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Is God's blessing "clearly evident" on the "greatest Bible educational work that has ever been done in all the world" ?*
*The name given to the recruitment work of Jehovah's Witnesses, in the February 1, 2001 Watchtower, page 13 paragraph 20
The Society used to say that the droves flocking to their organisation was proof of divine blessing. The scripture about the ten men out of the nations grabbing the skirt of a Jew, saying "we will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people" was once one of the most common verses used. Today it is hardly ever mentioned. Why? Because the organisation is losing vast numbers of members each year.
What sort of growth would you expect from "God's organisation"?
In the last five years New Zealand has only ever climbed above zero growth once, in 1998, and then only to 1% growth. Going back more than a decade, New Zealand has only ever achieved growth of more than 5% once, in 1990. Does it sound like Gods blessing is "clearly evident" on this work to you? Look at this chart...
(Source: Annual Yearbooks of Jehovah's Witnesses 1990-2000)
The trend is unmistakable. More and more witnesses are leaving the organisation.
2002 Update
Here are the figures from the 2002 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, for the 2001 service year.
Percentage increase over 2000
- New Zealand0%
- Australia -1%
- Britain -1%
- France-1%
- Germany-1%
- United States 0%
- Japan -1%
Here are some 'highlights' from around the world from last year:
Percentage increase over last year - around the world:
- Alaska -3%
- Australia -1%
- Austria -1%
- Belgium -2%
- Britain -1%
- Canada -1%
- France -1%
- Germany -1%
- Italy 0%
- Japan -1%
- New Zealand -1%
- Poland 0%
- Sth Africa 2%
- Spain -1%
- Switzerland -2%
- USA 0%
That's right - all over the world droves of witnesses are leaving, resulting in negative growth, that is more leaving than joining. The organisation is not experiencing any real growth anywhere in the world. Surely then, what is "clearly evident" is that God's blessing is not "on the greatest Bible educational work that has ever been done in all the world...".
In some countries the continued lack of growth, with the resulting lack of funds to the Society is becoming dire. Recently in India the Society wrote a letter to all congregations explaining they had to drastically reduce the size of the bethel for financial reasons, slashing the number of (unpaid) workers there, and that all special pioneers would no longer be supported by them. The letter is here: page1 page2
In countries like New Zealand with zero or negative growth, new recruits are coming in, but more witnesses are leaving. Some of these have been faithful to the organisation for decades and have served as pioneers, bethelites and elders.
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