If JWs are uniquely God's people, how do they feel about only having a 1.6% increase world-wide last year?

Question

This increase came through billions of hours of prosyletising endeavours yet very little increase in members resulted. Nobody could have a problem with that if Jehovah's Witnesses were but one of many denominations preaching the true gospel, because their contribution to the sum total of baptisms world-wide would be equally as vailid and worthwhile as everyone else's. But as they claim to be the ONLY religion blessed by God today, do they worry that God is holding back his blessing for some reason or other? Would they consider praying, fasting and repenting before God to seek forgiveness and new direction?

Head-count isn't the Q - it's about annual percentage incresase, ie, number of new converts baptised, minus deaths and disfellowshipped/disassociated. Deaths should be 1%. Hundreds of thousands of baptised JWs leave every year, otherwise the increase would almost double. Achtung proudly said their stringent polic... sorry, disciplining kept 'lapsed individuals' out.

Now, the argument that low increase proves they're right, that being in the majority is bad, biblically. If that was valid then, logically, mainstream Christian faiths must be far more blessed than JWs because their CONVERSION rates (not baptism of babies) is even less! And top of the league of 'wrong' faiths would be Mormons. No?

It seems that JW literature boasts of God's blessing when increase is high (as it was pre-1975) but there's much talk of persecution and Jeremiah when it's low. Yes?

Popularity has nothing to do with the Q. It's about JW attitudes. If year-on-year low increases 'proves' God's blessing, will they become seriously worried if the increase shoots up? Will THAT get them fasting and praying? Perhaps the Q ought to have been, "Why do JWs never fast and hold prayer meetings / vigils?" People who don't think they've got anything to repent of, steam ahead unchanged, confident, oblivious to any indications that all might not be well with their set-up. Beware the religion that never holds a prayer meeteing.

Who is the answerer who dares assume s/he knows which non-JW Christians are too uppity to actually TALK with their unbelieving neighbors about Christ? My claim is that there is not any day in any year when JWs hold a prayer meeting. I'm referring to congregation, not private, prayers. Millions of other denominational congregations hold WEEKLY prayer meetings where (usually) half the time is spent first meditating on scripture, then praying, congregationally. Prayers are made for world leaders, those is authority over us, that the gospel might go out freely, for the persecuted church world-wide, for national issues, for local issues, for people in the church, neighbours and JWs and Mormons and so on. Have Wt. leaders EVER called for a day of humbling/prayer/fasting for all JWs? If I am mistaken and JWs have now started to have weekly prayer-meetings (as opposed to opening and closing prayer by one individual at their weekly meetings) then please correct me and I will publicly apologise.

Answer 1

Whilst there is much to recommend Jehovah's Witnesses as sincere, God fearing and Bible believing people, it saddens me to see how they still cling to the unscriptural belief that they, and only they, are God's people.

When I belonged to that organisation, much emphasis was placed on how many hours individuals spent going from door to door. Everyone had to keep a written record of the hours they devoted to this work. They still do. Each year the figures would be published and much was made of their claim to be the fastest growing religion on earth. I suspect that the decrease in their growth is down to (a) the voluntary departure of those who have been disillusioned over the years (especially after 1975) and (b) the expulsion or disfellowshipping of those who question the organisation or fail to adhere to the strict rules and regulations demanded by their Governing Body.

No way are they going to pray, fast and repent before God because they don't see any need. So, why don't we pray for them instead? Pray that God will enter into the lives of those who truly seek Him and that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

I would like to share with everyone this thought from the Bible (I woke up at 5 am with this on my heart):

'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.' Psalm 51: 17

'This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit.' Isaiah 56: 7

Church prayer meetings (for anyone who has ever attended them) are humbling, meditative and powerful. Perhaps we should ALL be doing more praying (myself included) and less arguing. I don't think Sasi is accusing JW's of not praying - the point is being missed. It's to do with COLLECTIVE praying, a coming together of the congregation to devote themselves to prayer and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit so the church can go forward with its mission to spread the gospel message. I do not think Sasi need make a public appology. The question is valid.

Answer 2

Actually there babies or kids aren't considered part of the religion.
Unlike other religions they don't count everyone who goes to there meetings as being one of them

I also wanted to add that being the majority is bad from the bible's point of view. Since in the bible the majority of people don't follow god.
One more thing to remember they also practice excommunication.
EDIT
I have a problem with this statement.
"If that was valid then, logically, mainstream Christian faiths must be far more blessed than JWs because their CONVERSION rates (not baptism of babies) is even less! And top of the league of 'wrong' faiths would be Mormons. No?

I don't have problems with Mormons since they actually require there followers to act a certain way. However mainstream faiths are the worse since there the ones who have brought about the bad reputation on all religions.
Since your not looking for answers it doesn't matter what anybody says. Basically what I'm about to say is for the benefit of those reading and not yours.

The conversion rate doesn't matter since mainstream religions are loosing members but they remain as the majority. They can thank themselves for having created atheism.
You can pray all you want but it won't matter if you don't act in accordance with those prayers.Sure they hold prayer meetings, but what do they do the rest of the time?
They act like fools making everyone who believes in God look bad.
Then they try to influence politicians and the government.
This doesn't make them any friends since it's not there place to dictate politics.

EDIT
I wanted to add you asked how JWs felt about the increase and a few told you how they felt.It's irrelevant weather you agree with them or not b/c your question has been answered.

Answer 3

Many religious people say that Jesus is God. Some claim that God is a Trinity. According to this teaching, “the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God.” It is held that the three “are co-eternal and co-equal.” (The Catholic Encyclopedia) Are such views correct? Jehovah God is the Creator. (Revelation 4:11) He is without beginning or end, and he is almighty. (Psalm 90:2) Jesus, on the other hand, had a beginning. (Colossians 1:15, 16) Referring to God as his Father, Jesus said: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28) Jesus also explained that there were some things neither he nor the angels knew but that were known only by his Father.—Mark 13:32. Moreover, Jesus prayed to his Father: “Let, not my will, but yours take place.” (Luke 22:42) To whom was Jesus praying if not to a superior Personage? Furthermore, it was God who resurrected Jesus from the dead, not Jesus himself. (Acts 2:32) Obviously, the Father and the Son were not equal before Jesus came to the earth or during his earthly life. What about after Jesus’ resurrection to heaven? First Corinthians 11:3 states: “The head of the Christ is God.” In fact, the Son will always be in subjection to God. (1 Corinthians 15:28) The Scriptures therefore show that Jesus is not God Almighty. Instead, he is God’s Son. The so-called third person of the Trinity—the holy spirit—is not a person. Addressing God in prayer, the psalmist said: “If you send forth your spirit, they are created.” (Psalm 104:30) This spirit is not God himself; it is an active force that he sends forth or uses to accomplish whatever he wishes. By means of it, God created the physical heavens, the earth, and all living things. (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 33:6) God used his holy spirit to inspire the men who wrote the Bible. (2 Peter 1:20, 21) The Trinity, then, is not a Scriptural teaching.* “Jehovah our God is one Jehovah,” says the Bible.—Deuteronomy 6:4.

Answer 4

Do you know what? We NEVER regret our ministry, no matter what the results. There is no better feeling than coming home after a long day of our preaching work. The results don't discourage us and 1.6% is STILL an increase, assuring us that there is still much more work to be done before the very end of this system of things.

I've never felt more zealous.

EDIT:

As for praying for repentance/forgiveness - we do it daily, just as Jesus taught us to (Mt 6:9-13). Look, we claim to live our lives according to Bible standards as best we can but we NEVER claim to be perfect or without sin. We all sin and stumble many times - we are so undeserving of salvation and we accept that it's only by means of Jehovah's loving kindness that we can hope to receive it. And yes, some of us are disfellowshipped at times (myself included) but a lot of us come back (myself included) because IT'S the TRUTH.

Answer 5

People become witnesses, not because of the preaching, but because their hearts are seeking truth. The difference is someone is actually out there to offer it.

The blessing of God comes in them showing they are the most Christ like. As far as the growth is concerned, remember that the official figures only represent those who are active publishers, not just anyone who shows up at Church, like other religions. The actual numbers are three times that.

My mother is not an active publisher, because of her age and health. She now attends meetings by way of an Internet hookup. She is still a witness, just not active.

Answer 6

Huh? Did this asker REALLY just write this...?

"Why do JWs never fast
and hold prayer meetings
/ vigils?" ...Beware the
religion that never holds
a prayer meeteing.

WOW!!! One of the most foolish criticisms of Jehovah's Witnesses I've ever heard! What nerve! Who says JWs don't fast and pray?

Dan 6:10... When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem; and he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.


Who in the world is this asker to dare assume she knows anything about when and how Witnesses humble themselves before God? Does she suppose that Witnesses are like the hypocrites in Christendom who are happy to phone every television station and happy to tailgate with votives but are too uppity to actually TALK with their unbelieving neighbors about the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Matt 6:5-8... .And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them

Jesus condemns this as plain as day and yet this anti-Witness condemns the opposite! You couldn't make this stuff up...!

Every single week, more than 90% of Jehovah's Witnesses turn off their television for three events at their house of worship. Every week, Witnesses raise their voices in song and praise six times. Every week, Witnesses pray together six times. Only Jehovah God knows how many more times they do this as families and smaller groups!

Have Jehovah's Witnesses made mistakes? Absolutely! But Witnesses would rather live in the light of bible truth than in the dark of Satan's veil.

Ps 37:16... Better is a little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.

Answer 7

It's because overall (especially in the West) people are moving away from religion and God. Geeze...most supposed religious people I talk to these days are only holding onto their belief vaguely because that's how they were raised.

Although I have to say from the few JW's I know...they are far more dedicated to their belief than most typical Christians.

Answer 8

Judaism is a dead relgion because it was for limited time till the advent of new order.This can be verified from Bible.Moreover Judaism and Christainity were the guidance for the House of Jacob only.The efforts of propogations are without locus standi and ultra vires to the dictates of Bible.This is main reasons behind the ineffectiveness of their efforts. They must stop doing which is out their manadate;as such must refrain from displeasing God.

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

Jeremiah preached for 40 years in the same territory even though very few listened to him and many were opposed to his message. Noah did the same thing and no one believed him, so only him and his family are saved.

Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.