My last meeting as an elder

by Lee Elder 34 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Lee Elder

  The thread on judicial committes reminded me of my last meeting
  as a JW elder. A major rift had developed on the body of elders
  between conservative elements and the moderate/liberal elements.
  With the moving away of some moderates the conservatives had
  taken a 5-4 majority and were flexing their muscles, using the J.C.
  process to even some old scores and to "whip the congregation
  into shape." They were egged on by one of the most conservative,
  hardline circuit overseers I have ever met. The man was nothing
  short of a complete moron.

  After a major tiff at a body of elders meeting where horns locked
  and the proverbial poop hit the fan (Hardliners tried to remove
  me as the WTS conductor), two elders were assigned to meet
  with me and ask a bunch of questions to try and satisfy the questions
  in the minds of the hardliners.

  Here is the question that pushed me over the edge:

  "Br._____, when was the last time you disfellowshipped
  a young person?"

  That was it for me - "Jehovah painted it red" as one elder use to say.
  I knew I could no longer actively support the WTS or stand by
  and watch these oppressive wolves destroy lives and families.
  I was already quite involved with efforts to promote reform of
  the blood doctrine at the time.

  Lee
• 

  JT

  after the last elders school - that was it for me-

  the constanT do more do more do more

  mindset was too much

  the only thing we talked about it seem like was Judcial stuff and how to protect the wt if the elders jacked up a case

  no love no love

  as i tell folks all the time
  the flock book is the most important book to the bible for an elder so to speak- yet there is not one subject line called LOVE

  HOW SAD

  PLENTY ON CARESSING THE BREAST THOUGH
• 

  nytelecom1

  after the last elders school - that was it for me-

  the constanT do more do more do more

  mindset was too much

  that damn Jesus and asking his followers to exert themselves...and
  seek first the kingdom

  what was he thinking??
• 

  Farkel

  nytel,

  : that damn Jesus and asking his followers to exert themselves...and
  seek first the kingdom

  : what was he thinking??

  What was he thinking when he said the two MOST important commandments which summed up the ENTIRE law were to love God and love your neighbor?

  Farkel

  "When in doubt, duck!"
• 

  Fredhall

  Lee Elder,

  Do you want another meeting?
• 

  Simon

  Being true to yourself and your conscience is far more important - I think you did the right thing Lee and get my respect.
• 

  Marvin Shilmer

  Hi, nytelecom1

  Sometimes I don’t understand what you mean, and maybe this is one of those times.

  I believe James’ comment had to do with publishers being made to feel like they are not doing enough when they are already doing all they can, not that it is wrong to encourage exertion. Does Jesus imply his followers should do more than they can?

  Hello, Lee

  I too get tired of hearing “you are too moderate” in your views and actions. Exactly how can anyone be too moderate when a scriptural qualification is reasonableness? If it is a question of rightness, then let them question that! Then, if a person is right it should prevail, or if they are wrong then the wrongness should be established. But how can moderation be questioned? It is an illogical concept!

  Greetings, Farkel!

  Love is the most powerful motivator of all, toward goodness anyway. History testifies that people will act way beyond their normal capacity when love is behind their action. It is good to be reminded of this. Thanks!
• 

  nytelecom1

  What was he thinking when he said the two MOST important commandments which summed up the ENTIRE law were to love God and love your neighbor?

  the same thing dubs think today
• 

  ianao

  nytelecom1 "Fancied":

  <qt>What was he thinking when he said the two MOST important commandments which summed up the ENTIRE law were to love God and love your neighbor?<qt>

  the same thing dubs think today

  This mentality is what would put dubs in private compounds if the stress was not put on pushing magazines.
• 

  jst2laws

  Back to last elders meetings:

  My last meeting with the body of elders was not pretty. We had just had the Circuit Overseer’s visit. I had fought with him and twice counseled him for his lack of love in the way he handled matters. He had been after me since he came to the area because he had what he called a “file” on me and the body of elders. I was the most liberal (or moderate as Lee put it) but the body was very much in agreement.

  The CO’s report was full of inaccuracies. It was so bad the CO could not get all of the service committee to sign it. So he had to read it to the entire body. One elder spoke up and said the report amounted to lying to the Governing Body. Two elders walked out of the meeting, besides me. He finally got the service committee to sign his lies with the agreement that he would make some changes to it, which he did not.

  So my last meeting with the body I read the report to them and asked if they support what it said. Answer, unanimously NO! Then I asked what they intended to do about it. The majority answer was NOTHING! I asked the body how they could keep beating the friends over conscience matters while winking at slander, just because it involved the CO.

  I shuck my head and told the body “this stinks”. A week later I gave them my letter of resignation, which laid out the wrongdoing of the CO that I was conscientiously protesting.
  The body did nothing but send it in to the Society. The Society never even responded other then the rubber stamp.

  Jst2laws