I think it will make it harder to start a fade now, but to those that have faded out 3 or more years ago, it probably got a little easier for them. Just my humble guess anyway.
NEW BOE LETTER - It just got exponentially harder to "fade"
by sir82 91 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
L3G
Except for an occasional appearance to keep certain parties partly pleased, I've been out for a while. Thus excuse my ignorance here, but what does "a group overseer" mean? I don't remember that term being used when I was active. At first I thought it was the old book study conductor, but that been gone a few years now.
Also, when I was in, the major time for a shepherding call was during or just after the CO's visit. Has that changed too?
Thanks in advance to whoever helps me out here.
-
LostGeneration
L3G, I think the group overseers are basically the guys in charge of 15-20 pubs just like the old book study conductor. Usually most elder have a group unless there are lots of elders compared to the number of pubs.
Obviously 'mother' is noticing that its been easier to fade in the last few years when you don't have the book study. I see this as a cracking of the whip on the backs of the elders who have been taking it a little too easy. They aren't getting production out of the publishers so its time to get the managers into the mode of rallying the troops once again.
-
dozy
As others have said , most elders very rarely make shepherding calls so this letter will have zip effect. I had two shepherding calls made on me or my family during 30 years as a JW ( one of which I specifically asked for when I kept on being not appointed as a MS without any explanation ), and one after I left. As a serving elder for 15 years , I hardly ever made any "encouraging" shepherding calls apart from an occasional token effort before CO visits or the Memorial or when we occasionally had something of a BOE effort which fizzled out after a couple of weeks ( which the letter implies isn't going to happen now anyway ).
Any faders don't need to worry. As the serving elder explained , virtually all elders are far too busy doing other stuff to bother about "caring for the flock" in any meaningful way.
-
Lied2NoMore
No one will dare come shepherd my inactive ass...last time I had a "shepherding visit" it ended with me filing a harassment complaint with the local PD....plus our COBE is a slacker in this department...all him and his family are concerned with is counting time and being self righteous...treating others in the KH who they don't approve of like complete shit
-
piztjw
I suspect the "don't record" advice as a liability shield designed to protect the Mother, more than anything...
One of the better pieces of advice my dear father left me was, "NEVER write down something that can be covered verbally. The spoken word disappears the moment it is said, but the written word stands forever." Now granted he was speaking about personal confrontations, but the principle remains. I believe you may be on to something with your assessment.
-
Oubliette
Gentledawn: Talk about taking something out of context. That scripture was talking about literally taking care of sheep (and goats, for that matter), not HUMANS:
Proverbs 23:26-27:
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
and to nourish your female servantsActually the context of the scripture is exactly how things really are in the WTBTS organization. Who do you think it is that ultimately provides for the material needs of the GB and their entourage? It's the "sheep" with their contributions and volunteer labor.
The GB shear the sheep on a regular basis.
-
-
minimus
Never ending, i hear ya.
-
steve2
Oubliette well said! And that's just the fate of the "good" tender sheep. It's infinitely worse for tough sheep. Not even good enough to make it to the dinner table - the humiliation! Eight articulated trucks heaving with petrified, motion-sick sheep , hurtle past our property for destinations afar that are anything but paradisiacal. We wait for the world to end whilst slowly, day by day, the world ends us. Can I have one last meal?, the farmer asks. Sure. What will it be? Roast lamb with mint sauce please. Consider it done, kind farmer.
