Jehovah’s Witnesses Mobilize Global Response to Threat of Ban in Russia

[TrueTomHarley]

1 hour ago, David Normand said:

We share out hall with three other congregations. Several weeks ago one of the other congregations adjusted the sound, and not knowing exactly what they were doing literally blew up one of the overhead speakers. At that point the kingdom hall operating committee decided to have a meeting with all the sound folks from all four congregations to go over protocol with respects to the sound system. Sadly, some brothers learn via hands on training and that is not always the most efficient or best way to learn. 

Whenever the elders come around to pester me about running the sound system, I ask them: "Just how much to you value the concpt of the congregation being able to hear because some idiot did not flip the wrong switch? Are you sure you want me to do this?"

[Anna]

5 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Whenever the elders come around to pester me about running the sound system, I ask them: "Just how much to you value the concpt of the congregation being able to hear because some idiot did not flip the wrong switch? Are you sure you want me to do this?"

And their answer no doubt is: yes! 

[Melinda Mills]

1 hour ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Whenever the elders come around to pester me about running the sound system, I ask them: "Just how much to you value the concpt of the congregation being able to hear because some idiot did not flip the wrong switch? Are you sure you want me to do this?"

Too funny!  Yes, they should value the concept that people need to hear and see. What about on-going  training for those with the aptitude for it. Someone should be adequately and thoroughly trained so they could be a kind of consultant for other groups. 

I asked an elder in the field service about it yesterday and  he had little to offer.  I suggested that a serious complication could come up in the world where every KH might need to be a part of a link-up and then we wouldn't be able to participate, so it is urgent to have it fixed.

 

[TrueTomHarley]

4 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

 

Perhaps you could work on those critical thinking skills, as well as reading comprehension skills. 

 

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I must not be sharp here in reply, and I will not be. I have been told to play nice.

Instead, let us focus on how Putin will shake in his boots as he reads a letter on the business stationary of Bob's Cleaning Service. 

Okay, there are elements of comedy in everything, but one must not be distracted from the big picture. Paul said to Agrippa: 'I know you know about this, for it has not been done in a corner." Same here with the Russian situation.

It is clear that it is accomplished by God's organization. Not only does the organization brilliantly coordinate this campaign, prompting front page coverage from the NY Times, and Time Magazine on 'day of delivery,' but it is intensified because they have already succeeded in unifying a loyal people. All they had to do is ask individual JWs once to write - they did nothing else - and the response is more than anyone could ever have imagined. Clearly, organization is not a bad thing. It is a good thing.

Our Russian brothers will know that they triggered a worldwide flock to jw.org - "is this website really extremist, as I've been told?" people will ask. Who knows what will happen when millions discover that it is not?

It even thwarts opposers who were hoping to spin their pissy Austrailain story forever, but now it has been replaced in everyone's attention by a situation that makes Jehovah's Witnesses the good guys in the eyes of almost everyone.

15 minutes ago, Melinda Mills said:

Someone should be adequately and thoroughly trained so they could be a kind of consultant for other groups. 

Mitigating this somewhat is that the fact that newbies screw up everywhere. It is part of the learning process. Unfortunately, it is a constant of life and is not unique to our people. People learn, and learn well, by making mistakes.

As Mark Twain said: 'A cat that sits on a hot stove will never sit on a hot stove again. Nor will it sit on a cold one, for they all look hot.'

[Melinda Mills]

1 hour ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Instead, let us focus on how Putin will shake in his boots as he reads a letter on the business stationary of Bob's Cleaning Service. 

Okay, there are elements of comedy in everything, but one must not be distracted from the big picture. Paul said to Agrippa: 'I know you know about this, for it has not been done in a corner." Same here with the Russian situation.

It is clear that it is accomplished by God's organization. Not only does the organization brilliantly coordinate this campaign, prompting front page coverage from the NY Times, and Time Magazine on 'day of delivery,' but it is intensified because they have already succeeded in unifying a loyal people. All they had to do is ask individual JWs once to write - they did nothing else - and the response is more than anyone could ever have imagined. Clearly, organization is not a bad thing. It is a good thing.

Giggling!  Nice way of putting the conversation back on track.

I  wrote my letter as soon as I saw the instructions on the site. I posted it the following Monday 27th, I think. The letter was read to the congregation the Tuesday. One or two friends called to ask how to approach it. I told them which scriptures I used but stressed it was to come from the heart and was not to be a form letter bearing the same information.

Am old enough (50 years baptized last December) to remember the effort when Cuban and Malawian brothers had a severe problem.  I definitely remembered writing to the Malawian authorities but am not sure what we did for Cuba.

Like the scripture Bible Speaks reminded us of:

(2 Chronicles 20:17) . . .. Take your position, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf. O Judah and Jerusalem, do not be afraid or be terrified. Tomorrow go out against them, and Jehovah will be with you.’”

See w03 6/1 pp. 21-22 Stand Still and See the Salvation of Jehovah!  for commentary on the scripture.

 

[Anna]

56 minutes ago, Melinda Mills said:

I suggested that a serious complication could come up in the world where every KH might need to be a part of a link-up and then we wouldn't be able to participate, so it is urgent to have it fixed.

Let's hope they pass it on!

[TrueTomHarley]

35 minutes ago, Melinda Mills said:

One or two friends called to ask how to approach it. I told them which scriptures I used but stressed it was to come from the heart and was not to be a form letter bearing the same information.

Where were you when we needed you? I saw the COBE's letter:

"Alright, big man, lets settle this right here, right now! You think you're a tough guy? Running a country? Well, I run a congregation back here in the States!"

He wasn't even flagged for Abuse!

[Anna]

Adjourned till tomorrow 7th April, 10:00h this time. They all want to get this over with early so they can go to their Dachas for the weekend.

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=https://www.jw-russia.org/&prev=search

[Evacuated]

BBC World Service report.

BBC Newshour-5 April 2017.mp3

[Anna]

23 minutes ago, Eoin Joyce said:

BBC World Service report.

BBC Newshour-5 April 2017.mp3

 Interesting observation at 3:22

[TrueTomHarley]

Will the Russian Orthodox Church succeed in making Putin look like an ass before the world, when everyone will read jw.og and see that it is not extremist?

[Anna]

4 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Will the Russian Orthodox Church succeed in making Putin look like an ass before the world, when everyone will read jw.og and see that it is not extremist?

Does he really need any help?