JWs, what is the scriptural basis for keeping time cards?

Question

Elders require it so what is the biblical basis for keeping track of the time. I understand why it is important to keep track of territory, but why how many hours? And what is the scriptural basis for designating pioneers? If there isn't one, why require people to do so?

I am not saying there is anything wrong with it, but why REQUIRE people to turn in cards stating how much time was spent. This is not just "record keeping"

Answer 1

Notice how Jehovah's Witnesses can never just answer a question simply? It's because they try to get you all caught up in some goofy reasoning.

As long as the work gets done, it doesn't matter how many hours were put in, much less who did what.

"Pioneer" is a term they use to create status among people who will spend more time passing out there magazines.

Answer 2

Jehovah is a organized God. Each January, in the Watchtower there is a report for the year from each country with the number of publishers, the hours, the bible studies, the number baptized and memorial attendance. Last year in the US 1,059,325 publishers, 36,073 pioneers, 194,815,417 hours, 531,075 bible studies, 28,915 baptized, 2,308,035 at memorial. It's interesting to look at the other 236 lands to see how they did and if there was an increase in their country.

Matt. 24: 14 says "good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." How else would we know foresure that the preaching work is getting done worldwide?

The elders are responsible for the territory that the congregation is assigned and to make sure it is getting worked. They are also responsible for the members of the congregation. If someone does not turn in time, this may indicate that they need help in some area.

Pioneering is voluntary. Just like a missionary. This is something that they want to do and have put an application in to spend so much time each month in the preaching work. It needs to be approved by the body of elders. Pioneers need to be in good standing and have exemplary conduct. Pioneers are like local missionaries. Where as a missionary will go to another country.
Pioneers and missionaries are like the disciples. They have given up material pursuits for spending the majority of their time in the preach work. They have become "fishers of men" Matt. 4:19

A Jehovah's Witnesses who loves Jehovah and his fellow man would want to share what they have learned about Jehovah and his Kingdom. It is not something that they are made to do.
"Your people will offer themselves up willingly.." Ps 110:3

I take it that you are not a witness anymore, so why ask the question now?

Answer 3

The Watchtower Society today instructs us to report our field service activity each month. Our cooperating with this arrangement contributes to the effective oversight of the preaching work. This helps the Watchtower keep tract of places where the need is greater for more preachers fo the BIble. Besides, keeping tract of records/numbers goes back in Biblical times. Gideon vanquished the camp of Median with just 300 men. (Judg 7:7) Jehovah's angel killed 185,000 Assyrian Soldiars. (2 Kings 19:35) At Pentecost 33 C.E., about 3,000 were baptized, and shortly thereafter the number of believers grew to some 5,000. (Acts 2:41, 4:4) It is evident from these accounts that God’s ancient servants put forth much effort to compile a complete and accurate record. Jehovah’s organization wants to know how the preaching is progressing world wide. The only way to do that is by having each publisher to report their activities. PIONEERING is not required.

Answer 4

We turn in field service forms each month to keep track of how many hours were spent preaching that month. Also recorded for the month: how much literature was placed, how many Bible studies were conducted, and how many times we call back on those people who showed interest in discussing the Bible. Those time slips are added up, not only locally, but internationally as well. The final numbers tell us what we are doing around the world. Is there Scripturall basis for this? Maybe, maybe not. However, we all cooperate in reporting what we individually do.

Answer 5

The premise of this question is incorrect.

Neither "elders" nor the Jehovah's Witness religion actually requires individual Witnesses to report their ministry each month, although they do encourage such reports. The Scriptural pattern is actually quite easy to demonstrate:

(Mark 6:7,11,12,30) [Jesus] summoned the twelve, and he initiated sending them out two by two... [Jesus said] wherever a place will not receive you nor hear you, on going out from there shake off the dirt that is beneath your feet for a witness to them.” So they set out and preached in order that people might repent... And the apostles gathered together before Jesus and reported to him all the things they had done

(Luke 9:1,2,10) [Jesus] called the twelve together... And so he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God... And when the apostles returned they recounted to him what things they had done.


In many lands, governmental agencies grant certain privileges for full-time ministers (such as exemption from military conscription). When Jehovah's Witnesses define and publish their qualifications for full-time ministers (or "pioneers"), they do not pretend that there is some Scriptural need to do so. Jehovah's Witnesses consider each individual's personal report to be confidential, so continued appointment as a "pioneer" may be the only objective indication that a Witness is actually serving "full-time".


Incidentally, this so-called "questioner" has repeatedly demonstrated her intention to select a sycophantic reiteration of her anti-Witness innuendo, rather than an answer which actually shares insight on the "question".

Answer 6

Acts 1:15 indicates there was about 120 people in the upper room.
Somebody counted.
Acts 2:41 states approximately 3,000 were baptized that day.
Somebody counted.
Acts 4:4 refers to Christians numbering 5,000.
Somebody counted.
There are other examples, but they all show record keeping is not prohibited.
The Biblical pattern is there.
BTW Pioneering is not required.
It is an invitation ....to accept or not.

Answer 7

It’s to see if the volunteer is sticking to the hours they pledged to do.

60 hours – auxiliary pioneer
90 hours – pioneer
120 – special pioneer