Questions for JWs

[WaltonM]

What are the JW churches or meeting houses called? I'm thinking stake or ward. But I think those are Mormon labels and not JW.

Are JW members assigned to a particular church/meeting house? Or can you just attend where-ever you want?

That is it for now. More questions later.

 

[Moriel]

What are the JW churches or meeting houses called? I'm thinking stake or ward. But I think those are Mormon labels and not JW.

Are JW members assigned to a particular church/meeting house? Or can you just attend where-ever you want?

That is it for now. More questions later.

We call the building a "kingdom hall" ... because it's a "hall" where the "kingdom" is preached. And most people refer to congregational meetings as "meetings." The talks that a person gives at the front is just a "talk" or "discourse" ... we generally don't use ceremonious terms like "sermon" whatnot. Another thing that's abnormal, is that we're all brothers and sisters. While there are different roles a person can play (not all members are elders, and not all elders are assigned tasks like circuit overseeing), we wouldn't address someone as "Elder..." or "Father...." We strive to be united and refer to each other as equals... "Brother (last name)" or "Sister (last name)." Of course, there's nothing wrong with informally calling a person by their first name or anything... but "brother" or "sister" is considered formal.

People are free to go where they like, of course. However, it's encouraged that a person not hop around completely at random. Once you pick a congregation, you should try to stick with one... mostly for the sake of organization. Each study group takes turns cleaning the hall. Also, if you want to take part in the ministry school, you should be part of that specific congregation so that the elders can get to know your strengths and weaknesses so they can give constructive and helpful advice on your presentation. Of course, there's nothing wrong with switching to another congregation for any reason... it's just best to let people know so that the elders don't get worried (if you're going long term). And, of course, there's nothing wrong with just plain visiting other congregations just to meet new people.

So... yea, you pick your congregation, and that becomes your "assigned" congregation... but there's nothing keeping someone from going to a new one.

Anything else?