I realize that there was an incredible delay in this blog, some of it to do with the fact that I really didn't really know what to think about it let alone write about it, and mostly because life outside the blog has been chaotic; lots of stuff going on in the world of Austin lately...
on top of that, the draft didn't save the first time so I am having to rewrite a lot of this stuff and there was so so much to cover. Quite frustrating... so I am going to make this a short one because I don't feel like rewriting three pages of material.I did not break this blog into categories as I have in previous blogs. So I will highlight the service and
On this particular week, Chad and I decided to visit a weekday session with the Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) so that we could double up and visit another church the following Sunday.
I will also provide a little more background on the JWs making this a little more generalized entry, for more information on the JWs you can check out their website.
Ok, down to business. There were a few things that were a bit "off" about this visit. First, they started the evening service at 7:00 pm (according to the website) when we were told it was at 7:30 pm. The sign on the door even said so.Because this was not a "normal" service they were holding and also because Chad and I were not able to see the whole thing (missed maybe 30 minutes), we will have to give this church a do over.
We showed up in the middle of a Bible study which then went right into the sermon. They read from their own published materials so that was something you would have had to have brought yourself. Chad and I didn't have them but a lady down the row loaned us a spare copy. Hymns were short (which was nice because the music was terrible) and very very simple, they sounded like they were being played by a child at a piano recital. JWs only sing hymns written by other JWs. The first that was played was called "Stay Awake, Stand Firm, Grow Mighty" and it went like this:
They publish a most of their own material and they are responsible for the New World Translation of the bible, that is a version translated into modern day English so it is easier to read, however the translators and their credentials are kept anonymous. JWs will profess that they are the only true christian religion and that all others are an affront to god. Everything they read and do is done internally and they are discouraged from reading or watching media about JWs that was not written by JWs. In this regard members are very sheltered from outside sources and are warned against them. In fact, questioning church authority, associating yourself with apostates, and even not reporting other members who may be "straying from the truth" to the elders is cause for disfellowship and subsequent shunning. The experience wasn't too bad, I actually enjoyed my self, the hour and a half we were there went by so quickly I didn't even notice. They are an "end times" or "apocalyptic" branch of Christianity and believe that the world could end at any second so in the sermon there was a lot of talk about staying on the right path and endure to the end (Endure to the end was also the name of the second and last hymn that I heard). The message was about never under any circumstances giving up on your faith. There was a funny story the speaker shared where he was a pioneer (doing door to door proselytizing; some might call it a missionary) handing out tracks (religious pamphlets) and was with an older "sister" who was something like 92 years old and was still actively pioneering. This was an example of the kind of commitment that should be devoted to Jehovah, there is no spiritual retirement. He said that he asked the woman how she was able to do it her response, "If I keep moving they can't bury me!" I have to say that made me chuckle, I like that attitude, absolutely!"1. Stay awake, stand firm, grow mighty,Be determined to endure.Carry on as men of courage,For the victory is sure.We obey Christ Jesus’ clear command,Under him we firmly take our stand.(CHORUS)Stay awake, stand firm, and grow mighty!Carry on right to the end!2. Stay awake, and keep your senses,Always ready to obey.Stay alert to Christ’s directionThrough his faithful slave today.Heed the counsel of the older men,Who protect his sheep and truth defend.(CHORUS)Stay awake, stand firm, and grow mighty!Carry on right to the end!3. Stay awake, remain unitedAs the good news we defend.Though our enemies will fight it,We will preach until the end.Join the shout of praise throughout the land.Look! Jehovah’s day is soon at hand!(CHORUS)Stay awake, stand firm, and grow mighty!Carry on right to the end!"
We felt like we were being sized up from the moment we walked in. All the members knew and called each other by name and referring to each other as "brother" and "sister", suggesting that this was a very tight-knit community. We as outsiders were spotted immediately. The way they interacted, reminded me of my years in the LDS church where male and female members were also called "brother" and "sister".
The take home message from this sermon was that "god will never give you more than you can handle, endure to the end". They used a story about some of the hardships that JW members had gone through in the past and during the holocaust (yes they were sent to concentration camps because they were seen as enemies of the state because their faith forbids them from serving in the military or swearing allegiance to any country because that shows favoritism and deals in "earthly ways and leads you astray"). The sermon was about unquestioning obedience as a virtue and personally I think that is a poor message, however I liked the part about never giving up when times are tough. It is so easy to smile when life goes your way, but when life throws challenges at you, it is harder to stay upbeat. This was a positive message I can support, but much of the rest of it leaves me with concern.
Now then, about the title, the part mentioning we were not supposed to be there. Today a man holding the title of circuit overseer was in the audience today, in fact he was in the seat directly in front of me. The circuit overseer is a high ranking official in the church that goes around to assigned congregations to check up on its membership and make house visits if necessary. They are appointed by the Watchtower Society, which is like the governing body of the church and manages all their publications. They also put out the JW magazine called "The Watchtower" which is released monthly and provides latest information on the church and conditions of the world. That day was a very important day for this congregation because the circuit overseer was making his rounds, so I got to see them at their best! The CO can also check if people are filling their quotas on door-to-door hours as pioneers. The church is very involved with the lives of the members and that concerns me greatly. On days where the circuit overseer visits, I don't think outsiders are allowed to sit in, at least not without a sort of invitation or sponsorship from another member. Technically I was invited by the lovely two women that visited me at my home the week or two before, but I wasn't with them and I didn't bring the written invitation. Chad and I definitely got the impression that we weren't supposed to be there, who knows maybe we weren't and nobody said anything because they didn't want to cause a scene in front of the CO, who knows, I might be wrong, but people were very suspicious of us.
The sermon continued talking about how to be good pioneers. To engage people cheerfully and to always keep your composure and try to seem interested in the person you are talking to. He gave little tips and helpful advice to make proselytizing go smoother and how to get over rejection. See everything as a trial, when things don't go as they should is when you should be at your best because Jehovah is with you and you are fighting on the winning side. Something interesting about the JWs is that they keep very meticulous records of where their pioneers have visited, how many people they spoke with, how many tracks they have handed out, how many hours were spent pioneering each week, this is all logged documented and sent to their JW headquarters in Brooklyn, NY.
After the service Chad and I were approached by a man and his wife (the lady that loaned us the material for the service) and he politely asked who we were and what we thought of the service. He was obviously suspicious but when Chad explained who we were and why we were here the man's face changed, it seemed he was quite surprised and didn't quite know how to react
nor which face he should wear at the moment because it took two or three steps to go from suspicious, to curious and then to interested with what felt to me a strained smile. He did seem genuinely interested but was also very surprised, he invited us to come back anytime, though I am doubting the level of sincerity. It may have been more of a pleasantry, either way I want to go back and try again :)
Next on the list is the Greek orthodox Church, but at the time of this posting I will have already posted the pre visit blog and will have visited so I will try to get caught up when I can! thank you all for your patience and support!
Cheers!
PS If you have questions or comments please feel free to ask. If you have any suggestions or requests for places for me to visit do not hesitate to chime in!
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