I am still serving as an Elder but just hanging in there.
I think their quandry is that they don't see me out in the field, but when they need encouragement and decent prayer they come to me.
I just got off the phone to this poor sister who I have only met twice. She is not even in my congregation (her sister is). She called in desperation because she needed to talk and had no one in her cong that did not say "just pray more" or "read your bible more". She is facing a tough time and kept wondering what she did for God to remove his spirit from her.
I gave her the Grace message, let her know that God's love is always there regardless of what she "does". Spend two hours mending the "whip" marks that this stupid organisation leaves. She called this morning to say that she is going to stay home and receive from God today and realises she does not have to earn his love.
I am in at the moment trying to spread the real message of love but it just tears my heart to see so many under the loads that the borg puts on them.
If you are lurking here - please do not believe that your relationship with Father is dependant on anything you do for this organization.
If you are an athiest here - I respectfully ask you resist turning this post into a debate.