UNITED SERVICE EFFORT GLORIFIES GOD IN APRIL

We Rejoice in New Peak of 746,956 Publishers

With one accord all of us, including many new ones, glorified Jehovah by giving a tremendous witness during April. (Rom. 15:6) A few encouraging highlights of the report are given below:

Total Publishers: 746,956. This all-time publisher peak is 2,037 over the number reporting last August, and 21,157 more than we had in April one year ago.

Auxiliary and Regular Pioneers: These totaled 148,885, or 7,015 more than last April.

Total Hours: 16,237,743. This is 823,855 hours more than our April 1986 peak.

Return Visits: 5,465,816. A 7-percent increase. 380,151 more than our previous peak reached last April.

Home Bible Studies: 549,023. An increase of 7,741 over our peak In March of this year and a 4.5-percent increase over last April.

We obtained a total of 152,275 new subscriptions during April. That was 12,471 more than during last October’s subscription campaign.

It is commendable to see that congregation publishers devoted more time to field service, averaging 10.1 hours per publisher for the month.

Surely Jehovah is pleased with the effort put forth by new ones along with experienced publishers, old and young alike, In making known the good news and in bringing praise to him.—Ps. 145:12, 13.

JULY 6-12

When offering the Live Forever book

• 1. What do you highlight?

• 2. What questions will stimulate interest?

JULY 13-19

How do you respond when someone says:

• 1. “I already have that book"?

• 2. “You were here last week"?

JULY 20-26

What steps can you take to

• 1. Improve the quality of your field service?

• 2. Increase your time in field service?

JULY 27-AUGUST 2

After placing the current offer, how do you

• 1. Prepare for the return visit?

• 2. Offer a Bible study?

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace”:

July 5: Chapter 15

July 12: Chapter 16

July 19: Chapter 17

July 26: Chapter 18

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Why Study the Bible?

2 Tim. 3:16, 17—It is God’s Word.

John 17:3—Provides knowledge that leads to everlasting life.

‘Keep Our Maintaining

• ¹ Fine works are those activities directly related to God’s righteousness and the good news of salvation that is through Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged Titus to remind the brothers “to be ready for every good work” and “to make firm assertions constantly, in order that those who have believed God may keep their minds on maintaining fine works.” (Titus 3:1, 8) By keeping the good news to the fore and by conducting their lives in harmony with Jehovah’s righteous standards, the brothers would not be led astray. —Matt. 6:33.

• ² Paul’s counsel applies to us today. Surrounded as we are by a wicked system of things that could easily turn our attention away from Jehovah’s service, we need to be on guard. That involves keeping our minds on maintaining fine works. How can we do that?

  Regular Pioneering—Can You Begin in September?

  
  

• ¹ September marks the beginning of the 1988 service year. It will also be the first month of regular pioneer service for many. Will it be for you?

• ² Many have served as auxiliary pioneers during the 1987 service year. As stated in the June issue of Our Kingdom Ministry, the auxiliary pioneer service could very well be a stepping-stone toward becoming a regular pioneer. If this is true in your case, why not begin in September? While it is good to have sufficient advance preparation, balance is also necessary so that this important personal goal does not elude you. Appropriately, the Scriptures admonish: “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah.”—Rom. 12:11.

• ³ Before you decide to enroll as a

Minds on Fine Works’

HELP PROVIDED

• ³ We need to take advantage of the spiritual provisions Jehovah has made through the Christian congregation. (Heb. 13:20, 21) He has given us his Word, the Bible, along with an abundance of excellent study aids. Spiritually older men have been appointed to render personal assistance as shepherds of the flock. Regular weekly meetings at the Kingdom Hall and in private homes, as well as periodic larger assemblies and conventions, provide wholesome upbuilding association and faith-strengthening instruction.

• ⁴ Convenient arrangements for field service, including personal assistance for those who are less experienced, are made through the congregation. Such arrangements help us to be well equipped to carry out our (Continued on page 3, col. 2) regular pioneer, you should follow Jesus’ admonition to “sit down and calculate the expense.” (Luke 14:28) Factors such as health, family obligations, age, and congregational responsibilities are to be considered. But if you have already analyzed your circumstances and have determined that with some adjustments you can be a regular pioneer, do not hold back.

TRUST IN JEHOVAH'S POWER

⁴ When considering your personal circumstances, do not conclude that just any handicap, disadvantage, or family responsibility will prevent you from being a successful pioneer. Likely you are acquainted with regular pioneers who serve in spite of (Continued on page 2, col. 5)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

10 rru+i: Local ; Theo^atic News.

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Copyright © 1987 by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., and International Bible Students Association. Our Kingdom Ministry (USPS 295-360) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201. Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y.. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watchtower, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201. Printed in U.S.A.

Announcemen ts

• Literature offer for July: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth for a contribution of $2.50. Small-size edition is $1.25. August: One of the following 32-page magazine-size brochures may be offered for a contribution of 30«: Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, “Look! I Am Making AU Things New," The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, and The Government That Will Bring Paradise. September: Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? for contribution of $2.50. Small-size book is $1.25. October: One-year subscription for either Awake! or The Watchtower or both.

• An adequate supply of forms for use during the 1988 service year is being sent to each congregation. Since considerable expense is involved in printing and shipping, these forms should be used conservatively and only for their intended purpose. Some congregations have had to reorder forms before the end of the service year because so many were used improperly, such as for writing notes. Congregations should make other arrangements for scratch pads and not allow Society forms to be wasted.

• New Publications Available:

Sing Praises to Jehovah (Small size) —Cebuano, Iloko, Tagalog Is There a God Who Cares? —Estonian Jehovah's Witnesses—Unitedly Doing God’s Will Worldwide —Indonesian

There Is Much More to Life!

—Estonian

Watch Tower Publications Index for 1984                 —Japanese

• New Cassette Recordings Available: Judges, Ruth (set of two; congregation and public: $3.00; pioneers: $2.50)

—German Beware of Losing Faith by Drawing Away From Jehovah—Drama (single cassette; congregation and public: $2.00; pioneers: $1.75)

—Vietnamese • The Society has available a quantity of orchestral recordings of the music from the 1966 songbook “Singing and Accompanying Yourselves With Music in Your Hearts. ” This set of ten long-playing stereophonic records (P1-P10) is available at a reduced cost of $6.00 per set for publishers; $5.00 per set for pioneers.

Question Box

• How is the hour requirement determined for one who enrolls as a pioneer after the beginning of the service year?

Regular pioneers should meet the requirement of 1,000 hours when enrolled for a complete service year, which begins on September 1 and ends August 31. Pioneers starting after the beginning of the service year should meet an hour requirement proportionate to the number of months remaining in that service year. For example, one who starts (Continued on page 4, col. 2)

• ¹ The psalmist captured well our feelings regarding the worldwide brotherhood unitedly worshiping Jehovah when he wrote: “Look! How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1) By growing in accurate knowledge of the truth and being motivated to apply it daily in our lives, we all maintain ‘the same mind and the same line of thought.' (1 Cor. 1:10) Unity among us has been enhanced in recent years through use of the book United in Worship of the Only True God, released at the “Kingdom Unity” District Conventions in 1983. We should come to appreciate this outstanding publication even more as we consider it again at the Congregation Book Study beginning in September.

• ² All will benefit, whether we were in the congregation when the book was studied previously or we are among the thousands of new ones who have come into the truth since the United in Worship book was last considered in the Congregation Book Study. New ones will benefit from the varied comments and applications made by mature fellow believers. Local application of the material and points emphasized by experienced conductors will no doubt touch on areas of our personal life and ministry needing further attention. Since none of us are in the identical circumstances we faced when we studied the book previously, reviewing the information and applying the counsel in the United in Worship book, as it relates to the problems and pressures we face today, will strengthen us as we continue to

Fine Works                (Cont’d)

commission to preach the “good news” and to help others to become fellow worshipers of Jehovah. —Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20.

ACTIVITY FOR JULY

• ⁵ July will be a busy month for most of us. Many will be attending the “Trust in Jehovah” District Convention. Some will be working in unassigned territory. For many thousands, July is a month set aside for auxiliary pioneer service. All of us should be intent on doing what we can to place the Live Forever book and start Bible studies where possible.

• ⁶ If your schedule of activity for July includes travel away from home, likely you will have many opportunities to meet and talk with people on an informal basis. Many have found that by carrying a small-size Live Forever book, they have been encouraged and helped to strike up conversations “put up a hard fight for the faith.” —Jude 3.

• ³ Besides containing sound counsel that is encouraging and motivating, the United in Worship book stimulates our appetite for spiritual knowledge. Our reasoning powers are strengthened by the way the information is presented. The questions at the bottom of the page, as well as the questions and scriptures within certain paragraphs, require deep thought and personal application on our part if we are to absorb the full sense of the material. Studying this book helps us develop thinking ability and improve our discernment of spiritual matters. We are helped to see the truth in its various aspects and to evaluate not only the relationship of one point to another but also how it applies to us personally. (Prov. 1:1-5) This helps us to “make sure of the more important things.”—Phil. 1:10.

• ⁴ A key factor in benefiting fully is careful preparation. If you have considered the material in the past and already have the answers marked in your book, avoid thinking that careful preparation each week will not be necessary. From time to time all of us need to have our minds refreshed on these spiritual matters. The apostle Peter was inspired to remind the brothers concerning basic truths they had already learned. (2 Pet. 1: 12, 13; 3:1) Paul reminds us that such is for our spiritual safety. (Phil. 3:1) By examining the United in Worship book again, we will be strengthened to remain united in our worship of the only true God Jehovah in these critical last days.

that often lead to giving a fine witness. Of course, The Watchtower and Awake! also are convenient instruments to use when witnessing informally.

• ⁷ In order to make your travel plans complete, be sure to include arrangements for attending meetings and perhaps sharing in field service with the local congregation. The June 1987 Our Kingdom Ministry article “Include Meetings in Your Vacation Plans" offered suggestions on how to locate the nearest Kingdom Hall.

• ⁸ Whether we are spending most of July with our home congregation or we are visiting in other areas, we will want to participate to the extent possible in congregation meetings and field activity. By “always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord,” our minds will be directed aright, and we will maintain fine works to Jehovah’s praise.—1 Cor. 15:58.

  PRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS

  
  

With New Ones

• ¹ What a wonderful advantage it is to have among us experienced publishers of the good news! They are a real asset to the congregation as they use their abilities along with knowledge and experience to assist the many new ones flocking to Jehovah’s organization today. They take ,to heart the inspired admonition: C“In proportion as each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another.’y—l_£et^4il2x

• ² Approved assnciatesrand) those who are newly baptized deserve commendation for their^- hard work in the field ministry. However, tneir experience may still be limited to jusT OHS or two features of" the preaching work, such as the distributing of magazines and witnessing informally. To make their advancement manifest, these new ones need to share in as many featnres-of the ministry as they can and improve their effectiveness as proclaimers of the good news. New ones will be helped to become proficient Kingdom ministers by working along with those who have had more experience.—Eccl. 4:9, 10.

MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE

• ³ Can you make yourself available to assist others in the ministry? New ones need to learn not only how to offer magazines but also how to use the Bible in the house-to-house ministry. They need to learn how to initiat&^tndC continue conversations with householders. Someone who lacks experience may be apprehensive about making'return visits and conducting Bible studies. But those who are willing can learn how to handle these new responsibilities if they receive the needed help and encouragement.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• ⁴ One way you can help is tojget together with less experienced ones an<f dijgtiss suggested presentations found in Our Kingdom Ministry. Using the Reasoning book, select appropriate introductions and practice responding to objections and coff-versation stoppers. In practice sessions, you can rehearse the use of scriptures and how to present the current literature offer. You can discuss how tn conclude an initial call so as to lay the foundation for a return visit, or you can show how a Bible study may be started. Such preparation will help the new publisher to have confidence in his abil

  THEOCRATIC NEWS

  
  

  ity to speak to people about God’s Word.

  ⁵ Make definite appointments tn work in the field ministry. The qyw one may prefer to go along and just observe for a few calls. Then he can try putting into practice what was prepared in practice sessions. As you work together, discuss how your presentations might be improved and how to handle such things as indifference and opposition. Be encouraging and s^pport-iyp, Remind the new one that it is Jehovah’s work and that he will bless our honesthearted efforts. —Matt. 11:29, 30.

  WORK WITH YOUNG ONES TOO

  ¹⁵ Young ones enjoy their share in the ministry more when they have a well-prepared presentation. The very young can be encouraged to make a simple magazine presentation. If able? they may be given opportunity to read a Bible text to the householder. Help each one to progress according to his age and ability. Parents and Others in the congregation can provide the necessary help and encouragement so that the very young ones as well as those growing to maturity will become adept in “handling the word of the truth aright.”—2 Tim. 2:15.

  ’ Those conducting Bible studies will want to introduce the students to the field service as soon as they qualify. Elders, ministerial servants, pioneers, and parents should also be alert to offer assistance to those who are just beginning to share in the preaching work. Can you make yourself available to assist new ones? Take the initiative in doing so, for our ‘being harmoniously joined together and giving what is needed makes for the growth of the bpdy-’jl-Eph. 4:16,

  Question Box              (Cont’d)

  regular pioneer service on March 1 will have pioneered six months by the conclusion of the service year on August 31 and would need to have reported a minimum of 500 hours.

  Reporting 90 hours each month is a goal for which we strongly encourage pioneers to strive, regardless of when they begin. By scheduling 90 hours of field ministry each month, a pioneer should be able to attend assemblies and conventions as well as take vacation time without getting far behind in the yearly hour requirement. By holding to the 90-hour monthly schedule, he will

  
  

• ♦ Curapao had their fourth peak for the service year in February with 1,352 reporting. There was a new peak of 84 regular pioneers.

• ♦ Fiji had their 26th consecutive peak in February with 1,253 reporting for a 14-percent increase.

♦ The regular pioneer ranks continue to expand in Ghana. The 31,603 publishers reporting in February included a new peak of 2,767 regular pioneers. ♦ Jamaica reported new peaks in February of 8,120 publishers and 339 regular pioneers.

♦ In February Korea reported new peaks of 13,349 regular pioneers and 46,001 total publishers.

♦ Liberia had a new peak of 1,432 publishers in February. Their new branch building was dedicated on March 28 with 2,126 in attendance.

Make Sure                 (Cont’d)

concern by offering helpful suggestions along with a practical discussion to show just what can be accomplished by searching into the deeper things of God’s Word.—1 Cor. 2:10.

⁴ A portion of the program will call attention to convincing evidence of our being adequately qualified to serve as God’s ministers. In the concluding part, you will hear interesting experiences and reports showing that Jehovah’s progressive organization is moving ahead, and you will be encouraged to keep pace with it.

⁵ Your circuit overseer will let you know what arrangements have been made for the special assembly day in your circuit. Make sure that you will be there for the full day’s program.

APRIL SERVICE REPORT

Av     Av    Av

Pubs.  Hrs.  Mags.  R.V. Bl.St.

Sp’IPIos. 277 130.4 94.9 55.8 5.9

Pios.      52,428  86.0  47.4 31.1

Aux. Pios. 96,457  58.7  34.7 16.3

Pubs. 597,794 10.1    7.2 3.8 0.4

TOTAL 746,956

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,014

not come under pressure because of having to overcome a sizable hour deficit as the service year draws to a close.

The circumstances of some pioneers, such as those doing seasonal work, may require them to vary their approach to meeting the yearly hour requirement. But each pioneer should keep a schedule that will enable him to meet the hour requirement by the end of the service year, whether 1,000 hours for the entire service year or that portion of 1,000 hours corresponding to the number of months he pioneered during the service year.

I