Oh hello there Patient-Dude - I won't say "Welcome" because by your account, you've been around here - albeit lurking - for years. We didn't know you were here. And it sounds like the elders in your local congregation don't really know you're there either...at least not the "real" you. You're kind of a "No-man" - but a very patient one, you say. Nice.
Do you expect pats on the back from us or astonishment? I do wonder. I notice by the responses so far you've elicited lots of "Welcomes". Hmmmmmmm. I must admit, that superficially you look good, noble even. But there's a bit of a stink....
To have been a lurker all these years potentially suggests patience of some sort - or does it?
What changed that you now feel the need to come forward and announce that you aim to become an elder? You must know that your announcement - if true - has more chance of "succeeding" if you don't give into the delicious temptation of telling others.
Would you describe yourself as a "genuine" JW or more a manipulative, foot-in-both-camps one? I would probably find myself more closely agreeing with the Watchtower than you about your stated intentions. You're bad news and it'll probably end in tears.
I certainly don't see you as being a genuine JW. Also, Patient-Dude, I do wonder about your youthful (?) hubris: It is astonshingly rare for even a genuine JW male to announce beforehand their intention to become an elder. Are you for real?
If you are for real, how long do you intend to devote to trying to be appointed? Can you quantify the amount in years and have a date by which, if not yet appointed, you'll rethink your double-life? Local bodies of elders can be notoriously fickle, although, JW men married to JW women seem to have a better chance of being appointed elders - especially if their wives have well-appointed dresses and you have well-pressed suits. If you're not currently married, would you form a relationship with a JW woman and marry her to increase the odds of being appointed? Manipulative men have often done more - and worse, although it seems you are still learning.
I'd hope for your sake you set yourself a limit so that if you are not appointed by, say, age 35, you'll more honestly evaluate your situation instead of "patiently" living your life in an organization that you obviously are in at least two-minds and two-acts about.
You'll probably already know you have to be a total "Yes" man to even be considered for elder roles - and then you cannot guarantee you'll be appointed. As I said, bodies of elders can be fickle.
And once appointed how will you go about your business of helping others learn TTATT? After spending who knows how long working hard to be appointed an elder, you'd have to conduct your subterfuge with even greater skill and discretion. You just may be up to it. If correct, you've already shown an ability to silently hang around here for years without us knowing so you just might be able to sleepwalk your way into being appointed an elder...Oh, and if, in your valued role as an elder, you are asked to be on a judicial committee to meet with another JW who at least has the courage to openly express their doubts, will your patience and hubris enable you to sit on such a committee and agree with the committee's decisions to expel your brother or sister who has more courage than you'd ever have patience? I can see you carrying out such a role with astonishing aplomb.
Just wondering...