It's often about demographic changes; the young publishers grow up and move out (or leave, preferably), the young pioneers get older and start raising families, and then the vibe of the cong fades a lot. The once eager elders are older and over it. The 'single women' who used to have a lot of devoted clones around them find that they're basically on their own now. It's a little sad for them, but their own choice.
You know meeting attendance is bad when...
by lola28 35 Replies latest jw friends
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SnakesInTheTower
lola28: You are going to see more and more of this. I heard about a congo in Illinois, they just closed the Litchfield congregation KH. It was a relatively new KH. It was sold and I was told by someone in Illinois that the money is being given to a small congo near the Illinois river (at the IL/MO border) for an English congo and a new Spanish congo/group. Litchfield was mostly older ones, the PO driving to Decatur for work then going to Litchfield for meetings. He finally got (partially) smart and moved to Decatur.....(i say partially smart, since he did not just leave). The remaining elders were scattered to several congos. Now, some of the territory that has been reassigned is 45 minutes to the nearest congo.
With gas prices where they are, can you imagine a publisher (let alone a newly interested one) driving that far to Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday meetings along with Saturday FS? I was told 2 of those elders are doing just that ...driving 45 min each way to meetings (not including elders meetings).....what a waste of resources. So now the overall attendance is down because many of those left from the dissolved congo are elderly and cant make the trip. (yayyy for attendance being down)
SnakesInTheTower (of the fading Sheep Class)
PS>>>>Anyone else know of KHs sold for other purposes, especially for purposes that would make a JW's hair curl (start another thread)...
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Highlander
Well, they built some assembly halls out in Riverside County, so we would have the privilege of driving 30-45 mins. out of L.A. to attend the CA's.
arlock
But as we all know, when the traffic is bad it takes 2 hours or more.(and the traffic is bad all the time!) I'm surprised anyone drives out to norco to attend. Sadly though, I was once one of those morons that not only attended an assembly there, but I helped clean the friggin place too!
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SirNose586
Excellent news!
Within the last year, one congregation near mine was dissolved. Another one is getting axed real soon. My folks say, "Well, this is just a low point in the cycle. Things will pick up."
Really? With the way housing prices are? This bubble had better burst before you start to see anything (and I doubt it will anytime soon)...people are moving out because they can't afford to live here. The growth is going to come from the suburban sprawl congregations. Even those, like in Temecula, aren't booming anymore...
Edit: Lola, you've got a PM.
Also... Gentile Times Post! Woot?
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Blueblades
The Elders are also affected. The Elders in the hall that closes down now have to submit to the Elders in the hall they are moving to. The hall they are moving to already has the elders assignments in place. So, now these Elders have to wait and see what will happen to them. I think there use to be a waiting period for any servant going to another congregation. The service committee will need to review the publishing cards of any servants, pioneers, and elders moving into their congregation. There will be some clashes for sure.
Blueblades
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nvrgnbk
Maybe someone can buy an old hippie bus and transport the sisters en-masse to the new hall. Have the Grateful Dead booming, a hookah for pre-meeting attitude adjustment, and some boxed wine for after the sales meetings.
Lurkers... these are real stories about an Organization you support and defend. Do the math, then smell the roses, then get the hell out!
Hey lawrence! Didn't the Dead have a song that mentioned the great halls of Jehovah? LMAO!
Yes lurkers! Fine advice from lawrence. Run for your lives! Literally.
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lawrence
Hey nvgnbk-
I don't know about "great halls of Jehovah", but I do know they walked me out into the 'Morning Dew.'
Yeah, get a Ken Kesey bus, some psychedelics, a few posters, "MAKE LOVE, NOT BOOKS" and "HAVE FUN, DON'T SHUN" and pick up those brothers and sisters, cruise to the halls. Maybe even do a tour of assemblies, anyone up for it???? Yeah man, they cut another billion trees down to make worthless books full of shit, yeah, come over here, sit down and let me show you...have a glass of wine first? In the parking lot, having a party at assemblies. We'll see where the "youth" flock. Can't hang with other guys and gals, no problem, go visit the bus. I'll kick off the assembly with the first talk, 'Why the WTS has been called a false prophet'. After the talk we'll have milk and cookies, a nap, and get ready for the beer keg. Talk number 2, 'Life after the Witlesses.' Wine hour and then some frisbee golf, maybe a few shrooms, and then the first day's drama - 'Kangaroo Courts and Judicial Commiittees - which do you choose?'
No headaches after day1.
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nvrgnbk
I don't know about "great halls of Jehovah", but I do know they walked me out into the 'Morning Dew.'
Swear to Jehovah about that line being in one of the Dead's songs. One of the more obscure ones, to be sure.
I really would have enjoyed attending the meetings you describe lawrence. You should call the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses with your ideas. I think you could really turn their attendance problem around.
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nvrgnbk
Now we're gettin' somewhere Blondie!
Hey, what's that smell wafting out of that bus?
