Bethel Layoffs

by cantleave 20 Replies latest watchtower scandals

• 

  sir82

  Most of the "layoffs" occurred in the US, primarily because that's where most of the world's Bethelites were.

  The workforce in the US was trimmed from approximately 6000-something to around 4000-something over the past 3 years or so.

  I know of nothing other than anecdotal evidence - word of mouth from those who were directly affected. Of course with 2000 frustrated ex-Bethelites in the congregations, there's lots of that now!

  I doubt there is anything in print - but if you have time, you might look up old yearbooks. Didn't they used to print something like "greetings from the 6000 members of NY Bethel" or some such, somewhere in there? Or maybe it's in the occasional WT article talking about Bethel life. In any event, a search of the WT CD might reveal that the count of Bethel members dropped precipitously between 2006 and now, with the (indirect) explanation being those "layoffs".
• 

  James_Slash

  all of those lawsuits must be taking its toll
• 

  GermanXJW

  They have been publishing the total Bethelite numbers in the yearbooks since 2005:

  200520,119200619,328200719,581200819,820200919,829
• 

  Gayle

  Seems like the Bethelite numbers that it drops a lot, then goes up a bit and then drops a lot then up a bit,,,seems like they drop some, maybe they get rid of some of the long-timers, but replaced with new younger ones?
• 

  cantleave

  The fall in Bethel numbers compensates for the increase in memorial partakers. Thanks for the table Germanxjw.
• 

  Mad Sweeney

  That's worldwide Bethelites, GermanXJW, correct?

  So if the total is relatively stagnant, it shows that while the US is cutting back, others are expanding.
• 

  sir82

  Are those counts from GermanXJW for "Bethelites" or for members of the "Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses" (or whatever it's called), i.e., all of its "full time volunteers"?

  If the latter, then the figure includes all COs, DOs, special pioneers, missionaries, etc.
• 

  What-A-Coincidence

  they are probably counting TEMPS now to make it believe they are growing
• 

  GermanXJW

  It is from the yearbook's report that states: "Worldwide, a total of xx,xxx ordained ministers staff the branch facilities."
• 

  GermanXJW

  It is also interesting what they state as spended "in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments":

  YearSpendingsvs. Year Ago2000$66.3 million2001$70.9 million6,9%2002$72.4 million2,1%2003$80 million10,5%2004$93 million16,3%2005$104 million11,8%2006$111 million6,7%2007$121 million9,0%2008$141 million16,5%2009$140 million-0,7%