and forgetting about them, would it not be better to make a special effort to place them in the hands of interested people?”

¹⁷ Today there are many honesthearted people who are searching for the truth. The information contained in one magazine could be just what they need to lead them to the truth! Jehovah has given us a thrilling message to proclaim, and our magazines play a vital role in getting the message to others. Will you be more conscious of magazine distribution in the future? Will you apply some of these suggestions this very weekend? You will be richly blessed if you do.

Practical Suggestions:

◼ Read the magazines in advance, and get acquainted with the articles.

◼ Select an article that deals with something of general interest in your community.

◼ Prepare a presentation that will be appropriate for a variety of people, whether men, women, or youths. Show how the magazine relates to the householder and how the whole family will enjoy it.

◼ Plan to engage in your field service activity when most people are at home. Some congregations arrange for evening witnessing with the magazines.

◼ Keep your presentation short and to the point.

◼ Don’t talk too fast. If your listener has no interest, talking faster will not help. Try to be relaxed, and give the householder opportunity to respond.

Offering Magazines From House to House:

◼ Have a friendly smile and a kindly tone of voice.

◼ Be enthusiastic about the magazines.

◼ Speak slowly and distinctly.

◼ Speak on only one subject; briefly stimulate interest, and show its value to householder.

◼ Highlight just one article.

◼ Feature only one magazine, offering the other as a companion.

◼ Hand the magazines to the householder.

◼ Let the householder know you plan to return.

◼ Have a friendly, positive conclusion if the magazines are refused.

◼ Make notation on house-to-house record of all interest and placements.

Opportunities to Place Magazines:

◼ House-to-house witnessing

◼ Street witnessing

◼ Store-to-store work

◼ Magazine route

◼ Evening witnessing

◼ When making return visits

◼ Calling on former Bible students

◼ When traveling, shopping

◼ When talking to relatives, coworkers, neighbors, schoolmates, teachers

◼ On public transportation, in waiting rooms

Maintaining a Balanced View of Computer Technology

¹ The apostle Paul urged Christians in the first century not to be distracted, because “the time left is reduced.” (1 Cor. 7:29) As the end of this old system of things nears, how urgent it is for us to ‘seek first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness’ and to ‘buy out the opportune time’! Time is precious.​—Matt. 6:33; Eph. 5:15, 16.

² Technology has been hailed as a great saver of time. For example, at the click of a computer button, a user can instantly access huge amounts of information. Computers can often do in seconds what would have taken hours or weeks to do by other means. When properly used, they are a helpful tool.

³ Will It Really Save Time?: On the other hand, such technology does not come to the user without substantial costs​—both in money and in time. Hours may be required to learn how to make the computer do some tasks. Moreover, a person who becomes intrigued with the technology itself may consume time that could be better spent. We must keep a balanced view, having in mind the principle involved in the apostle Paul’s admonition to walk “as wise persons, buying out the opportune time for yourselves.”​—See 1 Corinthians 7:31.

⁴ A number of well-intentioned individuals have designed computer programs for keeping congregation records. It is, of course, a personal decision as to how an individual uses his computer. However, congregation records for which forms have been provided should not be kept on computers, since children or other unauthorized persons could access them. All congregation records​—accounts records, Congregation’s Publisher Record cards, and so forth—​should be kept on the forms provided by the Society, and the information on these congregation forms should not be stored in a computer. In this way, the confidential records of the congregation will be protected.

⁵ Responsible overseers should be discerning in making assignments for the Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting program. They need to have in mind the material to be covered in a particular part. In the school, for example, some material may not be appropriate for just any student to handle. The purpose of the presentation as well as the qualifications of the individual and the nature of the material should be considered. It should not be left to the computer to decide.

⁶ A brother who is assigned a part to be presented at congregation meetings should not rely on material prepared by someone else, particularly an unknown