by minimus 20 Replies latest jw friends
Did you believe that just maybe, if there was a new elder appointed in the Hall, that things might be different? I remember hearing how happy people were when I first became an elder. They would say, "We need new blood!"...but then, of course, the new elder couldn't please anyone either.
What was your experience with hearing that a new elder got appointed? Did it make you feel as if, finally, things might change?
I never felt that way about new elders on account that we never had any new elders in the cong grew up in. It was the same group of men year after year after year ...
But I DID get excited when we would get a new CO because I would always feel like maybe THIS one could see through all the hypocrisy of the elders and make a change. Obviously this never happened either. To this day, my old cong STILL has the same core of elders it had 20 years ago.
jelcat
A CO once visited us and appointed 3 new elders. His comment was "We need some new blood on this body , it has got stale and cliquey?
The COs generally stick with the BOE unless the BOE is known to screw up often and the Society wants the CO to check things out.
The COs generally stick with the BOE unless the BOE is known to screw up often and the Society wants the CO to check things out. Whilst I agree with you that this is generally the case I did know a CO who took delight in doing the exact opposite of what BOE wanted. The CO who appointed 3 elders who the Body did not think were ready and the CO who despite a unanimous recommendation of the body turned down a brothers appointemnt and said lets wait a bit longer
You're right , Stilla. But my seem to try to work with the elders, from what I've seen.
There was always a naive expectation that "Jehober" had finally answered our prayers. Good guys do get the nod every once in a while. But sooner or later the humbling experience of appointment to a power position goes right to their heads. Asking turns to demanding and then tyranny is close on it's heals. Or they turn into cowering, sniveling, yes men too afraid to lose their title and status.
In a religion that demands perfection it can hardly be expected to turn out differently.
We had one guy move in after the CO sent two warring elders to different congregations (to wreak havoc there I might add). He was an asshole in many ways, he was obnoxious, over bearing and single handed. He would call me to check up on talks I was assigned and even typed out announcements for me once to show me "how they were to be done". He was not my cup o tea but I was glad he was there.
His involvement and interest was refreshing given the apathy of most elders (until someone touches a booby). He was a super shot in the arm for the congo though and for that I was grateful. The elders left behind hated him but as all politicians do, they lifted loyal arms high.
After about 6 months he gets a dose of conscience and comes forward and cops to some inappropriate homosexual activity he has engaged in. (basically molested a younger prodigy who lived with him and his wife for a while). He gets df'd and the hall goes right back to the way it was.
My two cents!
Frank75
the vast majority of COs will also wait minimum 2 visits to "get a feel" for the congregation". They will talk to pioneers etc and ask discreet questions. Then on 3rd or 4th visit make changes. they also dont usually make chganges on last vist - tend to think "I will leave it to the enxt CO"
Back to your topic 'I am the ternal optimist" so was always hopeful that a new elder would change things. If nothing else, at least reduce the workload on the rest of us.
I had hope in Ray Franz on the GB when I was at Bethel (he was of the most knowledgeable, yet of the most humble), we left to raise a family, but a few years later they kicked him out. I had absolutely no more hope after that.
Our PO was an old congo servant from the 50's very strick and by the book on everything even what kind of suits and shirts the elders would wear at the hall. We had this young french elder from Montreal move in and he was opposite of everything the PO stood for. He wore flashy suits with bright colorful shirts and outragious ties. Very humble and caring brother (one of the few I ever met). He didn't stay but one year and moved back to Canada hated to see him leave if just for the look on the PO's face when he gave talks with his great looking suits...
