At the couple's second or third Kingdom Hall meeting since coming back to the organization, our brother-in-law learned about a special work day at the Kingdom Hall the following Saturday, to mow grass and trim bushes. He showed up on Saturday ready for work, but was informed that those duties could only be performed by approved JWs "in good standing."
Many years ago in my area the Watchtower had to undertake safety training for volunteers on a new kingdom hall building site. Statutory requirements were that all the elders and brothers supervising and working on the site must undergo a regulatory safety briefing carried out by a licensed safety officer. The Watchtower did not have one. A sister in the area advised the Watchtower that she was licensed and could train the elders and brothers and issue them their certificates at no cost to the Watchtower.
The Watchtower rejected the offer as they could never submit to a lowly 'sister' instructing elders, circuit overseers, bethelites, district overseer, ministerial servants and brothers.
Problem solved. The Watchtower contacted the regulatory body and asked them to organize a training program at a substantial cost per head.
The regulatory body arranged for a qualified instructor and teacher to conduct the course. They looked at their list of licensed instructors in the area and sent the most qualified.
Imagine the surprise for all these brothers assembled at a local kingdom hall when the instructor and teacher that was sent was the actual sister, who they had to pay $500 fees for plus $25 per head instruction.
Watchtower mentality will never change.
At a kingdom hall cleaning I was asked to clean the toilets. I replied to the elder "I'm sorry I can't clean the dirty toilets. I'm not spiritually qualified."
The following suggestion I have mentioned to many young brothers over the years on how to get out of kingdom hall or assembly hall cleaning or volunteer work at conventions: "Sorry brother I can't help with the cleaning as I'm on restrictions."
