Presenting the Good News​—By Boldly Witnessing in Business Territory

¹ Boldness is necessary in presenting the good news. This is especially true when witnessing in business territory. Some publishers are hesitant to work business territory. But this may be due to lack of experience. Or it may be an area in which there is a need to ‘muster up boldness.’​—1 Thess. 2:2.

² Many publishers have obtained good results witnessing in business territory. One circuit overseer reported that in nine mornings of working business territory, a total of 177 books were placed. More could have been placed, but supplies simply ran out. You too may have success if you make the effort to share in working business territory.

KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

³ Being successful often depends upon our attitude. Some publishers are inclined to think that witnessing to storekeepers would be extremely difficult. One publisher who took this view said: “I expected that the response would be negative. However, to my surprise, the reaction to the Kingdom message was just the opposite. They were genuinely polite and friendly and almost always accepted the magazines.” Yes, those who share in working business territory speak of it as a fruitful work that brings blessings.

⁴ Elders, especially the service overseer, should take the lead. It may be beneficial to prepare special territory maps of heavily concentrated business areas. In other areas, the business places can be worked along with the residential territory. Be sure not to overlook shops, offices, factories, and so forth. The elders may see fit to select qualified publishers to work concentrated business territory.

⁵ Those who participate in this work should be neatly dressed and strive to be brief and to the point when contacting businesspeople. Presentations that are no more than a minute or so in length are most appropriate. Selecting days and times that are less busy is important in getting better results when working business territory. Some have found an early hour on Saturday morning to be appropriate, whereas others find it advantageous to call early on weekdays when owners are not so occupied and stores are not crowded.

WHAT WE CAN SAY

⁶ When working business territory, we could feature magazines, the current literature offer, or tracts. Our approach and the offer may vary according to the circumstances. When offering the magazines we could say: “Since it is often very difficult to find businesspeople at home, we are making this effort to contact you today. In the latest issue of The Watchtower, there is an article entitled [give title] that contains information that personally affects you. We feel you will enjoy reading this article as well as the others. We offer The Watchtower along with the Awake! for a contribution of only 50¢.”

⁷ This month we are featuring the publication Life​—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? When offering this publication in business territory, you might say: “As a businessman, you know that much thoughtful effort is required to succeed. Could blind chance have succeeded in bringing about life and the universe? This book offers scientific proof that God created life. It also shows God’s thoughtful purpose in creating man. During this month we are offering this book entitled Life​—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? It has much to say about life and what the future holds for mankind. We are leaving it on a contribution of $3.00.” (Small-size book is $1.50.)

⁸ We can be confident that Jehovah will bless our diligent efforts to reach people with this lifesaving good news. There is a vital need for thoroughness in our witnessing activity. (Acts 20:24) Since it is often hard for us to find businesspeople at home, we should take advantage of opportunities to speak with them at their place of work. Though working business territory may be challenging, we can be successful if we ‘muster up boldness to speak the good news of God.’

June Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp’l Pios. 245 124.1 77.8 52.2 5.4

Pios. 58,933 73.7 31.2 24.7 2.6

Aux. Pios. 29,369 57.8 24.0 14.8 1.4

Pubs. 682,472 9.6 5.7 3.6 0.5

TOTAL 771,019

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 6,465

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Revelation​—Its Grand Climax At Hand!:

September 4: Pages 100 to 104#

September 11: Pages 104# to 108*

September 18: Pages 108* to 113#

September 25: Pages 113# to 119#

# To or from chapter heading.

* To or from subheading.

Theocratic News

◆ A new peak of 16,147 publishers was reached in Denmark during April. There were 3,414 sharing in the auxiliary pioneer service.

◆ Guatemala passed the 11,000 mark in publishers with 11,031 reporting in April, a 10-percent increase over last year’s average.

◆ Puerto Rico had a new peak of 23,632 publishers in April. Their circuit assemblies were attended by 38,504.

◆ Thailand reached a new peak of 1,057 publishers in April. A recent series of circuit assemblies was attended by 1,500, with 25 being baptized.

Question Box

● Who should handle the announcements on the Service Meeting?

The objective of this portion of the Service Meeting is to inform the congregation of details important to carrying out the assigned ministry. Some announcements serve as reminders and are similar week after week. However, all announcements should be expressed clearly. None should be given casually or treated as routine.

The nature of some announcements may require that they be presented by an elder. Whenever this is the case, it would be the responsibility of the presiding overseer to arrange for a well-qualified brother to present the information, even though another brother will be handling the other scheduled announcements.

When a letter that contains information for the congregation includes other information directed to the elders only, an elder should present the information that applies to the congregation. Some letters from the Society that contain specific direction for the congregation may best be read by a qualified elder. Such letters may have to do with special letter-writing campaigns in behalf of our brothers experiencing persecution. Some letters may contain detailed information about future theocratic activities, such as circuit overseer visits, assemblies, and conventions.

There may be times when an important announcement pertaining to the welfare of the congregation must be made, and the information must be clearly presented. Such announcements would best be made by an elder.

Whether made by elders or ministerial servants, announcements should be given with clarity and conciseness. Following these guidelines will ensure proper relating of instructions to the congregation so that all will move ahead in unity.​—Ps. 133:1; 1 Cor. 14:8, 9, 40.