Is it ok for Jehovahs Witnesses to minister on the internet?

Question

Do you (as a Witness) beleive that Jehovah is using the internet as an avenue of bringing in "sheep like ones"? Would you, or do you, feel comfortable telling fellow Witnesses (even elders) that you count some of your ministry on the internet? Any emails are welcome. This is a genuine question that I have been wondering lately.

Please, no negative comments from non Witnesses, thankyou.

Thanks a lot for your thoughfull answers (gg, Q&A Queen, Adam's Rib).

Also, thankyou for being respectful although not a JW (dad, dgomawdy).

The main issue really, was knowing whether it really is an acceptable form of ministry. If there was really bad weather outside for example, and you had to "get your hours in", would the internet be a reasonable form of informal witnessing?

Thank you everyone who has kindly informed me that the JW religion is false and a cult...I'll bear that in mind next time I minister about it. Thank you for telling me that my personal bible study over the past decades has been all for nothing, and that I need to think for myself.

All sarcasm aside, I am fully aware about my beliefs and I have them for a good reason...not because I was told so or brainwashed.

unsilenced lamb - maybe that's because they care?

Thank you all JWs for your answers! It really has helped me. I guess I just needed reassurance.

Answer 1

Yes, Jehovah's Witnesses could not accomplish their public ministry if they did not interact with the world around them. Jehovah's Witnesses are the first to acknowledge that the "person to person" ministry is most effective and most similar to the work performed by Jesus himself, as well as by the apostles and first century Christians.
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm
...(Matthew 10:7,11,14) As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’ ...Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving... Wherever anyone does not take you in or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city shake the dust off your feet.

But Jehovah's Witnesses have always taken advantage of the latest technology to further their ministry, including pioneering efforts with personal record-album players, "talking" motion pictures, wide-area-networks of telephone tie-ins, and nationwide radio broadcasts nearly a century ago. Jehovah's Witnesses have enabled more and more internet-based tools on their own websites every year, and have encouraged adherents to use them.
...(Isaiah 60:17) Instead of the copper I shall bring in gold, and instead of the iron I shall bring in silver, and instead of the wood, copper, and instead of the stones, iron

From time to time, an anti-Witness works to discourage those who might refute his anti-Witness propaganda. At other times, a seemingly sincere self-described Jehovah's Witness feels compelled to counsel those who refute anti-Witness misinformation. Ironically, both groups tend to imply that the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses say things that they do not actually say.

Is it fair to imply that a Jehovah's Witness who participates in Yahoo Answers is unfaithful or disobedient? Do Jehovah's Witnesses really discourage the use of the internet by adherents?

No and no.

Firstly, Yahoo Answers does not require or even encourage socializing between participants. The bible does not authorize a true Christian (such as a Jehovah's Witness) to ignore a question of faith unless it is posed by a "good associate".
...(1 Peter 3:15) Sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.


Secondly, a Christian whose conscience permits him to share the "good news" exclusively in person certainly does not displease God and Christ, for such personal ministry is required of true Christian ministers. But he must recognize that there is no rational reason to suppose that corresponding via the internet must be viewed differently than corresponding by post or on the telephone.

Is time spent "answering" questions here on Yahoo Answers time that a Jehovah's Witness would report as ministry? Most self-described Witnesses here have said that they do not count the time they use to research or post answers, because they cannot really be sure that anyone will read what they have written. By contrast, an instant-message exchange or personal correspondence by email seems little different from a conversation by phone or correspondence by post. In any event, the matter of what time should be conscientiously reported as "ministry" is left to each Christian publisher, and no human should feel the need to compare or criticize his brother's determinations in this regard.
...(Galatians 6:4) Let each one prove what his own work is, and then he will have cause for exultation in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person.

None of this should blind Christians to the fact that the internet can be used to waste time and view unwholesome material. As with television, Christians are encouraged to be selective in their choice of virtual association. There is no need to watch an entire program, or read an entire website/"question" to recognize its unwholesomeness.

(1 Corinthians 15:33) Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 2

I have seen this question, in various forms on here quite often. First let me remind you that it is up to every person to follow their conciense. What I do, should not be THE reason for what you do. That said, I don't hide the fact that I share with others on the net, and since my faith is big, it is often shared.

Answering on Y!A is something I do for a couple of reasons. One is because to post questions you must have points, to obtain points you need to answer questions, to get questions fast you need best answers, to get best answers you should answer about something you know, since I know my beliefs I feel this is a good subject for me to answer on. I also answer questions about Anime, Pets, Video Games, TV, etc. I originally came to Y!A because I at times have questions about various things, mostly related to videogames (which I in turn am a seller these trying HARD to get a hobby/business going). I have also found Y!A to be a good source of aid with my poor typing/spelling skills.

I do occasionally count an hour or two of my time (when answering about the Bible), if I see my answers were actually read and helpful. Even then I only count an hour or two. I view it as informal Witnessing. Being a Witness is not a 9-5 thing, it should be a 24, 7 thing. So just as I count the time when I informally Witness real world I do when I witness here.

I do appreciate the concern your comment shows. The net is not a place to make friends. Just as there are good and bad people in the real world there are Good and Bad people on line. The difference is it is much easier to hide ones truer nature on the net. Discernment is always needed.


In response to unincumbered goat

"As long as they never respond to my questions....They almost always do" Unless a question is specificlly NOT for a certain group there is no reason a member of said group shouldn't give a polite answer. Is there???

Answer 3

You got some great answers, and all I can do is to say that I agree that it is a good tool for reaching those who may not be reached any other way. also, there are some who answer on here and they do so because they cannot, (for reasons such as age, physical limitations, weather, illness, etc...) get out in field service as much as they would like, and this gives them opportunity to still be useful in the ministry. Some have started personal Bible studies with those seeking the truth, from this. As far as who counts what time, that is up to each individual to decide for themselves, and I am sure they have gone to Jehovah in prayer about what is appropriate for them. I know I have...thank you for this question, I think many of us have had similar thoughts, and have wondered what others thought. I have talked to several elders about this and gotten both positive and not so positive feed back, but in the end, it is basically between each individual and Jehovah.

~wannaknow~

Answer 4

Good question Paul S. That is why I asked an elder in my congregation the same thing and this is what he told me.

There is nothing wrong with it (all the questions you posed) as long as it doesn't go against your conscience. Each person is different, what one person may feel about it, another might not. Yes we all should be careful about who we talk to and "associate" with. Jehovah(1 Corinthians 15:33) and the society strongly warns of this as you well know.

With that being said Jesus said that "the good news of the kingdom would be preached in ALL the inhabited earth"(Matt 24:14). And the Internet is definitely a tool being used in doing so. Just think of all the millions of people who log on daily. Alot of whom log on to this very site! Some searching for the truth, and as you know alot who are not. And if you can reach ones and help them come to an accurate knowledge of the bible, and help form a relationship with Jehovah then you KNOW that makes Jehovah's heart rejoice, no doubt! I've heard of ones who because of Internet witnessing have come into the truth. So my opinion, and remember this based off of MY conscience.There is no doubt it is OK to do so! And I believe most witnesses feel the same.:) Agape!

Answer 5

Well, that's actually a good question. As a witness I've wondered myself. In a way, I don't consider it witnessing to try and correct some misconceptions about us or answer questions sincere people have. And personally, I enjoy reading other views. It's the only way to understand where other people are coming from and it helps when you're ministering in the "real" world. And nope. I personally don't count the time I spend here.

BTW, speaking of misconceptions, it's totally inaccurate to say witnesses are not supposed to be on any website other than www.watchtower.org. Considering the roll computers and the internet play in our day to day lives... including work... that's a bit extreme. We are simply advised, as with all things, to be cautious. And that comment and this response is an example of what I'm talking about. :)

Answer 6

We preach where ever people can be found.
We know Jesus said no man can come to me unless my Father in the heavens has drawn him.
Jehovah is drawing people from all over the world. What a blessing it is to talk to people about Jehovah and his Son Jesus. My Wife and I are active Jehovah's Witnesses and I enjoy witnessing on yahoo answers. There are people on here that are looking for answers from the scriptures. And it's very nice to preach the good news of the Kingdom and help people see the truth from God's word.

Answer 7

I am a non witness but this is not a negative comment!
Of course I think it is OK to Witness on the Net. That way you can connect with people who care. Knocking on doors must be very hard. People tend to slam doors in your face. If you get a web-site and let people know who you are and where to find you, Any one interested can surf there. …Mawdy

Answer 8

I feel even just as a fellow human being who just loves Jesus.
I believe that the word could go forth. I cannot confine God. I feel Jesus set me free. I love to sing and praise Jesus anywhere I go. I love Psalm 150 and the bible say if people don't praise him then the rock will cry out. And God said that he will raise him up a generation that will praise him. By all mean get people to God by all means necessary. All I know is Jesus is Love in any religion or form

Answer 9

I am not a Witness, but the teaching elder of the JW's told me that there is a sinkhole of garbage on the internet and that is why they didn't let members go on except to get email

Answer 10

if they don't i will Episcopal i got there books and the best answers around so yes god will win Internet and all he made the programmers www.jctv.org. being used greatly and www.tbn.org . and www.fathersloveletter.com all being used www.esword.com www.propcery news watch.org. all great things from god