Readers of this blog will note articles that present for critical examination certain teachings, guidelines and procedures of the Watch Tower Society, as they affect the people known as Jehovah's Witnesses. However, it is my belief that fair coverage must acknowledge the good along with criticizing the bad. It is in that spirit that this essay is written.
On April 27, 2008 (or some time during that week), a letter from the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses was read to all congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. In most congregations, this immediately followed the normally scheduled Watchtower Study for that week. Slightly modified arrangements were made to have the letter read to those congregations that had a Circuit Overseer visit, or were attending a Circuit Assembly or Special Assembly Day. In essence, the letter stated that the Congregation Book Study is to be renamed the Congregation Bible Study, and incorporated into one overall meeting with the Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting. The new Congregation Bible Study will be 25 minutes in length, the Theocratic Ministry School will be reduced to 30 minutes, and the Service Meeting to 35 minutes. In total, including songs and prayers, the new combined meeting will be 1 hour and 45 minutes in length, exactly the same as the present Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting arrangement.
Make no mistake that this is a watershed change in the history of Jehovah's Witnesses. I know for a fact that this change has been talked about for at least several years, perhaps even a decade or more. But, largely having to do with the very issue of control, no action was taken. It is my belief that this change is a genuinely benevolent move on the part of the Governing Body. Frankly, I wasn't sure that I would see it in my lifetime.
Various theories have been propounded on certain forums as to possible ulterior motives for this move, but I have a hard time accepting these.
For example, it has been proposed that the move could have been due to potential liability with respect to child molestation. I have no knowledge of whether any attempt at child abuse has ever been made at an actual Congregation Book Study meeting. However, such a thing seems rather far fetched, given the number of people present. Further, a word search of the entire series of court records documented by Barbara Anderson did not unearth any instances of an allegation of child abuse occurring specifically in connection with any Congregation Book Study. Finally, it is likely that meetings for service may well continue in this format, although that remains to be seen.
A second example is that this move was actually undertaken to tighten control. This theory proposes that too much "independent thinking" was taking place at the Book Study, and that this can be reined in at the Kingdom Hall. Here's my question: What is to stop all the "independent thinkers" from now getting together on the former Book Study evening and having even more "independent" discussions, now free of any control or censorship?
In contrast, whatever one thinks of the Watch Tower Society, if one still has any love for the people known as Jehovah's Witnesses, this must be acknowledged as a good change. Here are just a few of the benefits that immediately come to mind.
Less Travel Time and Cost - Let's be honest. For many Witnesses this is not an issue. Many in the USA and other developed countries live within 5 - 10 minutes of their Book Study location. It must be remembered that, by design, Book Study locations are in most cases closer to a publisher's home than the Kingdom Hall. However, in rural areas, publishers still often have to travel great distances to attend. Many Bethelites have for years endured long subway commutes to their Book Study locations, depending on which congregation they are associated with. Even more challenging are the circumstances in developing or third-world countries, where it is not at all uncommon for publishers to walk, sometimes literally for hours. All for a one-hour meeting. What a marvelous change this is for such Witnesses.
Ability To Access Further Education - Readers of other posts on this blog will quickly discern my interest in this topic. This opens up one more mid-week evening on which a Witness can take advantage of an evening course, whether classroom-based or online, to obtain necessary education to maintain, enhance, or possibly even attempt to change his secular employment. Of course, the letter from the Governing Body clarified that family heads might well use this time to ensure they conduct a family study. However, it has always been the suggestion that this take place. So, many families already have a family study on another evening, thus genuinely freeing the former Book Study evening for other uses. It is my hope that many Witnesses ponder this concept, as opposed to simply watching television one more evening.
Less Employment Conflicts In an Increasingly 24x7 World - One of my concerns for many years about the existing meeting schedule is that in so many areas it limits the employment options for faithful Witnesses, particularly those who are not highly educated. Witnesses have long been told that--if they truly trust in Jehovah--they will turn down employment that conflicts with scheduled congregation meetings. Much work these days does not fall within the hours of 9-to-5. Witnesses who must rely on alternate shifts and the like now only have one weeknight evening they have to work around. This, of course, may still prove problematic. But certainly less so than before. It will also lessen the number of meetings that Witnesses who are occasionally required to travel for work will be forced to miss, with all the attendant negative implications.
Less Demands on Congregation Elders - It can easily be forgotten how heavy are the demands that congregation elders carry. The shortened Bible Study, and the arrangement for rotation of conductors, will help here. Also remember that elders have to travel as far and spend as much on fuel as everyone else, so these benefits accrue to them as well.
More Time For Families - As outlined earlier, nothing in this post should be taken to minimize the suggestion that family heads conduct a family study. The benefit, though, is that an additional evening has been freed for this time. Another reality is that homework loads have increased for students in many learning environments. This also frees additional time for parents to provide additional assistance to their children. Or, families can engage in simple family bonding, a "pizza and ice cream" night out, or so many other possibilities.
In summary, this writer, and most everyone he knows among Jehovah's Witnesses, welcome this change and are deeply grateful to whatever combination of forces and influences were able to bring this to reality.
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Historically, Christians began meeting in homes and later after the apostasy and during the days of Constantine moved to dedicated religious buildings - borrowed pagan temple. However, the small home-based ekklesia was the building block of early Christianity; and many today recognize that this form is desirable. The shift in the modern day Church is toward meeting in such settings. There is a sizeable growing number of Christians that meet outside traditional church settings in private homes. Many traditional denominations have added smaller weekly home groups in tandem with their regular Sunday services. I find it interesting that while all of this is taking place, the JW religion is moving in the opposite direction.
When I was associated with Jehovah's Witnesses many years ago, the book study was my favorite meeting. It seemed that was where the most interesting discussions occurred.
Make no mistake that this is a watershed change in the history of Jehovah's Witnesses. I know for a fact that this change has been talked about for at least several years, perhaps even a decade or more.
Not sure where you know this from, but if authentic it means that while considering the dropping of the Book Study arrangement as such, they were at the same time touting it as a blessing from Jehovah not to be neglected.
doesn't surprize me at the least. Control is a big issue and the elimination of the "home book study" is another case of it.I organized to have a seperate book study from the rest of the group for an older couple that were injuried in a car accident and the Elders had a fit! they were freaking out that we were trying to "seperate" from the rest of the congregation and do our own thing. They would rather seniors travel to the hall and have the study in hard seats then enjoy a bit of relax time in a private home where comfortable chairs and refreshments were served. NO, I am quite upset with this change and you should not support the eliminating of the last of the Bible Discussion times Witness's have.
Bob - My source was a visiting Bethelite in what I will describe as a "department-level management position." This discussion was held in a private home following a talk he gave at our Kingdom Hall. I respect your comment, but will add that, in an organization this size, likely all manner of potential changes and adjustments are being discussed at any given time. Some may ultimately be implemented, others not. In the meantime, encouragement and support will clearly be given to the existing arrangement or procedure.
Fritz - Thanks for your comment. How, though, would you respond to my observation that any of Jehovah's Witnesses that wish to do so can freely gather for any reason in anyone's home they choose on the former Book Study night?
Anonymous - Apologies for overlooking your comment in my last response. Yes, I agree with you. In the context of the existing meeting arrangement, this probably is my favorite meeting.
Here is my personal take on what the overall reaction will be. I believe this change will be welcomed by those whose circumstances I reference in my post; Families with children, busy working people, those needing to supplement their education, those who have had to spend as much or more time traveling to and from the meeting than at the meeting itself. On the other hand, I know there are some who are actually disappointed with the change. In my observation, these tend to be individuals who for some reason have plenty of time on their hands (i.e. retired individuals) or those who face loneliness (i.e. widows or widowers). Many such individuals actually viewed the 3 separate occasions to meet as a blessing.
Again, though, I would reiterate my observation that those in such circumstances could gather informally, even for tea and cookies, if they so desire. They could have enjoyable conversation on spiritual topics or for that matter any other concerns they share in common.
In the old days (before Assembly Halls) preparation for an assembly would include construction of a full kitchen capable of feeding 2000 persons within an hour or two. I've seen such facilities arise from empty rooms with just a single water and electric hookup. The record is the NYC convention in the late 1950's attended by a quarter million persons, all fed on premises from makeshift facilities. There is some apocryphal story of the U. S. Army sending observers to determine how it was possible, and being told by someone that they would not be able to do it since it was motivated by love, not money or duty.
I miss those times. They sure beat bagging your own lunch, as we do now. But they took an huge toll on the persons donating their time and energy. Life today is much more expensive, hectic, time-devouring, and often aggravating, then it was then. No reason to think that the Book Study arrangement is not just one more adjustment to simplify in the face of ever-challenging times.
Suggestions that changes have anything to do with "control" or lawsuits or whatever simply reflect the author's paranoia, IMO.
Don't get me wrong I am delighted at the change it certainly lifts the burden one can feel while balancing alot of different responsibilties.
Two thing spring to mind though. First is that while I served (I resigned 18 months ago)great emphasis was placed on the Book Study and they even changed the name of the brother taking the study to 'overseer' the explanation was that at times when perscution might strike smaller meetings and centres of worship would be harder to detect. with that change having happened in recent years (5 or so) I find it hard to believe that the change was in the making for more than a decade, that is not to say of course that there was not pressure from certain brothers as to the heavy load some of them felt having 2 meeting nights midweek.
Second I understood that we were "to gather together ALL THE MORE" as we discerned the drawing close. So a letter from GB, that states on one hand that we are cutting our meeting time down and then in the other states it because we are so advanced in to the time of the end, a bit contradictory.
Reading comments like "heavy loads
to carry etc" are difficult to alighn with our Lord's words encouraging his followers.
To understand his yoke is kindly ,and the load is light.And you will find refreshment.
If some are stating the load is heavy.Who has made it heavy?
The spirit of a young girl carrying a young boy on her back was asked, Isn't he heavy? Her answer! No. "He is my brother."
This young girl has the right viewpoint as to what is a heavy load. Would you agree?
The scriptures encourage to meet all the more so as you behold the day during near.
In the 1950's armagedon was preached and three seperate meetings days were recommended.
Also in the 1970's with 1975 being preached.
After 1975 and the change in the 1990's regarding the generation.
ALL THESE YEARS THREE SEPERATE MEETING DAYS OR EVENINGS EACH WEEK.
NOW DEEPER THAN EVER INTO THE END OF THIS SYSTEM ONE MEETING DAY OR EVENING IS BEING STOPPED.
THIS GIVES THE IMPRESSION OF A BACKWARD STEP.
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