Time Reports

[James]

Hi Everybody,

I would like to find out if any of you are counting your time spent here or at least the time you spend commenting on your monthly time sheets?

I would think this is preaching the good news just as you would talk to a co-worker or someone you meet on the street. I know by e-watchmans' stats, that many casual visitors stop by looking for answers and I would have to say I have learned a great deal from all of you here and your (preaching) comments.

I stopped reporting time for quite a while, partially because of an incident with a brother (his incident for which he was publicly reprimanded) (I have not talked to anyone about it, but maybe someday I would hope to get it off my chest) and partially because of the societies Untruths when they claim they have the TRUTH. And partially due to my own weaknesses and shortcomings.

So, I recently started a bible study with my daughter in the Bible Teach book and plan to get back to the field work as an unbaptised publisher.

Christian love,

James

[eyes&ears]

Hi James,

Nope I never counted the time spent here on my time report, but the thought seriously crossed my mind. :D

Take care

E & E

[Berean]

No, I haven't either. I wouldn't know how much time to fill in to begin with, and I end up just turning in the time I spend in the field, really, just because they ask it of me (Romans 13:7; Matthew 5:41).

[stayawake]

Just my two cents, one says more on this DB then what one can say at the door.
There are many on lookers, and if you post 15 posts a mo at 4 min a post you got your self a hour.
I personally would not have a problem turning ithat in if all the WT wants is numbers.
But I don't turn in Time.

They seem to fail to reason that Jesus said "by their fruits you shall Know them", so in reality a JW should be a deciple 24 hrs aday.Yes I know the WT wants a good idea as to how much time is spent in the field.

Hard to believe but I knew of several that would not only pad their time, but would run errans such as banking, stopping at veg stands, and yes even yard sales, and this was counted into their two hours in service on Sat. As long as they knocked at that first and last door before their two hours were up. Didn't bother them.
Yep ,I am really serious. So who is one fooling ?

This is why the followers in the first century were not only reconized as Christains , but the fruitages of the spirit also idenified them as followers of Christ.

It was also called 'The WAY", as it was a WAY of life 24hrs a day.
As today we refer to it as the Truth, better yet in our advanced development, ( from Jehovah ) we now are referring to our beliefs as the" Truth about the Truth".

love stayawake

[littleone]

It was also called 'The WAY", as it was a WAY of life 24hrs a day.
As today we refer to it as the Truth, better yet in our advanced development, ( from Jehovah ) we now are referring to our beliefs as the" Truth about the Truth".[/b]It is interesting to note that when the early Christians refered to themselves as being in "the way", no doubt they were refering to being "in Christ". Afterall, Jesus himself did say that he was "the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE".(John 14:6) Apparently, the meaning of these terms has changed today in its application... but I digress.

Just as I don't tell people what I prayed to Jehovah for, nor do I tell people what I put in one of the contribution boxes, as these things are considered by me to be my sacred service to Jehovah. Likewise, I do not personally consider it necessary to "report" to anyone, except my Master Jesus Christ, about the time I put in the ministry. I have decided that I will personally account to him about my time spent in his service, not to someone else. By doing this, I will not give others a cause to boast in my sacred service to Jehovah.

This is just my personal opinion though, and neither do I commend or condemn filling out field service reports.

[Eli's Foe]

In essence I agree with Littleone and Stayawake on this subject and live by the same principles. Nevertheless, if you want to count time, it seems to me that you will never have a better opportunity to reach those who are searching for the truth than you will here.
Consequently, if we make constructive comments, always with a thought to the effect of what we might say, or how we say it on those who are searching, this must be of great value. However, not everything we discuss here is of value and sometimes what we say personally is of little consequence, but there are times when in our own hearts we can say with a good conscience - I feel better for having given my comments to those who will listen.
Once or twice brothers or sisters here have thanked me for something I've said, and I've done the same to others. That is a heartwarming both to give and to receive and truly I feel that Jesus is here in the midst of us at those times. So whether we count the time literally, or rather view our time together rather like an interchange of encouragement with our little e-congregation it is all of value.

Thankyou for always being here brothers and sisters.

EF

[Nambo]

Never let your right hand know what your left hand is doing, (or something?).

Quick administrator, delete this thread, people might thing we are more interested in counting time than saving or instructing, (Ive been there so dont count this as in insult),

But towrds the end I did start to detest the counting of hours and pioneering caste system it generates.

[Candace]

I have mixed feelings on this issue. I agree with Rom. 13:7, and Matt. 5:41, but I also agree with Matt. 6:1-4.

For me, keeping track of my time demeans my sacrifice of praise. I do not think that Jesus would require us to constantly have to think about starting and stopping times, how many minutes, how many r.v.'s, etc., etc.

When I was pioneering it was not a big deal, because time was collected in big chunks, and it was just a matter of going through my day and subtracting time for breaks and what-not, and coming up with a sum total.

After my health declined, and time was turning into seconds here and minutes there, it showed me the insanity and unreasonableness of keeping such records. The time slip became a source of anxiety, and promoted low self-esteem. I see it being used as a tool to exalt some, but make others feel deficient.

How many Witnesses suffer anxiety because their hours fell? Or they just aren't able to do what they used to do? How many have a false sense of importance because they have big numbers on their slip? How many don't keep track of their time and just put any old numbers on the slip? How many attach more importance to the numbers, than the quality of their ministry?

I think about how Jehovah and Jesus feel about this issue. They see how time slips are being used in the congregations. They will take care of the matter one of these days. In the meantime, follow your Bible-trained conscience.

[seekingthe1]

I have mixed feelings on this issue. I agree with Rom. 13:7, and Matt. 5:41, but I also agree with Matt. 6:1-4.

For me, keeping track of my time demeans my sacrifice of praise. I do not think that Jesus would require us to constantly have to think about starting and stopping times, how many minutes, how many r.v.'s, etc., etc.

When I was pioneering it was not a big deal, because time was collected in big chunks, and it was just a matter of going through my day and subtracting time for breaks and what-not, and coming up with a sum total.

After my health declined, and time was turning into seconds here and minutes there, it showed me the insanity and unreasonableness of keeping such records. The time slip became a source of anxiety, and promoted low self-esteem. I see it being used as a tool to exalt some, but make others feel deficient.

How many Witnesses suffer anxiety because their hours fell? Or they just aren't able to do what they used to do? How many have a false sense of importance because they have big numbers on their slip? How many don't keep track of their time and just put any old numbers on the slip? How many attach more importance to the numbers, than the quality of their ministry?

I think about how Jehovah and Jesus feel about this issue. They see how time slips are being used in the congregations. They will take care of the matter one of these days. In the meantime, follow your Bible-trained conscience.[/b]


I tend to agree that reporting of time may be only a requirement by WT but I feel that when I report my time it is more of a benefit to me than to the society. It helps remind me that I am trying to buy out the time. It helps me stay focused on the fact that even though I try to talk about Jehovah and the teachings at every opportunity - I don't neccessarily keep track of all of it -- I have a basis to judge how well I am doing my job and privledge of proclaiming the Kingdom message.

[Jeshurun]

I tend to agree that reporting of time may be only a requirement by WT but I feel that when I report my time it is more of a benefit to me than to the society. It helps remind me that I am trying to buy out the time. It helps me stay focused on the fact that even though I try to talk about Jehovah and the teachings at every opportunity - I don't neccessarily keep track of all of it -- I have a basis to judge how well I am doing my job and privledge of proclaiming the Kingdom message.[/b]

Welcome to the forum!

Agape
Lou

[billy]

I agree with

Stayawake
Littleone
Eli's foe

Nambo
Candace

when i was attending the meetings I found it very artificial to hand in time - i ended up not doing it - not sure how the elders treat you if you dont do it - I havent been for a while - are you considered "inactive" if you dont do it?

Hello seekingthe 1 - Using littleones words -"This is just my personal opinion though, and neither do I commend or condemn filling out field service reports."

[SlaveForJah]

By the way, where did littleone go? Anyway, littleone is missed.

And welcome to seekingthe1 and Nonito both.

SlaveForJah