Ok I need some advice on how to decline an elder's appointment.... (page 2)

jgnat

They make you apply to resign! We just had a new poster on today, resigned a couple weeks ago, still waiting to hear, but noted he's lost access to the elder's page on jw.org. So he figures he's out.

Sulla

Subvert from inside! Take the Elder gig and begin slipping in little quips. When questioned, claim total devotion to the Slave, whoever that happens to be at the time.

Nobody subverts any more. Back in the day, we had lots of subversion...

Drop your hours a bit....the practice is to jump you just before the meeting they plan on announcing your appointment. They assume no one will turn it down. Don't let them pressure you. Give your answer, a brief reason and then excuse yourself and go back to the meeting. I have known of 2 brothers who turned it down five times or more. One finally accepted and stepped down a year later. They can't imagine why anyone would turn down the honor.

suavojr

Ahhh, I will stay humble... I will come up with a reasoning that will not come back and bite me.

I know this will probably happen after the next CO's visit (I was privately given a heads up) so I have about 5 more months. I just cannot see myself sitting in a JC and beating people to the ground. (This is just not me and I don't need to feel the so call power)

sir82

If you still have a few months before the CO visit, just start turning in 3 or 4 hours a month on your time slips and just don't show up for most of your assignments.

Then when you get talked to, cite "personal issues" or "depression" or "stress" or some such.

The CO will never appoint anyone with low hours - guaranteed. It is, bar none, the absolute most crucial criterion for being named elder (or MS).

cedars

It's not uncommon for ministerial servants to decline appointments. I experienced it myself when one servant made it clear to me (when I was an elder) that he refused to be considered. I don't know what your local body is like, but hopefully they will be impressed with your humility and move on to other targets.

Cedars

happy@last

I suggest you do decline, perhaps on the basis that you need to devote all your time to your family just now, believe me if you have woken to TTATT then becoming an elder will only make things worse for you

suavojr

Thanks everyone!

Blondie,

The problem is that being a MS plus regular pioneer with my wife as well I not something easy to juggle. I would not think twice if I had my wife’s support, but she is not waking up and I don’t want the WT to take her away from me.

suavojr

Thanks cedars!

I will play the humble card and I have a valid reason due to 2 recent death in my wife's family. My family is just not ready to take the beating on top of the recent family loss.

blondie

jgnat is right that they will say that only they can give you permission to step down but.......

I knew one elder who said that would be sticky if they did not let him walk away right then, since he was the school overseer and would no longer do it, just show up and someone else would have to finally do it. So there was no wait, not letter to NY, and he did not have to wait for their permission. When I left, several congregations had more ex-elders than elders and only one MS. The newer elders lack even fewer abilities, alcoholics, wife abusers, etc. More and more elders have to do the grunt work even to the point of one's wife doing accounts and his signing off on the report.

Ok I need some advice on how to decline an elder's appointment....

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