COMPETITION IN THE CONGREGATION!

by ADJUSTMENTS 15 Replies latest jw friends

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  blondie

  As a child of a non-jw father and a weak jw mother, I wasn't considered worthy competition.

  But the WTS knows what is wrong but ignores it.

  *** w05 6/1 p. 16 par. 8 Saved, Not by Works Alone, But by Undeserved Kindness ***

  The attitude Christians should have in their worship is set out in these inspired words: “Let each one prove what his own work is, and then he will have cause for exultation in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person.” (Galatians 6:4) Elders in the congregation, knowing that they are not in competition with one another, cooperate and work closely together as a body. They rejoice in the contribution each one can make to the overall welfare of the congregation. They thus ward off disruptive competition and set a fine example in unity for the rest of the congregation.
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  Jen1

  This is so true Adjustments!

  And Julia Orwell again so true, what is it with broth sis, going to meetings with flu, coughing and spluttering through the meeting.

  You are all so right! And the elders with the biggest house, car, the ones that had the education and now have good jobs and earn big wages and have holidays abroad every year why are they and the wife allways the ones to be so vocal at meetings in talks and when answering about not having an education or the biggest and best of everything when thats exactly what they do.

  The elders wives who get gifts at the end of a pioneer month, because it just exhausts them. And why do they all stick together socially, going out for meals to each others homes but never inviting the not so well off/educated!

  When they say the congregation is a spiritual paradise with true friends I have to stop myself from laughing!
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  Pronger1

  I agree, I have see the competition within the congregation when I was a member. But in the 17 years I've been out I have been able to reflect with more clear thought. I let my own insecurities about whether I was doing enough or good enough weigh on me. I let these insecurities embed themselves deep inside me. I never felt worthy of relationships or friendships. That everyone around me was better than me. I still struggle with it at times. I don't blame anyone for me being and having been this way. But I struggle with and work on every day the idea that I do not have to measure myself against anyone else. I am who I am and those who truly care about me have respect for me. I am learning that I do not have to impress everyone.

  When I was a youth, I was worried about my speech writing abilities, if I am getting too old for not being baptized (I waited until I was 16). I worried if I had a deep enough understanding of the religion, if I was getting enough privileges in the congregation so others wouldn't see me as weak like I had heard in gossip about others. Gossip that included talk about whether or not even "weak" individuals in the congregation were good association.

  I cared far too much about what others thought of me.
• 

  XBEHERE

  Its human nature to behave like that. It is just magnified in the JW.org because many have nothing else to make them feel better and they (we) are all trapped emotionally.
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  Legacy

  Hi,

  That's one of the attractions to the ORG. a competitive & busy spirit....you can tell by how many magazines some of them take when at the counter. When there isn't anyone there, they may grab one or two, because now there are 2 mags in one...but if there is a line...they grab handfuls, to make one think, they are use to placing that many....wait a while & then those same folks say, Oh My, I have so many magazines at home they are piling up. I go out in the field....if I place a mag., that's a good day. Most of the time I place tracks...I usually place the " Would you like to know the Truth? track...it says alot...& it's to the point...

  As someone brought out here, most places of worship there are competitive folks, ones who want to sit next to the pastors wife or up front, when leaving the church some of the preachers stand at the door to when the congregation leaves & shakes their hands...always a few who want to appear that they know the Past'a & bend their ear...the deacon'ess, walking around in their white, giving folks a dirty look once in a while, another person who takes the same seat every week & puts her purse next to her so no one will sit next to her, eventually she will be asked to move her purse or move in, because she likes to sit on the end seat so whoever comes to sit, they have to by pass her, because that is her seat...& get this...don't even put a penny in the plate, yet expects the church to be warm, cool, working bathroom, etc...all types attend all types of worship...I have been to many places of worship the only difference is...THE DOCTRINE...but the same people everywhere...

  Most of the time they love to say, oh, I just got in from field service, (it's about 5pm in the eve., but they didn't mention they just went out at 4pm). These are people who have to be constantly need approval...remember when Sandy hit...how many shared that, well this weekend I went to RBC. They all need ego boosters...AKA: NEEDY PERSONALITIES....

  I'm not there to impress anyone or serve any human. When I give my time in & I give 1 hr. the same way I give 10 hrs....I do what I can...I work, and have other responsibilities..I try to balance it the best way I can. So let them compete....my name is Tess & I ain't in this mess...

  Legacy
• 

  snare&racket

  What car you drove was more important than your hours reading the bible...

  There was a reason every hall in the west had a car park attendant.... You dont get them at Tesco....