Vol. 6, No. 10, 1989

President's Perspective - How to Rescue Your Loved One from the Watchtower

David Henke

During the past several months I have had more opportunities to minister to the needs of individuals in spiritually divided families than at any time in recent memory. It seems that things happen in bunches. Most of the individuals I have dealt with have had their difficulties with the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Though all of them have very different situations there are common denominators as well. One of them is in the quality of love. In a close relationship with a Jehovah's Witness it will seem to the non-Witness individual that he is expendable. The love can be withdrawn if the non-Witness is seen to be in opposition to the Watchtower. In one situation a couple who were still "officially" Jehovah's Witnesses were told by a "friend" that they were loved, but if they were to leave the Organization they would not be loved anymore.

Many hours can be spent on the phone, writing letters, or counselling individuals with such relationship problems. I have wished that a book would be written to provide the insights and practical approaches so much time and anguish could be saved. Now it has been written.

How to Rescue Your Loved One from the Watchtower, by David Reed, has just been released by Baker Book House. David Reed is a former Jehovah's Witness elder and Publisher of Comments From The Friends newsletter. His experiences on both sides of the fence have given him the practical insights needed by so many others.

Some of the chapter titles include "Don't Delay -- Act Today!", "Overall Strategy", "Techniques that Work", "Can This Marriage Be Saved?", and "When Children Are Involved."

An important facet of the book are the 47 photostats documenting the Watchtower claims of authority, false prophecies, doctrine changes, etc. Also listed are a number of ministries around the country that can provide help on a more personal basis.

David has also written an excellent book entitled, Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse, also from Baker Book House. I would strongly recommend both of them.