namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

by David Haslam

The other day I was reading an article about the preaching work done by Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons compared to ISKCON devotees' book distribution. They noted that from what they could see, both were more successful in making followers, and questioned how this could be.

One focus is, what is the purpose of book distribution?

• Is it the book score?
• Is it the money raised?
• Or is it something more deep?

I can only talk about Jehovah’s Witnesses, as I used to be a regular pioneer (yes, the ones who knock on your door); the focus was not the amount of books distributed—yes, big numbers was nice—but this was not the focus.

The focus was on bible study through the study of the bible; they will see the need for God in their lives, and too become followers of Jehovah and His son, Jesus. Each Friday night service was focused on helping us all develop the skills needed and to inspire us.

As we went from street to street, house to house, we logged each encounter and returned not only to those homes that had taken a book, but those who had shown any interest and asked questions. Time would be taken to note facts: names, addresses, family details, what was talked about, any interesting details—so that on the follow-up call we could use these. If a family member or pet was ill we would know to ask how they were. This is a personal touch, a personal interest, and people respond well to this as it demonstrates concern.

The aim is simply that one day they will come to the house group, held once a week in a person's home. This is a page-by-page discussion of one of the society's books; it gives the person association of others and helps develop more personal relationships. Eventually they will come to the Kingdom Hall and will enter into the House to House Ministry School.

Yes, this was the simple program in order to make disciples.

Srila Prabhupada wrote:

When Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami went to Vrndavana, there was not a single temple, but by their preaching they were gradually able to construct various temples. Sanatana Gosvami constructed the Madana-mohana temple, and Rupa Gosvami constructed the Govindaji temple. Similarly, their nephew Jiva Gosvami constructed the Radha-Damodara temple, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami constructed the Radha-ramana temple, Sri Lokanatha Gosvami constructed the Gokulananda temple, and Syamananda Gosvami constructed the Syamasundara temple. In this way, many temples were gradually constructed.

For preaching, construction of temples is also necessary. The Gosvamis not only engaged in writing books but also constructed temples because both are needed for preaching work. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted the cult of His sankirtana movement to spread all over the world. Now that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has taken up this task of preaching the cult of Lord Caitanya, its members should not only construct temples in every town and village of the globe but also distribute the books that have already been written and further increase the number of books. Both distribution of books and construction of temples must continue side by side in parallel lines.

CC Adi 7.164

We see that the Gosvamis by their preaching work also gave facility for those who they had convinced to become God conscious, a focal point to share, to praise, to sing and dance, to worship Sri Krishna.

The value of preaching is not only the number of books, but that we develop the congregation; that we concentrate our book distribution in areas were we have or are wanting to set up a center; that our focus in not the good book score or amount of money we raise, but that of follow-up cultivation.

I look at the book scores and wonder, why, if so many books are distributed (and by Krishna’s mercy our numbers are higher than that of the Witnesses, how come so few people end up coming to our centers?

As we give a book, do we also give contact details? Do we afford the times for outreach classes? The question is, does it appear that we are interested in them taking the book, or are we interested in them? As we go out on book distribution, are we looking to make devotees?

This should always be our focus, not the high book scores or the money; then our centers will be full.