When Someone You Love Is Removed As An Elder!

by Bubblegum Apotheosis 33 Replies latest jw friends

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  DesirousOfChange

  I have never understood why anyone would want to be an Elder.

  It's because Elders are put on a pedestal, admittedly a small one, but they are elevated above the R&F. How many times you hear a prayer in behalf of the CO, DO, GB, Elders, Pioneers, etc? Ever hear a prayer for the lowly publisher? NOT. Not often anyway. So it's nice to make it to the "inner circle". This is held out as a goal from the time born-ins are little boys.

  Second, most who have such aspirations enjoy the politics of it all. They all want to be a Shaker n Mover -- they all aspire to getting assembly assignments etc. Soon they realize that if they are not rubbing elbows with the right Heavys in the circuit, it ain't gonna happen. Some play the politics better than others. The ones who can't play the game end up sitting on the sidelines.

  I think some stay because they think that they can do more for change "from within" than on the "outside". Personally, I'm Doubtful Of Change happening.

  Doc
• 

  steve2

  I'm still not clear: Was he "removed" as an elder - or did he step down?

  When they announce from the platform that "Brother ____" is no longer an elder, do they verbalize at that time a distinction between his being removed or his voluntarily stepping down?

  I can understand if an elder has engaged in "unChristian" conduct and is publically reproved (for example) it would be obvious why he is no longer and elder.

  However, in general, specifically what announcement is made to the congregation?
• 

  BroMac

  @steve2

  it depends on the cobe who does the announcements if an elder has stepped aside or is removed then technically it is the same announcement: brother nogood is no longer serving as an elder of the _____ congregation.
  so that everyone doesn't get the wrong idea I have heard on a few occasions where they are then thanked for the years they have been serving the brothers etc.
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  steve2

  Thanks BroMac. I know that the Watchtower has endeavored to be very careful about announcements from the platform because the platform is in a public place so if those messages are perceived as controversial and/or defamatory, legal action could potentially be taken. I've heard of instances where a brother or sister is disfellowshipped (or reporved) for sins of the flesh and within a week, there is a separate and seemingly unrelated talk on immorality - leaving no doubt among the brothers and sisters what the disfellowshipping or reproving was all about.
• 

  RayPublisher

  Thanks for this thread Bubblegum man. He is a good man (I know him), and he may not realize how lucky he is to not be "a judge" over his brothers anymore. It was a huge relief for me after I stepped down.

  My understanding is that he is still asleep to TTATT so I have not contacted him over than to let him know that he is in my prayers.
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  3rdgen

  Nuggets situation with her hubby sounds very similar to mine. The brother mentioned in the op appears to have "stepped down" rather than be removed. My hubby did the same so that he could help with some serious family problems that he took on when he married me. One would think that the other elders would view that decision as a sign of humility. That hubby recognized his limitations and scriptural obligations- but nooooooo they view it as a sign of weakness that they take advantage of. In my hubbys case, the anounceent was, Balaamsass is no longer an elder. This left everyone to draw the conclusion that somehow our courtship was not "honourable" since the announcement came soon after we were married. Worse yet, hubby was left with no "priveledges" and no thanks whatsoever for his decades of faithful service.

  Of course, now I realize the unfair treatent helped us to wake up and therefore was all for the best. Still, the point to be made is that more and more of the decent elders are run out or leave on their own for various reasons with the result being that mostly ass*oles are left to lead.
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  Bubblegum Apotheosis

  I think he is going to be alright, his wife will realize their family is the most important unit. The good elders get "flushed" and the bad ones are "Cling-ons" those nasty sticky things, even a scrubby brush with Ajax, can't remove from the Toilet!
• 

  JW GoneBad

  steve2 asked: "When they announce from the platform that "Brother ____" is no longer an elder, do they verbalize at that time a distinction between his being removed or his voluntarily stepping down?"

  No distinction is made. The announcement simply states that he no longer serves as an elder or ms. However, so that the congregation does not get the wrong impression when its' announced that "so and so" is no longer an elder or ms; if he is still in good standing and stepped down on good terms they usually will ask the individual to close with prayer. Allowing him to close with prayer helps to preserve the individual and his family their dignity. Sad to say, it doesn't always work that way!
• 

  Gayle

  May it happen more and more, for whatever reasons.
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  nugget

  In the end being an elder is an empty title and when you walk away from the organisation you realise how much stress comes with the position. Stepping down was the best thing my husband did for us all and for any good man it is the same. They don't need a title to be good people.