JustVisting - “That will be a bitter pill to swallow for these older ones and their wives. There will no doubt be some collateral damage in the form of awakened legacy members.”
I’m wondering if anyone can eventually get a copy of this letter and the information and post it here for verification. I’m thinking this will “ruffle some feathers” even among your die hard brothers and sisters in the congregation. Many are still not happy about the cutbacks that happened at Brooklyn, with the Bethel family years ago. I personally know of couples let go at the Canadian branch approximately 7-8 years ago.
One couple had been there 25+ years; they were highly regarded and exemplary examples in the Bethel family. They were quietly nudged out and “returned to the field” in their late 40’s. The common denominator for many Bethel layoffs was approximately 25 or more years of service, meaning you were close to 50 years of age. That’s around the time most of us experience negative changes in our bodies and personal health.
Whether you love them or not CO’s have a pretty hard lifestyle overall, changing congregations each week is not easy. They also have to participate in the FS taking and arranging groups. They have to listen to all the grumbling and other crap from BOE’s etc. They also have to constantly please their “masters” the WTS or else. I never envied their jobs. That’s why I think it will not sit well with the “true believers” in the KH.
We all have a natural fear of losing our jobs and being out of work whether a JW or not. This fear increases the older we are. Now to cut a man loose based on his age is just wrong, especially in this supposed religion chosen by the Lord. I still know many CO’s & DO’s over 70 that are active, bright, and do the best they can. To dump a person (who has not committed a wrongdoing, or become rebellious) while giving up their young productive years to serve an organization, will resonate poorly among JW’s.
It will really start to focus on the GB as being heartless and mean-spirited. The brothers “still-in” are already shaking their heads over the crazy changes recently!