More downsizing on the way? Multiple sources report bethel letter warning of further cuts

Visitors pose for a selfie at Brooklyn headquarters, but is it all smiles for bethelites?
Visitors pose for a selfie at Brooklyn headquarters, but is it all smiles for bethelites?

Normally I don’t like to report on stories unless I have confirmation in my hand, be it in the form of a printed letter or leaked recording. But three separate sources have contacted me this evening warning of a special letter that was read out at morning worship at branches worldwide.

According to sources, the letter indicates that Watchtower could be bracing itself for further downsizing as bethel families have been warned that cuts are on the way and more branches are expected to close.

According to one source, it has even been suggested that bethelite numbers at remaining branches may be slashed to such a degree that volunteers might need to do their own laundry and prepare their own meals. (Edit: this could more likely refer to far-flung branches.) Assembly halls may also bear the brunt of huge cuts in spending.

Once I hear more I will provide updates. If you are a bethelite reading this article and you are able to supply further information, we would be interested to hear from you via the email address provided on our “contact us” page. Total confidentiality is assured.

If these reports are true, they could lend further credence to the idea that Watchtower is beginning to buckle under its own weight as the internet age continues to wreak havoc on its growth.

 

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Further reading…

140 thoughts on “More downsizing on the way? Multiple sources report bethel letter warning of further cuts

  • September 23, 2015 at 3:07 pm
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    I feel for the volunteers who will literally be thrown out into the streets. Hopefully active witnesses will start recognizing this trend. Now that the publishing Buisness is not profitable all there is for th gb to do is cut costs and sell of lf their expensive real estate.

  • September 23, 2015 at 3:14 pm
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    God gave me a pink slip?

  • September 23, 2015 at 3:16 pm
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    But…but…but…the end is SO close? The second generation in the overlapping are advanced in years (is Mark Sanderson advanced???) so surely MORE branches are needed for the final push…

    Build more brances, print the WT every week, make it 64 pages and everyone must pioneer…whether it appears sound from a human standpoint or not!

    Ok I’ll stop…

    Unless it is all

    • September 23, 2015 at 3:40 pm
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      @dontknow+ This is the period where the stones are expected to cry out.

      I went back to look at the “no frills” layout of KH’s, the cutbacks, the video website, the UN NGO and the reduction in Bethel staffing. Painful for those who were true believers and that Jehovah blessing meant more and more buildings and more and more Bethels, but nope. Seems the young GB v3.0 is trying to veer the bOrg away from its historical path by modernizing, and elimination of the ridiculously costly printing operations. Evangelicals had satellite television channels for years prior to Watchtower, but with internet–relatively low-cost production facilities and no satellite leases or need for a fixed broadcast studio requiring costly maintenance. And, since it is virtually impossible to get a human to do a presentation exactly the way focus groups find it to work best, kiosks and video snippets on YouTube or JW tv match slick-factors with Scientology, Eckankar, local mega-churches and Mormon commercials. “Knocking” the musical headed for Broadway? Hmmm…

      But, no parade through Washington, DC….

  • September 23, 2015 at 3:17 pm
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    Even the official JW figures show almost zero growth. And of those nominal JWs it is clear that many just tag along for fear of losing family and friends.

    And just as car ownership continued to grow during the Great Depression, so, economic downtrun or no, will computer use build in Africa, one of the WT’s few remaining growth areas.

    And a dropout rate of 66% means that the numbers of us ex JWs, active or otherwise will, eventually outnumber those on the roll.

    And the

  • September 23, 2015 at 3:37 pm
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    some what related here . I can report that three weeks ago within my family , the C.O. And his wife were cut as they were packed and ready for their new assignment . No reason given , ( he’s only 49 ) he was told your services are no longer needed end of line . Something’s are definitely going down .

    • September 24, 2015 at 6:34 am
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      What country was this in?

  • September 23, 2015 at 3:43 pm
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    I remember when the Watchtower Society was self-sustaining. We would sell books, booklets, magazines, subscriptions and that will bring good income to them. At the conventions we would provide food and refreshments for a price and with the profit the Society will recover the expenses and more. Society will lend money to the congregations to buy/rebuild Kingdom Halls, etc., and charged the congregation interest on the principal it was borrowed and on and on. When I was in Bethel in the 1960s the so-called Kingdom farms would provide vegetables, fruits, milk, etc. The Bethel home in Brooklyn, N.Y. didn’t air conditioners.
    When Knorr was “overthrown” by the new governing body, they started to get rid of all the above and the contributions by the brothers didn’t keep up with the expenses. In the year 2000 in a visit to Brooklyn I noticed that every single room had an air conditioner unit. Well you don’t have to be a weather man to know which way the wind is blowing. In part I think that the decisions that the power-that-be made in the 1980s on forward, it is now reaping the consequences.

  • September 23, 2015 at 3:58 pm
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    Just imagine, if Watchtower crumbled, families would be reunited, people would survive medically critical situations, Saturday mornings would be stress-free and enjoyable, people would actually take holidays without the guilt of missing meetings, and so on. So much would change for so many if J.W. Org. went down in flames.

    Where this gets interesting is that they may have to mainstream or lose all. ‘Twill be interesting in the years ahead to see what happens.

    • September 23, 2015 at 6:26 pm
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      Unfortunately, the sheeple would just find another cult to get sucked into or rebuild a reformed Watchtower. The change has to come from within, just like it had to be for us to successfully leave. If everyone suddenly woke up to the fact that it is a cult and they were all duped and they just left, THAT would be the end of the Watchtower. The only thing an organizational failure is going to do is set up a new generation of martyrs, like trading the the Taliban for ISIS….

  • September 23, 2015 at 4:10 pm
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    Interesting if true, I’ll see if I can tap some acquaintances there and see what they say. I’ve heard one confirmation already from the mother of a bethelite, sounds probable.

  • September 23, 2015 at 4:16 pm
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    imagine if the got rid of their shunning rule, there would hardly be any JW left.

    one can only hope this is the beginning of the end for the WT.

    • September 24, 2015 at 12:44 am
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      Too right Kat….I would leave right now and Im beginning to feel many would do the same…. that is why they wont change it…and it would be too late for some…the cult rule of shunning is evil….interestingly those crazy Scientologists do the same…its called disconnecting with them…and it is something they are under attack for.

  • September 23, 2015 at 4:17 pm
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    Trey Bundey might be interested in this.

  • September 23, 2015 at 4:21 pm
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    Forget the youngsters, I’d love to see the old timers get tossed out of the Bethels! Those are the idiots who have kept this crazy outfit running and they deserve what they are going to get! (Do I sound bitter?)
    A lot of those slackers have expected to be taken care of in their old age and it would serve them right for trying to fool the people in the congregations for so long.

    • September 23, 2015 at 4:39 pm
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      @JJ . NOT BITTER Just VERY HURT like we ALL Are who Have Exhausted Ourselves SLAVING for the 7 MAGNIFICENT?? PYGMIES of PATTERSON (Goes Better than BROOKLYN) We All UNDERSTAND JJ .

    • September 23, 2015 at 4:57 pm
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      Hey JJ, I just wanted to mention that my comment down right below yours wasn’t an answer to your comment. I started mine 20 minutes before I finally hit the Post button. I’m a slow writer, lol. Anyway, I’m sure there are some over-privileged Bethelites who have it coming. In my comment, I just meant that I have some sympathy for the hapless well-intentioned bro’s and sis’s who may have some hard times coming. But if it gets them questioning the Org, then bring on the pain.

      • September 23, 2015 at 7:52 pm
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        No problem J.B., and thanks for the apology. I understand your sentiments and I agree with you.
        I’m just thinking of the crotchety old guys that are in the Bethels that WANTED this to be true just so that they would have some power and not have to go out and do any real work. Those are the guys that should suffer. Not the poor people who were deceived into thinking this was the way to spend your time and energy to make a difference in the world (like I did)

    • September 24, 2015 at 6:35 am
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      it sounds good to see the start of the end of watchtower, a religion with bad doctrines when compared to Christendom if one should go with the Bible.

  • September 23, 2015 at 4:38 pm
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    I don’t wish suffering on the Bethelites, but on the other hand, if this thing gets handled ugly, maybe it will have a ripple effect in which JW friends and JW families of those Bethelites (not to mention the Bethelites themselves) are mortified to the point of seeing how heartless and flawed the Org is, and that it seems to be failing. Although, the GB spin doctors will obviously be in full force trying to make these changes look like a good thing. Anyway, may we all see it significantly crumble one day.

    • September 23, 2015 at 5:17 pm
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      I don’t like to see people suffer either like those at bethel or even co’s etc but there are a lot of hanger-inners that we don’t know of on the sidelines that benefit from the gravy train. It would be good to see them kicked to the curb more so. Especially those silly jw.org trinket businesses. I would love to see them grind to a halt with the r&f spending less on the cult.

    • September 23, 2015 at 5:19 pm
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      Come on, they have million and millions of dollars.

      Finance should not be the problem.

      • September 23, 2015 at 6:31 pm
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        Billions. That’s why I say, may we see it “significantly crumble”. I suspect they have enough money to “exist” for a LONG time, even with the looming sex abuse cases. I think they are panicking in light of waning membership growth and so many members slipping out the back door. I think an instinctive interest in self-preservation is driving all of these sweeping finance-related changes. But the changes will be made, and they’ll still have a fortune. Just my opinion.

        So I’m hoping that the crumbling will come due to a much larger part of the membership looking at all of the bizarre changes happening around them and realizing that they’re in a failing cult, led by wretched, delusional fools.

        And on top of all of that, with the internet making so much real truth available regarding this cult, all bets are off.

  • September 23, 2015 at 4:48 pm
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    Wow! They are really bracing themselves, I bet. The update on the ARC website mentions an average payout of $65k AUD per victim. The starting sum will be $10k to $200k.

    http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3341681/child-sex-abuse-inquiry-hears-4000th-testimony/

    In the article it seems to suggest that there are 137 allegations against Jehovahs Witnesses with 1500 people waiting to be heard. (I’m not saying that all 1500 are JW’s though).

    I’m not good with sums but if you times 137 x $10k, you get $1.3million minimum payout.

    Pickled Brain, I need your pickled brain to correct me if I’m wrong.

  • September 23, 2015 at 5:26 pm
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    can a registered religious charity claim bankrupt.

  • September 23, 2015 at 6:49 pm
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    If Bethelites get their walking papers and now are out in the real world to make a living like the rest of us, I’m sure there will be many waking up and some of those will join us and some of those might have very precious insider information that they would share, not unlike Raymond Franz. This whole downsizing and financial difficulties reminds me of that card game solitaire. Just when you think it’s going no where you flip a card that allows you to flip 2 more that leads to 4 and 8 …. And the whole thing takes off. I think we are living in very exciting times. …and I wonder about all of you.
    Who would you be willing to forgive for shunning you and who not ? Who would you take back as friends and family, and who not ?
    It might be a decision we will be making in the not so distant future.

    • September 23, 2015 at 7:48 pm
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      Good points Garrett. If the right people get ‘let go’ from Bethel, or other, “higher forms” of service, it just might waken some of them up. Hopefully a lawyer or someone who knows the finances. Then some real juicy information could come out of this!

      I think when this is all said and done, you would have to forgive almost anyone who was also mind-trapped in the JW Org. I would hope that anyone would forgive me. I’m not talking about some pedophile or other criminal, just someone who was deluded into believing that their mean actions were what God wanted.

  • September 23, 2015 at 7:25 pm
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    The downsizing has been going on for years into this decade while at the same time there are grandiose building schemes going on . In regards to Clemente’ s comment I too remember the organization as self sustaining , since leaving in 1989 , the rapid changes started when the GB replaced Watchtower President Don Adams , unlike the ” overthrow” of Knorr , the changes were vary subtle and hardly noticed . More of the changes started in the 2000s with the decline of printed literature , and congregations were facing numerous financial issues . Which at great length Watchtower headquarters began confiscating And selling Kingdom Halls , my old Kingdom Hall was sold in 2007 and converted into a pentacostal church with a cross out side of it . I’m convinced that the JWs are in decline , there many causes besides the Internet and the news of child molestation . However I think changes are coming , perhaps real reform which will oust the whole GB .

    • September 23, 2015 at 11:32 pm
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      @Ken . YOU ARE RIGHT! We Definitely Will see ACCELERATED DECLINE as the NEWS of the CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATION CASES INCREASE Especially here in the U.K. ! BAD PUBLICITY which is Now FOREVER at the CLICK of a Button Unlike years ago when a Newspaper item could be Thrown Away & Forgotten About! NOT NOW … Negative Publicity can be REPLAYED TIME & TIME AGAIN & ANALYSED in DEPTH!!

  • September 23, 2015 at 7:34 pm
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    Next they’ll have the Bethelites wiping their old butts. “What a priviledge, brother Needsit!” LOL

    They are great at downsizing the self-esteem of even humble people as long as they can boost their own image.

    • September 25, 2015 at 1:45 pm
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      Randy Watters, I just had to say thank you for your voice that was crying out in the Wilderness for me. Your site ‘Watchtower News’ was so enlightening. Many thanks. You helped me leave.

  • September 23, 2015 at 8:00 pm
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    I wonder how the org will handle things as their situation gets more dire. You would hope that they would try becoming more liberal, as many religions have. Unfortunately, their track records leads us to believe they will get even more intense with their control and manipulation. Will they ever go full cult? Right now they still do a good job walking that grey line between cult and religion, where they clearly have cult like practices, but don’t necessarily meet most people’s definition of a cult. As things get more difficult though, I can see them tightening the reins on their members, and uping the ante on the whole “the end is so close, you need us now more than ever” schtick.

  • September 23, 2015 at 8:20 pm
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    It really isn’t shocking that the Society is telling their free labor “salespersons known as Witnesses”, that there will be cutbacks. They still haven’t told the flock that they have to pay a lot of money for the people that were affected so negatively by their decision to not report pedophiles to the law. When people inside truly realize the scope of how this organization has destroyed lives, they will have no choice but to get out of Babylon the Great (pun because of their membership from 1991 to 2001).

    • September 23, 2015 at 11:07 pm
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      @Michelle . EXACTLY RIGHT are all your comments.Geoffrey Jackson said at when interviewed by ANGUS STEWART at the A.R.C. The GB might consider paying into a Fund to compensate the JW Victims of CHILD ABUSE by ELDERS & Others within the Organisation. So SAY PANORAMA is Right & there are over 23,000 CHILD ABUSERS on a DATABASE in BROOKLYN & the WATCHTOWER pays a MINIMUM of £100,000 each that is £2,300,000,000 at A Minimum maybe more ! That is £2 BILLION & Three Hundred Million Pounds!! THIS WOULD REALLY DAMAGE WATCHTOWER!!! AHhhhh My HEART BLEEDS For THEM???

      • September 25, 2015 at 4:15 am
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        But, Pickled Brain, the GB allegedly had that database shredded. So the victims would have to come forward. Let’s hope they do. The list was actually for the English speaking world. Hopefully, in all those countries like Australia, the database has been kept intact.

  • September 23, 2015 at 8:33 pm
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    It’s all doom and gloom, everything comes out from the Watchtower is all negative according to your website. All your contents is sensationalize at its best and beat up, like a spoiled child who didn’t get what they wanted.

    • September 23, 2015 at 10:28 pm
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      Well, I partly agree with you, Aaron. I didn’t get what I wanted.

      I wanted to not spend my childhood terrified of demons.

      I wanted to not think I had hurt God and set myself up for destruction, many years ago, when I would make the mistakes that teenagers make.

      I wanted to not think that people would die, leaving me bloodguilty, if I didn’t overcome my dread of talking to strangers about how wrong their beliefs were.

      I wanted to not frequently be in anguish, convinced that all of my non-JW family members were going to die very soon in a violent apocalypse.

      I wanted to not see two of my dearest friends utterly devastated when their son committed suicide after being disfellowshipped because of not being able to conquer a drug addiction.

      I wanted the doctor to not tell me my mother needed blood, when she had already told him she wouldn’t accept a transfusion, before she had gone unconscious.

      I wanted the “Truth” to be true, but it wasn’t. It isn’t.

      You might be real, or just a troll. Either way, move on. But if the same kind of pain many of us are carrying one day befalls you, come back. We’ll be here for you. And at that time you’ll understand what this place is, and why it should be respected.

      • September 24, 2015 at 12:35 am
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        Beautifully put JB….for all of us who have lived in fear and rejected the full potential of our lives because of it…. thank you.

        • September 24, 2015 at 5:31 pm
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          I’m just glad to have found you folks, Idontknowwhattodo.

      • September 25, 2015 at 4:26 am
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        What is wrong with some people? Of course it’s doom and gloom. That is what the Watchtower thrives on. Yes, just as JB Reezner put it, we wanted it to be true, but it wasn’t. If someone is lying to you then everything they say to you is wrong. They cannot be trusted. They caused us so much pain and stress in our lives that we never wanted. Sorry, Aaron but there’s nothing good to say about them at all.

    • September 23, 2015 at 11:00 pm
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      Oh! A hater!!

    • September 23, 2015 at 11:17 pm
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      @Aaron . NOW BE A GOOD LITTLE Aaron (Moses Mouthpiece) and READ VERY CLOSELY P.B.Reezners comments to you !! That is a SIGN (Watchtower People Love SIGNS) of a VERY INTELLIGENT PERSON who has seen through the CHARADES of these 7 COWBOYS (American Terminology here) in Brooklyn.
      NOW Aaron you COMPLAIN about ‘DOOM & GLOOM ‘ on this Website….. Errrr … WHAT ABOUT ‘Doom&Gloom’ for over 7 BILLION MEN , WOMEN & YOUNG CHILDREN who aren’t JEHOVAHS WITNESSES come ARMAGEDDON??? .. A BIT FLIPPING RICH Coming from A SUPPORTER of the 7 PYGMIES of BROOKLYN!!!!

      • September 24, 2015 at 5:41 pm
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        PB, you should have your own Twitter thing where you could send out “Daily Pickled Brain-tweets”. I would be the FIRST to subscribe to it, my friend.

    • September 24, 2015 at 12:09 am
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      Welcome Aaron! I’ve got exactly what I wanted – freedom from a cult. I hope one day you have the same.

      • September 24, 2015 at 1:45 am
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        @ Cedars. I must admit, I have not been actively or officially involve with the Society for over the past 10 years or so. My interests in the WT is still there. Growing up in the Truth, I always hate getting up early on my Saturday morning and going from DTD. I have not had the bad or traumatic experiences like others here, so I can’t not comments on that. My drifting away was painless. My parents are still active in the Truth and happy with life. My sister and her husband are both Bethelites and very happy with life. As for me, I won’t be welcomed back to the cong anytime soon. I am happy with my life. I do enjoy reading your sensationalized and beat up pieces on the WT. It’s OK to see things from different prospective.

        • September 24, 2015 at 1:50 am
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          Aaron – it’s either true, or it isn’t. If it’s true then let’s see some evidence. And I’ve been more than fair by offering to take down this website if evidence is forthcoming. If there is no evidence, then it’s no more credible than any other religion, and is hurting and even killing people needlessly. I don’t mind you sitting on the fence through fear, but don’t expect a pat on the back for evangelizing your cowardly passivity.

          • September 24, 2015 at 10:56 pm
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            Wow, very uncalled for. Unprofessional.

  • September 23, 2015 at 9:04 pm
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    I wonder how many times Matthew 22:14 will be quoted in the kingdumb hall in the following weeks. They will have a spin for this, they always do, but those on the outside know exactly what’s going on, and I for one, LOVE IT!

  • September 23, 2015 at 9:21 pm
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    First of all, I am in process of fading. Have not been to a meeting in 2 months. But with summer vacations and conventions, my absence hasn’t been noticed enough for a “call”. But more to the point of this discussion, heard from two sources in my former circuit that we have no new Circuit Overseer appointed. They have a back up, used for times when in the past too many congregations to visit. He is now assigned to ones that I am still in touch with for the next visit.
    This is a very odd turn of events, and your post gives me great insight on probable cause. I still have my sources, and will post any updates I recieve.

  • September 23, 2015 at 10:06 pm
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    Confirmed it with my son who works at Wallkill in laundry. They are cutting the help departments of laundry and kitchen…

  • September 23, 2015 at 11:12 pm
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    Those Watchtower branch office workers who get fired can reap “joy and blessings beyond measure” now that they are able to preach Watchtower doctrine full time.

    Branch Offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses Consolidated.

    1. Technology has simplified the work: In recent years, improvements in communications and printing technology have reduced the need for personnel in some branches. When the branch offices closed in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, approximately 95 who were not reassigned took up the full-time preaching ministry.

    2. Workers are available to spend more time preaching. After being terminated, a Witness in Africa, who was reassigned to the preaching activity, wrote: “Adjusting my lifestyle to suit the new circumstances was a challenge during the first few months. However, being in the ministry daily has brought me joy and blessings beyond measure.”

    So there you go. The throwaway workers who did menial jobs for the Watchtower branch offices can now do menial jobs on the outside to support their full time Watchtower preaching activity.

    http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/bethel/jehovahs-witnesses-office-consolidation

  • September 23, 2015 at 11:33 pm
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    Check out this interactive map which shows the Watchtower’s multi-billion dollar, worldwide corporate empire.

    You can click on the various dots on the map and a description of the asset will appear with a picture on the left. The size of the map can be adjusted to zoom in on areas where Watchtower investment properties are heavily concentrated.

    For example, clicking on the red dot over Cuba reveals: “Branch office consolidated. The preaching work of Cuba is now supervised by the United States Branch Office of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The red dots indicate consolidated (closed) branch offices.

    Or clicking on the yellow dot in Brewster, New York reveals: “Audio/Video Production Office and warehouse complex. This industrial property sits on 11.42 acres of land and features warehouse space and adjoining offices.” A couple of pictures illustrate this lavish facility.

    https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zLkKdokDnwBI.kecrK4Vv3voU

    • September 24, 2015 at 1:07 pm
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      Wow, fascinating, ScotWm. Well that certainly helps to put it into perspective. And imagine what that map would look like if there were also dots for every Kingdom Hall out there that can be sold anytime they want to. Thanks for this.

  • September 24, 2015 at 12:50 am
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    Too right Kat….I would leave right now and Im beginning to feel many would do the same…. that is why they wont change it…and it would be too late for some…the cult rule of shunning is evil….interestingly those crazy Scientologists do the same…its called disconnecting with them…and it is something they are under attack for.

  • September 24, 2015 at 12:53 am
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    Things must be bad, it’s not like they are paying anyone for their services, they are volenteers. Either that or they’ve spotted a problem and are ready for a radical overhaul. Either which way though a governing body member (with the whole body’s approval) has admitted they are short of cash . . Interesting indeed.

  • September 24, 2015 at 5:05 am
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    I must say I have seen this coming.It must cost a fortune in donation money to keep those theocratic hotels running. And what an unnatural existence for the ones who live there. I think they will eventually reduce the number of branches to a select few and the bethelite populations to a skeleton staff. And not before time the whole bethel arrangement is now unnecessary and unsustainable.

  • September 24, 2015 at 5:22 am
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    Excellent article Cedars……..My first post:
    Borg UK accounts are interesting

    There are two key charities in the UK for the Borg. WTBTS of Britain and International Bible Students Asc. The links for the audited accounts of the WTBTS from the Charity Commission UK website are shown below. Their 2015 Accounts are about to be published, however what’s interesting is the extracts below from 2013/2014. Sorry if copy/paste doesn’t line up properly

    You can get DFd for buying lottery tickets, but it’s OK for the Borg to gamble donated money

    In 2013 they were happy that their flutter worked (Merrill Lynch, I think)

    In 2014 they gambled on currency and lost.

    Also, they had 8 months expenditure reserves in 2013, but in 2014 it was 6 months.

    Furthermore, in 2014 accounts, litigation is shown as a risk. I wonder why? They are also seeking to relocate to save funds.

    2013 Accounts http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends61/0001077961_AC_20130831_E_C.pdf

    Report of the Trustees

    for the Year Ended 31st August 2013

    FINANCIAL REVIEW

    Investment policy and objectives

    The memorandum and articles give power to invest funds in any lawful manner having full regard to the suitability of

    the investments, the need for diversification, and to be a socially responsible investor having due consideration to the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The objective is to preserve capital and achieve a real return of 4% plus inflation. The portfolio had a positive performance on August 31, 2013 of 4.6%. Given the objective, and because of the necessity to retain a conservative investment strategy we are happy to have achieved a real return above the inflation benchmark of
    3.1%. To reduce risk the portfolio was diversified by currency and asset class. The trustees continue to see the wisdom in holding to the current strategy favouring portfolio diversification both by asset class and currency exposure, having adequate liquidity and investment quality.

    FINANCIAL REVIEW

    Reserves policy

    Although the charity has a consistent income base, the trustees have arranged to work closely with a similar charity overseas. This arrangement continues to work well. At the year-end, free reserves stood at £21,471,000 which represented 8 months of expenditure (2012: £17,056,000 and 5 months). The trustees feel that such a policy makes best use of the charity’s income, and are confident that it in no way adversely affects the charity’s ability to both sustain and
    increase its activity.

    2014 Accounts http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends61/0001077961_AC_20140831_E_C.pdf

    for the Year Ended 31st August 2014 STRATEGIC REPORT

    Financial review Investment policy and objectives

    The memorandum and articles give power to invest funds in any lawful manner having full regard to the suitability of the investments, the need for diversification, and to be a socially responsible investor having due consideration to the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The objective is to balance the following issues: Preserve the purchasing power, provide adequate liquidity and provide consistent long-term returns. Over the fiscal period, the Portfolio remained diversified by currency, overweighting the US dollar and due to the charity re-location project, holding mainly highly liquid assets. During the period, the value of sterling improved verses other currencies the portfolio holds. This is reflected in the value of the Fund decreasing by 4.5%, in sterling terms, primarily due to currency effects. It is anticipated that sterling will weaken against the US dollar reversing the loss in the following quarters. The trustees continue to see the wisdom in holding to the current strategy favouring portfolio diversification both by asset class and currency exposure, having adequate liquidity in investment quality.

    Principal risks and uncertainties

    The principal risks and uncertainties facing the charity are: Litigation; Failure to comply with legal requirements on health and safety, fire, environment, waste; Disaster in Kingdom Hall construction or maintenance. Statutory inquiry The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry.

    Plans for future periods

    The charity is actively seeking to relocate its facilities in order to save funds.

    Financial review
    Reserves policy

    Although the charity has a consistent income base, the trustees have arranged to work closely with a similar charity overseas. This arrangement continues to work well. At the year-end, free reserves stood at £24,179,000 which represented 6 months of expenditure (2013: £21,471,000 and 8 months). The trustees feel that such a policy is prudent in the current financial climate and makes best use of the charity’s income, and are confident that it in no way adversely affects the charity’s ability to both sustain and increase its activity

    • September 24, 2015 at 12:14 pm
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      GOOD GOD! man you know your stuff this is amazing thanks so much for the info ruthlee

  • September 24, 2015 at 5:26 am
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    This comment is still waiting moderation. I believe it is on topic and not overly controversial. Was this just an oversight?

  • September 24, 2015 at 6:12 am
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    Wt must be getting less donations. Then there is the balance of funds. The higher up the hierarchy you get the more funds are spent.

    Some pigs are more equal than others

    Kate xx

  • September 24, 2015 at 6:17 am
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    @J.B. Reezner,

    So well said! Some of your words echo those of one of my awakened children. He wanted the truth to be the truth, but it wasn’t. He has moved on and has a very happy life in spite of all our ” good intentions”. Still waiting on our other children. Which is why I tread cautiously. A high price is already being paid and as parents we’re trying not to make it worse. Your comments are filled with honesty and humor and are so good to read.

    Now moving on to someone else’s comment about downsizing yet building more and more. Free labor to build a real estate empire is kinda how I see it.

    • October 2, 2015 at 8:12 pm
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      Thank you so much for your kind words, eyes opened. Sorry for this very delayed reply. I hope you find your way back here for this apology. I’ve missed some comments along the way. Blame it on my little pea brain. :)

      I’m very happy to hear that your son found freedom and happiness. I certainly do wish that for your remaining children, and for YOU!

  • September 24, 2015 at 6:50 am
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    For whatever it’s worth, a source on another ex-JW website reported of an announcement at the Bethel Morning Worship this morning that up to 1600 Bethelites will be let go when the move to Warwick is made, and that Kingdom Hall projects are to be put on hold for at least another year, ostensibly “to focus on the preaching work,” whatever that means.

  • September 24, 2015 at 6:52 am
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    For whatever it’s worth, a source on another ex-JW website reported of an announcement at the Bethel Morning Worship this morning that up to 1600 Bethelites will be let go when the move to Warwick is made, and that Kingdom Hall projects are to be put on hold for at least another year, ostensibly “to focus on the preaching work,” whatever that means. … credible, but the figure seems quite high.

  • September 24, 2015 at 7:34 am
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    Aaron,
    I don’t understand the motivation for your slurs against Cedars
    and the info published on this site. You say your interests in the
    WT are still there. But you don’t want the physical effort that’s
    required, you prefer to lie-abed on Saturday mornings,
    ( At least we’re on common ground there Aaron.)

    I wonder if this isn’t a bit of conscience salving, a way of keeping
    a toe hold, just in case you need to get back sometime .

    You say you grew up in the religion, ( sorry, I recoil from using the
    word truth). Then I’m glad you were not among those pictured
    In that disgusting 1994 Awake article, “Youths who put God First”
    UGH.

    So exposing tragedies like that is sensational and beat up is it?
    Aw, go get back in bed.

  • September 24, 2015 at 8:23 am
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    … just noticed on the Italian ex-JW website Geova.org that they’ve gotten word of the downsizing. “1600 “licenziati” (fired) and not reassigned; and of a letter which speaks openly of global “downsizing”… again for what it’s worth.

  • September 24, 2015 at 8:23 am
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    … just noticed on the Italian ex-JW website Geova.org that they’ve gotten word of the downsizing. “1600 “licenziati” (fired) and not reassigned; and of a letter which speaks openly of global “downsizing”… again for what it’s worth.

  • September 24, 2015 at 8:24 am
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    Does anyone know if the RTO (regional translation office) model that they are switching to includes a residence? I get the impression from the videos that these poor 3rd world Witnesses aren’t given room and board for their services. Probably working 18 hour days and then back to some tin roofed, dirt floored shack. This is pure speculation on my part. What isn’t speculation that I have seen played out repeatedly is, when the GB visit they stay with the local congregation business tycoon, of course. Every congregation has one, and despite their lacklustre service record, and questionable business practices, manage to employ a large portion of the congregation and, always have an extra plush room ready and waiting for any travelling C.O., bethelite etc.

  • September 24, 2015 at 8:24 am
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    The Governing Body wants money, not spend money on workers who are not revalued with the passage of time … but with the real estate, hedge funds, venture capital and covered bonds … heaven can wait…

Comments are closed.