Well, the wizened old theocrats are starting to sense some drift
and rot growing in congregations in various countries (like
the dinosaurs, it can take a while for the sensory nerve signals
to reach the brain). So, what's their response?
Not reform! That's unthinkable to these stiff-necked Sanhedrin
dwellers. How 'bout a kind of 'Hitler Youth' approach? You know,
zealous young fanatics who can seize the reins from local burnt
out elders!
Sounds like the "Ministerial Training School" to me.
Within the last couple years, there was some discussion that the
Borg wanted to do this in (chuckle!) Germany. The recent posts on
Japan suggest they are trying this to curb decline there also.
Well, good luck to them all!
The times I observed this "send in a brother who will straighten
out THAT congregation" phenomena were instructive. The whole thing
usually ended badly - of the three examples I know of locally,
each brother sent in to "set things right" ended up with a wrecked
marriage and divorce. Two out of the three of these spiritual
giants ended up DF'd for adultery - the third moved out and escaped
the growing wrath of the rest of the body (he was a jerk).
So, these three congregations continue as they were.
In neighboring states, I have heard much the same. It's no fun
being the "Lone Ranger" - it's hard enough being an ordinary
elder as it is without "good old boys" hoping you hang yourself.
Reform-wise, maybe the Society will eventually resemble
that saying Europeans have about the U.S.
"America will always do the right thing.... once they've
tried everything else"
metatron