What does it take to become a Circut Overseer?

by frankiespeakin 24 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  mizpah

  Concerned mama:

  The Watchtower Society breaks every country into sections: zones, districts and circuits. A number of congregations comprised a "circuit" over which the "circuit overseer" had oversight. He usually would visit a congregation about twice a year. Sometimes a congregation would be assigned a "host congregation" for an assembly. Then, a special visit would be made by the circuit overseer sometimes to be joined by the "district overseer." It was suppose to be considered a rare "privilege."

  When the Watchtower Society was experimenting with the "elder arrangement" it made some tactical mistakes such as the one previously mentioned. Another one was the idea to rotate the positions of the elders annually in the congregations giving each an opportunity to be "congregation overseer." This turned out to be another disaster. Evidently, the "spirit led" arrangement had a lot to be desired...haha.
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  William Penwell

  A good set of knee pads is an asset.

  Will
• 

  Loris

  A copy of Mein Komf in the book bag.

  Loris
• 

  DevonMcBride

  A brown noser and a Yes man.

  Devon
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  concerned mama

  Thanks for the explanation, Mizpah.
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  nobody told me

  A big book bag--for all the wt bs.

  years of training to develope lack of feelings

  A calculator--to see how the congregation is really doing.

  Sometimes, not always---a snotty wife who gives you a lot of personal opinions.
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  Jim Dee

  Features of a good CO:-

  No feeling - do what the wtbs says

  Follow the book - bring everyone into line who is not

  CYA - incase things go wrong - make sure nothing is pointing at you

  Be like bill clinton - be the teflon kid, nothing sticks

  Be humble - you get paid more "gifts" that way

  Frighten people over one issue ' they feel you are more spiritual

  Jim
• 

  dannyboy

  Well, I guess I have a somewhat different take on all of this:

  Over the years I've known more CO's and DO's than many (perhaps most) around here, and yes, some were/are arrogant, picky, self-righteous know-it-alls. But I have to conclude that their collective attitude is mostly how they were trained, what they were allowed to get away with. Perhaps some of us forget that they, too get hammered-on by the Society to toe the party line and are held to account somewhat for Circuit/District "results".

  Yes, not all men in this category were/are like that, somehow they managed to keep a healthy portion of their humanity intact. But most of those that didn't, I repeat, were doing what they thought was right and proper and how they were trained. That they were doing/saying unreasonable things has to be understood in this context, IMO.

  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I see most of these men as casualties of a thorougly rotten system, just like me, just like many/most around here.

  I'm not denying others' experiences, just relating my take on things, for what it's worth.

  ---Dan
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  blondie

  dannyboy, I have to agree with you that COs are not all the same. But they are all trapped in the same routine/mold that the WTS sets out. I have seen COs that are only on their 2nd or 3rd circuit looked like trapped men going through the motions only to hear they left the circuit work in the next circuit. It is darn hard for the WTS to find men (and wives) willing to be uprooted from home and family to tour 20 congregations twice a year. Some locales have apartments but not all. Some go from urban areas to rural and remote areas with only a Walmart to shop at. Some are just as surprised as a new elder is at what goes on behind the scenes with the WTS and the DO. Only now it is 20 elder bodies to deal with not one. Some like the admiration (sucking up) and money that some circuits provide. Others with seniority get to stay in the nicer climates, while newer ones are schlepping through the snow and ice in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Some are young and inexperienced and feel they have the power and use it on elder bodies made up of men 20 to 30 years older than they are. Some look down at the outlines they are given and wonder how they can take the proverbial "s**t" and make it seem like an apple pie.

  I have to admit that a few COs have cracked the whip just to see how high the elders would jump. But in the end, I don't see them having any more power than a local elder with contacts and background, sometimes even less.

  In my last circuit, there were a succession of 4 COs all new......the turnover is horrendous....a sign of the times.

  Blondie
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  franklin J

  Badgers explanation hits the reality: these circuit overseers are no different than the "worldly" players of any myriad of successful corporations. Corporate America is filled with the same personality profiles. The narrow thinking , lack of ability to reason, and "judgement day" mentality holds the average person in their place, and allows the ladder climbers to move on.

  Unfortunately most do take it seriously ( I know I did, at an early age anyway).

  I always wondered as a child why my father had to work for a living, and the circuit overseer did not. Yet they always took advantage of my parents generousity, always stayed with us, and when we were travelnig, my parents gave them the keys to the house and cars. Even as a child I saw them as freeloaders.

  Frank