Do You Understand How Elders Think? (page 2)

minimus

Some elders pride themselves as being mavericks but when push comes to shove, they follow the dictates of their bosses.

dssynergy

my observation about why some elders are great and others are not is about accomplishment/achievement/ego

Maslow says that we all need to feel achievement - when men do not meet that need outside the congregation through work or other accomplishments, then their "need" for it within the congregation is more desperate and because they are insecure, they tend to wield what power they have with a heavy hand.

The men I have known who are mild, balanced and kind elders usually have other accomplishments and are secure. They were business owners, artists, or wealthy - they had already had an area of accomplishment in their life, and felt respected.

It is the most insecure, emotionally unstable men who seem to be unable to apply Bible principals as they were intended because that would not align with their need to feel better than a "sinful" or "bad" person.

Just my 2 cents.

rocketman

They are products of mainly two things: Their own views and personalities coupled with the constant drumbeat of the the WTS expects.

In reasonable, kind men, these two will clash. The organization's dictates usually win out, because one or two elders with qualms will be out-voted and out-manned by the rest of the body.

Strong personalities usually dominate the group-think.

minimus

Well stated, dys & rocman.

brotherdan

The Elders I know just don't/can't think, they are company men with 'opinions';

Gotta agree with this one. But it's true of most JWs. They are happy to sit back and let the WT do the thinking for them. It's convenient that way. Right? If you're wrong you get to say, "Hey, it wasn't my fault. I was just following orders."

minimus

brotherdan---nazi officers

AGuest

I felt many times that my hands were tied by the GB

Actually, I think this is inaccurate, dear Min (peace to you and thanks for the question). A review of their protocols, particularly the Branch Manual, seems to indicate that a LOT of what the elders... and thus, the rank and file... BELIEVE to come from the GB actually comes from the Branch (or "diocese" which is really what it is). Which is why there isn't all that PERFECT unity one thinks there is but finds out later when they realize that things are done differently in, say, Colombia, than in, say, Nigeria.

The Branch's melarkey then passes down to the DO... which is why things are done differently in, say, Northern California than, say, Southern California.

The DO's melarkey is then passed down to the CO... which is why things are done differently in, say, South Sacramento than, say, East Sacramento.

The CO's melarkey is then passed down to the PO/BOE... which is why things are differently in, say, the South Sacramento Florin Congregation than, say, the South Sacramento Calvine Congregation.

The GB, however, really have little to say about anything... other than to put their "seal" on some major change in doctrine. Like the generation of 1914. They're really are just the BOOGEYMAN "tool"... that all of these others USE... to push their own agendas... upon the sheep. Who are loving it.

Ennywho...

Again, peace to you!

A slave of Christ,

SA

OUTLAW

All Elders are company men..

Their degree of Dangerous,to the people around them..

Verys from person to person..

In the end the WBT$ always comes 1st..

No matter how nice the Elder may appear to be..

...................... ...OUTLAW

minimus

I'm referring to specific WT. articles about the need/no need to show mercy in judicial meetings. Once the WT. went hardline, it was not open to discussion.

elderelite

I think I understand fairly well...

Do You Understand How Elders Think?

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