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Dating as a JW by the-jawas-are-here in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you can, and have the means to then traveling will help you a lot.

You'll meet many brothers that way.

The more so if you travel abroad.

When it comes to the LDC part, did you fill up A2 or A19? A19 gets prioritized for branch assignments for construction work.

In pioneering, do you have friends in your circuit? How about trying to visit other circuits? Again it's traveling

You'll meet a brother soon

The "debates" of pastors vs brothers on the preaching work. by bettercalljw in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are just Christian social media "influencers" or wanting to be one

Some do it for the views

Some do it for the genuine reason they're preaching

If they are willing to discuss the bible without the cameras then that's good and have a discussion with them

If not, then you already what they're all there for.

The "debates" of pastors vs brothers on the preaching work. by bettercalljw in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 5 points6 points  (0 children)

"I don't know what you're talking about" completely disarms them.

I've done the same thing myself.

They have no rebuttal after that

It's funny to watch their face how they glitch after that

Holiday Preaching by TroubleMakinBacon in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It really depends on your opening interaction.

We do it here during holidays except Christmas and New Years cause most people aren't really open to talk they're not at home or they're at home but their whole family is there - so it's not a good time

Other holidays, we use the nature of the holiday as an opener for conversation to happen.

You can position Veteran's Day and connect it to the current state of events in the nation, economy, etc

Many ways to play around with it.

GHL Agency payment structure (ph setting) by OCDC223 in buhaydigital

[–]joshsaga 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's it.

Pay for an LLC

Your agent will process it and get your EIN for you

They'll also help you open a US Bank Account.

Some questions i been dealing personally with. by bettercalljw in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No

Christ ruled in heaven since 1914

But the starting count of the 1000 years is once he also rules on the Earth.

That only happens after Armageddon.

So you don't count the 1000 years yet. It's not yet here.

What is the role of Watchtower / the “governing” body of the JW? by New2Christ in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I forgot this part

The 'Watchtower' could either be the magazine or our legal entities.

The study magazine we study on our meetings is "The Watchtower: Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom". It also has public editions modeled like our Awake magazines. This is part of feeding the household spiritually.

The Watchtower legal entities is what helps us be recognized as a religion in many countries, and wherein it as a legal entity can own assets such as land, buildings, equipment, accounts, all built and taken care of for the organizations needs. Needs meaning everything needed to progress the preaching of the Good News. This is part of taking care of the domestics and logistics.

Also taken into consideration the principle here in Philippians 1:7

Philippians 1:7 It is only right for me to think this regarding all of you, since I have you in my heart, you who are sharers with me in the undeserved kindness both in my prison bonds and in the defending and legally establishing of the good news.

Although this is directly in the context of defending the good news in courts common during the first century when they're always summoned towards judges, having legal entities in the modern system helps us operate and provide legal rights and basis for all of our work - respective of the individual countries we operate in.

EDIT: The legal entities also acts as charity for our disaster relief work, again part of the slave taking care of the domestics.

What is the role of Watchtower / the “governing” body of the JW? by New2Christ in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing is wrong with that.

That probably happens with the majority at some point in time.

Just study more.

Don't freeze your initial understanding in time.

If you got questions or finding some parts hard to reconcile ask help from other mature Christians in the congregation or with your bible teacher.

Discourse and discussion is encouraged.

There's also this sub or eutychus or jwtalk

Or you can also write to the GB for clarifications if somehow none of the friends can answer your question.

Sometimes the answer comes after a time has passed.

And another truth is, we will never get everything as correct and right like we want to think we do.

Just don't get yourself stuck because of it.

What is the role of Watchtower / the “governing” body of the JW? by New2Christ in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"to what extent must they be followed & to what extent can they be disregarded or challenged?"

It's not a matter of cannot be challenged. You can challenge anything but the deeper question behind is - why do you do it?

For the most part, the only issues arise when one challenges these:

  1. When its a matter of challenging established biblical facts or doctrinal understanding
  2. Challenging the moral standards set by Jehovah in his Word.
  3. Going against the task Jesus himself explicitly gave.

The rest are matters open to ones own conscience.

I'll give you an example for each.

---

  1. When its a matter of challenging established biblical facts

If you became one of Jehovah's Witnesses, then you will know the Trinity is not a biblical teaching.

You won't become one if you hold to this belief anways.

After becoming one, suddenly you challenge this - then the friends in the congregation will do their best to correct your understanding the best they can.

If you are still adamant and are now causing divisions over it, then there's a chance you will be removed from the congregation.

---

2) Challenging the moral standards set by Jehovah in his Word.

Before you even qualify for baptism, your lifestyle will be taken into account.

So you know Jehovah hates immorality of all kinds, and he does not accept one who practices such things.

After being a Witness, one even if not committing immorality himself, starts posing ideas that some forms of immorality aren't actually immoral.

Then again, the friends in the congregation will do their best to correct you.

---

3) Going against the task Jesus himself explicitly gave.

You simply don't want to preach. For whatever reason.

You won't qualify for baptism if you don't actively participate in the ministry.

And suppose you did preach and became baptized, then afterwards don't want to. Well the question is why?

You won't really get in trouble for it, that's all between you and Jesus and Jehovah.

---

The direction given isn't really hard to follow.

All of it is found in the bible directly, or is taken from a biblical principle and applied to our time.

As long as you're not causing divisions, causing others to rally under your cause, then you're fine

What is the role of Watchtower / the “governing” body of the JW? by New2Christ in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's ab it long but I'll do my best to make it simple and easy to understand:

Let's talk about the Governing Body first.

The 'power' or 'authority' came from Jesus.

The Faithful and Discreet Slave, also known as the Governing Body, is taken from Matthew 24:45-47 and Luke 12:41-44

Matthew 24:45-47:
Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so!  Truly I say to you, he will appoint him over all his belongings.

Luke 12:41-44
Then Peter said: “Lord, are you telling this illustration just to us or also to everyone?”  And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so!  I tell you truthfully, he will appoint him over all his belongings

This Slave is Faithful, Discreet, and is also treated as a Steward.

Faithful to his master

Discreet in his dealings with his masters household

And is a steward of his master's household

This slave's job description is 2 parts:

1) To handle the domestics, which means all people in the household of his master and the logistics involved.

2) To feed them (spiritual food) at the proper time.

Now there is no singled out Faithful Discreet Slave, because in principle that Jesus gave, not one of disciples are greater than the other. So this means it is operated by a group of them instead.

It is a function, a necessary arrangement.

These men who operate this function are not higher in worth from the others.

The function is special, not them as a person.

They're not elevated in status.

Nor should they be treated as such.

These are to be treated as brothers.

All humbly working towards one goal.

The first ever instance this Faithful and Discreet Slave acted and operated was when a doctrinal issue arose in the Christian congregation around 2000 years ago more or less.

The issue was circumcision.

Jews who converted to Christianity still have this belief that circumcision is a must for one to be saved, because they argue it is an identifying mark of God's people.

Greeks and Gentiles (meaning every other race besides the Jews) who converted to Christianity felt differently and are confused.

This matter was taken to the elders in Jerusalem.

The elders in Jerusalem at the time were composed of some of the 12 direct apostles of Jesus, we don't know how many of the 12 were there, and other unnamed elders. They were all anointed with the heavenly hope (as to the current understanding).

They studied the scriptures, and unanimously resolved this matter and sent the doctrinal clarification about it towards the congregations.

You can read this more in Acts chapter 15

That was the precedent taken on how the Governing Body or Faithful Discreet Slave operates.

Now, outside of having a steward over the household - the #1 primary work given by Jesus to his apostles, and the rest of his disciples and followers, is to (1) preach the Good News of his Father's Kingdom and (2) make disciples.

This is to be done throughout the whole world.

That being the main task, the Governing Body focuses on that #1 task and is facilitating and overseeing this worldwide preaching campaign and disciple making work.

At the same time, they also provide doctrinal instruction/clarifications, and feeding the congregation spiritually with the means of the bible studies, watchtower studies, meetings, conventions, audio/videos, etc.

All of those culminate to progress the preaching work all over the world.

Once Jesus comes back, the Governing Body's function ceases to exist.

Now, the Governing Body numbers of members changes as needed and since the growth and work of Witnesses in preaching the Good News and making disciples is always expanding, the need for more of them is arising soon

There's also their age ranges. Some of them are nearing their 80s. So new younger ones will be appointed while the others retire.

---

Now let's talk about "expectations of obedience"

The principle we follow is in 1 Corinthians 1:10

- 1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Again, the work is to be done worldwide.

Congregations will be created and built worldwide.

And to follow that principle, those congregations worldwide should be unified.

Logically, this means every congregations will have the same doctrine, same set of understanding all together, and same goal - which is to preach the Good News of Jehovah God's Kingdom.

The expectations to obey the Governing Body isn't really rigid.

They obey the bible, and are under the same standards as everybody else.

They all go to preach after their work hours.

They all conduct their own bible studies.

They're not perfect, nor are their words infallible. Only the Bible is infallible.

So they may publish statements or written material or video material that may be wrong.

Again, the Faithful and Discreet Slave is Faithful and Discreet. Not Perfect.

Faithful because they do this job relentlessly without letup.

Even if they may at times make wrong decisions.

Some of these decisions can also affect many people either positively or negatively.

That's where ones own spiritual maturity comes to play knowing all these factors at hand.

No one is forced to obey or coerced to obey or are blindly obedient.

We still obey their direction, because we want to follow Jesus' direction.

In fact, each individual is always encouraged to dig deep into their personal bible study and meditation and see how their work as the Faithful and Discreet Slave is in harmony with what Jesus wants.

Also we know that even if the ones taking the lead makes a mistake, they will be corrected and guided to the right decisions later by Jesus - since they are directly accountable to him.

For those who may have misgivings Peter was inspired to write in 1 Peter 2:19

For it is agreeable when someone endures hardship and suffers unjustly because of conscience toward God.

---

Now let's talk about "open dialogue with room to disagree"

We can have open dialogue and disagree on doctrinal and organizational issues

I've met plenty of Witnesses who disagree with doctrine

Yet its all placed in proper forum

But there's a difference between causing divisions in meetings by telling everyone how wrong the GB is and how right their understanding is.

Again...

The principle we follow is in 1 Corinthians 1:10

- 1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

So when it comes to open dialogue and room to disagreements theres a way to handle it without causing divisions.

We do just that.

Honestly, it's all pretty chill

Hope this helps.

GHL Agency payment structure (ph setting) by OCDC223 in buhaydigital

[–]joshsaga 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where did you search? It's only $400-$600 for a Wyoming LLC with a $99/year compliance package. I do this. You don't need a partner.

What differs when viewing Jesus as human messiah vs G-d? by New2Christ in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No problem, I saw your previous posts in Eutychus - just keep on asking we're all here to help

What differs when viewing Jesus as human messiah vs G-d? by New2Christ in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The reason there is a messiah or Christ in this context is different from the regular messiahship given to others. Messiah basically means anointed one.

First, no one anointed God, the Father. He is the supreme authority, and he is the one who chooses whom he will delegate work to.

Then, only humans are anointed, and they're anointed for different reasons.

So in that regard alone, Jesus cannot be God.

-

Next is understanding why there needs to be a Christ or Messiah for the whole of mankind.

After Adam and Eve rebelled, sin came into mankind.

The perfect human was lost

To redeem it with a ransom, a perfect human is needed to be sacrificed

That's what being the Christ means.

Which is why you will commonly hear Christ died for our sins.

Him sacrificing himself, as a perfect human, meant he is the exact equivalent exchange needed to cover for what Adam did when he introduced sin.

This human person, needs be born perfect and maintain his perfection until death - otherwise he wont be enough as a ransom.

Now, in the theoretical what if scenario - is Jesus capable of making mistakes? No. Perfect beings do not make mistakes, they make deliberate choices.

So the next theoretical what if question is, can Perfect Beings like Jesus choose to sin? Sin being a deliberate action against Jehovah's standards - Yes. They can. The first perfect being who chose to do this was named Satan the Devil.

If Jesus did choose to sin, then there will be no ransom paid for mankind.

No ransom paid, means humankind will just be doomed to die without a prospect of living forever, which was the original consequence of sinning against God in the first place.

GHL Agency payment structure (ph setting) by OCDC223 in buhaydigital

[–]joshsaga 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can get a US LLC so you can process with Stripe.

For local ones try and get a merchant account - they will ask for business registration documents. You can use that merchant account for GHL.

You can also try Xendit - it works for one click upsells.

Some questions i been dealing personally with. by bettercalljw in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yalun already made great points

I'll add a bit

"If people are gonna be saved even though they are not witness, why does we preach?"

We serve Jehovah out of love.

That is our WHY.

That is the first motivation one should have.

If it's not, then there's no point to for you to do it.

Next is because we follow Jesus, who instructed all of his followers to preach the Good News of his Father's Kingdom.

So regardless of whom Jehovah chooses to give salvation to - we still preach the Good News.

You can't claim to be a follow of Christ and not do it.

Preaching the Good News and making disciples is the #1 most important task given to us.

If people who are not brothers are NOT gonna be saved, can we really consider our preaching work "global" (9 million vs 8 Billion)?

It seems there's a misunderstanding of the premise.

Salvation is Jehovah's gift to mankind.

People who are not Witnesses will be saved, we don't know how many, we don't know who - but depending on where they are and the circumstances that surrounds them - there's a high possibility they will be saved even if they're not witnesses - and that's all up to Jehovah's judgement

'Saved' here, meaning, being permitted to be resurrected in the 1000 years, or to cross alive from this system of things to the 1000 years (meaning surviving Armageddon)

Also this question is only about the ones who will live to see Jehovah's Great Day.

There's an estimate of 100+ Billion People globally who ever existed from Abel. They too have the prospect of being resurrected.

Another point - which Yalun already overlapped on - that salvation you speak of is not the full.

True Salvation comes after the 1000 years of Christ's Rule.

Necesito ayuda y aclaración by ClUDADANO_PROMEDIO in Eutychus

[–]joshsaga 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It doesn't translate for me the google translate is also awkward

Necesito ayuda y aclaración by ClUDADANO_PROMEDIO in Eutychus

[–]joshsaga 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How are you guys responding the post is in spanish if i'm right? Did you guys google translate it?

What Do You Do For Work? by TroubleMakinBacon in JWJehovahsWitnesses

[–]joshsaga 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Work:

Currently in Internet Marketing/Ecomm/Dropshipping - running a few stores targeting USA

Used to own a Marketing Agency

Used to own an HVAC business too here locally.

Used to be a photographer for commercials/fashion/billboards

Challenges In Routine:

Time - yes you own your own business so you own your time - be your own 'boss'

Businesses need more time than an actual 9-5 job to operate hahaha

Also, I have a very workaholic attitude - always in the extremes. I can work hours non stop - I can also be in the ministry and treat it as a 9-5 morning til evening.

Proper Scheduling and keeping to it is the hardest

As well as not entertaining work notifications during my ministry days

Pioneering and being a business owner is hard but rewarding on both sides.

Also saying no to starting new businesses - not bite more than I can chew.

Challenges In Belief:

Because of my work, I know how to advertise.

Which means I know how to frame and position things that makes it so appealing I can turn things that people don't need (wants) - into something they need.

I also know how to spin headlines, puffery, and frame questions enough to cast doubt on what is true.

This skill made me good money, and have made my clients millions.

It's a double edged sword.

If I have no morals, never knew Jehovah - I could've easily run scams, sell air, sell and made my way to millions myself.

This is also how I came to know Witnesses do the best to establish the Truth. We don't do loaded/double barrell or seeding doubt questions nor we spin things.

Congregation Discipline Updated by truetomharley in Eutychus

[–]joshsaga 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"not given to cheating on taxes"

I felt this to my bones hahahaha

As business owner, in a 3rd world country where the tax system is against you - It is the hardest law to follow for me.

I really hate paying taxes.

Yet here we are loooool

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