Men are not looking forward to becoming Elders or Ministerial Servants (page 3)

Bobcat

Given enough time, only the power-hungry, self-serving, consciousless politician-types are left to run the show.

I would posit that this is the way all human organizations, of any type, tend to evolve.

Bobcat

Oubliette

DOC: As mentioned above, if a person has no other place to receive affirmation -- job; school; whatever -- the laying of the hands for MS/Elder can give them that feeling of accomplishment that most people yearn.

Which is yet another reason why the WTBTS discourages higher education. People that are fulfilled in other areas of their life are not as likely to feel the need for a JW title.

I was appointed as an elder in 1972 at the age of 25 and served until 1980 when I decided I had too many questions and my life was going nowhere. I laid low for a decade and a half until 1995 when my eyes were really opened with the release of 'this generation' 2.0. Probably from that time forward I became an unbeliever in my heart but not yet an full blown apostate.

So with a divided and troubled heart, I 'reached out' once again for that 'fine work' of being an elder. Subconsciously, I wanted to see if "Holy Spirit" would appoint a man that was an unbeliever. Yep, there was a 'need' in our congregation, so the "Holy Spirit" made an exception for me and I was appointed. It was a miracle I tell you!

I spent another decade being a 'voice of reason' to our BOE and a contrarian with the CO and other hard line elders. I asked difficult questions at elder meetings and brought up some of the very gross Bible accounts during casual discussions with other jw's and would ask, "Why do you think Jehober would have that account recorded?" Man is was fun for a decade then I "stepped down" to persue sanity.

just saying!

eyeuse2badub

talesin

The WTS abuses its young 'brothers', too. We talk a lot about how women are nobodies, but it's the same for the men - they can get faux titles, but really, it must be just as hard, only different. Having to brown nose, toe the line so to speak, with few rewards (except for status, if that matters to the individual) and lots of critiques.

They are discouraged from getting an education, and get married so young, that the little ones come along, and they are stuck. No prospects of making a good wage unless they go against Jehovah's admonitions (excuse me while I puke) and get an education, and perhaps 20 years old with mouths to feed, and a full plate at the KH.

These young men hardly have a chance in today's world. I can only imagine how discouraging life must be - most likely working at a labour-intensive job to make ends meet, feeling inadequate as a provider, PLUS all the WT stuff on top? It's amazing that they can find the motivation to go in FS, let alone 'reach out' for more responsibilities. It's a thankless job, with little satisfaction. I would guess that the elders who truly want to help and guide people, get few chances to do that. It's sad, so sad on many levels.

tal

Vidiot

Hidden-Window - "Men are not looking forward to becoming Elders or Ministerial Servants."

Can't blame 'em... from what I hear, they're thankless, stressful, time-consuming jobs that only hard-core Company men would actively seek out.

And the dwindling pool of willing candidates means that the WTS has to scrape the bottom of the barrel more and more, which can't bode well for the Org's overall long-term administrative structure.

AndDontCallMeShirley

I would posit that this is the way all human organizations, of any type, tend to evolve.

Ah, but WT is "god's organization". Human traits that make non-god's organizations (i.e. everybody else) spiral into politics is not supposed to affect WT.

But, of course, you are correct, Bobcat. The all-too-human daily business of WT betrays its claims of being Teflon coated via holy spirit as false. WT and it's minions are just as susceptible to the entanglements that befall Satan's corporations... but pride and self-delusion keep WT from ever seeing it.

neverendingjourney

Have JW women "lowered" their standards?

When I was in, a lot of women wouldn't consider dating a man unless he was serving in some official capacity. On the flip side, having some sort of appointment could give a young man access to women he'd otherwise have no shot with. The incentive was such that a lot of young male JWs would seek the appointment even if they weren't fully invested in JWism.

The farce was clearly visible back then, but people still insisted on the formality. I can think of many examples of young women passing up young men they had interest in to marry a "spiritual brother" (i.e., one with an appointment) only to have the "spiritual brother" fall out of "the truth" altogether and begin treating her like garbage.

OneEyedJoe

When I was in, a lot of women wouldn't consider dating a man unless he was serving in some official capacity. On the flip side, having some sort of appointment could give a young man access to women he'd otherwise have no shot with. The incentive was such that a lot of young male JWs would seek the appointment even if they weren't fully invested in JWism.

In my experience the kids usually get married before they're old enough to be serioiusly considered as an MS (unless they're the super-zealous type that makes elder by 22). I suppose, though, that women marrying men that aren't at least an MS may be an issue, since it managed to make it's way into AMIII's zone visit talk. Though, by that logic, men wearing tight pants is also an issue in the org - trying to make sense of that talk is a bit of a crapshoot.

sylvlef

and This Is why wt have more often guilt tri ps in wt studies about reaching out...

Let's review: It's a cult.

feels good to say that;)

L3G

Hidden-Window,

Thanks for this post. These words of yours are the great tragedy of the ORG:

there is no freedom of speech within the organization … honesty is not possible while you are inside.

Perhaps this is why only incompetent men reach out.

Men are not looking forward to becoming Elders or Ministerial Servants

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