OUR KINGDOM SERVICE

JULY 1980

Vol. 23, No. 7

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

JUNE 30—JULY 6

When Is It Appropriate

• 1. To try to get invited in? (How do you do it?)

• 2. Not to go in?

• 3. To leave?

JULY 7-13

Why Is Prayer Important

• 1. When going house-to-house?

• 2. When in difficult territory?

• 3. When making return visits?

JULY 14-20

Why Should We Avoid

• 1. Congregating in territory?

• 2. Being boisterous between doors?

• 3. Knocking too loud or long?

JULY 21-27

How Do You Respond To

• 1. "I have that publication"?

• 2. "We get the same at church"?

• 3. "I only use the Bible"?

JULY 28—AUGUST 3

Why Is It Important To

• 1. Speak with proper volume?

• 2. Look at householder?

• 3. Use neat Bible, literature?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Reason and Remedy for World

Woes.—Rev. 12:12; Rom. 16:20.

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Choosing the Best Way of Life:

July 6: Pages 5 to 12¹

July 13: Pages 12¹ to 20¹

July 20: Pages 20¹ to 28

July 27: Pages 29 to 36¹

• ¹ The human body is marvelously designed to work. And what a variety of work it is capable of performing! Have you not wondered at how the eyes, the hands, the nerves, ligaments and muscles all function harmoniously when you swing a hammer at a nail, sew with a needle and thread or write a word with a pen? The cooperation of body parts is so smooth, so complete in carrying out each command sent out by our remarkable brain!—Ps. 139:14.

• ² Paul uses the human body as an illustration of how the Christian congregation should perform its God-given work assignment. In 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, Paul likens each one in the congregation to a member of Christ’s body. He highlights the love, unity and cooperation among them as they work at preaching the good news and make disciples of Jesus Christ, the head of the congregation. (1 Cor. 12:12) Although one body organ may perform a function different from another, each nevertheless makes a contribution to what the body as a whole is doing. (Rom. 12:4-8) We may take Christ’s spiritual body as an illustration for us to follow today.

  Have You Served as a Pioneer in the Past?

  
  

• ¹ In the United States alone there are on record the names of some 75,000 publishers who have served as regular pioneers in the past, but who are not pioneering at present! Are you one of them? If so, we venture to say that you look back on that time as one of the happiest periods of your life. Do you recall what a pleasure it was to speak with people about Jehovah and his kingdom almost every day in field service? Do you recall the feeling you had frequently as you saw the faces of interested persons light up in response to your explanation of Kingdom blessings? Do you recall, too, how skilled you had become in your use of the Bible?

• ² It is true that you still experience those joys as a congregation publisher, but probably not to the extent you did as a pioneer. Jesus said: “My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit.” The full-time service truly offers abundant opportunity to ‘bear much fruit.’—John 15:8.

ESTEEM YOUR PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE

• ³ What is your sphere of activity within the Christian congregation? Whatever it is, do you esteem it highly? Jehovah does! You may feel at times that you are a “weaker” one or that the part you Elay in the congregation is a “less onorable” one. Limitations caused by poor health, age or other circumstances may cause you to feel this way. Whatever the case, it is good to view matters as Jehovah does. His Word tells us: “But much rather is it the case that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, and the parts ... we think to be less honorable, these we surround with more abundant honor. . . . Nevertheless, God compounded the body, giving honor more abundant to the part which had a lack.”—1 Cor. 12:22-24.

• ⁴ Viewing matters from this standpoint, all of us can work whole-souled in spite of our limitations, knowing that Jehovah makes up for any lack we may have. The point is, are our efforts contributing to the great preaching and teaching work now being accomplished by God’s con-(Continued on page 2, col. 3)

MORE PIONEERS NEEDED

• ³ Has the need for pioneers lessened since you left the ranks? To the contrary! The quickening pace of events calls for more and more workers as the end of this system approaches. It reminds us of what happens when men harvesting a field of grain see a heavy rainstorm approaching over the horizon. As the lightning flashes and the thunder claps, they work feverishly to get the crop in before the storm strikes. Jesus said: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Matt. 9:37) As the storm of the “great tribulation” approaches, over 113,000 persons responded to the work of the harvesters and got baptized last year! Does that not add emphasis to Jesus’ words!

• ⁴ How many more honest-hearted persons will respond to our message and learn God’s righteous requirements for survival? We do not know. But Jehovah is still drawing honest-hearted people to himself, and as he does, we have (Continued on page 3, col. 1)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

Note: No service meeting is being planned for the week of July 13 to allow an open week for attending a district convention. This open week can be shifted to the actual week you attend a district convention in June, July or August. The program during the week that congregations attend a convention should be transferred to the week of July 13. The week of July 20 is set aside for reviewing the highlights of things learned at the district convention. This program may be shifted to the appropriate week.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 29

15 min: Song 34. Announcements and local announcements. Introduce next part.

20 mln: “Presenting the Good News— To Reach the Heart." Discuss article. Have Topic for Conversation and three or four key words shown on chalkboard. If available. Have pioneer or capable publisher demonstrate presentation, Interrupting at Intervals to discuss key words with audience. Highlight value of mental outline, speaking extemporaneously to reach heart of householder. Introduce next part.

20 min: Talk on “Youth—Ward Off Calamity!—Eccl. 11:10.” Include comments from youths In congregation on problems encountered at school and now they keep themselves from such. Also comment on how they can make wise use of time during summer vacations.

5 min: Song 97 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING JULY 6

10 min: Song 45. Local announcements. Discuss June field service report. Commend for work done, highlighting fact that it was part of our sacrifices of praise. Stress any outstanding aspects of the report.

15 min: “Are You Proving What Your Own Work Is?” Questlon-and-answer discussion. Use five minutes of allotted time for a short talk by an elder on how those who serve in various capacities in the congregation unite their efforts to accomplish the overall purpose of the congregation, namely preaching and making disciples. Introduce next part.

15 min: Children Can Share the Good News. Discuss opportunities open to children to share the good news. Some study with relatives, schoolmates, teachers. Have young publisher demonstrate how a study may be offered. Let child age 8 to 12 demonstrate study in the Bible Stories book with two other children. Use lesson 94. Introduce next part.

15 min: “Have You Served as a Pioneer in the Past?” Talk and interview. Use 10 minutes to cover points and then interview some who have pioneered in the past. (If none have regular or special pioneered, use those who auxiliary pioneered in past.) ■ Introduce brother assigned the concluding part.

5 min: Song 25 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING JULY 13

Week for attending district convention. (See note at top of page.)

WEEK STARTING JULY 20

30 min: Song 19 and local announcements. Chairman: Review highlights of things learned at district convention. (See note at top of page.) Assign book study groups to relate what they nationally and internationally that fits into these foretold events. After discussion, elder could read some news headlines clipped from newspapers or other material to reemphasize the point. Get suggestions from audience on how such information could be used in our conversations with householders. How should we react to world events? (Luke 21:28, 31, 34-36) Brief demonstration of topic to be used during August incorporating a point or two about current events and their meaning. Use of bad events should not be overdone but merely referred to to make a point. Introduce concluding part.

5 mln: Song 93 and prayer.

Published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 117 Adams St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 Our Kingdom Service (USPS 295-360) Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. Printed in U.S.A.

Have You Served . . . ? (Cant’d) the grand privilege of being used by him to find and feed them. (Compare John 12:32.) By pioneering one lends oneself to Jehovah in an enlarged way. Yes, we are encouraged to find the sheeplike ones and to “be at it urgently.’’—2 Tim. 4:2.

• ⁵ Was it economic circumstances that necessitated your giving up the full-time pioneer service? It is not difficult to understand how this could happen under the pressures of the present system. It may have been family responsibilities that interrupted your pioneer work. If so, that would certainly take priority over full-time service if you are not in a position to accommodate both. Many have left the pioneer ranks due to health problems, and, of course, there are other important reasons why some have had to give up this joyous privilege of service. But circumstances do change. Has this been true in your case?

CAN YOU RETURN?

• ⁶ Rarely does one stop pioneering because he wants to. Changes in circumstances cause an interruption of his joyful, full-time service. Was that not true in your case? But on the other hand, are the circumstances that caused you to leave the pioneer ranks still an obstacle? If so, we know you will continue rendering whatever service you can.

• ⁷ If you left the pioneer service for economic reasons, have you examined your situation recently and considered the possibility of reentering the full-time service? You will no doubt recall that it took a considerable measure of self-sacrifice and determination for you to enter the pioneer work the first time. Could you make that same noble effort work again?

• ⁸ Was it family responsibility that took you out of the pioneer work? Or did you leave because of problems with your health? Were there perhaps other problems of a personal nature? Remembering your life as a pioneer and reflecting on the joys it brought should keep you alert to recognize any change of circumstances that would make it possible for you to pioneer again. If you have kept the pioneer spirit alive, no doubt you continue to work for a change in your personal circumstances that will open the way to resume pioneer service.

• ⁹ Pioneering may have to stop temporarily due to any number of problems as we have already indicated, but that does not mean the pioneer spirit is lost. One sister

  Youth-Ward Off Calamity!—Ecd. 11:10

  
  

• ¹ What makes a person happy and fulfilled? Why, pleasing our heavenly Father, of course! As a young person there is no better time to think seriously about your Creator than now, in the prime of your life. Why? Read what Solomon says at Ecclesiastes 11:10 and 12:1. You will see that the ability to do things wanes during the “calamitous days” of old age.

• ² “But what does Jehovah want of me?” you might ask. Some young people feel that God takes a rigid, hard, perhaps even negative view of youthful interests and enthusiasms. They may feel that serving God keeps them from having a good time. But is this really true? Obviously not, especially when we consider such texts as Ecclesiastes 11:9, Proverbs 27:11 and Psalm 103:5. Nevertheless, you need to keep in mind that we are all responsible to Jehovah for our actions. Though allowing freedom of choice, Jehovah will not shield you from the frustration and bitter consequences of pursuing a wrongful course. If you play with fire, you get burned. (Compare Proverbs 6:27, 28.) Yet, by avoiding a reckless, debauched or even a selfish way of life, you can escape all kinds of problems.

• ³ Do you know persons your own age who are involved in crime, immorality or violence? Are they happy? Do you think they are pleasing Jehovah? In contrast, is it not apparent that young people who are doing Jehovah’s will enjoy more secure and happy lives? You might answer, “Yes, but that’s easier said than done.” True, but many are successfully ‘warding off calamity’ by setting wholesome goals in life.

• ⁴ Many, for example, engage in the auxiliary pioneer service from has had to leave the regular pioneer work twice, but is now back on the list for the third time. She stopped the first time for health reasons and the second time because of her child’s health. After those problems were resolved and the child started to school, the sister wrote: “I seriously started thinking of pioneering again.”

• ¹⁰ Then, too, there is the auxiliary pioneer service that you may share in as your circumstances permit. One sister wrote: “May I take a moment to thank you for the auxiliary pioneer arrangement. I feel this is truly a provision from Jehovah for many who are in my situation. I regularly pioneered in the forties and fifties. Then chil-time to time. Have you tried it? If not, why not discuss with your parents and with the elders the possibility of entering the auxiliary pioneer service this summer? They would no doubt be delighted to help you. The benefits? (1) You will be pleasing Jehovah. (2) You will be using His Word, getting more acquainted with it. (3) You will learn to lean upon Jehovah in prayer, looking to him for results. (4) By giving of yourself in this way, your happiness will be increased. (5) It will give you opportunity to work closely with other zealous ones, cultivating lasting and upbuilding friendships. (6) Finally, whatever you do later in life, you will more likely succeed because of your improved spiritual outlook.—Matt. 6:33.

• ⁵ Are you thinking about what you will do when you graduate from school? Have you set any goals for yourself? Maybe you’d like to be successful at a particular secular job. Or you may even be thinking of marriage and having a family. While these goals are not wrong in themselves, would they really allow God the first place in your life? Have you seriously considered going into the regular pioneer work and possibly serving Jehovah in some foreign field as a missionary? Or what about helping us here at Bethel with the production of Bible literature? These are wholesome, worthwhile goals. Work toward the fulfillment of them, ward off calamity, and experience the joys of full-time service.

• ⁶ Of course, no one should be forced into doing something against his will. But think of what Solomon wrote under inspiration, that (Continued on page 4, col. 2)

dren came along and I was unable to continue. But since the auxiliary arrangement, I have been able to have a regular part.”

¹¹ Have you noticed that the number of regular pioneers has increased rapidly, especially during the past year and a half? Much of this increase has come from the return of former pioneers to the pioneer ranks. Do you at times long to return to that joyful work that brought you so much satisfaction in the past? Why not think it over? Take the matter to Jehovah in prayer. Give careful thought to your circumstances as they are now. If you are in a position to reenter the full-time service, why not send us your application.

To Reach the Heart

• ¹ Righteous-hearted, kindhearted, openhearted, good-hearted—expressions such as these are often used to describe individuals with whom we may speak about God’s kingdom and the blessings it will bring. But often in our preaching and teaching activity we have also found persons that appeared to have a bad condition of heart. And then something happened to bring about a change in their heart condition. What may serve to help change a person’s heart condition?

• ² At times it may be that our kind and warm approach serves as a strong influence. Knowing that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, Jehovah’s people continually make efforts to speak forth words of comfort and wisdom. (Luke 6:45) Their hearts overflow with a desire to share what is good with their neighbors.

• ³ When we speak to others, do we reflect what is in our heart? There are many things involved. One is our sincerity in showing we really are interested in those to whom we are speaking. Another is the conviction we convey that we indeed believe that what God says in his Word is true. Still another is the way we make our presentation of the message. By speaking from the heart we do not give our message by rote, as though it were a recorded announcement. No, we sincerely try to talk to the people from our heart. Do we have help in this regard? Consider the following:

• ⁴ Each month in Our Kingdom Service we have a Topic for Conversation. This suggests that we should not just talk to an individual, but as in true conversation also listen to what the other person has to say. This proves to be a far better way to get a heart-motivated response. It means his view, or argument, is given consideration as we seek to give an answer for the hope within us. —1 Pet. 3:15.

• ⁵ You may say: “But it is so difficult for me to strike up a conversation, for example, in the door-to-door work or in informal witnessing. I almost need to memorize what I will say, as otherwise I forget, and if I let the householder say something, it throws off my whole line of reasoning and I am lost.” Do you feel that way at times?

• ⁶ For some, a brief word outline is of help. Note this brief topic for conversation: “Hello! Have you ever wondered if there is a remedy for the world’s woes? [Listen to response.] The Bible foretold today’s problems and the cause. [Read Revelation 12:12.) Did you note the one causing the problems? [Listen to response.] That short period of time is about up and will be followed by everlasting peace. Romans 16:20 is comforting in this regard. [Read.]”

• ⁷ Did you note the italicized words above? Perhaps with just those words to prompt you, you can start off a conversation with a householder. Of course, after you read the last scripture, the interest shown will help you to determine how much further to carry the conversation. You may draw the person out in further discussion or go right into the literature offer.

• ⁸ Bearing in mind the words of the proverb that “Jehovah is making an estimate of hearts,” may our heart be shown to be righteous, kind and well-motivated as we present the good news. We can confidently leave the results to Jehovah.—Prov. 21:2.

Youth                        (Cont’d.)

“youth and the prime of life are vanity.” What lesson does that convey? Simply this: A person does not always remain young. Likewise, the joys and advantages of youthful strength and vigor are uncertain as to their duration. Even young people get sick and die. The youth who ignores this fact may fail to make wise use of what he has, dissipating his physical energies and capabilities in a way of life that can make his adult years more difficult. That is obviously why Solomon wrote what he did at Ecclesiastes 12:1, 2.

• ⁷ Why not give serious thought to these matters? Discuss them with your parents or with a mature Christian friend. It is up to you to ‘ward off calamity’ in your life. We are confident that you will if you are determined to take a course of action that gives evidence of strong faith and a deep love of our Grand Creator.

Your Own Work            (Cont’d)

nessing or other magazine work. Do not hesitate to offer The Watchtower when making return visits. Whatever you are able to do, remember that Jehovah wants whole-souled service, which means

Announcements

• Literature offers: July: Watchtower subscription for $2.50 with three 32-page booklets given free to new subscribers. August: Any two bound books for $1.00. This does not Include Choosing, Commentary on James, Family Life, Truth or School Guidebook. If your congregation has any of the 384-page books in stock, make a special effort to place them in August. September: HOPE tract along with any bound book. October: Awake! subscription for $2.50 with three 32-page booklets given free to new subscribers.

• Starting In September the circuit overseers will be giving a slide presentation entitled: "What Bible Lands Tell Us.” District overseers will be speaking on the topic: "Our Refuge Amid Increasing Dangers.”

• We have been asked by a number of congregations how to obtain the Federal Identification Number now required. This can be done by obtaining an SS-4 form from the Internal Revenue Service office, filling it out according to the facts and mailing It to the local Internal Revenue Center. The address can be obtained when you obtain the form. Your number will thereafter be mailed to you by the Internal Revenue Center.

• So that congregations can make suitable arrangements for the Memorial celebration next year, the date will be Sunday, April 19, 1981, after sundown.

• Pioneers and secretaries will note a change in the S-200 Regular Pioneer Report card when they receive their new supply soon. The congregation number should now be shown on the front of the card. The back of the card should be filled out when a pioneer changes name due to change in marital status, and so forth. Notation should also be made on the back of the card when a pioneer moves to a different congregation and needs to be reassigned. Space Is still provided for a brief explanation when a pioneer falls short of the 90 hours for the month.

• Out of Stock In U.S.A.:

Aid to Bible Understanding

Orders may again be placed after September 1, 1980.

APRIL SERVICE REPORT

Av.     Av. Av. Av.

Fibs. Hrs.    Mags. R.V. Bl.St.

Sp’l Pios.     604 128.7  98.3 48.0

Pios.       16,708  82.0  64.1 31.3

Aux. Pios.  43,083  59.4  52.0 18.0

Pubs.     486,940   8.5   8.8  3.6

TOTAL 547,335

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,317

MEMORIAL REPORT

1980

Total Attendance 1,361,612 1,335,268 Number of Partakers 4,237

devoting what time you can, depending upon your individual circumstances.

⁸ Yes, the human body is marvelously designed to work. The same is true of the worldwide Christian congregation. As each one in it—each hand, nerve, ligament and muscle, as it were— proves what its own work is, this beautifully coordinated congregation will give a tremendous witness under the headship of Christ.

4

¹

Your Own Work           (Cont’d)

gregation? We want our work to be for a “beneficial purpose,” and never disrupt what the “body,” the congregation, is working to accomplish.—Compare 1 Corinthians 12:7.

CAUSE FOR EXULTATION

⁶ So God is pleased to use us as his fellow workers and he does not compare us with one another in what we do. Rather, he lets each one “prove what his own work is, and then he will have cause for exultation in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person.” (Gal. 6:4) There is an interaction and a coordination between our body parts. One may perform a function that another cannot. Even so, there is an interdependency. One does not work against the other. How beautifully this illustrates the Christian congregation as each one operates within his sphere of activity under the direction of the holy spirit.

⁶ Are you personally proving that your work unites with that of all the rest of the congregation so that Jehovah’s name is honored? If so, you have “cause for exultation.” Something that has united all the operations of the body of God’s people for more than 100 years is The Watchtower. During July the literature offer will be a subscription to The Watchtower.

⁷ Enthusiastically present the Watchtower subscription when you engage in the house-to-house work. Also, look for opportunities to informally offer it to workmates, schoolmates, neighbors, salesmen or others. You may have the privilege to be among those who will be offering it as they spend 90 or more hours in the pioneer work. Some who are perhaps infirm or elderly may be able to spend a few hours engaging in street wit-(Continued on page 4, col. 2)