Ex-Elders Outnumber Elders In My KH; what does that suggest to you? (page 3)

willyloman

What zarco and eyeslice said.

-- Willy Loman, former elder (now "retired")

I know OnTheWayOut has posted some comments about an official policy that even allows elders to maintain their positions in some cases of wrongdoing. OTWO, could you post some details, maybe a reference, here?

I do not find WT references anymore. But a quick search through JWN did turn this up from http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/124664/1/BOE-letter-dealing-with-old-sins:

OTWO: [A letter to the elders] came out this year [between late 2005 and early 2006] as a follow-up to information learned in 2005 at the Elders Kingdom Service Schools. The specifics this year dealt with elders viewing soft-core pornography. It questioned how often, is it unknown to others, was it not a repeated offense for a number of years, did the brother use it for masterbation, etc. While it did not specify 3 years, that is an unwritten rule applied by many BOE in the past to elders based on the time to reappoint a brother who had been reproved. In the past, there was another letter about allowing elders to remain after counseling for problems, but I don't remember when and what circumstances. BUT, YES, there was a recent letter before Summer 2006. [saying that elders could remain on the body if the sin is old and unknown to others]

Amazing: ...But there is a October 1972 KM which made the point in the Question Box. It was reapplied at the KM School for Elders in Nov. 1992 to say that Elders do not have to resign for a serious sin if the sin was committed two or three years earlier, and it was not known ... and thus the Elder still retained the respect of the congregation. It was further clarified that this provision did not apply to Pioneers or the rank and file members.

(The bracketed info. is added today for clarification when taking the comment out of the thread.)

blondie

The last congregation I attended had 5 elders and 8 ex-elders, 6 who had stepped down by their own choice and would never be an elder again no matter how many times they were asked. The last CO removed about 20 elders in the circuit about that time too. If you think the elders are unkind to the rank and file, they are even more so to so-called fellow elders. They're like creatures that eat their own young.

cantleave

It is hardly surprising. Too many elders are busy building their little empires and favouring their immediate families, they don't care about the congregation, just the perks they get by being Elders. Those of us who really do care burn themselves out by taking too much on and fretting over other peoples problem. We were nevr given proper training for the responsibilities that were thrust upon us. If we were percieved to be a good listener everyone wanted us to listen to their problems. I now feel that an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I'm sure most ex-elders felt the the same when they stepped down or were deleted.

cheerios

In the wt 8/15/09 there was an article titled, "Did You Once Serve? Can You Serve Again?" and was entirely about former elders and ministerial servants serving again.

this article is largely aimed at those paroled pedophiles former elders that were removed due to pedophilia and/or sentenced to prison terms had to step down because of health reasons ...

MinisterAmos

Most of them quickly realize how inadequate and poorly trained they are. Other than being mouth-pieces for the Legal Department, most of the Elders I know are really nothing more that unskilled laborers who leave their day-jobs cleaning schools to put on their ties and receive "double-honor".

With the exception of a VERY FEW, these guys are of average to slightly below average intelligence, and cause more harm amongst the flock than if they had just left well enough alone. Too many are loose cannons.

The ones with above average intelligence quickly realize the damage they cause and quit.

WTWizard

Where I used to go, we had a number of hounders move away. There was one that was pushed out. Of course, the ones that were left were nothing more than hounders--all they did was hound away at people that were already doing their best. After about 1993, it all went down the toilet because those left were those in it for the power.

And, I think those in it for the power are going to stay in, while those in it to help people are going to either get pushed out, quit, or turn apostate.

Butterflyleia85

All I can say is wow... good post topic! Again...glad to be out and on top of it all find this JWN. lol

Hiding Questioner

"With the exception of a VERY FEW, these guys are of average to slightly below average intelligence, and cause more harm amongst the flock than if they had just left well enough alone. Too many are loose cannons"

My very smart ex-JW wife knew this all too well and, as a result, she was able to easily plan, manipulate and maneuver the Elders to do her bidding, which, without even realizing it, they were all too willing to cooperate with her on until after she got what she wanted from them and the damage was done.

HQ

Frank75

Blondie - If you think the elders are unkind to the rank and file, they are even more so to so-called fellow elders. They're like creatures that eat their own young.

So true. One of the last things I did as an active witness was write a letter to the new CO in regards to a witch hunt in progress of a man who I didn't even particularly like (my FIL). This is what I wrote to him:

We often hear about the need to respect authority in the congregation, when many of those taking the lead battle one another over positions, seek to outdo each other, and give evidence time and again that they lack respect for one another? Not to mention those whom they are appointed to serve.

I was always positive about the JW religion but as that letter slipped out of my hand into the mailbox I was starting to see that this religion was a lost cause.

In keepoing with the threads question there is a multitude of reasons why this situation exists as can be seen by the posts and expressions of people who held this "title" in the dubs. I tend to lean towards their exhaustion in general. It takes a lot of energy, you are constantly being judged by everyone and in the end it is easier to throw up your hands.

It is bizarre to think that if such a person is a requirement in the Christian community (I believe a stronger argument exists that it simply refers to someone of experience with no power at all), that once a person has become a person seen as an older man, that they would never stop being such a person unless they left the community.

Frank75

Ex-Elders Outnumber Elders In My KH; what does that suggest to you?

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