Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

I would like to ask my brothers and sisters, what do you think about counting time witnessing online like here or some other sites? Do you think it's right? Or should it not be countable time? Has anyone talked to their service overseers about this?

Answer 1

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

Hi. 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 one or more hours 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.

It is something I do for fun, I for a good while didn't get out of the house much, so allot of the Witnessing I did was either over the phone, or Internet and informal.

Currently I would say it comprises, maybe 15 percent as I haven't been out much. Though I hope to get to where, even if I count any time on here it is a Small percentage.

I actually started a conversation with someone on here and it lasted quite a while, and I think really helped her:D

It is Clearly a matter of conciense.

Answer 3

I would recommend doing some research for yourself regarding this. The OD book p.86-87 is a very good place to start. The time spent answering Bible questions could be compared to letter writing, or informal witnessing, it is up to you to determine what you should do though.

Answer 4

any time you are sharing the truth with anyone wether it be online or in person can be counted. it is a form of informal witnessing. like writing letters or business territory. but it would be a conscience matter.

Answer 5

I think it would be a conscience matter. Jesus told all of his disciples to go on teaching and making disciples of all the nations. Jesus' main concern was just reaching people. If you don't reach people door-to-door or by any other means, but you do on-line, then by all means do it! We count our time preaching, not necessarily where or how. There are many different avenues of service.

Answer 6

I count my time here, it's usually not more than 3-4 hours though. If you feel uncomfortable, check with the brothers.

Answer 7

i dont kno, but recently there was a talk about that in my school of ministry meeting a few thursdays ago, and the elder was quite stern about this matter, he said if we have the time to be online, we should have the time to be out in service, so from the sound of it, i dont think its really reccommended by the society. :)

Answer 8

I don't know the "rules: but I say all your witnessing time counts wherever you do it. But I would ask your overseeres because they have the final say.

Answer 9

I'm an ex-witness, and I think spending time on here should definitely be counted! Where else are you going to reach so many? It's an excellent place to witness.....

.....if I were a witnessing Witness....hehehe....

Answer 10

Shouldn't you be asking what does JEHOVAH think about you counting time witnessing (whether it be on line or door to door)?

In fact, why bother counting time at all? Is it necessary to your salvation? Did Jesus command his followers to satisfy a quota of hours preaching every month? Did he instruct them to keep records? I think not. Who are you trying to please here - an organisation? Whose rules are you trying to keep - an organisations? However many hours you notch up will be meaningless to your salvation unless Jesus has become your Lord and Saviour. And he doesn't ask us to keep a record of how much time we spend in his service.