A few points from the 2006 Biannual C.O. meeting w/Elders & MS. The theme was "Take a Personal Interest in Others"...Phil 2:4,5
Shepherding work
We have lives in our hands. Spend time having meaningful conversations at the KH. Shepherding calls can be done at meetings, by phone, and in field service. Determine the spiritual condition of the person and try to use at least one or two scriptures. The elders & servants should know where all the publishers live.
Public talk
Some elders are taking this privilege lightly, not showing up for talks and leaving the congregation in the lurch. Notify the congregation asap if an unusual circumstance prevents you from giving a talk.
Tattoos
Some are wearing tattoos they got after being baptized. How should this be viewed? (Lev 19:28; g00 8/8 p 18, 19) All things are lawful, but not advantageous. This could affect us as ministers, we don't want to be associated w/certain elements that wear tattoos. If a publisher has a tattoo he should be discrete and cover it.
Reporting auto accidents
If a publisher is involved in an auto accident resulting in death or serious injury, immediately call the Legal Department. The Organization is not responsible for us going into field service, this is a personal matter. To protect the Society's interest call the Legal Department immediately.
My comments:
Shepherding calls aren't being done. Between the fact that some elders are busy and some don't care, shepherding/pastoral care is going by the wayside. WTS doesn't want elders to restrict shepherding calls to a person's home.
Elders not showing up for public talks is a problem I've witnessed in more than a few congregations. Again, the problem has to do mostly with the quality of elders the WTS has.
Tattoos...of all the things to be concerned with, these guys have weightier things to deal with (blood policy, pedo problem, dwindling funds) and they still try to control the smallest details of people's lives. Issuing prohibitions on whether a person puts ink in his/her skin based on an OT scripture...these old fools don't have a clue.
Auto accidents
I found it interesting that the WTS would print/CO would read a comment about field service being a personal matter. I really hope one day some pissed off CO/DO publishes all these type letters & memos online.