Here's the letter.

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Old 04-27-2008, 01:23 PM
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Translated into English:

To be READ AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE WATCHTOWER STUDY OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 21 - 27, 2008:

Dear Brothers:

As indicated in the Bible at 1 Corinthians 7:31, "the scene of this world is changing." Each passing day confirms that these words are inspired and true. As the "great tribulation" approaches, Satan demonstrates increasing rage against us. -- Matthew 24:21; 1 Peter 5:8, 9; Revelation 12:17.

The Governing Body understands very well the increasing pressures that confront you, the Lord's beloved sheep. Just like the Governing Body of the first century, we do not want you to bear any more burdens than those that are necessary. (Acts 15:6, 28) Consequently, after engaging in a great amount of meditation and prayer, we have decided to adopt measures to alleviate those burdens by modifying the weekly program of meetings. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Beginning January 1, 2009, the Congregation Book Study will be combined with the Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting. No longer will it be known as the Congregation Book Study. Instead, it will be called the Congregation Bible Study. Following a song and prayer, the length of the study will be twenty-five minutes, and it will be conducted similar to the way it is now. It will be led by a rotation of qualified elders. Next there will come the Theocratic Ministry School, which will last thirty minutes. Then, after another song, the Service Meeting will begin, and it will last thirty-five minutes. The meeting will conclude with a song and prayer. Combined in this way, these meetings will total an hour and forty five minutes, including the prayers and songs.

Meetings for field service will be according to the current system, and will consist of small groups. Later we will be sending additional information about the Congregation Bible Studies and meetings for field service.

This change in our weekly program offers several benefíts. For example, making less trips for congregation meetings will save much time as well as fuel which in numerous countries is more and more expensive. But there is a benefit of even greater significance. It will offer more time for the important responsibility of Bible study on a personal and family level.

In effect, the changes in the weekly program will allow us to strengthen the spirituality of the family, devoting one night to Family Worship. Family heads must assume the responsibility that Jehovah has given to them of leading their households in a significant weekly study of the Bible. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) And single brothers and sisters who do not have family responsibilities should use this time for their personal study of the Bible. It is essential to be "buying out the opportune time" and to strengthen one another as we consider the events that are soon to occur. (Ephesians 5:15, 16) The day of Jehovah is indeed approaching rapidly. (Zephaniah 1:14; 2 Peter 3:12) So it is more urgent than ever that we make use of the time that remains to build up one another upon our "most holy faith." (Jude 20)

Let's make good use of these changes while we keep on following the lead of the Great Shepherd who guides us to grassy pastures where we find peace and refreshment. (Psalm 23:2, 3) We pray Jehovah will keep on protecting you and giving you spiritual strength in these difficult times. With Christian love,

Your brothers,

Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses

P.S. to the presiding overseer:

Once the letter has been read in all the congregations that share the same Kingdom Hall, please place this letter on the announcements board, where it should remain for two weeks and then filed.

Here's my response to the letter;

Please allow me to pick apart this letter for what it really is.
Dear Brothers:

As indicated in the Bible at 1 Corinthians 7:31, "the scene of this world is changing." Each passing day confirms that these words are inspired and true. As the "great tribulation" approaches, Satan demonstrates increasing rage against us. -- Matthew 24:21; 1 Peter 5:8, 9; Revelation 12:17.

The Governing Body understands very well the increasing pressures that confront you, the Lord's beloved sheep. Just like the Governing Body of the first century, we do not want you to bear any more burdens than those that are necessary. (Acts 15:6, 28) Consequently, after engaging in a great amount of meditation and prayer, we have decided to adopt measures to alleviate those burdens by modifying the weekly program of meetings. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Matt Says: What, using Acts as a reference? that has to do with christians believing they had to be circumcized, is the governing body telling JW's that they don't have to be circumcized? And if they are to use this scripture in context, then they must refere to vs. 10, ""Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? It is very apparent that they are making life burdensome, not satan. And the gb is testing God by making lives burdensome. Looking at 1John 5:3, the gb is making following Jehovah burdensome. So at least they have recognized this, but in what other ways does the gb make following Jehovah burdensome?

Beginning January 1, 2009, the Congregation Book Study will be combined with the Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting. No longer will it be known as the Congregation Book Study. Instead, it will be called the Congregation Bible Study. Following a song and prayer, the length of the study will be twenty-five minutes, and it will be conducted similar to the way it is now. It will be led by a rotation of qualified elders. Next there will come the Theocratic Ministry School, which will last thirty minutes. Then, after another song, the Service Meeting will begin, and it will last thirty-five minutes. The meeting will conclude with a song and prayer. Combined in this way, these meetings will total an hour and forty five minutes, including the prayers and songs.

Matt Says: If it was just a change to make life less burdensome for followers, then why change the name of the meeting? Could there be egg on the face of the gb because they have for so long concentrated on studying books, rather than the bible? Granted, the books are based on the bible, but they are not the bible, they are interpretations of the bible. And why wait so long? 8 months is a long time, if they were truly sincere, they would make it effective immediatley. Or is there something else...they used the example in Acts, the very scripture they use to refuse blood transfusions. Now even the JW will admitt, having to refuse a blood transfusion is burdensome on the emotions, call me a conspiracy nuttjob, but I forsee something coming this way...reverse on the blood transfusion doctrine.

Meetings for field service will be according to the current system, and will consist of small groups. Later we will be sending additional information about the Congregation Bible Studies and meetings for field service.

Matt Say's; "additional information about...meetings for field service", this could go two ways; now that there is one hour less meeting per week, this will give followers more of a chance to go door to door more, or there will be a requirement for one elder to accompany each and every group that goes door to door, to babysit.

This change in our weekly program offers several benefíts. For example, making less trips for congregation meetings will save much time as well as fuel which in numerous countries is more and more expensive. But there is a benefit of even greater significance. It will offer more time for the important responsibility of Bible study on a personal and family level.

Matt Say's; It has already been stated in the Aid book that personal bible study is dangerous, that "one should not look to studying the bible themselves...that if they were to read the bible alone, within 2 years they will go into complete darkness". But I see a key word, "responsibility", any interpretations that come down through the gb, the responsibility of burdens and life are now not with the governing body, but with each individual witness. This takes the responsibility off the shoulders of the gb and onto the individual...much like what happened with previous prophecies regarding the end times. The gb blamed individual witnesses for speculation, even though they spearheaded the speculation. Now with this 'wording', the gb can say in court that they did not tell the dead ones to refuse blood transfusions, it was their own individual understanding that led to them committing suicide by doctor.

In effect, the changes in the weekly program will allow us to strengthen the spirituality of the family, devoting one night to Family Worship. Family heads must assume the responsibility that Jehovah has given to them of leading their households in a significant weekly study of the Bible. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) And single brothers and sisters who do not have family responsibilities should use this time for their personal study of the Bible. It is essential to be "buying out the opportune time" and to strengthen one another as we consider the events that are soon to occur. (Ephesians 5:15, 16) The day of Jehovah is indeed approaching rapidly. (Zephaniah 1:14; 2 Peter 3:12) So it is more urgent than ever that we make use of the time that remains to build up one another upon our "most holy faith." (Jude 20)

Matt Say's; "devoting one night to Family Worship"? Lets, see, Witnesses are to devote a time as a family to study before hand the book study, one time to study before hand the watchtower, and one time to study the kingdom ministry. We have three different times a family has to get together. "In all that you do, worship the lord continualy", not just one night. And single brothers and sisters....there is no wording to suggest that they may meet in small groups for bible study which goes directly against the last sentence..."build up one another".