Instructions For Merging Congregations
by wifibandit 10 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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stuckinarut2
Oh how surprising!
"If the congregation has money in its operating account, these funds WILL NOT be returned to the congregation"
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sparrowdown
What was it Jesus said to Judas something to the effect of "whatever you are doing do it more quickly..."??
Well whatever it was the sentiment is apt so whatever you are doing WT do it more quickly.
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Are you serious
Interesting that none of the questions that are considered are related to the preaching work or how it will be affected. They must be realizing it's a waste of time.
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steve2
Well yes, there's a surprise to get detailed instructions from head office. Not.
Clearly, officially distributed instructions only occur when a development is occurring on a regular enough basis to necessitate dissemination of detailed instructions.
Seldom is information widely distributed if a development is rare or infrequent.
Note the early part of the letter which explains that dissolution of a congregation "may be considered if there are an insufficient number of local publishers or elders to support the congregation and if present publisher growth and potential for growth from the field are minimal."
Understandably, there is nothing in the instructions to acknowledge that dissolution of a congregation may be considered if meeting attendances and/or publisher numbers are decreasing and the potential for a turnaround is minimal - which in all likelihood is the commonest reason for merging congregations, right?
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slimboyfat
Does anyone know if previous instructions on dissolutions of congregations have been distributed or is this the first one?
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slimboyfat
1. The elders shouldn't tell publishers about mergers being considered.
2. And publishers in one congregation shouldn't tell publishers in another congregation until all announcements have been made.
Heaven forbid that ordinary JWs should be involved or even aware of such discussions. And heaven forbid that a JW should tell their friends about the development before the elders get to make the announcement.
JWs spend an incredible amount of time regulating who knows what and when. Even if it means delaying knowledge for just a few hours they need "direction" on who can say what to whom. Where did they learn to be such control freaks?
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wifibandit
It appears this replaces Instructions for Dissolving Congregations S-67a-E 11/11, which was for CO's only.
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slimboyfat
Thanks. Interesting differeces between the two letters. More secrecy in the new letter. Plus literature distribution was a consideration in 2011 and is no longer a consideration in 2017 - presumably because print literature is being phased out anyway. Would be interesting to identify more changes.
I reckon there aren't many other churches where a congregation would be dissolved without even consulting the congregation. Says a lot about respect and dignity.
Locally churches a few years ago had a public discussion before a merger of local churches was agreed.
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jp1692
SBF: I reckon there aren't many other churches where a congregation would be dissolved without even consulting the congregation. Says a lot about respect and dignity.
Right. WT leadership doesn't care at all about what the local congregants want or care or feel. Their wishes are clearly unimportant and not worthy of consideration.