Jehovah’s Witnesses to keep COVID-19 mandates in place

Videoconferencing and written letters will be used for communication
By: 
Luke Reimer
Reporter

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of people to adjust their work life, social life and religious life, including Jehovah’s Witness members.

2020 and 2021 saw a major change in how Jehovah’s Witnesses conduct their public ministries and congregation meetings.

Jehovah’s Witness members adjusted their ministry to videoconferencing rather than the well known door-to-door meetings. In 2021, Jehovah’s Witness members will continue the theme of contacting people remotely to avoid sickness and putting others in danger.

“Our door-to-door visitation was suspended due to the pandemic, so we switched to video conferencing and sending letters,” said Tommy Allen, public communication representative of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We have a concern with the safety of communities — we have a high value on life.”

Allen said that members are able to get in contact with other communities members by using public directories, as well as using contacts from personal connections.

According to Allen, the decision to adjust their practice came from the world headquarters, located in New York. He added that there are branches located all over the world who oversee their district. Representatives of those districts are able to then communicate with the world headquarters to help aid in decision making.

He said that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have received positive feedback regarding the change in meetings.

“We have had a lot of people who are now visiting our website, jw.org,” said Allen.

With the pandemic and the inability to meet members face-to-face, Allen said that not only is the website seeing more traffic, but people are asking and researching more questions as well.

“The website has received many more hits,” said Allen. “People are researching more questions and people are asking us more questions.”

With the extended time that members have between seeing each other, Allen said that Jehovah Witness members have more time to dig into the Bible and learn more about the religion.

Allen thinks that relaying the information on the changes within the Jehovah’s Witnesses is important for the public to be made aware of.

“We will continue to be cautious and care about people’s lives,” said Allen. “We want to continue to share the message of hope.”

According to a press release sent out, around 51,000 people in the United States alone had requested for members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to reach to them to continue with their practice.

The press release also stated that members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses sent out links and passages from the Bible to distant family members and others detailing how to cope with things like anxiety, loneliness and depression.

Details regarding when the Jehovah’s Witnesses will be able to return to in person meetings are unknown, but they will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases and relief efforts to make a verdict.