Qualifications of Elders

by iiz2cool 29 Replies latest jw friends

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  iiz2cool

  In my experience with elders in the past I was counseled for many things, most trivial and stupid, but some were serious issues. One thing I noticed was that the elders always seemed to approach issues with some preconceived ideas, or they would try to read between the lines rather than actually listen to what I was saying. Others I know have had similar experiences. A few elders I knew were skilled tradesmen, but most were unskilled workers or cleaners. I have nothing against those lines of work, I've done some of these myself, but they don't qualify someone to offer counsel on serious mental, emotional, or spiritual issues. All the elders ever seemed to do was parrot something anyone could find in their own watchtower library. When you combine that with their haughty attitudes, I felt that they weren't qualified to kiss my left asscheek.

  Did anyone ever really meet an elder that was actually qualified to give counsel on things like child abuse, depression, marital problems, etc? Has anyone ever heard of an elder who actually had enough initiative to go out and get some REAL training on these matters? Or are they all just flying by the seat of their pants?

  Walter
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  undercover

  The problem is that JWs are taught that worldly wisdom and philosphophy are from Satan. So for an elder to seek outside training on how to deal with a lot of these problems would fly against all that he was taught by the WTS.

  Those inside the organization have been fooled into thinking that the WTS, through God's Spirit, has all the answers. Those who have managed to break free from this control see the folly of this. But there is no easy way to show one still under that control that the answers aren't in the organization.
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  Room 215

  As I've said in several earlier, related threads on this subject, the only thing JW elders excel at is making a bad situation worse. It would be a great surprise -- if not a miracle-- if one were to hear from one of these ...``whoa.. I'm in over my head here; let me refer you to a specialist or point you in the direction of someone who can really help you" to any hapless dub who confides a sensitive issue to him.

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  stillajwexelder

  Yes I have met elders that are truly qualified --but they are extremely rare
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  blondie

  Yes I have met elders that are truly qualified --but they are extremely rare

  And they have to try and overcome the pressure from the unqualified elders who pressure them to do what the majority are doing to have "unity" in spite of knowing it is unchristian and unscriptural. Blondie
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  William Penwell

  Their number one goal is to keep the congregation "clean" and to make you feel guilty.

  Will
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  undercover

  Yes I have met elders that are truly qualified --but they are extremely rare

  Truly qualified by whose standards? If a child accuses a family member of sexual abuse, is any elder trained by the WTS truly qualified to handle this situation? The elder may truly care about the child's well-being and safety and may try to do the best that he can with what he has(training wise), but is that enough?

  I have known a couple of elders that were good elders. They were merciful, caring and fair. I truly respected these elders. But of these elders that I did trust, none were trained or qualified to handle the emotional, physical and spiritual damage of an abused(sexual or otherwise) person. Nothing against those elders. They would want to do the right thing, but their training is lacking and so is support from the WTS.
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  zev

  Or are they all just flying by the seat of their pants?

  you got it.

  i have never met a single elder in 40 years of borg-absorbtion that had any kind of qualified training in the real sense of the word, like your asking.
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  core

  I have known a couple of elders that were good elders. They were merciful, caring and fair. I truly respected these elders. But of these elders that I did trust, none were trained or qualified to handle the emotional, physical and spiritual damage of an abused(sexual or otherwise) person. Nothing against those elders. They would want to do the right thing, but their training is lacking and so is support from the WTS.

  Yes - actually it is unfair to expect that the elders are capable in all such areas - the problem is that the WT proijects an illusion that suggests the elders ARE capable in all areas when the poor souls are not. This leads to massive problems as they try to handle situation which are beyond them and often make things worse. The almost complete rejection of 'outside' help adds to this.

  Many elders are not fit to clean out the stables - but many are kind and considerate, hard working and compassionate - but they are not police officers, social workers, maarriage guidance counsellors, rape therapists etc etc - when the WT projects that elders are spirit appointed = 100% competent - it does itself its biggest harm
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  freedom96

  I feel most elders become one because of their zealous attitude in the hall and field service, as well as who they know. This in itself would not qualify them to handle many of the challenges brought before them on a ongoing basis.

  We were all taught that further education was wrong, so real training on how to work with people would not have been given to these new elders.

  Being a compassionate, caring person with good people skills is about the best you can hope for.