JWs: How much weekly preching time do you have to submit on your reports each week to avoid being disciplined?

Question

Thanks BrownSkin! It should say "preaching time"... I HATE it when I use incorrect spelling or grammar! ;)

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses do not actually require 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.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_14.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm

Answer 2

I appreciate when questions like these are asked because it offers us an opportunity to correct some widely held misconceptions about Jehovah's Witnesses.

How much time I spend in service is up to me. It is between me and Jehovah. There are no disciplinary actions for not spending time in the preaching work. The preaching work though, can be an indicator (though not always) of how a person is doing. A sudden drop in someone's preaching time could indicate that they are depressed or struggling with problems at home or work. So sometimes, someone will notice that a certain publisher's usual enthusiasm has dipped, and, out of concern for that person, we might ask if they are ok, or if there is something we can do to help them out... but discipline them? No. That would not be loving or encouraging to anyone.

Answer 3

We decide are time, we will not be punished if we dont meet a quota, because the quota comes from your own heart condition, I know that some months I am able only to put in a few hours a month, then others more, but I feel happy and blessed to be a true Christian, I am trying to be christ-like, christ went out and taught people about the hope of his fathers kingdom, he made desciples of other people, so do we, we use to be called international Bible students, we go to meeting 3 times a week, they are 5 all togeather, and I am learning so much about the Bible especially through my own personal study, the congregation is loving and encouraging, discipline is good when you are straying away, and bringing reproach to gods name Jehovah, I wouldnt want to represent gods name, I wouldnt be a very good witness of his kingdom if I was doing drugs or being immoral so they would help me with encouragement, if it was nessesary.Love, Sable Davenport

Answer 4

Just to clarify, we submit monthly reports, not weekly ones.

We are encouraged in the Bible to be "cheerful givers." The amount of time we choose to spend is entirely up to us. The only one we are accountable to is Jehovah.

And a report is sent, not to judge an individual, but to track the progress of the worldwide organization as a whole. Last year, Jehovah's Witnesses spent over a billion hours in the ministry!

Answer 5

Well, you have received some wonderful and accurate answers from my brothers and sisters! Just to add another one, there is no such discipline. If we don't go out in service or to the meetings we simply become inactive. We gain great joy in our service to Jehovah. We do it out of love for Jehovah and his Son, Jesus Christ, and for love of our neighbors. God's holy spirit helps us to go out and talk to people where there is apathy and even hatred. We could never do this under our own power, but only with God's help.
Our love motivates us and we gather together in order to inspire and encourage each other, among other reasons (like to praise and worship Jehovah). We are an ever-increasing worldwide family...and our service reports help to keep things in order and so that we know where we are doing what, and with what results. We are avid bible students and we are always learning. It is the most wonderful arrangement I have ever seen! The spiritual food we receive is like a constant feast. There is so much joy in serving Jehovah and being in the wonderful congregations all around the world! It would be very nice if people would learn the facts before verbalizing such twisted thoughts! But that is only to be expected, and Jesus gave us this encouragement...

John 15:18-21: "If the world hates YOU, YOU know that it has hated me before it hated YOU. 19 If YOU were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because YOU are no part of the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world, on this account the world hates YOU. 20 Bear in mind the word I said to YOU, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute YOU also; if they have observed my word, they will observe YOURS also. 21 But they will do all these things against YOU on account of my name, because they do not know him that sent me."

Answer 6

Your question is in error several ways. There is no such discipline.

The reason for counting time at all is were are an earthly organization of 6.7 million people. "Bean counters" must keep track of the progress we make as an organization. Each individual and Jehovah knows what we do and that is all that is really important.

All of us are ministers but there are many who do not have family and other responsibilities. They can be in the full time preaching work called pioneers who average at least 100 hrs. per month. They support themselves with part time jobs and are usually young but not always as we have some in their 70s. Again "bean counters" keep track of how many.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A JW. One cannot just come in and say, "Sign me up." It takes study of the Bible. First, to accurately know what it says. Then to make sure that the student understands in his own mind that the Bible is truth.

Before someone can be baptized, they must prove to a group of qualified people they know and understand Bible principles. Because they have learned good news, they have already been telling others. One must have brought his life in line with Bible principles as in habits and conduct.

After baptism, there is still more. Five meetings per week, plus private study for the meetings and for yourself. Family study for especially the kids so they will have proper values and be ministers as well.

All this is done without pay. We do not charge for any of this work. Jesus said, "You recieved free, give free." (Matt. 10: 8) Donations for literature are accepted, but how much fortune are you going to build from 50 cents for a book? Also have you considered the price of gas recently?

It is time consumming but it is refreshing to be among friends in the faith. At conventions, sometimes I step back and marvel at the differences between "us and them". The atmosphere is different. You can breathe without inhaling smoke. There is no bad language. No need for police. During breaks, people leave their bookbags in the chairs and not worry whether it will be there on returning. The messages are upbuilding. Most noticeable, after the meeting is over, the lack of trash. After some sporting events, a cleaning crew is there for days, with large dumpsters full. By contrast, custodial crews look forward to us coming because they say we leave things better than we found them. That because love of others actually means something and is applied in our lives. Picking up after ourselves is just one side effect.

This love among one another and having one belief is also evident by we can go to any congregation in the world and we will be among brothers who teach and believe as we do. How many can say the same?

Police, in general, like us because we obey the laws where we are as long as they do not conflict with God's Laws. Even the French police! The french government is afraid of us because are not politically involved as are many governments. The french police do not agree because they don't have trouble with us breaking the law. We in the US brought up on late night comedians find it strange to agree with the french on anything; or just odd.

Answer 7

Well considering for various reasons myself and my family have at times reported nothing and not been "disciplined" for it, I would say 0.

Answer 8

you are not disciplined if you don't report wkly preaching time.....it is your choice to go into the ministry..........can you think of something that you really enjoy doing?????? now, think of how it makes you feel when you do it..........That is what our ministry is for us........simply a joy.........if you go good.......if you don't go, welllllllllllll good and shame on you....no one looks down or disciplines you for not going in field service......yet ANOTHER misconception

Answer 9

It is totally voluntary. They will not get disciplined for submitting nothing.

Answer 10

What's 'preching' time?