The Effect of Losing Elders

by metatron 40 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  metatron

  Losing elders in the US puts the organization into quite a dilemma. They hate large congregations

  but can't split without enough appointed local 'enforcers'.

  In addition to losing elders, they have a big problem with elders that are losers! I know of

  congregations that barely function because nearly all of the elders are old, chronically sick or just

  plain ineffective. ( Shepherding Visit on African - American Witness couple with many burdens:

  old elder with me asked them "are the colored friends having problems?)

  Losing elders also gives local elders leverage against the Circuit Overseer. Example:

  "You brothers aren't doing enough. I question your qualifications". Response: "You're right

  Brother Chekist, we're not worthy. We should just quit". Result: "Uh, ...... well, don't feel

  that way about it. Don't give up your privileges".

  or

  Circuit Overseer: "The Accounts Servant/ Secretary/ Theocratic Mininstry Overseer isn't doing

  his job. Someone else must be appointed"

  Individual Elders: "I can't do it. I can't do it. I can't do it"

  C.O. "Privilege....blah, blah, blah, ... responsibility.... blah blah blah"

  Elders then attempt to appoint each other accusingly, "Well, he could do it" "No, I can't!"

  ( at this point things really get funny!)

  The C.O. finally settles on an ineffective brother who doesn't have the b@lls to actually say no.

  Ever see elders carry the microphones for the Watchtower? I'm seeing it more and more.

  metatron ( hee - hee)
• 

  nvrgnbk

  Yes.

  Many elders are losers.

  Some aren't.

  The good ones burn themselves out trying to clean up after the losers.

  The apathy that ensues is the greatest danger to the vitality of the organization.

  It's falling apart.

  As always, metatron, a very insightful post.

  Thanks.
• 

  Younglove1999

  elders should be carrying the microphones.

  I hate when I see one lone brother trying to do the microphone for the entire hall because brother "responsible for the left side" didn't show up, while the 9 elders in the hall hang out in the back re-reading the stupid announcement board during the whole meeting.
• 

  Mrs Smith

  The elders are suppose to be "serving" the congregation. Nothing wrong with them doing mic duty for a change. I think less and less men are reaching out to become elders and MS. Soon they will have to call on the loyal sister. lol.
• 

  WTWizard

  I hope the day comes when there aren't going to be enough hounders to do anything. The congregations will simply fall apart.
• 

  lawrence

  Great news! Maybe one day the WTS will put an ad on this board -- "10,000 men wanted -- we need microphone handlers - minimum qualifications - feet that work, and the ability not to drink (too much) before meetings."
• 

  metatron

  Some other amusements:

  Wrecking the new elder: Either a new elder gets appointed - or one moves in. What happens next?

  He gets every responsibility that the existing elders don't want. A couple of miserable years later,

  he burns out completely, leaving only the old ( and lazy but wiser) ineffective elders in charge.

  Can I offer you some asprin, Brother C.O.?

  The Brother who can't bring himself to quit: He burns out but can't 'step down' because of guilt or

  family pressure. Result: his wife gets some weird chronic illness, his kids get into trouble

  and he generally sets an example of misery within the congregation. The C.O. will 'work'

  with him. Nothing gets any better but he's still an elder.

  metatron
• 

  Younglove1999

  I think that's why they're appointing men at younger ages to become MS's and Elders.

  10-20 years ago, it was rare for a 19, 20 year old to become an MS. They wanted mature, responsible men, mostly who had families (showing that they were responsible, etc.) to assume these roles. And usually they appointed men in their early or mid 30's.

  but now, they're appointing them younger- seems they want to rein them in so they have no "excuse" to miss meetings because they have to handle XYZ-

  the younger they're brainwashed into thinking they're so important, the better chance the org. has on keeping them for a while-

  In my opinion anyways...
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  The WTS will keep reaching out to ANY men in the congregation, but many will not
  accept the position. The WTS will keep merging congregations to keep enough elders
  on the body of every congregation. You can get by with 3, but it is a bunch of work.
  Ideally, 5 active participants on the body is proper.

  Don't worry about the overcrowding auditoriums as they keep merging. The numbers
  might say 250 to 300 members in a congregation, but 150 to 200 will show up. They
  will only be crowded at the Memorial.

  The mergers will also allow selling many properties as they collapse over the years.
  That's money in the bank.
• 

  metatron

  Other effects:

  Some rural congregations have bodies of elders that have looked after ( or shielded) their families

  so well, that the congregation is a body of elders and their families! A congregation in name only.

  Another:

  The Society sends a fresh MTS graduate to HardScrabble, Alabama. He is outwardly welcomed

  but privately viewed as an outsider. The elders manage the congregation around him, as an inner

  circle. He either gives up or 'learns the way things are around here'.

  metatron