit in the congregation.

Announcements

♦ Literature offer. For December: New World Translation and Truth book for $1.25. For January through April: Watchtower subscription with three booklets for $1. Awake! may be offered also.

♦ Worldly holidays offer many opportunities for witnessing during December. If possible, organize group witnessing or individual car groups for each day of the holiday season. Encourage children out of school to have a good share in the service during holiday time.

♦ A reminder: If you find it necessary to call the Society’s headquarters in Brooklyn, you may use area code 212 and either number 858-1240 or 625-1240. ♦ Pioneers registered with the draft, if they have not already done so, might do well to file with their local boards in support of their claim for exemption and ministerial classification allowed by the draft law and regulations, a photostatic copy of their pioneer appointment letter and, when they qualify therefor, a copy of Certificate for Pioneer Minister provided by the Society.

♦ New publications available:

The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life —Bohemian, Ewe, Indonesian, Slovenian, Setswana “Make Sure of All Things; Hold Fast to What Is Fine"        —Korean

“Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot" —Afrikaans, Xhosa Sermon Outlines         —Korean

Saving the Human Race—in the Kingdom Way   —Dutch, Finnish

♦ Out of stock in U.S.A.:

Qualified to Be Ministers

(unrevised)              •—Spanish

When All Nations Unite Under God’s Kingdom             —Spanish

New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures  —German

"I Already Have ©f Those"

• ¹ More bound books and Bibles than ever before were distributed in the United States this past service year—6,960,376! This figure represents 78,827 more book placements during the past service year than the previous one. But our placing Bible study aids is a means to an end and not the end itself. So what has happened as a result of these placements is of concern to all of us.

• ² Something good happened, for the United States annual report showed an average increase of 27,-888 publishers in the field. Paradoxically the report also showed that 7,952 fewer Bible studies were conducted, the total being 295,468 on an average per month. More workers, more placements, but fewer studies—why? Is more effective follow-up work needed? Let us assume that many of these studies were started and conducted in harmony with the Society’s recommendation of a six-month program; then for the most part these are new studies or they have been conducted for a few months only. This could mean that for every 24 books placed, only one resulted in a Bible study.

• ³ However, what about the other 23 of every 24 books placed that are in the homes of people in our territory? Are these good books simply on shelves along with the best of books, the Bible? Many times when you are working from door to door and have begun to explain to the householder that you have a fine Bible study aid for him he informs you, “I already have one of those.” This makes you happy and you tell him how pleased you are, but then what? Do you try to place a different book with him? Or do you say you hope he reads the one he already (Continued on page 4, col. 2)

♦ Overseers: To enable the Society to complete the monthly report, we would appreciate your sending the congregation report to the Society no later than the fifth of the month.

♦ After December 21 congregations may begin ordering the 1970 bound volumes of The Watchtower and Awake! They are available in English, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. Due to the limited demand for Hungarian bound volumes of The Watchtower, the Society will discontinue producing them beginning with the 1971 volumes. The 1970 Hungarian volume of The Watchtower will be available.

♦ The cost for the American Standard Version Bible, pocket edition with a blue leatherette cover (bi22), has returned to its original rate. It is now $1.40 for publishers and $.75 for pioneers. The public rate will be $1.50. ♦ The Society has produced a limited supply of the deluxe songbook. Overseers may submit an order for a supply determined according to the number of requests on hand.

Quick Presentations

• ¹ In this country many people are very busy during the holiday season, but we will not hold back from optimistically presenting the offer. Each publisher can decide what would be the best method of presenting the offer where busy people are encountered. The June 1970 Kingdom. Ministry has a number of suggestions and here are more. One might say:

• ² “Good morning. I represent an international Bible society which this month has its representatives in more than 200 lands encouraging everyone to consider the Bible. This New World Translation of the entire Bible, in modern, easily understood language, is being distributed with this book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life to help in understanding the Bible. I would like to leave these with you today. A contribution of $1.25 will make it possible to print more for someone else. Already thirteen million copies of this Bible have been distributed throughout the world in several languages giving comfort to people everywhere.”

• ³ If you meet someone who declines the offer, saying he has a Bible in his home, you might say: “That is good. During our house-to-house visits many people have told us they have a Bible but have had some difficulty in understanding much of it. They have found this small book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life a fine aid to them in using the Bible. If you read this book and then go back to reading your Bible again, you will have a foundation for readily understanding the reason why God gave us His Word of truth. We leave the book for a contribution of 25c.”

• ⁴ In some cases you may find it advantageous to lead with the Truth book. During November we became accustomed to presenting the Truth book and the points that you have used can be employed in a brief presentation. Then say: “We place this book along with a modernlanguage Bible for a small contribution of $1.25. I would like to leave these with you and I am sure that after the holidays, during the winter, you will have good opportunities to read and enjoy them.”

  If this is not accepted, you can quickly drop to the offer of the Truth book for 25c.

  ⁵ If you observe that people are extremely busy and it is not convenient for them to talk, you might simply produce the Bible and the book and say: “I brought these for you and hoped there would be time to explain. Perhaps I can leave them with you now on a contribution of $1.25, and at another time, when you are not so.busy, I can explain more about them to you.” That is all one would have to say. Such a presentation may result in placement of quite a number of publications. It is essential to make the offer, otherwise it will not be placed.

  ⁶ Wherever anything is placed with busy people be sure to make proper notation so you will be able to return at a convenient time to help those who are receiving the truth, and thus share in ‘teaching all nationalities.’

  
  

“I Already Have One of Those” {ConVd) has? Do you tell him that the one who left the book with him is going to be back and that, when the return visit is made, it would be good if they could discuss the Bible together and have a Bible study from this publication? Is this really enough? Will this type of encouragement result in starting a Bible study? Most likely not.

⁴ Therefore, why not apply the Bible principle of planting and watering, and let God make it grow. (1 Cor. 3:6-9) The planting has been done, but the seed is dormant. No one is making the back-call. Take advantage of your opportunity, like Apollos, to water. Our purpose at the door does not change when the householder already has a book. It would be best to proceed with the goal of starting a Bible study on the first call. The first meeting outlined in the Kingdom Ministry of April 1970 featured a very practical and workable way of starting studies in the Truth book. Why not try it at a door when a person says, “I already have one of those.”

• ⁵ The prospects are wonderful ’ A good percentage of the 23 of every 24 books placed with persons in our territory are in the hands ‘of people who are sighing and groaning over

  THEOCRATIC NEWS

  Another new peak for Germany—86,-277 reporting activity, ^ook placements 17,000 more than for same month last year.

  ♦ During campaign with “Evolution” book, 3,088 books placed by Decatur, Georgia, congregation.

  Italy reaches new peak of 19,215 publishers, 10 percent over last year’s average; each publisher averaging 12.4 hours and 7 back-calls.

  ♦ For the first time Ireland goes over 1,000-publisher mark, 1,015 declaring the good news in September!

  ♦ Greece rejoices with new all-time high of 14,681 publishers.

  ♦ Sweden's report soars to new all-time high—11,780 share in making disciples. ♦ New peak of 46,879 publishers in Canada tops last year’s average by 3 percent.

  ♦ Now 7,286 publishers in Colombia, a 1 9-percent increase over last year’s average there.

  ♦ More than 18,000 in attendance at district assemblies in Rhodesia; 537 baptized.

  ♦ New peak of 3,647 publishers in Dominican Republic; 9,297 attend district assemblies there.

  
  
  
  
  

• Are all dedicated males in the congregation qualified to give public talks?

Qualifications for public speakers are mentioned on pages 150 to 152 of the “Lamp” book. Not all dedicated men have these qualifications, but many can develop them over a period of time by regular participation in the Theocratic Ministry School. Additionally, age is a factor. One who teaches in this way in the congregation ought not to be a person newly dedicated, but one experienced in handling the Word. Therefore 18 years is recommended as a reasonable minimum age for public speakers; however, an exception might be considered when a young brother is an appointed servant in a congregation where there are insufficient older brothers available tb give talks, if the congregation committee finds that he meets the qualifications set forth in the “Lamp” book.

If at one time a person had been disfellowshiped or disassociated, may he ever give a public talk? This might occur, but only after at least ten years from reinstatement. (For details see “The Watchtower,” 8/15/65, p. 497; “Lamp,” p. 121.)

what they see. They have shown that they care about God, for they took the book. So when someone says to us, “I already have one of those,” let’s help him to see what God has purposed for the future, by starting a Bible study with him, and thus make his sigh be one of relief and his tears be those of joy. —Ezek. 9 : 4.

-k                   Keep seeking first the Kingdom.

Published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 117 Adams St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. Printed in U.S.A.

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