Above video: JWs in Manchester city centre during District Convention dinner break.
Wednesday 13 June 2007
Should Christian Groups Evangelise Outside JW Conventions?
Jehovah's Witness District Conventions - Is it right for Christian groups to take this opportunity to stand outside these events and witness to the witnesses? They come to the doors of Christians trying to win them over out of thier churches and into the Watchtower religion. Shouldn't Christians, therefore, take this opportunity to go to where many JWs congregate to win them out of the Watchtower and into Christ? Is it a waste of time? Does it bear fruit? How do you witness to someone who thinks you are already "an agent of of Satan"?
Above video: JWs in Manchester city centre during District Convention dinner break.
Above video: JWs in Manchester city centre during District Convention dinner break.
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8 comments:
I don't think it's the right place, but it's the right time. It's not beneficial to evangelize outside their convention center since JW's are under peer pressure not to be seen in those circumstances.
Other places when they aren't under surveillance from their fellow believers, it's easier to establish a conversation. It's best to witness to them Christ instead of an unabashedly anti-Watchtower message from christians who aren't known to be former JW's.
Went to the Manchester MEN arena on the Saturday just gone (07/07/07!)
One of the team (there were 6 of us in all) was soon spotted outside by the stewards who were then keen on ushering people away from him. There were a huge number of stewards in bright green florescent coats. This didn't bother us too much anyway as we had already determined that we would go into the city centre were we could easily spot the witnesses as they went off for their fairly long dinner break.
Many tracts handed out exposing the false prophecies/changes in literature of the WT, another showing the need of being born again and how this is for all people, the name of Jesus and it's prominence in the NT, one on blood, and others too.
There were various reactions to our efforts:
A fair few of the witnesses were quite rude, curling their lips up and looking at our tracts as though we had approached them with a handful of dog poop! But others were polite, refused, and went on their way. Some tracts were discarded on the floor which surprised me as Watchtower magazines often boast about how clean the areas are left by the Witnesses after a convention.
Many tracts were just taken and received with thanks. I personally found a very good spot in the heart of the town centre and gave out a good number which was very satisfying. Some of the other team members said they didn't have a great deal of success giving out a lot of tracts but did have some good conversations:
One of the team has actually got a couple of contacts. A young couple who seem to be interested in knowing more and discussing the literature. They even phoned her while we were on our way back!
One of the team had a very argumentative witness who spoke with her for about 30 minutes.
Another team member had some good conversations, one of which was also for around half an hour. Don't know much about the other conversations he had yet as he had told us in advance that after the main dinner time outreach he would have to leave to go on to somewhere else.
I managed to have a short, but worth while, conversation with a witness of 30 years in the religion and was able to show him the Millions Now Living Will Never Die booklet with the false dates for 1925 and pointed out how the booklet said that it was the "Scriptures" which said these things, hence putting false dates in God's Word and hence God's mouth! Also talked about the 1914 generation being dropped because the WT knew they were all dying off.
Also talked with a lady who was smoking outside the convention. Talked to her and she said she wasn't baptised yet. Even so, was still a little reluctant to take my literature, but did so in the end and promised to read it. Was able to talk to her about a relationship with Christ.
Just need to hope and pray that those who kept the literature will contact us now or at least be thinking about the material they have read.
Despite the encouraging incidents it is nevertheless frustrating that the vast majority of the witnesses were so closed minded. Even so, we all felt that this would happen to the larger extent but still felt that something was needed to be done locally in an attempt to reach them.
All in all, hard work, frustrating, got rejected and sneered at a lot, but well worth doing for the positive encounters had. Was also good to have got together with some others who share an interest in this ministry.
Do you know why it is so difficult to evangelise to a JW? Because the JW take their time to make someone belive in their doctrine. They are so good in their explanations and they try to convince someone from the bible.
The best way to have a meaningful conversation with JW is to allow them into your home when they are on their door-to-door ministry. If you want to start a conversation in the road or anywhere not at home be sure to use the bible for your facts more that a printed tract because they convince people from the whole-bible context more than just a single scripture context.
So next time JW knock on your door welcome them in and you will be surprised on how they deffend their belief from the bible.
Hi Darel,
That sounds great!
Problem is for me though, when you start showing them that the Scriptures that they use can be understood in a different way, many harden their hearts and won't listen. The truth is many are not open minded to a view other than that of their own organisation. Sometimes, one needs to also show them that the 'source' of their bible interpretation is in error as well I have found.
God will be glorified! :)
The key to understanding what makes Jehovah's Witnesses tick is to understand the illusionary concept that holds them captive by controlling how they think and act without them realizing it.
This concept gradually develops during the course of the Watchtower Society's "Free Bible Study" program, which eventually takes over their decision-making process.
The new book Captives of a Concept - Anatomy of an Illusion explains where this concept comes from and how it works as well as offering some suggestions that may help some Witnesses who are ready to face the truth about their religion come to realize what has happened to them.
www.CaptivesOfaConcept.com
Don Cameron at DonCamryn@gmail.com
Dear Don Cameron, the free Bible study program does not take over anyone's decision-making. God gave everyone free will. We do not use witch craft. I don't know why you think that way.
Regards, Shelumiel.
Jehovah's Witnesses are the only Christians who truly understand the Bible or even bother to read it on a regular basis. That is why so few non believers have success in witnessing to us.
Have a nice day!
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