Chapter 16: every tradition · Christianity

Jehovah's Witnesses

A congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, who understand themselves as Christians, though not Protestants, worshipping the one Almighty God, whose name is Jehovah, and honouring Jesus as the Son of God and the Saviour, though not as Almighty God. They meet twice a week at a plain Kingdom Hall, often shared with other congregations and cleaned by its members: a weekend meeting with a public talk and the Watchtower Study, and a midweek meeting on Christian life and the ministry. Songs are sung to recorded music; there is no cross, no image, and no flag. A body of unpaid elders, men appointed on the elders' recommendation by the circuit overseer, cares for the congregation, with ministerial servants beside them; there is no clergy class and no clergy title, only Brother and Sister. No collection is taken: contributions go in boxes at the hall or online, and much is sent on to the worldwide work, which builds the halls. Believers are baptized by immersion at assemblies. Once a year, after sundown on Nisan 14, the Memorial of Christ's death is the best-attended meeting of the year; the unleavened bread and red wine are passed along the rows, and only those who believe they are anointed to rule with Christ in heaven partake. Witnesses preach from door to door and report their ministry each month, keep no Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or national holidays, stay neutral in politics and war, and refuse blood transfusions while seeking other medical care.

All 80 traditions · its profile in Faiths and traditions, with how to play it; How people feel, what every factor is.

At a glance

Faith	Christianity
Its words	congregation, Kingdom Hall, auditorium; the elder leads the meeting; the public talk; Sunday; the Bible
Worship	word focus, reserved, low formality (0.33 of 1); seated on chairs
Music	organ discouraged; gospel organ discouraged; piano discouraged; choir discouraged; band discouraged; brass discouraged; handbells discouraged; chant discouraged; song leader discouraged; recorded expected
The room's sound	no strong preference
Its year	witnesses; full observance; fasts none
Leans	conservative on moral questions, neutral on economic ones
Polity	hierarchical; leaders come by ordained from congregation; property denomination
Leaders	plural leader, unpaid, trained by in house; marriage any
Belonging	total commitment, shunning discipline, admitted by board; a parish of where one lives; exclusive
Giving	tithing not emphasised; collected by boxes, online
Way of life	alcohol moderation, dress church clothes, sabbath relaxed

The week's services

Day	Time	Service	Led by	People look for it
Sunday	10:00 am	Weekend meeting	the laity	expected
Thursday	7:00 pm	Life and Ministry meeting	the laity	expected

Leader: none needed: the laity lead every service, so no elder is missed.
Communion (once a year), passed among the people: nothing needs to be placed to serve it. Only a few partake: the emblems are passed, and nobody takes them.
Baptism: at the assembly: the Circuit Assembly (1 April), so the church needs no font; those waiting are baptized there and come back to the services after it.

Rites

The Memorial of Christ's death (yearly, +0.05 to those there): Held once a year after sundown on Nisan 14 (near the Thursday before Easter), the most important meeting of the year: a talk, and the unleavened bread and red wine passed among all present, partaken of only by the anointed. Many who don't usually come attend.
Meeting for Field Service (weekly, +0.01 to those there): Publishers gather briefly for a scripture, a point of advice and prayer, then go out in groups to preach from door to door.
Circuit Overseer's Visit (yearly, +0.025 to those there): Twice a year a travelling elder spends a week with the congregation: he gives talks at the meetings, joins publishers in the ministry, and meets with the elders.
Circuit Assembly (yearly, +0.03 to those there): Several congregations gather for a day of talks, interviews and songs at an Assembly Hall, and new publishers are baptized there.

Baptism, confirmation, and joining

Baptized elsewhere: it recognizes only its own. Someone so baptized is received at a service after about 4 weeks (a week from another of its churches).
Not baptized (or baptized where it doesn't recognize it): a candidate who prepares for 12 months (only months its class can meet count), then is baptized and received at the same service at the assembly.
Joining age: children baptized as believers are members at once.
The church's children are baptized as believers at about 14, most within a year or two of it.
Kinds of belonging: baptized publishers (may hold office); unbaptized publishers; received by its board.
What it means: being baptized, confirmed, or received is worth +0.1 to the person, +0.05 to family there, and +0.03 to everyone else at the service. It roots them: a rooted household drifts away only 0.6 times as often, and if it does fall away, it has a 25% chance of coming home at each of its great days (at most once a month) for ten years.

Giving, and what goes up

How its people give and what else comes in, as Money explains it for every faith.

How it's given: the contribution, by boxes, and giving online. With no plate passed, members give a tenth less at the boxes than they would into one, and visitors give nothing at the service. Those who give online give whether or not they come (8% more a month).
Tithing isn't emphasised: people give 10% less.
Fundraisers: none: it's kept by what its people give.
Owed above: Donations to the worldwide work, 25% of what it takes in, to the Branch (voluntary).

The elder, the staff, and who decides

How the elder comes: named from the members (Ask who'd serve): the longest-standing members are the candidates.
Paid: unpaid.
Who they are: trained in-house (they ask 90%); men; most married.
Tenure: settled for about 20 years, then may be called elsewhere.
Staff it can hire or name (see Staff and volunteers):
- Lay leader (unpaid; from the members; cares for 60)
- Ministerial servant (unpaid; from the members; cares for 30 more)
- Choir director / organist / pianist ($15,000–$35,000; leads the music (up to +0.06))
- Congregation secretary ($20,000–$35,000; runs the office (+50 to the leader's reach, once))
- Youth director ($20,000–$40,000; up to +0.08 for households with young people)
Its boards: the body of elders (deciding, over everything).
Renovations: The elder decides.
New construction: The Circuit decides.
Calling a leader: The Circuit decides, consulting the body of elders.
Who votes: no kind of belonging votes, so what would go to the members goes to the board.

Life together

What its Community screen offers it, with the dilemmas only its own faith or family meets; see The congregation in its community.

Ministries of its own: Choir.
Ministries every tradition can run that it's offered: Food pantry, Health clinic, Preschool, Youth group.
Fundraisers: none: it's kept by what its people give.
Tenants it can take: A scout troop, Another congregation, Dance classes, Wedding receptions.
Outreach: door to door, a home Bible study, literature (from a reading room or an office) (Community → Evangelism).
Places beyond the congregation: the Assembly Hall.
Dilemmas of its own faith (besides those every congregation meets): A petition for cushions, The bells, again.
Dilemmas its code of life brings: A Masonic funeral, A matter of discipline, A raffle for the roof, Champagne at the reception, The blood bank asks.

What the building needs

required Communion tableThe Lord's Supper is served from a communion table, recalling the table of the Last Supper.
required PulpitPreaching is the center of worship, so the pulpit stands at the center of the platform.
forbidden Coptic crossThis tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
forbidden CrucifixThis tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
forbidden CrossThis tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
forbidden IconThis tradition holds that images of God and the saints have no place in worship.
forbidden National flagThis tradition stays neutral toward every nation, and salutes no flag.
forbidden StatueThis tradition holds that statues have no place in worship.
forbidden Three-bar crossThis tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
expected Communion traysThe bread and cup are carried to the pews in trays and passed along the rows.
expected Sound systemThe songs are sung to recorded accompaniment, played through the sound system.
discouraged BannerBanners are not part of this tradition's worship space.
discouraged Brass band standsBrass doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
discouraged Choir stallsThis tradition's worship has no choir.
discouraged Flag of the churchThis tradition doesn't fly a flag in worship.
discouraged Drum kitA band and drum kit do not belong in this tradition's worship.
discouraged Flaming chaliceThe flaming chalice is another tradition's symbol.
discouraged Hammond organA gospel organ doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
discouraged Painting of ChristPictures of Christ are not part of this tradition's worship space.
discouraged Upright pianoA piano doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
discouraged Pipe organAn organ doesn't suit this tradition's worship.

What people here feel

Architectural style: Colonial brick +0.052; Modern synagogue +0.034; Gurdwara +0.028; Japanese temple +0.016; Islamic +0.01; Shinto shrine +0.01; Chinese temple +0.004; Dravidian temple -0.002; Nagara temple -0.002; Thai temple -0.002; Jain marble -0.008; Gothic -0.014.
Building fit: up to ±0.15 for everyone, the average fit of the characterful items in its worship rooms (the table below).
Acoustics: it wants a room between ringing and dry, about 2.2 seconds of reverberation: neither bare stone nor a carpeted low room. Up to ±0.05.
Seasonal decor: it keeps the church year: paraments and the season's decor are worth up to ±0.013.
The public talk lands by its topic and the tradition's leaning (below); the elder's preaching adds or costs up to 0.08 more.
Communion: each communion service runs longer; a slow one costs 0.05 for every 10 minutes the service runs over (0.2 at most).

How each public talk lands

The topics its leader can choose from (some are only for one faith or family), and what each is worth.

Fire & Brimstone+0.08
Marriage as God Designed+0.06
Sanctity of Life+0.06
The Last Days+0.06
Faith & Family+0.04
Faith of Our Fathers+0.04
Obedience & Discipline+0.04
Personal Holiness+0.04
Resisting Temptation+0.04
Spiritual Warfare+0.04
The Authority of Scripture+0.04
The Great Commission+0.04
Biblical Stories+0.015
Blessed Are the Peacemakers+0.015
Called by Name+0.015
Doubt & Faith+0.015
Eternal Life & Resurrection+0.015
Grace & Forgiveness+0.015
Gratitude+0.015
Hope & Comfort+0.015
Joy in All Things+0.015
Love One Another+0.015
Sabbath Rest+0.015
Saints & Witnesses+0.015
Servant Leadership+0.015
Songs of the Psalms+0.015
Stewardship & Generosity+0.015
The Church Year+0.015
The Life of Prayer+0.015
The Parables of Jesus+0.015
Care for Creation-0.02
Healing for All-0.02
Wealth & Poverty-0.02
Welcome the Stranger-0.02
Social Justice Call-0.03
Interfaith Understanding-0.05
Reading Scripture in Context-0.05
Swords into Ploughshares-0.05
The Prophets' Call-0.05
Women Who Led-0.05
Racial Justice & Reconciliation-0.075
Radical Inclusion-0.075

Every item, for this tradition

Fit runs from −1 (jars) to +1 (just right); the building fit is the average over the characterful items in the worship rooms. An item with no character (a table, a toilet) has no fit. A rule applies wherever the item is.

Item	Fit	Rule
Seating
Box pew	-0.333
Choir stalls	-0.667	discouraged This tradition's worship has no choir.
Meeting bench	no fit
Oak pew	no fit
Row of chairs	+0.333
Liturgical furniture
Altar	-0.333
Baptismal font	-0.333
Baptistry	no fit
Bishop's chair	-0.333
Brass eagle lectern	-0.333
Columbarium niches	-0.333
Communion rail	-0.333
Communion station	no fit
Communion table	no fit	required The Lord's Supper is served from a communion table, recalling the table of the Last Supper.
Communion trays	no fit	expected The bread and cup are carried to the pews in trays and passed along the rows.
Confessional screen	no fit
Coptic cross	-1	forbidden This tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
Epitaphios	-1
Flaming chalice	-1	discouraged The flaming chalice is another tradition's symbol.
Foot-washing basins	no fit
Haikal screen	-1
Iconostasis	-1
Immersion font	-0.333
Lectern	no fit
Litany desk	-0.333
Mercy seat	no fit
Octagonal stone font	-0.333
Paraments	no fit
Pulpit	no fit	required Preaching is the center of worship, so the pulpit stands at the center of the platform.
Readers' desks	no fit
Rood screen	-1
Sanctuary lamp	-0.333
Tabernacle	-0.333
Three-bar cross	-1	forbidden This tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
Thurible and stand	no fit
Music
Brass band stands	-1	discouraged Brass doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
Chanter's stand	-0.667
Drum kit	-0.333	discouraged A band and drum kit do not belong in this tradition's worship.
Electronic organ	-1
Grand piano	-1
Hammond organ	-1	discouraged A gospel organ doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
Handbell table	-1
Pipe organ	-0.667	discouraged An organ doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
Sound system	-0.333	expected The songs are sung to recorded accompaniment, played through the sound system.
Upright piano	-1	discouraged A piano doesn't suit this tradition's worship.
Decor
Advent wreath	no fit
Banner	-1	discouraged Banners are not part of this tradition's worship space.
Christmas Eve candles	no fit
Cross	-1	forbidden This tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
Crucifix	-1	forbidden This tradition does not use the cross as a symbol.
Easter lilies	no fit
Eternal flame	no fit
Flag of the church	-1	discouraged This tradition doesn't fly a flag in worship.
Great dome	-0.333
Icon	-1	forbidden This tradition holds that images of God and the saints have no place in worship.
Memorial plaque	no fit
National flag	-1	forbidden This tradition stays neutral toward every nation, and salutes no flag.
Painting of Christ	-1	discouraged Pictures of Christ are not part of this tradition's worship space.
Paschal candle	no fit
Plain spire	no fit
Small dome	no fit
Stained glass window	-1
Statue	-1	forbidden This tradition holds that statues have no place in worship.
Steeple and bells	-0.333
Votive candle stand	no fit
Furnishings
Alms box	no fit
Coffee pot	no fit
Commercial coffee pot	no fit
Computer	no fit
Crib	no fit
Desk	no fit
Desk chair	no fit
Folding table	no fit
Full-length mirror	no fit
Pillar	-0.333
Prie-dieu	-0.333
Projection screen	+0.333
Vestment cabinet	-0.333
Wooden table	no fit
Utility
A/V rack	no fit
Camera	no fit
Cast-iron boiler	no fit
Central air conditioner	no fit
Commercial HVAC plant	no fit
Commercial stove	no fit
Congregation van	no fit
Ductless heat pump	no fit
Electric wall heater	no fit
Gas furnace	no fit
Hearing loop	no fit
Lift	no fit
Packaged heat pump	no fit
Plumbing stack	no fit
Ramp	no fit
Shuttle bus	no fit
Sink	no fit
Solar panels	no fit
Stairs	no fit
Toilet	no fit
Used school bus	no fit
Wall camera	no fit
Window air conditioner	no fit
Grounds
Evergreen tree	no fit
Flower bed	no fit
Fountain	no fit
Garden bench	no fit
Hedge	no fit
Lychgate	-0.333
Playground	no fit
Shade tree	no fit
Standing cross	no fit

Sources

What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe? (jw.org) (link)
How Are Jehovah's Witnesses' Congregations Organized? (jw.org) (link)
Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Observe the Lord's Supper Differently From Other Religions? (jw.org) (link)
Meetings (jw.org) (link)
How Do Jehovah's Witnesses Use Donations? (jw.org) (link)
Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Use the Cross in Worship? (jw.org) (link)
Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Certain Holidays? (jw.org) (link)
Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Accept Blood Transfusions? (jw.org) (link)
How Many of Jehovah's Witnesses Are There Worldwide? (jw.org) (link)
How Do Jehovah's Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion? (jw.org) (link)
Do Jehovah's Witnesses Have Women Preachers? (jw.org) (link)