When I was a little boy, I feared the elders. Older sisters also told me what to do, as my father not a Witness. When I was appointed a servant, I feared the elders more, even though I was very obedient. Then when I was a missionary and a C.O, I feared the Branch Office. Actually all of us did. We could be removed at any time and we knew it, even if we made an honest judgment mistake. I remember the D.O. being removed for investing in a pyramid scheme, he was pretty naive, but still he was removed and everyone talked about it.
Six months later he was reappointed as an elder, and then about two years later, back as a C.O. Things are different in other countries, you can be deleted or disfellowshipped quickly, but you are also more likely to be re-appointed way faster than in the U.S.
But when I was a C.O., I tried not to be intimidating, even though I was the only foreigner in the entire circuit sometimes. Occasionally there was a need-greater from the States, that was fun. It seemed though, that the elders were still afraid of me somehow.
The fear is going away, at my last elders' meeting I wasn't as nervous as I thought. Their grilling me didn't work to scare me like it would have years ago.
I sure hope this site doesn't shut down. It really is helping me, and I have like 500 people I want to come on here.
BF