A leaked letter dated March 29, 2014, has been circulated to all elders advising of a huge shake-up in financing arrangements for kingdom hall and assembly hall construction.
The letter is four pages long, but only the first page is to be read out to publishers. The three-page postscript, containing further details of how the new arrangement is to be implemented, includes the sentence (in bold): “This postscript should not be read to the congregation, and this letter should not be posted on the information board.”
The first page is due to be read out at congregation service meetings for the week of May 5, 2014.
“Having sufficient, adequate places of worship is vital, as Jehovah continues to ‘speed up’ the gathering of ‘a mighty nation,'” it reads. “In order to meet these ever increasing needs, the Governing Body has directed that an adjustment be made in the way Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction projects are financed.”
What is this adjustment? “In harmony with 2 Corinthians 8:12-14, congregations will now be asked to pool their resources worldwide to support the construction of theocratic facilities wherever they are needed.”
What will this “pooling” of resources involve? “…all congregations will have the opportunity to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction work worldwide by resolving to make a monthly donation from congregation funds.”
Once the letter has been read, congregations will have just four weeks (with a final deadline of May 31) to agree on a monthly figure to be sent to Watchtower, ostensibly for the construction of kingdom halls and assembly halls worldwide.
Figures that don’t add up
“The need for Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls is greater than ever before,” the letter insists. “At this time, over 13,000 Kingdom Hall projects and 35 Assembly Hall projects are needed worldwide.”
After listening to the above statement, publishers would be forgiven for assuming that more than 13,000 new Kingdom Halls are needed each year to keep pace with publisher growth.
However, when you compare the number of congregations in 2013 (113,823) with the number of congregations the year before (111,719), you note that there has been an increase of only 2,104 congregations worldwide – some of which will be sharing existing kingdom hall infrastructure. The 13,000 figure is therefore either a gross exaggeration, or kingdom halls are being refurbished and rebuilt at an astonishing rate – faster than is actually required.
Never-ending loan repayments
According to the leaked letter, “Congregation and Assembly Halls will no longer be asked to repay a loan.” However, in the elders-only part of the letter, congregations are instructed that their new monthly pledge must be “at least the same amount as the current monthly loan repayment” for congregations repaying loans for building work.
In other words, if your congregation is paying off a kingdom hall build or refurbishment, your loan repayments must effectively continue indefinitely.
If a congregation isn’t already making loan repayments, then a confidential survey is to be taken by passing out slips of paper to determine how much local brothers are willing to pledge.
Room for maneuver
Congregation elders will have at least some flexibility to alter the congregation’s monthly pledge in the future according to circumstances, but this works both ways.
“Elders should review this resolution annually in May to ensure the amount is what the congregation is realistically able to donate on a monthly basis. For example, there may be a significant increase or decrease in the number of publishers in the congregation, or the local economic conditions may appreciably improve or deteriorate, thus affecting the amount that the congregation can reasonably contribute. If necessary, the elders may take a new financial survey, as described above, to determine whether the resolved monthly contribution to Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide should be adjusted for the coming year.” – March 29, 2014 BOE letter, page 2
The monthly pledge can thus be adjusted downwards or upwards at the elders’ discretion on an annual basis.
But who actually owns a kingdom hall, and thus bears responsibility for paying for it?
Who owns a kingdom hall?
Most congregations now have arrangements in place where kingdom halls are under the legal ownership of a board of trustees made up of local elders. But this doesn’t give elders the freedom to do what they want, even if they are all in agreement. Watchtower ultimately holds all the aces.
You see, elders can only BE elders if they are approved by Watchtower. Elders who are removed by Watchtower are automatically no longer trustees, and will have no say in how their kingdom hall is run.
This state of affairs was recently highlighted by the Menlo Park scandal, in which an entire body of elders in California was removed by the organization for failing to comply with the circuit overseer’s insistence that their kingdom hall be refurbished, even though a refurbishment wasn’t deemed necessary.
A lengthy legal battle ensued in which some of the ousted elders argued for their reappointment, but they proved to be ill-prepared. They assumed they were victims of one or two rogue individuals in the organization, and thus failed to grasp that the problems they were trying to address were systemic.
Their true foe was Watchtower itself.
Perhaps the most poignant moment from the Menlo Park case came when Watchtower’s legal representative, Calvin Rouse, made the following declaration in court…
“Ordinarily I wouldn’t be here, but this is one of our 13,000 congregations in the United States. We are a hierarchical religion structured just like the Catholic Church. And when the order from the Pope comes down in the church defrocking a priest and kicking him out, he no longer has any say in any matter in the local parish priest – in the parish. The same situation as here. In his complaint he brings one claim. He claims that he wants to be reinstated as a director and an officer in the Menlo Park Congregation. This is contrary to our church rules and regulations and bylaws. We brought our organizational bylaws book, our rule book here, and we are prepared to present witnesses that this is a hierarchical organization.”
The court transcript featuring the above statement is available on this link.
Hence the organization, which is a self-confessed hierarchy, has an over-riding controlling interest respecting kingdom hall buildings, but congregation members are still expected to pick up the tab.
No more “surplus funds”
The final undermining of any vestiges of financial autonomy at congregation level is accomplished on page 4 of this new letter, where a section headed “Surplus funds” effectively ends any possibility of the existence of wealthy, self-reliant congregations.
Congregations are thus to financially surrender themselves to the organization. There is no longer any excuse for the amassing of funds for a rainy day. Only “minor renovations or repairs” are to be cared for locally. If there are surplus funds, elders must discuss sending these to Watchtower.
Such reliance on ‘big brother’ may seem refreshing in the eyes of many Witnesses, but it has its risks. If Watchtower is ever declared bankrupt, individual congregations will be on their own, and without any nest egg to fall back on when their kingdom halls start to deteriorate.
An “opportunity” taken under compulsion?
The idea that congregations should become perpetually indebted to Watchtower in this manner by means of a monthly pledge, which they are being ordered to agree to within a four-week window, is a strange one – at least by bible standards.
According to the bible, Jesus Christ encouraged the forgiving of debts (Matt. 6:12; 18:23-35), and the Apostle Paul counseled that Christians should not have to give “under compulsion.” – 2 Cor 9:7
For the Governing Body to be so forthright in pursuing congregations for funding under whatever pretext will be curious to some, especially after it has been revealed that the organization is set to pocket a staggering 1 billion dollars in proceeds from the sale of its Brooklyn property.
But when you consider Watchtower’s apparent financial woes as evidenced by the unprecedented organizational downsizing, not to mention the increasing threat posed by child abuse lawsuits, the Governing Body’s assault on congregation coffers for extra cash is all too predictable.
To protect the anonymity of my source, a scan of the letter will not be made available. However, you can read the text from the full letter below…
***PAGE ONE***
March 29, 2014
TO ALL CONGREGATIONS
Re: Adjustment to financing Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide
Dear Brothers:
On September 1, 1983, the Kingdom Hall Fund was created to help finance the increasing need for Kingdom Halls. For more than 30 years, this arrangement has served to expand the construction of Kingdom Halls worldwide in a tremendous way by means of Regional Building Committees and the program for lands with limited resources. Having sufficient, adequate places of worship is vital, as Jehovah continues to ‘speed up’ the gathering of “a mighty nation.” (Isa. 60:22) In order to meet these ever-increasing needs, the Governing Body has directed that an adjustment be made in the way Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction projects are financed.
In harmony with the principle at 2 Corinthians 8:12-14, congregations will now be asked to pool their resources worldwide to support the construction of theocratic facilities wherever they are needed. Congregations and Assembly Halls will no longer be asked to repay a loan, and use of the separate contribution box labeled “Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide” has been discontinued. Instead, all congregations will have the opportunity to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide by resolving to make a monthly donation from congregation funds. If individual publishers wish to donate specifically to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide, such donations will be accepted gladly and used wisely by the branch office. From now on, all funding for approved projects will be provided by the branch office from the funds that have been donated by you dear brothers and sisters.
The need for Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls is greater than ever before. At this time, over 13,000 Kingdom Hall projects and 35 Assembly Hall projects are needed worldwide. Much of this need is in parts of the world where the cost of property and building materials is high. A tremendous amount of funds is needed to care for this work. However, we are confident that Jehovah will provide what is needed by your generous support. Time and again we have seen this take place. For example, it has been 24 years since we began offering literature under the donation arrangement, yet Jehovah’s blessing on this adjustment has been obvious. We are confident that by means of Jehovah’s continued blessing and the generosity of the worldwide brotherhood, the new arrangement for financing Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction will be a success as well.—1 Chron. 29:11-14; Ps. 127:1.
May Jehovah continue to richly bless your hard work and loyal service as you generously support Kingdom interests.
Your brothers,
Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
***PAGE TWO***
Re: Adjustment to financing Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide March 29, 2014 Page 2
PS to body of elders:
At the Service Meeting for the week of April 28, 2014, the congregation should be informed that use of the contribution box labeled “Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide” will be discontinued on May 1, 2014. and that further information will be provided at the following Service Meeting. This letter should be read to the congregation during the local needs part on the Service Meeting for the week of May 5, 2014. (Congregations having an assembly the week of May 5 should have the letter read the following week.) This postscript should not be read to the congregation, and this letter should not be posted on the information board. After the reading of the letter, either a resolution should be presented to the congregation or the survey described below should be taken. The December 7, 2009, letter to all congregations should be removed from the congregation permanent file of policy letters and be destroyed. Updated congregation accounting instructions and forms will begin to be provided in May 2014.
Resolved donations: All congregations are asked to establish a monthly resolved donation to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide by no later than May 31, 2014.
• What amount should be used for this new resolved monthly donation?
The elders in congregations currently making loan repayments would likely propose a resolution that is at least the same amount as the current monthly loan repayment, keeping in mind that donations will no longer be received from the “Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide” contribution box. The elders in congregations without loans or those having standing resolutions to support Kingdom Hall construction worldwide should take a confidential survey of all publishers to determine the amount of the new resolution. This can be done by passing out slips of paper to be filled out anonymously by the publishers indicating how much they are able to contribute monthly toward local congregation expenses, including the resolution to support Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide. At the time the survey is taken, it may be helpful to also review with the congregation the average monthly operating expenses that need to be covered.
Elders should review this resolution annually in May to ensure the amount is what the congregation is realistically able to donate on a monthly basis. For example, there may be a significant increase or decrease in the number of publishers in the congregation, or the local economic conditions may appreciably improve or deteriorate, thus affecting the amount that the congregation can reasonably contribute. If necessary, the elders may take a new financial survey, as described above, to determine whether the resolved monthly contribution to Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide should be adjusted for the coming year.
• What should be done with other existing resolutions?
Any previous resolution to support Kingdom Hall construction should be discontinued. All other resolutions, such as those for contributing to the worldwide work, the Convention Fund, the Traveling Overseer Assistance Arrangement, and the Kingdom Hall Assistance Arrangement, should continue to be honored. Where more than one congregation shares a Kingdom Hall, resolutions to contribute to a shared Kingdom
***PAGE THREE***
Re: Adjustment to financing Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide March 29,2014 Page 3
Hall operating account to cover the operating costs, minor renovations, and repairs may be adjusted as needed.
• How should this new resolved amount be submitted to the branch office?
Each congregation should establish its own resolution to contribute to Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide and submit the resolved amount with its monthly remittance to the branch office. These resolved amounts should not be submitted through Kingdom Hall operating accounts. If revised forms for congregation accounting are not yet available in the language of the congregation, the resolved donation amount for Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide may be recorded on the line “Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide (Resolution)” that appears on the form(s) currently being used.
• What should be done if congregation funds are not sufficient to cover resolved donations?
If sufficient funds are not available for all resolved donations in a particular month, additional funds should not be solicited. The elders should determine what amounts from the congregation funds that are available at the end of the month will be applied toward the resolved monthly donation(s) and whether the shortfall should be made up in future months. However, it would be appropriate for the elders to remind the congregation of the resolved monthly commitments. If the congregation can no long¬er contribute the amount(s) they resolved on a regular basis, the elders may consider the situation at the next annual review of the resolution for Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide.
Contribution boxes: As noted above, on May 1, 2014, each Kingdom Hall should have only two types of contribution boxes, one labeled “Local Congregation Expenses” and one labeled “Worldwide Work.”
• What should be done with existing “Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide” boxes or boxes set up to accept donations for a local building project?
These boxes will no longer be used for accepting donations in support of Kingdom Hall or Assembly Hall construction. They should be removed or relabeled to accept donations for the worldwide work on May 1, 2014.
• What type of expenses can be paid from funds received in the “Local Congregation Expenses” box?
These funds should be used to pay approved congregation expenses, including Kingdom Hall operating expenses, minor renovations, and repairs (through the operating committee, if applicable), as well as for all monthly resolved donations that are sent to the branch office.
• Are there any changes to the existing “Worldwide Work” box?
No. Funds received in the “Worldwide Work” box will continue to be forwarded to the branch office each month. No congregation expenses or monthly resolutions should be paid from these funds.
***PAGE FOUR***
[as shown above, see “Surplus funds”]
Further reading…
This is quite amazing. To have this info long before even the congregations get it is brilliant. I do hope that all those decent JW’s now wake up and see what this is really about. How much money can one organisation want at the expense of the faithful. Its beyond disgusting. I hope that because some will know about it before its read out that they will say No you cannot do this and you cannot have my money either.
I will have to cease my litany of negative comments about the bosses of this weird little corner of Christendom.
They are masters in the art of cult mind control. Not only can they convince several million people throughout the world that a bunch of ignorant old men in New York is God’s sole earthly rep.; they can also use this self generated power to prise regular dollops of money from them. And this is after they have convinced them it is not worth investing any time or effort in training for a well paid career.
Are there many other organisations that have enriched themselves by cajoling their followers into pursuing a path of poverty?
Wow this is quite unbelievable.
Is a copy of the letter going to be available somewhere ?
Do I understand this correctly ? The “congregation resources ” involve the donations of each and every member of the congregation right ? So basically, will all the members of a congregation be involved in “committing” a global sum of money ?
This is just crazy ….
Hi JB – Unfortunately I am not making this letter available to protect my source. We have reason to believe Watchtower is now trying to trace its leaks through the documents it produces. But I believe I have shared all the most pertinent parts.
And yes, congregation members are effectively being asked to commit to contributing towards a fixed donation per congregation per month. Just how much elders will hold individuals to this remains to be seen, but expect more guilt-tripping talks about contributions in future local needs.
It’s essentially tithing by the back door.
Thank you Cedars, and yes, it’s understandable to protect the sources.
It’s incredible to see how far this has gone, I also kept hearing through my childhood about JW’s not forcing for donations and that they were truly upon volunteer contribution made very discreetly.
If anyone seemed to be too concerned about the material problems the advice given was about trusting Jehovah and not being too concerned – and distracted – with material issues, as Jehovah will certainly provide. Now they seem to be really in distress about the material issues themselves.
After all, weren’t those brothers who gave up their jobs just like that, because it would make it difficult for them to attend meetings or to go for the field service, and found a new job in no time, almost by a miracle, just by “the help of Jehovah” ?
Looks like the GB has a bigger confidence in making pressure on their fellow brothers and sisters, rather than applying the advice they’ve always been giving, letting their problems in the hands of Jehovah, who will provide what they need and bless them … After all, the brothers’ and sisters’ pockets seem to be more “real” for solving these issues.
Wow! That’s a huge change. I can’t imagine how much money they will get in this windfall from seizing the assets from all of the congregations. This seems like a very weird setup. I have to imagine a lot of the friends will have a very hard time with this. More and more it seems like it’s all about the Benjamins!!!
So there are Bethelites who are sufficiently skeptical of the outfit to which they are currently in thrall to leak a damaging letter.
We also read of many who no longer believe the JW nonsense but continue to feign belief in order not to lose family.
Just how many of the 8 million officially active JWs genuinely believe in the whole crazy and cruel JW caboodle?
The “over 13,000 Kingdom Hall projects and 35 Assembly Hall projects are needed worldwide” are probably mostly renovation projects? It does not say that really 13,000 new KHs are needed to be built every year.
About the “Room for maneuver”, does the letter say whether later years’ donations are allowed to be lower than previous monthly repay loan amounts? Can it be read like: the first year it has to be at least monthly loan repayment, but later on it can be lowered if there are insufficient funds available?
WOWWZERS!!!…I literally had to read all this twice ! No lie! Now its getting our hands on that letter ;)
I wish we could find out exactly where the “world wide” funds are going. I read somewhere that in Africa, one magazine went to one congregation a month. And they shared it. That could be a real challenge for some stealthy reporter to tell us (the congregation). If this is true, those evil people that run Watchtower are really scamming 8 million people. The best thing they could do is not give one red penny anymore–I don’t.
So in UK JW,s are under the charity’s commission,so the Surplus Funds i take are not part of the monthly pledge(as its on the pages not to be read out) if this is so and the moneys are to be sent onward to the Governing Body Bank(you no what i mean)with out agreement from the congregation as a body of people who say donated it as in gifts/donations ect..This therefore is in violation of charity commission policy(In UK) and hence illegal or if putting it straight a form laundering!!!!please am i right in saying this..
I’m sure the rank and file witnesses would be surprised to hear that a JW lawyer said the organization was structured just like the Catholic Church.
They are becoming more and more like christendom….
they want money because they NEED money in order to survive. It’s called titheing… who do they think they’re kidding?
Barbara- JWs are part of Christendom. They are also creationists, fundamentalists and part of the world.
The pretence at being separate and somehow ‘other’ is all part of the cult mind control game, at which it seems they are very successful players.
Thing is though even if it is put to the congregation,who is going to say no…for fear of being marked or causing trouble or as it is in a Judicel Brazen Conduct,i mentioned about the GB in control of money in my Judicial last year,and was said its all the above board and scriptural,its ajoke the whole lot of it to the point its so obvious,but many are scared because of the control and fear..
Well if this is the case it will be interesting to see if “brothers” & “sisters” around the world (like in Africa) will be sitting on chairs instead of tree stumps. I recall a talk from a bethelite who did missionary work in Kenya and shared slide strips with the congregation. I was ashamed of who I was sitting on a comfortable chair while they sat there talking about how these brothers and sister were all so dedicated that they would walk hrs and hrs to get to a local meeting place to only sit on a tree stump. DISGUSTING! Now lets see if any of these funds will be making it to these poor ones. This shall be interesting. Slowly but surely the light is shinning brighter and brighter ;) . Thanks for the info (Y)
I asked these questions to a missionary from Africa and I was told that those who walked hours were living off their lands and had no other means of living, so they could not move closer to the hall. As for better looking kingdom halls with real chairs, well, they tried. When they did, the government found some reasons to cease the building and the chairs were stolen by locale people.
We were asked to pledge a monthly amount and put it on paper when I was in Horndean congregation and “encouraged” to pay it by monthly direct debit too.
Every time that I come on this website and there is a new story it’s like a little Golden Nugget!
Cedars, thank you for all the hard work!
You know what the Bible says “There’s more happiness in giving than in receiving”. The Society wants us all to be really happy. They are so thoughtful that way.
You have GOT to be kidding….
Hi Enlightened. Yes, I was trying to be funny. I can’t imagine the Society doing anything nice for nothing.
At least the Catholic Church only passes thr “plate” at its church services, the congregants contribute what they can voluntarily. This new edict by Watchtower is equivalent to tithing by stealth and a total scam on loyal “sheep” who think that their salvation is based on whatever the GB says.
This Orginisation needs to be exposed for their corrupt practices, they are a business masquerading as a religion and need their tax exempt status revoked forthwith!
Cedars – you have hit the proverbial “nail” on the head with a pile driver. This is clearly the first step the Watchtower is taking to establish formal “tithing” without calling it “tithing.” By having the brothers in the congregation provide a “secret dollar amount” on slips of paper, they know that they have forced each family and individual to offer the highest possible amount to keep their standing in the congregation. No one is going to put down “one dollar a month” – everyone will try to show their commitment by offering $25 or $50 or $100 or more. Wealthier families would look stupid offering small amounts that they might slip in the box. I think it is just a matter of time before the Watchtower establishes automatic withdrawals from member bank accounts or will require checks to be written as verification that each individual and family is actually meeting their commitments. I can assure everyone that this is the Watchtower just “dipping their toe in the pool.” You could see this coming when they introduced bank card readers at assemblies. No one would use their bank card to deposit 50 cents or just a dollar – that would be too embarrasing. In fact even ten or twenty dollars might seem tight fisted. I can assure everyone reading the above article that this is just the first step of many to come. The good news to all of this is that this act of the part of thw Watchtower could be another feather on the back of the congregational level “camel.” Eventually that “camel” will refuse to move.
Yep! Tithing, just under another name. What does it really change? In my opinion, this move shows desperation. They are dying slowly. They have “jumped the shark.” Their zenith has been reached, probably in Fred Franz’ day. Nothing left but an inevitable slow decay.
If the sheeple can’t afford to pay their own bills, how will the KH bills be paid?? Are the Elders going to tell JWs to live in multi-family houses next? Are they going to force the JWs to contribute?!?! You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. This move seems extremely reactionary and short-sighted.
I suppose the GB 3.0 who take over after A. Morris is dead will be content with a smaller number of JWs in the future. They claim 8 million now, but how many are really “all in?” How many will stand for this communism? Will the GB be content to rule over a smaller, but more ignorant flock? I think we all know the answer.
I must say I am a little confused about this letter.
Surely most congregations already donate a set amount to the society. I know when I was the accounts servant twenty years ago, the congregation sent a set amount every month. So is this something different?
Also is the amount each person says they will donate anonymous. If so no one else would know if they were not able to donate one month.
Great blog though Cedars with lots of information.
Members typically donate money for two separate funds right? (1) local congregation: mortgage, energy, etc (2) worldwide work. Members can donate money destined for the worldwide work by depositing it in local congregation (box or bank account) and the congregation (ministerial servant) will transfer it to the branch office. Although people can also donate (for the worldwide work) directly to the branch office, AFAIK they usually do it via local congregation. Isn’t this what you mean with “sent a set amount every month”?
There used to be a “Eastern European Kingdom Hall” fund in the past (translated, might not be the UK/english name). Perhaps that is gone, and is replaced with the above letter for a worldwide scope?
Gareth
There is also a third fund I think it’s called the kh building fund. It’s meant to support building in poorer countries. I imagine this is replacing that fund.
George, correct. The boxes for this fund will be removed.
Thanks for the article Cedars. You reported on the point that elders will be asked to do surveys on the publishers. This is a big and dangerous step for WT. JWs will wake up with a big shock when elders are asking for a financial budget from them.
This would be an extreme step if it is in fact going to take place, I would love to see the reactions in the KH. I am sure JWs won’t give up their private budget just like that.
Kate xx
Thanks Kate. I don’t think the elders will be asking about personal finances, just the amount families will be willing to donate per month.
The fact that the letter is FOUR pages long, but only the FIRST page is to be read to the congregation, should be a HUGE cause for alarm to any jehovah’s witness. Especially when the post-script includes explicit instructions to the elders, telling them that pages 2 through 4 are NOT to be shared with the congregation.
“This postscript should not be read to the congregation, and this letter should not be posted on the information board.”
If you are one of jehovah’s witnesses and you donate any of your cash to the watchtower, that sentence should make you VERY nervous. Why the secrecy regarding how YOUR MONEY is to be used? Why can’t the watchtower be transparent?
As a church (and yes, jehovah’s witnesses, your religion is just another church) the watchtower avoids paying taxes, and they also enjoy the benefit of not having to disclose to anyone (their investors aka jw’s, the government, etc.) how they are using YOUR money.
And so you get shenanigans like this letter. One page of rattling the can for donations, and three pages of instructions on how elders can maximize the donations.
Jesus was proud to be poor. He touted the fact that he “had nowhere to lay his head,” and he rode into Jerusalem on an ass. He did not solicit donations, nor did he give his apostles secret instructions on how they can squeeze funds out of other disciples.
If it’s not clear to jw’s, it should be: jw church is a church.
I was always raised saying ‘we don’t pass a money plate’ but now they will have to admit to a fee! A compulsory direct debit. Shameful.
I believe they have done it to a lesser degree a very long time, they have always added a fee to every assembly day bill for decades that was a percentage sent to HQ, now they have made it monthly and per cong.
Russell and Rutherford said the day they ask for money they have lost god’s support.
I want to know what happens if congs say no or don’t pay up. JW’s are officially the poorest and lowest educated religious denomination on the whole world, we are climbing out of a recession.
Sounds like mostly a ‘verbiage’ change for WT. May be imposed by the government? As was in the past literature was placed for a specific amount (5 cents/25 cents etc.) The government stated this couldn’t be done for a ‘specific’ amount, as otherwise would be required to pay tax. Yikes, for WT ‘business!’ So, the WT stressed the words change to ‘more donations required.’ Perhaps the government is questioning the WT business, that it is a charity and charities cannot give ‘LOANS.’ Thus, cannot require specific ‘loan remittance.’ So, the WT knows how to spin this and require congregations to obligate itself to set monthly ‘donations.’ WT can change ‘words’ and still do its criminal/double tongued activity.
So in the future, when a congregation wants to do some renovations, they will be at the mercy of the GB as to wether it is necessary or not ?? I can foresee lots of requests beeing disallowed or at least toned down.
i really do feel sorry for you John , i really do im sorry this is what you have stooped too , return quickly humble yourself before Jehovah God the Almighty ,repent and leave this behind ,if you do you will forever have a friend in me and the Master ,you know my email :) , lee
Thanks Dick, that’s reassuring to know. All I need to is surrender my powers of logic and reason and kneel before my spiritual masters, the Governing Body – the most humble men on Earth and also stars of numerous promotional JW.org videos.
I must forget the fact that the organization protects pedophiles, kills thousands over needless prohibitions on blood transfusions, and tears apart families, including mine, through shunning.
After all, by doing all this I will forever have a friend named Dick Wadd.
Let me sleep on it.
This has to be a malicious rumor! The Jehovah’s Witnesses told me they NEVER solicit donations. Only greedy preachers of false religion do that!
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned (or I’ve missed it along the way due to lack of attention) is one of the big missing pieces in this puzzle. I wonder if the BOE letter addresses this issue:
For the past couple of years the congregations have been sending their excess bank deposits, usually held in local “emergency funds” to the Watchtower HQ. The original idea was that those funds could be used and pooled together to invest in ways that would result in higher returns to the organization. But the proviso was that any time those funds were needed, they would be returned to the local congregation. Elders I have spoken to about this have indicated getting the money back is quite difficult and requires more than just a “we need our money to augment our monthly expenses” request. My guess is that all of those funds will automatically now default to the HQ and local congregations will have to make do. My JW contacts always felt uneasy about that arrangement and figured that someday everything they had deposited with “Watchower Savings and Loan” would eventually be lost. COs and DOs would review their bank accounts and encourage them to basically send everything extra and not even carry a reasonable balance in their local expense accounts. It has been quite evident that the Watchtower has been “milking” their local Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls for every last dime they could get – and now this pops up. This should wake up every local elder and JW family head as to the Watchtower’s true intentions. Nothing has changed since C. T. Russell set his church up to be a publishing corporation. Obviously J. F. Rutherford was able to see the monetary value of keeping the publishing corporation under his dictatorial control. I hope that someday Jehovah’s Witnesses will wake up to the fact that their contributions are not being used to support the worldwide preaching work, but rather to expand and enhance the Watchtower’s investments in real estate and investment portfolios.
Guilt, fear & control again. How embarrassing and guilt ridden could it be for an individual/family to write down what they can afford( especially if they are poor)? Will they feel they are letting God/ the society down if they contribute a small amount?. Will they feel that they are morally obligated each month? Will they feel embarrassed at the amount as they put it in the contribution box? Perhaps the society could produce a report donation card for each publisher. It’s as if they are pushing the arms up people’s backs and I hate that sort of emotional spiritual manipulation. If someone wants to give. . fine, but to ask them under a sort of cloak of anonymity is awful. And no doubt when the congregation adds up the the tally then the society will know what it’s worth. Why don’t you take a census like king David did?
Paranoia runs deep.. But, part of psychological operations is distributing misinformation to determine double agents, turncoats and loyalists. It’s a fascinating war strategy–research it, if you have time.
As Rowland states, these guys (& gals) are coincidental masters of psyops.
Part of the separation process, I examined the psychological aspects of what I had experienced–comparing with aids from Steven Hassan and other psychological studies of phenomenon of group dynamics and psychological of organization behavior–from political alignments to reign through intimidation.
I call it the “red pill” [Matrix]–once you become aware of the impact of the tactics, you have better armament to defend your psyche from being crushed or succumbing to another cult experience.
Watchtower,
Great point. I always thought that new arrangement was weird. That money is def gone now!
Power moves. “This is what the Sovereign Governing Body says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. This will not remain the same. Raise up the low one, and bring low the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin we will make it. And it will not belong to anyone until the one desirable coordinator is come, and we will give it to him.’” [Ezekiel 21: 26, 27–eh, more or less].
But, all part of “right-sizing” moves. But structure-envy and money-grabbing moving toward a mega-Kingdom Hall for regional meet-ups–an archdiocese, of sorts, with residency and libraries for visiting cardinal bishops–er, Bethel rep. So confusing.. by the way, is that a crucifix at the front of that Hall in the picture? [made you look]…
Zero overhead for rent, “piped in” lecturers and guilty donations out the ying-yang, so to speak, plus the monthly “love-offering”.
Archbishop to sell Buckhead mansion – now them’s got the real money game, good ole bro’s..
Of course, a real estate flip for a resort (lodging, amusement & sporting features, golf courses) in Tuxedo Park will probably get them closer to Trillionaire goals.
That is an interesting thought about the distribution of misinformation. I have another interesting psychological thought . .Everything other than what is truthful is bulls***. Apologies if I may of offended you but it saddens me deeply to see genuinely nice people being so manipulated, and when it comes to the real crunch they (GB) really don’t care, our way or the highway even if your right (biblical too). I’m all for belief and for some people that’s all they have. I hate it when they claim to speak for God and see so many supressed people:-(
It’s just a matter of time before they start passing a collection plate. Or maybe it will be a hat. They can’t be any part of the world, you know. :o)
Haha, gary, I like that BS*** I’m stunned.. [gasp! swoon! sniffing smelling salts!]
Another great book of how some leaders rule through tyranny and intimidation is the classic “The Prince” by [no, no, no, not that one of alchemy symbols and music] Machiavelli. The finer point is that fine line between being feared, not hated. The hated leader, or prince, is doomed to be overthrown while the leader that is feared needs only write a “suggestion” to be followed.
Thank you for your hard work Cedars, keep it up!
Thank you John for another great article. We appreciate the time and research you do.
Monopoly cash is the best ever. Are you sure £500 a month? Yeah no problem. In fact I have a couple of hotel’s in Mayfair. “You must be joking?”. . .you started it. I tell you what perhaps I could bring in a bank statement so you can work out what 10% is. Shut the door behind you Watchtower.
Hah!