JEHOVAH’S BLESSING EVIDENT IN APRIL REPORT

The April service report for the United States gives clear evidence of Jehovah’s abundant blessing as thousands more share in the harvest work.—Matt. 9:37, 38.

Total Publishers: A new peak of 780,744 publishers was reached. This is 33,788 more than one year ago.

Auxiliary Pioneers: A new peak of 101,145 reported. This figure combined with the number serving as regular pioneers totals 158,156. This Is the highest number ever to serve as pioneers during any one month.

Total Hours: 16,996,871. This new peak Is 759,128 over our previous peak of hours In April 1987. How commendable that congregation publishers averaged 10.1 hoursl

Home Bible Studies: 570,094. An increase of 17,056 over our peak in March of this year and a 3.8-percent increase over last April.

Jehovah Is carrying out his promise to fill his spiritual house with glory by bringing In “the desirable things" of all the nations. (Hag. 2:7) May our joy Increase and abound as we continue to experience Jehovah’s rich blessings upon our zealous activity in the harvest work.

Meetings for Field Service

JULY 4-10

Current Topic for Conversation

• 1. How will you introduce the subject?

• 2. What news item can be tied in with it?

• 3. How will you tie in the literature offer?

JULY 11-17

Why should we avoid

• 1. Congregating in the territory?

• 2. Being boisterous when in field ministry?

• 3. Knocking too loud or too long?

JULY 18-24

Group witnessing

• 1. Why meet at book study locations?

• 2. What upbuilding things can we talk about between calls?

• 3. What can be done to assist new ones?

JULY 25-31

How will you use what you learned at the conventions in

• 1. The house-to-house ministry?

• 2. Making return visits and conducting Bible studies?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

The Bible Benefits Family Life. Gen. 1:27, 28—God instituted the family arrangement.

Isa. 48:17, 18—Family members benefit from heeding God’s Word.

• ¹ How are you affected when faced with opposition or when you are persecuted by enemies of the good news? Are you determined to keep on witnessing despite what opposers may say or do? Although only a few may let their heart grow faint or be tempted to stop preaching, all of us can benefit from the example of Paul and Silas. They did not let persecution discourage or silence them. (1 Thess. 2:2) With Jehovah’s help, we too can demonstrate the boldness needed in order to come off victorious in the face of opposition.—Ps. 138:3.

• ² Jehovah is our refuge in time of trouble. It is to him that we humbly appeal for help. (Ps. 18:2, 3) Our brothers in the first century asked Jehovah to help them ‘keep on speaking his word with all boldness.’ (Acts 4:29) Jehovah responded to this prayer by filling the disciples with holy spirit. He will do the same for us. —Acts 4:31.

SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK

• ³ In each congregation, meetings for field service are arranged to pro

  Do You Have the Pioneer Spirit?

  
  

• ¹ What is the “pioneer spirit”? It might be defined as having a positive attitude toward the command to preach and make disciples, being fully committed to showing love and concern for people, being selfsacrificing, finding joy in following the Master closely, and taking pleasure in spiritual, not material, things.

• ² Jehovah’s people as a whole are certainly manifesting this spirit today. Even in the face of bitter persecution and other adversities, they joyfully forge ahead in proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom.

• ³ However, living as we are deep within the time of the end, the anxiety and stress of everyday living can take its toll, perhaps diminishing our zeal and enthusiasm for spiritual vide encouraging discussions of spiritual matters before going into the territory. Do you support these meetings whenever possible? The pioneers and those who are able to spend more time in the ministry may especially be able to give other publishers the benefit of their experience as they go from door to door. Also, by applying suggestions from the Reasoning book, all can be better equipped to speak with conviction.

• ⁴ In some areas, the brothers are finding that many people are not at home during the day. Various methods may be used to reach these people. Some publishers do street work near bus stops and train stations or in front of apartment houses at hours when people are leaving for work or coming home.

• ⁵ It requires courage and boldness to approach strangers and initiate conversations with them, but the results can be most rewarding. Like the apostles, it is necessary to speak (Continued on page 2, col. 1) matters. Each person might ask himself, ‘Do I have the pioneer spirit? Am I allowing this system of things to rob me of it? Am I zealous for the truth, eager to tell others about God's Kingdom? Do I promote the pioneer spirit in the congregation and encourage others to become more fully involved in doing God’s will? What can I do to overcome a negative or indifferent attitude?’

HOW TO CULTIVATE THE PIONEER SPIRIT

• ⁴ The pioneer spirit is essentially a heart condition, and we must cultivate it. Since we feed the heart on the things we read and listen to, personal Bible study plays an important role in our cultivating the pioneer spirit.

(Continued on page 2, col. 2)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING JULY 4

Song 63

8 min: Local announcements, Theocratic News, “Jehovah’s Blessing Evident in April Report,” and selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Encourage sharing in weekend field service.

10 min: “Make Effective Use of Special-Purpose Articles.” Discuss information with audience. Publishers and pioneers should watch for such announcements and promptly order magazines as needed.

12 min: “Speaking God’s Word With Boldness.” Talk and audience discussion. Include demonstration of presenting the July offer when discussing paragraph 7.

15 min: “Presenting the Good News —In Group Witnessing.” Question-and-answer consideration of article. Stress the benefits of group arrangements for service and the need to make best use of time through well-

Boldness                  (Cont’d)

“with boldness by the authority of Jehovah.”—Acts 14:3.

• ⁶ Some arrange to work in unassigned territory, and this also requires boldness. During the summer months this year, over 3,400 brothers and sisters will engage in this work. Some will travel thousands of miles. It is a pleasure to see the brothers willingly engage in this activity even at great personal sacrifice.

PRESENT THE OFFER WITH BOLDNESS

• ⁷ During July the literature offer is Survival Into a New Earth or Happiness—How to Find It on a contribution of $1.00. Both these publications contain information vital to those who are hungering and thirsting for the truth. Present these books with confidence, using the current Topic for Conversation. Refer to the Reasoning book for an introduction that will work well in your territory.

• ⁸ When Paul was first invited by Jesus to be his follower, he responded with zeal and preached with boldness. (Acts 9:5, 15, 16, 20, 27, 28) He continued faithfully in the same course right down to his death. We need to imitate his example and continue sharing in the work of speaking God’s Word with boldness. planned arrangements for field service.

Song 43 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING JULY 1 XZf7g-Song 76 ■r'fj

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report. Suggest talking points for presenting current issues of magazines. -f

15 min: “Help New Ones to Comment at Meetings.” Question-and-answer coverage of article. Include brief demonstration showing how to apply what is stated in paragraph 3 at conclusion of a home Bible study.

20 min: “Do You Have the Pioneer Spirit?” Question-and-answer coverage. Interview some who are pioneering or who have pioneered, learning from them what prompted them to become pioneers.

Song 19 and concluding^y^er. S*^-WEEj< STAGING JULY 18 '

No Service Meeting is outlined for this week to allow aKppen week for

Pioneer Spirit              (Cont’d)

Paul admonished Timothy: “Ponder over these things . . . that your advancement may be manifest to all persons.... Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” (1 Tim. 4:15, 16) It is necessary, therefore, for us to meditate on spiritual matters so as to sound them down into our heart, the seat of motivation. By so doing we will develop a longing to do God’s will. Our appreciation for spiritual matters will deepen, and we will look for ways to expand our ministry.

• ⁵ The things we talk about can either tear our brothers down or build them up. (Eph. 4:29) By sharing field experiences and points we enjoyed at the meetings or in personal study, we impart thoughts that are positive and encouraging. In addition, when we have occasion to talk with people in our daily routine of life, do we look for opportunities to give an informal witness? If we do, we are following in the footsteps of our Exemplar, Jesus. —John 4:7-10.

• ⁶ Developing love for neighbor helps us to cultivate the pioneer spirit. (Matt. 22:39) Jesus demonstrated this kind of love when he was on earth. He felt pity for the people and wanted to do all he could to help them, though it meant great personal attending the “Divine Justice” District Convention.—See note under “Meetings to Jtelp Us Make Disciples” in June dur Kingdom Ministry.

WEEK STARTING JULY 25

Song 86            sFa'AX

10 min: Local annouacements. Also, highlight information in “Rendering Sacred Service Wilfa Godly Fear.” Stress the importance of attending the circuit assembly program that will begin in September.

35 min: Review 4f “tefivine Justice” District Convention program highlights.—See note under “Sheetings to Help Us Make Disciples” in\une Our Kingdom Minitnry.        \.

Song 208 and Concluding prayef.

Schedule for congregation studies in the booklet Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Question of Blood:

July 4: Pages 10 to 16

July 11: Pages 17 to 24, par. 1

July 18: Pages 24, par. 2 to 33, par. 1

July 25: Pages 33, par. 2 to 43, par. 1

sacrifice. (Matt. 9:36; Rom. 5:6) If we demonstrate a Christlike attitude, we will be moved with pity and do all we can to help our neighbors spiritually, even if some reject us.—Compare Matthew 23:37.

POSITIVE EFFECT

• ⁷ There are many blessings and benefits that come from manifesting the pioneer spirit in our lives. As we increase our activity in the ministry, we become more effective teachers, and this can bring us much joy. As the pioneer spirit grows in the congregation, so will the warmth and spirituality of the brothers. Concerning the wholesome effect pioneer service has had on his congregation, one elder remarked: “What a difference it made! The congregation’s pace changed. The tendency is to increase our participation in Jehovah’s service more and more.”—See the September 15, 1985, Watchtower, page 26, paragraph 1.

• ⁸ As the 1989 service year approaches, make it your resolve to help cultivate the pioneer spirit in the congregation. Look for ways to expand your ministry. Plan ahead to auxiliary pioneer whenever possible, or perhaps reach out for the regular pioneer service. Whether pioneers or publishers, all in the congregation can have the pioneer spirit.

  © 1988 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (USPS 295-360) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., and International Bible Students Association, 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.

  
  

Announcements

• Literature offer for July: Survival Into a New Earth or Happiness—How to Find It for a contribution of $1.00 each. August: One of the following 32-page magazine-size brochures may be offered for a contribution of 30e: Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, or The Government That Will Bring Paradise. As an alternate offer, congregations having a supply of any of the following publications may offer two for $1.00: “Babylon the Great Has Fallen."' God’s Kingdom Rules.', God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, Life Everlasting —In Freedom of the Sons of God, Paradise Restored to Mankind—By Theocracy.', “The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah"—Howl, and “Then Is Finished the Mystery of God." Credit will be issued for any of these publications used in the campaign. There is a small stock in Brooklyn of God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached. No other books listed above should be ordered from Brooklyn for use in the field service. For this offer, publishers may obtain copies for 50e each, pioneers for 25e. A letter is being sent with your June literature and magazine statement explaining how to request credit. Congregations will be granted credit only on those mentioned books that are printed on groundwood paper. Some older books are being reprinted on a better grade of paper, and these should not be offered at a reduced rate. (See Announcements in June Our Kingdom Ministry.) September: Life—How Did It Get Here! By Evolution or by Creation! for a contribution of $3.00 for the large size and $1.50 for the small size. October: One-year subscription for either Awake! or The Watchtower or both.

• An adequate supply of forms for use during the 1989 service year is being sent to each congregation. These forms should not be wasted. They should be used only for their intended purpose.

• Beginning in September, circuit overseers will give the public talk “Multitudes Being Taught by Jehovah.” This will be a slide presentation.

• Congregation Book Studies will begin considering the book Life—How Did It Get Here! By Evolution or by Creation! during the week of August 15, 1988. Book study conductors should prepare questions on material for which there are no questions, such as that found on pages 13-14, 35-6, 52, 55, 68-9, 112-13, 148-50, 164-5, 171, and 228.

• A supply of the Medical Document and Identity Card is being shipped to the congregations along with the yearly supply of congregation forms. These cards are not to be given out immediately upon their receipt but should be held until further direction is given on issuing them to the brothers at the end of the calendar year.

• The Watchtower in Polish will be a semimonthly publication beginning with the July 1, 1988, issue. The subscription rate will be $5.00 for one year and $2.50 for a six-month subscription.

• ¹ How thrilling it is to hear a Bible student make his first comment at the Kingdom Hall! It surely gives us a feeling of satisfaction, a confirmation, as it were, that the new one is really taking hold of the truth. New ones need to realize that making public expression is necessary. It is a proof of faith that leads to salvation. —Rom. 10:10.

• ² Jesus said: “Everyone that is perfectly instructed will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40) That should impress upon us the fact that we can teach new ones to comment at meetings by doing so ourselves. We can help them appreciate that a prerequisite for commenting is knowledge. Teach them that study should be done with the purpose of putting knowledge to use in the meetings and in the field as well as in directing one’s personal life.

• ³ Some new ones may hold back, feeling that they are incapable of commenting as well as others do. However, we can help new ones to appreciate that simplicity is important in making good expressions. If our own comments are appropriate, brief, and to the point, new ones will not feel obligated to make lengthy expressions. They can be helped to analyze the question, find the thought in the paragraph that gives the answer, and then put that thought in their own words. It is also important for them to see how the cited or quoted scriptures relate to the point being made. Help them to see how they can use the scriptures in

  Rendering Sacred Service With Godly Fear

  
  

• ¹ During the 1988 service year, the Society has received many letters expressing heartfelt appreciation for the circuit assembly program “The Excelling Value of Serving Jehovah.” These letters have expressed sentiments similar to those of the psalmist who said: “A day in your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere.” (Ps. 84:10) We know that all of you have similar feelings about our grand privilege of serving Jehovah and that you too benefited from this program.

• ² Starting in September, the new circuit assembly program will develop the theme “Rendering Sacred Service With Godly Fear.” (Heb. 12:28) While the world foolishly ignores Jehovah and despises the message of his Kingdom, we delight in our privilege of rendering sacred service with godly fear. Truly, a wholesome fear of Jehovah is “the beginning of wisdom”; it is “pure,” motivating us to do his will. (Ps. 19:9; 111:10) The circuit assembly program for the 1989 ser-the paragraph to support their comments. Teach them to underline key words and perhaps make brief notes in the margin. Encourage them to use sufficient volume and to speak distinctly so that all in attendance can benefit from their prepared comments. Being well prepared will keep them from being too fearful to comment.

• ⁴ What else can we do to encourage new ones to comment? Of course, sitting with them can be reassuring and comforting. You may want to suggest that they sit toward the front where there are fewer distractions. Point out the questions that can be answered in very few words.

• ⁵ When the Congregation Book Study conductor has become acquainted with a new one in his group, he might ask him to read a scripture. Afterward, a genuine expression of appreciation for his efforts may encourage the new one to continue making comments at the book study and later start participating regularly at other meetings.

• ⁶ It is a privilege to share in commenting at meetings. (Heb. 10: 24, 25) We want to help new ones to appreciate this. It can provide an added encouragement and blessing to all concerned. Whether in the field service or at our congregation meetings, we have opportunities to do as Hebrews 13:15 reminds us: “Through him let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” vice year will help us to appreciate more fully what the fear of Jehovah is and how we can manifest it in our service to him.

• ³ As the program unfolds, we will learn how godly fear should affect us in our ministry, in our meeting attendance, and in our day-to-day living. The need to close any gap between what we know and what we do will be discussed. We must know not only what to do but also how to apply the things that we learn so as to benefit ourselves and others and to bring praise to our God.

• ⁴ The public talk is entitled “Why Fear the True God?” Be sure to invite your Bible students as well as other interested persons. Surely, all of us want to arrange our affairs in order to attend and benefit fully from this splendid two-day program. Your circuit overseer will inform you of the location and the dates that are scheduled for your congregation.

  ( PRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS \____________________________—_____________________________ ♦

  
  

In Group Witnessing

• ¹ Meeting with others in preparation for field service is both practical and upbuilding. Such a provision encourages our brothers to work shoulder to shoulder in proclaiming the good news.

• ² Some congregations may schedule a meeting for field service to follow one of the regular meetings at the Kingdom Hall. While the number supporting this arrangement may be quite large, book study conductors still give attention to the needs of the publishers in their respective groups. This arrangement may be convenient for the majority of the publishers who will be going out in field service that day. Depending on their situation, other congregations hold their weekend meetings for field service at each Congregation Book Study. There are obvious advantages in this arrangement. It is recognized that circumstances vary from one congregation to another. The combining of some very small groups may be appropriate at times. So the body of elders needs to consider the local circumstances and determine what arrangements will accomplish the most good.—See Our Ministry, pages 96-7.

SUPPORT MEETINGS FOR FIELD SERVICE

• ³ Group witnessing arranged on the book study level provides a fine opportunity for the conductor to give personalized assistance. New publishers as well as those who are more experienced can benefit from working with the elders and the ministerial servants.

• ⁴ Midweek meetings for field service may be held at the Kingdom Hall or at various locations convenient to the publishers. Whether two or more meetings are held depends on local circumstances and the availability of elders, ministerial servants, or other competent individuals assigned to care for the meeting and take the lead in the field ministry.

• ⁵ In view of the urgency of the times, we want to reach as many people as possible with the Kingdom message. What can the book study conductors or those assigned to care for the group do to ensure that all make the best use of the time they have scheduled for group witnessing? Conductors can bear in mind that the meeting for field service should last no more than 10 to 15 minutes. (See Our Ministry, page 77.) Much time can be saved when territory is assigned before going into the field, thereby avoiding large groups meeting on the street corner and appearing to be disorganized. Some have found it helpful to assign portions of the territory to qualified publishers for a period of time. Thus, once groups are arranged, they can leave immediately for their territory. The service overseer should be alert to resolve problems with organizing groups so that more time can be spent in the field.

• ⁶ Many longtime publishers fondly recall experiences shared through the years while working with others in group activity. Such experiences serve to strengthen the unity of the congregation and the bonds of Christian love. While at times there may be good reasons for two publishers to work together, in many territories more can be accomplished by working alone while others are witnessing nearby. Working alone in field service, where conditions permit, allows us to reach more people, and it can be good training for the future in the event that unexpected restrictions are imposed on our preaching work. (See the November 15, 1985, Watchtower, page 13, paragraph 11.) Good judgment, as well as a desire to accomplish as much as possible, should govern the arrangements that we make.

• ⁷ The apostle Paul encouraged fellow Christians of his day to “hold fast the public declaration of our hope." Also, his inspired words tell us to “consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together . . . but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:23-25) Through support of the local arrangements for group witnessing, may we succeed in inciting our fellow Kingdom proclaimers “to love and fine works.” As we do, we will reap many fine rewards in Jehovah's service.

APRIL SERVICE REPORT

Av.     Av.    Av.

Pubs. Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bl.St.

Sp’IPIos.      283 128.5  96.7  54.5

Pios. *   57,011  84.3  42.5  28.8

Aux. Pios. 101,145  58.1   31.3  15.1

Pubs.     622,305  10.1    6.7   3.6

TOTAL   780,744

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 3,694 4

THEOCRATIC NEWS

The graduation of the second class of the Ministerial Training School took place on Sunday, May 22, 1988, In Los Angeles, California. The 14 elders and 12 ministerial servants are assigned to 13 different countries.

♦ Korea reported a new peak of 50,164 publishers for February, a 9-percent increase over last year's average. They were happy to have a new peak of 14,308 regular pioneers. ♦ Martinique had a new peak of 2,433 publishers in February for a 10-percent increase.

Make Effective Use of Special-Purpose Articles

• ¹ Magazine distribution is increasing steadily. The 1979 production of 394,899,446 magazines leaped to 585,369,060 in 1987, nearly a 50-percent increase, or 190,469,614 more magazines printed in 1987 than in 1979! And over 1,135,585,000 copies of The Watchtower and Awake! were printed in the past two years.

• ² With the use of full color, a dramatic improvement in appearance occurred in The Watchtower in January 1986 and in Awake! in January 1987. Have you appreciated this? Many have, and they have told us so. The question is, Can we make even more effective use of our magazines?

• ³ To help you do this, Our Kingdom Ministry will announce in advance special-purpose articles or articles that may be of special interest to a particular segment of the people in your territory. Suggestions on whom these might appeal to will be provided. If publishers desire extra copies, these should be ordered immediately.

• ⁴ For example, the September 8 Awake! features the subject “Parents—You Have Homework Too!" The articles should appeal to every schoolteacher and school administrator because the articles emphasize the responsibilities of parents to cooperate with the school system in educating their young. Also, every parent can benefit from the information. So your congregation may want to order extra copies.

• ⁵ The October 8 Awake! will have a comprehensive coverage of the disease AIDS, which will be of real interest to many people, including those in the medical field. And the October 22 Awake! discusses the issue of divorce and child custody. You may want to leave a copy with every lawyer and family counselor in your territory.

• ⁶ Rush shipments of extra magazines should be avoided. This can be done if the service overseer anticipates the congregation’s needs and sends in orders without delay.