Flip-Side News: Faith-Strengthening Developments! [Revised]

Our opposers are ashamedly silent because they are getting called out as liars, not by the words of the organization, but by its very actions as per the recent Annual Meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses. While our opposers claim that the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses is in decline, the organization is, in fact, demonstrating regularly its progress toward greater advancement and spiritual health and refinement.

On Saturday, October 3rd, a video was released demonstrating the new midweek meeting arrangement that has reorganized the Theocratic Ministry School into the Our Christian Life and Ministry meeting. That is, unlike the claims of our opposers, the Theocratic Ministry School was not "thrown out", but was replaced by a reorganized and updated version. Likewise, the Our Kingdom Ministry was given a graphically pleasing update and name change to: Our Christian Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook. While it serves primarily the same purpose as the original Our Kingdom Ministry, it is significantly upgraded. What makes it a "new publication"? As the name suggests, along with the updated format and modified order and content, it now serves as a workbook.

New Publication

The meeting still retains most of the features of the Theocratic Ministry School, Service Meeting and Bible Study, so not a whole lot has changed as to what type of information is provided. However, a greater emphasis is being placed upon theocratic education and the Christian ministry. How so? Notice that the presentations for the publications appear on the first page of Our Christian Life and Ministry, whereas previously it was almost a footnote at the back of Our Kingdom Ministry. Additionally, these publication presentations are no longer a monthly demonstration, but weekly, replacing former witnessing demonstrations of the sisters. And not only this, but men will now be participating in these demonstrations and settings so that everyone can get a benefit from this feature of the school. You are also encouraged to write down your own presentations in a section of the publication.

Besides that, greater emphasis is also being applied to personal application of Bible principles. Questions are being provided to help us think about ways to apply the Bible accounts we read each week to ourselves. That is most definitely a spiritual refinement we should be proud of!

Along with these developments in the new publication is that we are now given full-color images, visual maps, graphs, diagrams and timelines that will help us retain the information and sound it down into our hearts like never before. Those things will bring our personal study to life in new ways and makes the meetings that much more interesting to participate in! I for one am truly grateful for this new revised and expanded publication.

Meeting Demonstration Video

Note, too, that the video shown faithfully demonstrates a complete meeting, thoroughly putting to shame all those who claim our meetings are somehow secretive. It gives all people who are curious a look at our meetings and how they are conducted.

The meeting shown also demonstrates the new greater emphasis on video presentations. This in itself requires a substantial effort of the brotherhood and a dedication of funds. If we were declining, how could we make this push? Obviously, Jehovah is blessing our work.

Revised Arrangement

Previously, what was included in the Our Kingdom Ministry was considered three different meetings, but now it is all considered a single meeting. This is not any significant change. It is simply a matter of semantics.

The Bible Study was not cut at all, but was simply moved toward the end of the meeting. Prior to the Bible Study is the Living as Christians portion of the meeting where much emphasis is given to applying specific Bible principles in our lives or in ways that we can participate in kingdom interests.

This revised arrangement will also significantly affect family worship night. With the new push toward education and ministry, as well as applying Bible principles in our lives, the family worship night will now take on a feeling of personal involvement. Family heads will be under necessity to help their families with weekly publication presentations and drawing out their family's need for personal application and sounding deep Bible information down into their hearts.

The new name for the publication and meeting now puts emphasis on the fact that we are indeed Christians, citizens of the kingdom under Christ's rulership in heaven as king of Jehovah God's kingdom.

The new publication and meeting has now accelerated our learning and will certainly deepen our knowledge and appreciation of the Scriptures. More is being stuffed into that hour and forty minutes than in any midweek meeting in the past! Who could dare say that is a bad thing?

New Study Edition

Along with this, you might also be interested in the online interactive Study Edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Itself a fantastic new tool which will soon include lots of new art! It currently contains only the book of Matthew along with complete dramatized audio readings, even individual verse readings, exceptional supplementary commentary, parallel accounts, parallel version comparisons, video introduction, many diagrams and timelines and many other tools, but further books are soon to follow. Each use of the divine name in Matthew is explained, demonstrating, against the claims of our opposers, that our use of the divine name in the Greek Scriptures is not simply by whim. Your knowledge is sure to blossom with use of this wonderful tool. You will no doubt happily spend much time reviewing all the information found there for your Bible reading as you listen to the account come to life!

Bible Readings With 100's of Readers

Besides the Study Edition is the dramatized audio readings currently covering Ezra, Matthew, Mark, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. More books are on their way. Find out more with the article about it.

What Can the Bible Teach Us?

Along with these provisions is the new publication called What Can the Bible Teach Us? It puts What Does the Bible Really Teach? in simpler, more straight-forward language for those with special needs.

Organized to Do Jehovah's Will

Along with it is the new paperback version of Organized to Do Jehovah's Will available on the Books and Brochures section of the Publications tab at JW.org. Besides being printed in paperback form, it contains many doctrinal updates and some minor rewording. I believe this is a sign of greater improvements both in our publications and in the overall spirit of the organization. My faith is strengthened by these adjustments. I hope yours is too.

Bimonthly Magazines

The public issues of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines will now be printed bimonthly rather than monthly, alternating Watchtower one month and Awake! the next. Why the new printing schedule? It serves to reduce how much printing the organization does, reducing their impact on the environment. This also is why we have had a greater push towards online publications and activity, moving us away from reliance upon printed material. This is something to be lauded, not criticized. Will this, in any way, reduce how much spiritual food we have? No! We have a huge body of work behind us to help us understand the word of God and have powerful computer tools for researching it all. This will also help the brotherhood to become more familiar with the magazine offer in order to place them more effectively. With the new midweek meeting emphasis on weekly presentation practice, we are now given a better means of focusing on starting Bible studies and helping new students focus on self-improvement through their weekly study.

All of these adjustments have come in the same year. What do you think? Is the organization really in decline? The conclusion I have come to is a definitive: "No! It is progressing and becoming more responsible spiritually and environmentally."

Comments

KONFORMAL said…
More Great food at the proper time. Jehovah does not want just numbers of people but Quality of true worship. Thanks C.J. ~
Robert said…
This was a great read, brother! Yes, I have also seen various claims, which is really 'wishful thinking', of the organization being in decline. Many times, any tiny thing our opposers can latch on to and blow out of proportion, they use and exploit. Again, thank you for the read.
Henrik Zar said…
In love it! Jehovah's organization can not fail. We have the Almighty God on our side!

Agape from Laksevåg Congregation of Jehovah's witnesses, Bergen, Norway.
Dismythed said…
Thank you, brother. Indeed. Much love. :)
Anonymous said…
One thing i've notice about opposers is that they bash Jehovah's organization, they tell people to get out of this religion but then they do not tell people which religious group they should join instead. I guess it's because these opposers know that if we examine their beliefs they won't be able to defend it.

from the Philippines ;-)
Dismythed said…
Actually, I've noticed that the great majority of our apostates become agnostic or atheist because they can't find anything better.
Veronica said…
Yes exactly, that was my thought. Plus, if you didn't become an atheist you would have to start asking questions and those questions would lead you back to the answers the Bible and JWs have....so they would rather just not believe....
Thanks for the read CJ
Robert said…
When I tend to find things I don't necessarily agree with on the surface, I ask myself is there a better alternative.

There simply isn't, so your point is well-taken Veronica!
Robert said…
I am REALLY looking forward to the video presentations. Nothing stimulates me personally more than videos. They make the meeting MUCH more interesting, IMO. When I saw the sheer amount of videos at our "Imitate Jesus" District Convention, I think a precedent was set that future conventions and meetings would include more videos. I gave a talk at a local congregation about three weeks ago and they've already upgraded their video and sound equipment. That was the same day we saw the video about the new arrangement. I was joyful!

As my wife and I watched the sample meeting, we were pleased with the format. It looked very exciting, and the workbook is eye-catching, though I have to admit it looks a bit complicated because I am not used to using it.

That will change once we use it a few times.

My question would be, however: Why are our opposers so concerned about something that has ZERO affect on their everyday life? The adjustments/changes we make only affect those who are Witnesses, so I don't see what the issue is. These adjustments are HARMLESS and don't hurt ANYONE.

Them being concerned about changes in our organization is like me being concerned because of a change in their diets.

But its more likely a result of intense jealously. One definition I read stated that people become jealous when a desired result has yet to be realized, so in other words, those who have been hoping for decades that the organization collapses, are probably extremely angry that it hasn't happened yet.

The study Bible has me giddy, to be honest. I cannot wait for that to be completed. And if you remember CJ, our meetings will be further enhanced when we replace the piano accompaniment with the orchestra music at our meetings!!

Talk about enhancing the quality of the meetings, that will take it over the top!

Rob
Dismythed said…
Indeed. In fact, after the recent spate of videos and upgrades to the meetings and everything, most talk about a collapsing organization has ceased. Some are even reversing their position, suggesting that the organization is actually going to grow in the coming years.
Robert said…
Now I'm just speculating, but perhaps this was also done with the public in mind too. When people visit, they'll see the focus is intently on education and not ritual (as our meetings have always been, but this really distances us more from ritual than ever before, IMO).

The videos will really bring things to life. I think visitors will be greatly impressed by this as well, and will be more inclined to be part of this spiritual education.
Tope Famayegun said…
May God bless you greatly for this insight.
Tope Famayegun said…
...and I'm happy that this blog exists.
Dismythed said…
Thank you. And may Jehovah bless you as well. Much love, brother.
Robert said…
I echo both sentiments!
Robert said…
The meetings so far have been wonderful under the new format.

The fact that the meetings lends itself to more in-depth Bible research to find the "gems" that are buried there, makes the Bible more than just a history book. It becomes a modern book, one designed to guide us today.

Last week, I had the privilege of handling the "Treasures from God's Word" talk, and I found practicality in Nehemiah that I've never seen before.

..and don't let me get started on the introduction videos to bible books...

Just two months in, and I see the benefits of this new meeting!
Ross said…
Thanks for all your efforts in producing this refreshing spiritual place in cyberspace, Brother Rob.:)

Very upbuilding and informative!
:) Ross
Dismythed said…
CJ, actually. Rob is a fantastic contributor. You're welcome.
Robert said…
Ross may have commented based on my word of mouth and thought this was my site, but CJ Williams is the owner and author of 99 percent of the articles here, including this one. I'm just a contributor who has written merely 2 posts.

I'm glad you visited. You're welcome and spread the word!
Ross said…
Sorry for the misunderstanding, C.J.
The very fact that I could not tell who did all the hard work shows the humility of its main contributor. :) All things are done for Jehovah's glory and not our own. Christian love!

:) Ross
Dismythed said…
Not a problem at all. But if anyone should lodge an accusation, I wouldn't want the wrong person to take the hit. :)
Robert said…
After 5 months, I don't get bored with this format. There is just something that connects the colorful, illustrated workbooks and video presentations, with the desire to be involved with the program.

I cannot put my finger on it, but I just feel invigorated at the meetings now. It could possibly be the fact that this is still relatively new, but I don't believe so.

It just seems that this format is more attractive spiritually and physically.

BTW, we have 35 video presentations for this year's convention.

Cannot wait!
Robert said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Robert said…
The Quarterly Updates have been very encouraging. The last one about the success of JW broadcasting and how much the brothers enjoy presenting the information was enlightening. I have had a much easier time preparing for my ministry for the month as well with the shorter magazines and they have been placing a lot easier.

By them being Bi-monthly, I am not so intimidated with having to become acquainted with 64 pages each month. Sixteen pages are more than doable, for us and our neighbors.
Robert said…
How have I personally enjoyed the revised Mid-Week meeting over the past 11 months? Fabulous! There is a little bit more to prepare, but is it too much to ask to dig deeply into the Bible, something we probably should have been doing anyway?

This meeting is more Bible-centric, thus, more practical and educational. And its definitely more aimed at the Ministry and preparing for it. I really LOVE the newest feature "Teach the Truth" because we have a question with a relevant scripture. I much more enjoy going out in the Ministry with a question and just the Bible in which I can use to answer the question directly.

The meeting seems to progress much faster. I don't know why. Perhaps its because the bible study has been moved to the conclusion. Wondering if anyone has noticed that as well.

...more to come