Do you agree with this statement?

by JW_Researcher 21 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • undercover
    undercover
    "Leaders (called elders) of a given congregation are selected from within..."

    Looking at this from a JW perspective, it would have to be said that it's incorrect. Elders are not chosen "from within", they are chosen by Holy Spirit through the Governing Body. Of course that viewoint is subjective to what they believe.

    However, I can see where someone who isn't a JW could say this and think it correct. Men from inside the congregation make up the elder body. Not counting missionary work, Bethel and traveling overseers, rarely is a brother appointed an elder to serve somewhere other than in his home congregation. The only change to elders is if someone moves in or is newly appointed from "within" so to speak.

    "...and there is routine and frequent turnover."

    I don't know about that one. I was born and raised in the religion and I still see serving in the city where I grew up the same elders that were around when I was a kid (except for those that have died or moved). New elders have moved in, brothers have been appointed, but except for the rare DFing or removal of an elder, once they're in, they're stayin'. I can still remember over a 20 some year span the couple of elders that stepped down just because they were tired. More have been DFd than have just quit from tiredness. The only meeting I've been to in the last three years has been the memorial, three years running, and the same elders have been there each time. One elder has been added that I know of, because he moved into the territory.

  • daystar
    daystar

    Elders of a congregation are selected from within, as opposed to without, the congregation generally.

    As far as the frequency of turnover they cite, I've just never seen it.

    I respect the work that I've seen of Iannaccone's related to sect dynamics. That doesn't mean he's infallible though. I wonder from where he got the stats/info to make such a statement.

    Regarding why he didn't mention women's roles, I can only guess that he didn't feel it relevant to the subject of the paper, which appears to relate to growth. *shrug* I'm sure we could find a number of other points he didn't touch upon regarding the religion as the subject seems to be limited rather than encompassing.

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