Are elders what they used to be?

by BluesBrother 17 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

BluesBrother

When I was a young and idealistic elder - the attitude that was stressed continually was this one :
w75
12/1p.716ChristianGreatnessComesfromServing***
Christian
GreatnessComesfromServing
"Among you, whoever wants to be great must be your servant."—Matt. 20:26, New English Bible
w75
12/1p.721ChristianGreatnessComesfromServing***
NO
ROOMFORASUPERIORATTITUDE
21

No, for that certainly would not be in accord with Jesus’ counsel and the principle he taught his apostles. Actually, all those who served as "elders" were also servants of their brothers, including those called congregation "servants" ("ministerial servants," NW). Jesus Christ himself had come, ‘not to be served, but to serve.’ The inspired apostle Paul stated that Jesus "became a servant [di·a´ko·nos] of the Jewish people to maintain the truth of God." (Matt. 20:28; Rom. 15:8, NE) Paul referred to himself (as well as to his coworkers, Timothy and others) as a "servant" (di·a´ko·nos). (Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23, Int) By this he did not mean that he was part of a body of congregational servants ("ministerial servants" or "deacons") in a particular congregation but, rather, that he had been assigned to serve in behalf of the Christian congregation as a whole. Speaking of that congregation, he says: "I became its servant [di·a´ko·nos; minister, NW] by virtue of the task assigned to me by God for your benefit: to deliver his message in full."—Col. 1:24-26, NE
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12/1p.716ChristianGreatnessComesfromServing***
According to lexicographers, the term di·a´ko·nos comes from the Greek word di·a´, meaning "through," and the Greek word ko´nis, meaning "dust," hence describing a servant who is dusty due to performing some duty or errand
This last point was amended later , but still retains the thought of humble service
*
it-2pp.406-407Minister***
, D. Edmond Hiebert wrote in BibliothecaSacra: "It has been held that the term is a compound of the preposition [di·a´], meaning ‘through,’ and the noun [ko´nis], ‘dust,’ so that the term denotes one who hurries through the dust to carry out his service. But this suggested derivation is not generally accepted today. More probably the verbal root was [di·e´ko], ‘to reach from one place to another,’ akin to the verb [di·o´ko], ‘to hasten after, to pursue.’ Then the root idea is one who reaches out with diligence and persistence to render a service on behalf of others
Now, however 32 years later the tone and direction of the counsel is very different

*w023/15p.16par.12ChristLeadsHisCongregation***
Calamity befell Cain, Balaam, and Korah. How vividly these examples teach us to listen to the counsel of those whom Jehovah uses in positions of responsibility and to respect them!
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3/15p.15par.11ChristLeadsHisCongregation***
Our baptism ‘in the name of the holy spirit’ is a public declaration that we recognize the holy spirit and acknowledge the role it plays in Jehovah’s purposes. (Matthew 28:19) Such a baptism implies that we cooperate with the spirit and do nothing to hinder its operation among Christ’s followers. Since the holy spirit plays a vital role in the recommendation and appointment of elders, can we really be faithful to our dedication if we fail to cooperate with the elder arrangement in the congregation?
the emphasis now is to tell the rank and file that they must obey the elders, or they disobey God himself
Get this from the April 1st 2007 WT
p28 "We obey the elders not only because we are directed to do so in gods Word but..." "elders may lose sleep out of concern for our spiritual welfare " [ Ho Ho! ..]
p29 " Our showing an uncooperative spirit is displeasing to Jehovah""instead...we show proper respect and cooperation"
p30 " Our willing cooperation our obedience and our submission"
"Any failure or mistakes on the part of certain elders would not justify an insubordinate attitude on our part . Jehovah does not bless disobedience"
INSUBORDINATE? Who the hell do they think they are ? It reads like being in the army, not a Christian congregation of brothers.
My point is this . A service to the congregation born out of humility and respect for the each member has evolved into a privileged position that requires the respect of those whom are subordinate .Any one familiar with George Orwells "Animal Farm"
"All animals are equal but some are more equal than others!"
StillGroggy

There are local needs in my hall all the time basically telling the sisters to shut up and not complain. It's getting ridiculous.
XBEHERE

Most of the elders now suck. many are power hungry, insecure, petty, unloving, etc, etc. There was a time where elders were reccomended based on what the bible said now its more who you know and who's big fat ass you kiss.
Gill

The bOrg is getting frighteningly controlling.
I ran into a JW lady a month or so ago who left her violent husband. The elders had been to visit her and told her that though they were not spiritual policemen, Jehovah hates a divorcing and that she should return to her husband!!
The Elder I remember from the 1970's used to plead with a particular sister who was regularly beaten by her husband to leave the bastard!
The Elders are being driven by the Evil Slave Class to control and beat the sheep! They have become power hungry idiots, intent on following every instruction that Brooklyn gives. Elders no longer use any common sense AT ALL!
I feel sad for those trapped in this death cycle of the WTBTS.
greendawn

There is no culture of love in this org and the problem comes from high up it is the org or the corporation itself if you like that shows no humility and love eg by being charitable at least to loyal long time members that came to be in need. So it's hypocritical of them to instruct others to be what they are not, elders or R&F. And at the end of the day this is a business and not a religion, it's certainly not out to serve it's followers.
Crumpet

Elders fell into two categories -
The Token elders - chosen to make up numbers and take book study groups, but sweet and well meaning and never proud or lordy. These are the ones who would just ask if you were sorry at a judicial and thats all they would need to know. They would trust you meant it, give you the benefit of the doubt and never act judgementally.
The Bully Brothers - these are usually the manipulative controlling ones. They usually make PO. They usually give the most boring preachy talks as they have no relationship or kinship with their audience. They are all about weeding out the chaff, and everyone is just chaff waiting to happen.
Have the categories broadened - I don't know, but I doubt it.
choosing life

Thirty years ago, I knew some loving, humble elders. There were always power hungry, mean and petty ones too. But I think there were more good than bad. Today I see a reverse of the situation. The ones that are sincere when they start either become company men to keep their positions or become discouraged and step aside to keep their sanity.
Having been the wife of an elder, I know how much stress is put upon these men to sometimes go against their conscience. It really is a "good old boys club" and you must adjust your thinking to theirs to fit in. To step aside takes great humility because the gossip starts in full force and you are immediately treated as a lesser person.
Basically, it is a position of power and power can corrupt as we see so often in politics, business and religion. Some people will cross many lines to keep their image and power intact. The society is a prime example.
Chameleon

Most of the elders in my hall are self-righteous.
under_believer

For me this change is REAL and it is exemplified by the migration from titles with the word "Servant" to titles with the word "Overseer".

Circuit Servant
District Servant
Congregation Servant

...etc. Now we have

Circuit Overseer
District Overseer
Presiding Overseer
Service Overseer

...etc. It's a huge change in tone and means something very different. I can think of no reason for this change--certainly no scriptural reason--other than an increase in hierarchical control.

CONTRAST THIS---

ser·vant (sûr'v?nt) pronunciation
n.

1. One who is privately employed to perform domestic services.
2. One who is publicly employed to perform services, as for a government.
3. One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another: your obedient servant.

TO THIS---

o·ver·se·er (o'v?r-se'?r)
n.

1. One who keeps watch over and directs the work of others, especially laborers.
2. A supervisor or superintendent.
XBEHERE

Having been the wife of an elder, I know how much stress is put upon these men to sometimes go against their conscience. It really is a "good old boys club" and you must adjust your thinking to theirs to fit in. To step aside takes great humility because the gossip starts in full force and you are immediately treated as a lesser person.
This is exactly it in a nutshell. Once you stop "adjusting your thinking and going against your own conscience" that is when the pestering starts like in my case.
"How are you?" "We missed you at the last meeting" PO: "Do you think we could meet and talk with you for a few minutes?" "We noticed..you seem stressed out lately"
I have made a concession recently to start to go more regularly to the meetings again w/ the wife but I am done playing games with the other elders and she understands this. She knows my stepping aside/deletion isn't far away. Maybe when she sees how I am treated afterwards she'll finally see how unloving and unchristlike these people really are and leave with me.

Are elders what they used to be?

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