Can you count your time online?? For JW'S?

Question

If someone asks a question online about our beliefs, can we count our time for explaining it to them?

Answer 1

Some say yes, some say no.

In my opinion, it's like writing a letter to a not at home, behind a fence, no trespassing, etc. maybe they will read it, maybe not, here you know someone has read your answer, they may not accept it, just like talking to someone at the door.

A Witness that I know very well, just received a letter returned to her in the mail today, To answer some of the ??? here, takes sometimes a lot of research, so yes, myself I count time, maybe not all of it, but some.

From, Bro. Bill

Answer 2

I know of people with health problems that do it. I don’t – but wouldn’t feel in any way guilty about it. The internet is the future, and witnessing changes with the times. Remember sandwich boards anyone? Saying no one would read it is foolish because there is a very high certainty that someone will. Can you really say that talking to someone at the door is going to do anything? No! So why use the logic ‘I’ll only count it if someone hears it.’ People count time while driving. Counting time is ridicules anyway, just get a basic estimation and go from there. I doubt Jesus was so picky when he was alive (about putting in hours.) Hours are pointless, teaching a person is what matters. Many Witnesses forget this and succumb to a mere habit. It is just about the hours to them, and sometimes the even Judge others. Our CO has been giving advice about this.


As for listing to you ‘conscience,’ can it really be a good guild when older ones may look down apon internet use? I say that is peer pressure and wanting to please the old ways, not a message from you ‘conscience.’

Answer 3

This type of question is asked on here ALLOT. Here is the answer I gave to a similar query:

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 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.

A good bar to judge whether or not to count time is does it bother your conciense to do it??, if so, then don't

Answer 4

I asked this question, in at first a veiled way to a couple of Pioneers (the brother is also our PO).
"How much informal witnessing should I count?" I asked lol. This couple is elderly and VERY old fashioned. They still hold to the belief that if you're wearing a shirt any color other than white you should have to change before giving a talk from the platform lol.
The Sister, bless her heart, saw right through me. "Is this over the internet?"
"Yes." Came my all too timid reply "I'm not comfortable claiming all of it. I do a lot of informal witnessing- on the internet, phone and by letter."
The Brother spoke up and simply said: "Then your conscience is trying to tell you something."

*GRRR* "But I don't WANT that answer!" I replied with a giggle. "I want something more precise."
They then went on to say it's a personal matter and they can't make rules about such things.

I claim less than half of the time I spend here seriously answering questions.
But that's what I'm comfortable with.

**Edit**
Now that my internet is back up and running... I've been wanting to add that a dear close friend of mine said that "most" regular publishers try to keep in mind that the focus of our ministry is door-to-door, shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters. Informal witnessing has its place but should not be our primary or our main outlet.

Answer 5

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.ca/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 6

It is a matter of personal conscience. I only count about 2 or 3 hours a month even though I am on here more. I don't know whether people actually read my answers or not so there fore that's why i only count that much a month.

Answer 7

What is the point of "Claiming" anything? So your organization can brag that it is the only organization proclaiming the gospel?

True Christians preach all of the time with out any scorecards or time cards...seems like "works" to me.

Answer 8

What else would the time count for? It is still devoted to your purpose.

Answer 9

How sad your religion seems to me. Counting time spent serving Jesus and adding it up to turn it in. Are you trying to work your way into God's favor? Don't you know your righteousness is as filthy rags? You can never do enough to earn your way in. If you are not relying on Jesus, yes Jesus, then you are lost and going to be miserable.

I am a Christian and I do good because I love Jesus. I don't count the time. Didn't Jesus tell us to do our good in secret and not to stand on the street corners like the pharisees and proclaim it? By counting your time and turning it in to your kingdom hall your are getting your reward now.

Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Answer 10

Yea go head until i get some new light on it!