School of the theocratic ministry

The École of the theocratic Ministry is one of the schools founded by the Société Watchtower, the leading entity of the organization of the Témoins of Jéhovah. Created in 1942 by Nathan Homer Knorr, the third president of the Company, this school exists in all the congregations of the world and figure to the program of the weekly meetings of the religious movement.

History

This school is that which, within the Témoins of Jéhovah, comprises the greatest number of registered voters in the whole world. This school was inaugurated in the Béthel of Brooklyn in February 1942 under the designation of " Advanced course of the Ministry théocratique". On this occasion, all the male members of the family of Béthel of Brooklyn were invited to engage in this school. The course consisted in making a speech in front of all the participants of the school. The women were invited to assist to with it, but at that time they could not there be registered. After the speech, the students moved in smaller rooms where all the registered voters presented speeches under the supervision of educated advisers. A recapitulation was carried out monthly, prepared by the instructor of the school.

With the assembled entitled " Call to the action" held in 247 cities in all the the United States the 17 and April 18th 1943, the School of the theocratic Ministry was officially announced and one made a demonstration of it. A booklet of 96 pages carrying the same title was published; it contained orientations on the way of directing this new school in each congregation, and also provided information for the weekly speeches of instruction. The appointed instructor of the school would be the president and would offer for it councils for the speeches of each student, six minutes each one, pronounced on several biblical subjects by registered male members. At the beginning of 1959, the women in the congregations started to be able to take part in the School of the theocratic Ministry.

Handbooks used

Several publications in the years following the creation of this course were prepared to be used in what today is called the School of the Theocratic Ministry:

the first publication was a booklet entitled Cours for the theocratic Ministry , published in English in 1943 and French in 1944.

the book theocratic Assistance for the proclamateurs of the Kingdom , was published in English in 1945 (ever published in French in the form of book, but in the Réveillez you! of the January 8th 1948 with the September 8th 1951) was used.

the following publication, the book Equipped for very good work , was launched by the Société Watchtower in 1946 in English (in 1951 in French).

the book Qualifiés for the ministry was then published as of 1955 in English, revised in 1977 (1962 in French).

Another book, used until today and having for title Any Writing is inspired by God and useful , was published in 1963 and was revised in 1990.

In 1971 was published the Manuel of the School of the theocratic Ministry , revised in 1992, which provided directives on the operation of the school and had principal oratories qualities that the students should endeavor to improve and on which they received councils.

In 2001 was launched the handbook now used for the school, the book Tirez profit from the School of the theocratic Ministry . In addition to an introductory part which detaches the advantages of the methodical study and the good preparation of the meetings and the talks, the book includes a detailed description of 53 points particular to work (only one by exposed) and 30 different frameworks for the female elements. In 2003, the School of the theocratic Ministry in all the congregations of the Témoins of Jéhovah started to function according to the model defined by this new handbook.

Conditions for the inscription

No matter who can be registered at the School of the theocratic Ministry, including somebody who is not yet a Witness of Jéhovah baptized, nor even a proclamator not baptized. The conditions of inscription are same as those necessary to become a proclamator not baptized. He is required applicants whom they carry out a life in conformity with the standards morals of the Bible such as the religious movement includes/understands them, and whom they can read. There is no necessary age limit to be registered.

The registered voters at this school must then discharge with assiduity of the participations which are allotted to them by an old room, the Supervisor of this school. They must get dressed with the same manner as when they attend the school as spectators: Costume - Tie for the men, and Skirt or dress for the women.

Unfolding

Each session of this school lasts 45 minutes and takes place one evening in week, right before the Meeting of service.

The programme of each part of this school is defined in the supplement of the bulletin interns the Ministry for the Kingdom , in the edition of October of each year. The pupils of the school are informed of their participations (subject, date, matters studied, not to work) at least three weeks in advance by the means of a layer which is given to them personally and by a sheet recapitulating attributions of each one and are exposed to the display board of the Salle of the Kingdom. In theory, each pupil has at least a participation every three months.

After briefs comments of welcome of the supervisor of the school, six presentation is given on the estrade as follows:

a speech on a technique oratory and based on a portion of the book Benefit from the School of the Ministry theocratic , during 5 minutes and presented by an old ;

a speech of instruction, based on a publication of the movement, during 10 minutes and presented by an old or a ministerial assistant;

an examination of the biblical points interesting of a portion of the Bible, during 5 minutes and presented by old or a ministerial assistant, with participation of the audience for the five last minutes;

a reading biblical, during 4 minutes and presented by a male member;

a biblical subject 5 minutes, presented by two female members, in the form of a setting in scene;

Another biblical subject 5 minutes presented in a way similar to the precedent or by a male member.

Between each subject, the supervisor of the school goes up on the podium to make approximately a one minute comment on the service which has just been realized, in particular in report/ratio the point that the pupil had to consider.

According to the number of registered voters and the availabilities of the Room of the Kingdom, the three last presentations of the school will be able to be held simultaneously in one or two additional rooms of the building, in front of another supervisor at the school (an old or sometimes a ministerial assistant) and some members of the congregation, fewer than in the principal auditorium. After the conclusion of the school, all the pupils turn over in this one.

Every four months, an oral revision replaces the usual program (but the biblical technique oratory and points interesting are presented): fifteen questions carrying about the whole of the matters examined in the four months past and appearing in the Ministry for the Kingdom are put to the audience by the supervisor at the School of the theocratic Ministry which gives the answers provided by the Société Watchtower.

The male speakers can be well sometimes members not knowing to read or of the people having difficulties of expression. Children of seven or eight years can also make a reading. This meeting or not can “assistance those which test difficulties of being expressed, in public; it makes it possible to acquire a certain insurance and a good amount of self-confidence”.

See too

Pilot of Jéhovah
Practical Meetings of the congregation
of the Witnesses of Jéhovah

References

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