I'm taking an online college-level course this semester from Moody Bible Institute called "Elements of Bible Study." This is only the first week, but it looks pretty interesting. As online courses will, it has a discussion board, and as part of the discussion, I mentioned my JW background, and also commented that the Witnesses regard every baptized member as an "ordained minister." One of the other students replied, asking whether many people joined the JW's for the "power and prestige" of being an ordained minister. I said that they didn't use the term as other Christians do, that it holds no special significance within the congregation, and that they mainly toss around the term to impress outsiders (e.g., by identifying themselves as "Christian ministers" when they knock on a door).
It did get me to wondering, though - were any of you influenced to join the JW's because you thought it would be cool to be an "ordained minister"? Did you think that there would be some sort of special power or prestige attached? I have to admit that, as a teenager, I did think it was pretty cool that I could be a minister without even going to college. I'm not saying that's why I became a JW; I really did believe the teachings at the time. But it certainly didn't hurt.
What about you?
Edited by - NeonMadman on 16 January 2003 17:20:48
I just sent away for my "reverend" certificate from World Christianship Ministries, from the back of a magazine. You can fill out a little card and they mail you an ordination certificate. Hehheh. You can do baptisms, marriages, funerals, and get free parking at the jail when you visit your boyfriend for your "minister's visit" outside of regular visiting hours start your own church.
I don't think you are too far off in what you are saying.
I am not sure about joining, but I believe a lot STAY witnesses because they desire the feeling of elitism or they enjoy wielding power. Many people have very ordinary lives in which they tend to be accountable to authority figures instead of getting to be the authority figure. I feel that being a witness fills a need related to this for many folks - they feel better than others or have a position in the congregation that makes them feel important and they get to boss others around.
It's gotta be true, think about the elders, overseers, ministerial servants, elder's wives, pioneers, even publishers that liked to browbeat, intimidate, talk down to and push their opinion on the congregation members, bible studies and householders
I am not sure about joining, but I believe a lot STAY witnesses because they desire the feeling of elitism
I think you've touched upon something REAL important here. It's that sense of belonging to something exclusive. I sometimes get that feeling when I'm included in some special way in the Shabbat Service when I worship with my Jewish friends. The sense of belonging and elitism goes a long way, I think, in the mentality of all cults.
Catholics used to have that feeling back in the 40's and 50's.
To the issue of joining the JW's for the "minister" title, I think you might have found that in the late 60's and early 70's with folks trying to avoid the draft because they were "ministers"
To the issue of joining the JW's for the "minister" title, I think you might have found that in the late 60's and early 70's with folks trying to avoid the draft because they were "ministers"
Good point, although getting a ministerial exemption (4-D) back then didn't happen unless you were an overseer or a regular pioneer. Regular dubs could get conscientious objector status (1-O), but that didn't get you out of the forest, since you could still be called for alternate service, and jailed if you refused it (which, of course, they were required to do).
In my case, it ultimately didn't matter; my draft lottery number was over 350. In retrospect, however, I'd probably have been better off joining the military than the JW's...
