Elders-Desire To Assist Others?

Mister Biggs

It is said of JW elders that they "can provide protection by listening attentively to his problem, offering Bible-based counsel, and giving encouragement or practical help. Like their appointed King, Christ Jesus, they want to help those who have been 'thrown about.' (Matthew 9:36) And they desire to assist others who have been damaged by the winds of false teaching. (Ephesians 4:14) Such assistance at the opportune time can prove vital."-A Hiding Place From The Wind (WT 2/15/02, page 23)
For those of you on this board who were first "damaged" by "false teaching" (in other words, teachings that contradict with the Organizations' teaching or doctrine), did the elders sincerely try to aid or assist you? Did they show concern for your well-being? Or, did they simply use warnings and threats and fear tactics? Just wondering...

kpax

They were worried about my believes, not my wellbeing. Ever had elders lie to you and later found out? You cant trust and elder just because he is an elder. Foolish!

Kpax

borgfree

Hi Mister Biggs,

My experiences with elders has not been very good. I have not left the organization with a high opinion of them.

If the elders thought they had something to use against me they seemed to have all of the time in the world, but if I had a problem or if I thought the elders had acted wrongly, they were so busy, they just were worked to death and had no time.

I got in the habit of starting my conversations with them by saying "I know you are very busy, but..."

Most of the elders I had personal contact with seemed to be arrogant, haughty, and usually self-righteous.

I expressed feelings like this on another post, to a former elder:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=19142&page=2&site=3

At least to this point he has not changed my perception of them.

Borgfree

"Without knowledge there can be no genuine faith--only superstition on the one hand or speculation on the other" Robert Banks

teenyuck

In my experience the elders were more interested in what your beliefs were. They were also interested in hearing "confessions."

While some of them, none I encountered, might want to help and counsel someone, the fact is they have no training. Telling someone to love their wife and/or children is easy to say.

Priests and other clergy who are trying to assist someone usually have formal training of some kind-social work, psychology, etc. The lack of education really hampers the JW elders. They are expected to be marriage counselers, family counselers and psychoanalysts.

I found that the most they could do was pat you on the back and recite the WTBTS words. They can offer WTBTS advice on spiritual matters, however, many people come to them with every day problems of how to pay bills on time to a spouse who is possibly cheating.

The advice given my mother regarding this was devestating to our family. She assumed they knew what they were talking about because they were "elders." The implication being that, like a trained priest, they could counsel you on things other than spirituality.

"I used to be Snow White, then I drifted." Mae West

DIM

the elders i've had experience with are haughty, do not help you, and are always looking to get you into trouble.

i'm sick and tired of hearing things from uptight-short-sighted-narrow minded hypocritics. all i want is the truth just gimme some truth - John Lennon

Mister Biggs

Thank you all so far for your perspectives.

borgfree-
I will check out your thread. Thanks!

DIM

Mister Biggs -

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. i'm pretty sure you know who I am, from what badwillie has told me.

i'm sick and tired of hearing things from uptight-short-sighted-narrow minded hypocritics. all i want is the truth just gimme some truth - John Lennon

Mister Biggs

Okay, DIM.
You'll hear from me shortly.
Thanks!

borgfree

Mister Biggs,

Sorry, I did not want to give the impression that it is my thread. I just commented on someone elses thread.

Borgfree

"Without knowledge there can be no genuine faith--only superstition on the one hand or speculation on the other" Robert Banks

flower

when i started to miss meetings and field service for various reasons i never got a call, visit, or word of encouragement from any elder, pioneer or anyone else for that matter. i always figured they would be there eventually especially around CO visit time but no one ever said a word to me.

i guess it was because my father was a elder and watchtower conductor and building committee guy so they figured my spiritual welfare was being taken care of by him. but little did they know that my father started 'shunning' me while i was just a teen. as soon as it became apparent to him that i didnt have lofty, theocratic goals.

the only time i heard anything from the elders was when i started going to the meetings again after about a year or two of not going and they were all 'were so glad you came back..yada yada yada'. and then they df'd me.

that offering 'bible based counsel' and 'encouragement' is a load of crap.

flower

Elders-Desire To Assist Others?

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