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Post by so sad on Aug 7, 2006 8:15:17 GMT -5
Some professing folks were made to feel that they HAD to give their testimony at convention each year! In Ohio, Hubert Childers would gently tap you on the shoulders and ask if you had given your testimony yet! I remember forcing myself to give a testimony after I was baptised. Thanks to Jim Price, I had no choice. I felt embarassed because I couldn't speak like some folks in my meeting.
A lady spoke at convention about how "satan gets a victory when we don't stand to our feet and give our testimonies!"
Another lady said she just "couldn't leave this convention without giving her testimony" ....And "we feel bad when we give our testimony but worse when we don't give our testimony".
In 1998, I made a vow to God that I wouldn't never feel guilty again for not giving my testimony.
To think that one MUST give their testimonies at convention is pure bondage! Freedom in Christ! Praise God!!
Roy Lacy used to hold the last meeting open for a long time in silence trying to get people to give their testimony. Crazy. Colin Mackay once gave out a hymn and left the meeting open again for testimonies.
In the last 10 years, there have been no testimony time on the Sunday PM meeting. Thank goodness for some poor soul who is struggling with the decision to "give their testimony in this convention!:!!!!!
God is good. It is so wonderful to be free from bondage. You know what, I still love those people. I just don't agree with a service of duty devoid of love! Love should empower us. Not duty.
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Post by Brick on Aug 7, 2006 8:46:34 GMT -5
I have a couple of thoughts regarding this: 1. There is no obligation to speak. 2. If God has placed something on your heart that you feel would be of benefit to others, I hope that you feel a need to articulate it to others. 3. If you speak in convention just to 'git 'er done,' and get back to daydreaming during the testimonies, you are wasting your time and mine and the only benefit is you feel that your obligation has been met. I get a chuckle at all the "I enjoyed what ________ said and want to live by it." Whatever. You could have told them after meeting.
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Post by Gene on Aug 7, 2006 12:09:51 GMT -5
I saw an interesting phenomenon in Iowa (Boyden, in particular, I seem to recall) over the period circa 1975 to 1990. Not sure exactly the point in that long span when it happened, but in the earlier time people were very slow to stand and testify. Even as a kid I was embarrassed for all of us by the long silences. And then by the late 80s or so they had to take turns by section because they couldn't make time for all the people standing. Amazing! I thought it may have had something to do with the different styles of the head workers, but I'm not sure.
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Post by guest5 on Aug 7, 2006 12:37:36 GMT -5
I believe the testimony by section was started when they started using the "traveling" mikes. I think it works out better and for those who don't like giving a testimonym, just see how long a section takes and then if your section is getting close for the next meeting, make a move. Or hit the restroom, or rather "go to the restroom" cause someone will have some remark about "hitting" the restroom.
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Post by webster on Aug 7, 2006 14:45:16 GMT -5
the sister worker in my field told me that when one of the folks in her field gives his/her testimony at a convention, it makes her feel she's done her job as worker in the field. after hearing that, i felt I'd be letting the workers down if I didn't give a testimony.
NEVER in my years of 2x2ism did I feel compelled to give my testimony because of being touched by God. i did it b/c it would make me look good. sounds silly now.
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Post by mrtindrucvionging on Aug 7, 2006 19:03:08 GMT -5
Much more honest, heartfelt , and better when one lives their testimony every day of their life ,;; but feels moved by the Spirit to share sincere feelings with brothers and sisters ... in a special gathering... like convention. There were times when I gave my testimony when I felt I should, and times when I felt it was my hearts' desire and prompting of the Spirit. I can say that being prompted by the Spirit is much much better and felt right and more special.
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Aug 8, 2006 13:43:39 GMT -5
I've given a little tidbit in some of the conventions I've been to. Usually, once a year, not in every convention.
I've never really felt pressured.
And, the reference to Jim Price- he's a really nice man... I grew up with him in our home a lot. Maybe, if someone pressures you, the best thing is to sit down and tell them, "I appreciate your encouragement, but I feel better speaking in front of small crowds. If God moves me to speak and gives me strength, I will."
Or, say nothing.
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Post by jxr on Aug 9, 2006 8:09:14 GMT -5
I saw an interesting phenomenon in Iowa (Boyden, in particular, I seem to recall) over the period circa 1975 to 1990. Not sure exactly the point in that long span when it happened, but in the earlier time people were very slow to stand and testify. Even as a kid I was embarrassed for all of us by the long silences. And then by the late 80s or so they had to take turns by section because they couldn't make time for all the people standing. Amazing! I thought it may have had something to do with the different styles of the head workers, but I'm not sure. Yeah, but that tactic has now worn out. In the convention I last attended, the Saturday and Sunday testimony sessions werre like extractng teeth, section by section, and finally, from the whole congregation. I think the players on the final session could have been counted on the fingers of one bowl of chilli.
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