Elders forced to make an apology

by KAYTEE 22 Replies latest jw experiences

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  KAYTEE

  It all started with a kingdom ministry sheet directive, suggesting that good readers to be used to read the watchtower on the Sunday. The elders, in their wisdom, took off 10 brothers.

  I reacted to this because the KM said good readers not the best readers. (I had also seen the damage done on a previous occasion with the same situation.)

  Because the elders would not back down over this, they used sisters to read in the group.

  Visiting witnesses were very puzzled. It got to a point where the elders wrote a letter and lied to the Society, saying that only 3 had been taken off reading. I wrote to the society and

  named 10 who had been taken off reading. Because of this, the travelling C.O. called a special meeting. The outcome of the meeting was the elders had to make a public apology to the congregation because of the way they had handled things.

  They were told to apologise unreservedly

  A few weeks later we had a WT discussion on Ez. Ch 7 re: The fat shepherds of old and how they were

  treating the people so badly . My answer! "Let’s bring this up to date, these fat shepherds are fat elders. I then went on to explain the likeness there was with ones at the time of Ezekiel and ones now. [As above] Within 2 mins of arriving home, I got a phone call telling me I was on the "carpet" & the elders were going to sort me out.

  I asked them whatever happened to Matt. 5 & Matt. 18, (two procedures that had to take place) Their answer, " this is too serious." ?

  Again they failed in this foolish act, because they were in such a hurry to flex their muscles. It was a pity, as I would have loved to have given a response to such a "kind" invitation to meet with them !!. Unfortunately, this did not materialise.

  There are many more instances like that, that I have come across in my 30 years in the Borg. 2 congregations fondly known to me as Staleg 17 & Staleg 18 !

  IMHO - The so called leaders are experts at using the stick, but failed miserably to master the carrot.

  KT
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  fullofdoubtnow

  Whilst we never had sisters reading in our cong, I know what you mean about elders exerting their authoriy over - vigorously. There were plenty who overdid things in the kh I attended. They certainly do seem to enjoy wielding the big stick a lot too much.
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  Finally-Free

  Now you might have to apologize to the brothers. Half of them were probably glad they didn't have to read any more.

  Elders used to give me "privileges" and later take them away, then give them back, only to take them away again. I lost count of how many times they pulled that stupid crap in their feeble efforts to control me. Then they would talk to me because they couldn't understand why I wasn't "reaching out". They couldn't understand why I was refusing to work the sound, run mics, say public prayers, etc. Refusing to do any work in the congregation reduces the amount of control the elders have over you, and the elders really hate it.

  W
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  Mary

  Sisters were allowed to read over men who were over the age of 5? Wow.....talk about going against the F&DS.

  While I understand what you're saying, I think it's pitifull that women, who might be excellent readers, are not allowed this "priviledge".
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  unbeliever

  I think it's pitifull that women, who might be excellent readers, are not allowed this "priviledge".

  JW women are only worthy of cleaning the toilet stool.
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  misspeaches

  I used to do the reading for our bookstudy group...
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  ozziepost

  Because the elders would not back down over this, they used sisters to read in the group.

  The sisters probably were better readers.

  Like you say "flexing the muscles" and examples can be given from the thousands of congregations of dubs - and still the flock stand ready to be fleeced!
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  serendipity

  I used to read at the book study as well.
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  mama1119

  I would have hated to read. The readers always looked so zoned out up there, bored out of their heads.
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  Honesty

  The Watchtower Society twists 1 Cor 14:33-35 so out of context.

  1 Cor 14:33-35 As in all the churches of the saints, the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church meeting.