New instructions on not using sisters to manage KH computer ?

by fifth.column 25 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  fifth.column

  Hi,

  since Covid in France, especially in the countryside with lack of brothers, it was quite common that some sisters were using the computer at the back of the Kingdom Hall to manage zoom session.

  I heard a rumor that new instructions, maybe a July letter, stated that this was reserved for male only, even unbaptised publishers, but no sister if there is at least a male available. That would be a steps back and disappointment for these sisters. last week I heard at my mom’s house how they were happy that this service was available for them, a proof that the org was moving forward. :-)

  Can anyone share this letter please ?

  thanks in advance
• 

  blondie

  Fifth column, I think that an unbaptized male cannot be used for such duties. I know the WTS officially believes that a baptized woman can do such things if no qualified baptized male is available. Thus, a man on restrictions for being privately reproved would not be able to do it. I am not saying that some congregations have had an unbaptized elder's son do such things, but it was not officially and somehow not challenged outside the congregation. I was a regular pioneer in one congregation, and no baptized brother to handle the meeting for field service. It was rotated among several female pioneers selected by the body of elders to do so. A brother came who had just been reinstated after having been disfellowshipped and still on restrictions (not praying for congregation, etc.) I was the sister of the day, and I suggested he take over, he had to tell me that he could not per his restrictions and it felt awkward for me even wearing a headcovering to do it with him there. So we just did our own car groups and went out. The elders told him he shoudl just have gone out in his car and came in afterwards!!!! There are so many rules and so many rules broken at the discretion of elders in one BOE and not in another. Now it did not have to be a ministerial servant to handle zoom, but it had to be a brother in "good standing." Do you get that? Probably not, I still don't seem any logic in that, but if you disagree publicly, "there's the door."
• 

  FFGhost

  Yeah, that’s right.

  In a lot of places in Europe (maybe elsewhere too?), post-COVID, they started using “sisters” to run mics and run the sound desk, because there just simply weren’t enough “brothers” present at the KH.

  Evidently, the branch offices found that horrific, or at least embarrassing, so in the monthly “announcements and reminders” to congregations (July 2024, sent just this week), they put the kibosh on the practice.

  The letter says that “baptized brothers in their early teens or younger” could be used for such “practical tasks”. And that congregations must “contact the circuit overseer for direction before using sisters”.

  All that, of course, is in the “elders only” section of the letter, NOT to be read to the congregation.

  I can think of more than a few sisters who are going to be “bent out of shape” when these recent “privileges” are suddenly yanked away.

  I was thinking, maybe, that the borg was considering increasing the role of sisters in the congregations, starting with mics & sound desk, and conceivably, after many years, possibly even opening up the way for them to be ministerial servants. I always thought it odd how 1 Timothy 3:11 specifically addressing “women” was plopped directly in the middle of the list of requirements for MS in 1 Tim. 3:8-13. I thought, maybe, with the loosening restrictions on field service reports and dress codes, they might, after a suitably long time, open the door for “sisters” to have even more responsibilities.

  Alas, I should have known better.

  An 11 year old baptized boy “outranks” Sister Pioneer with 40+ years of experience. Thus shall it ever be so in WT-world.
• 

  fifth.column

  I personally experienced the same story when downgraded after opening my mouth. In my very small congregation some unbaptized teenagers were carrying the mic. Sisters stayed on their chair, like me. It was seen as a training for future brothers.

  That’s why I was very surprised to see sisters managing the computer in my mom’s hall. That would not happen in my former congregation. Maybe it was some local initiatives in this very small congregation, but some brothers were still available and used at some other tasks, so no problem with them

  Anyway apparently there was recently an internal letter to stop this, maybe except if there is really absolutely no brother available.
• 

  fifth.column

  Thanks FFGhost, that’s what I heard.

  I know some sisters who will be upset, they were defending the org 10 days ago in front of me, and expecting more progress in near future. Nope! Wearing pants is enough. That’s a strange strategy, women are not the same anymore even in JW world and will feel a huge difference with their better position in the world

  do you think we could get a copy of this letter ?in the past I saw Atlantis posts but not recently.
• 

  fifth.column

  Atlantis just posted the letter.

  this is not an absolute NO for sisters on videoconferencing system but should be exceptional…

  If it could open some eyes, good!

  thanks for your help
• 

  Diogenesister

  I've always thought it so bizarre that women aren't allowed to do absurdly practical and not at all spiritual things like running mics and working a sound desk, even as a witness.

  I mean at least there is something in the Bible about men and women's dress codes. Of course we all know women were used as deacons and apostles (messengers) in the Bible. Phoebe and Junia (who was imprisoned for her service!). But no. Ladies we get to wear trousers. :/

  Whoop De doo.
• 

  St George of England

  We have a sister work on the AV desk. You can always tell if she's on duty. Every works smoothly!

  George
• 

  enoughisenough

  I read Atlantis's posting...thanks Atlantis...I had a thought about the sisters not being able to have the "privieges " in the congregations--don't feel so put out "sisters", you can still mix cement, drive heavy equipment, lay roofing, paint, paper, shuttle drive, lay brick, tie rebar, lay tile, pull electric wire, etc for the new constructions ( which some of the young lads can't without a parental approval ) You can cook for the brothers, clean, and mow grass! ( you just aren't allowed to be of use during meeting )... ( is there something wrong with this picture?) I remember them saying women couldn't have teaching positions--ok...but carrying mics or handing out literature isn't exactly teaching. Now then,if a woman has a student part on the meeting, is she really not instructing the whole congregation for good or bad? A sister can't sit managing a sound booth, but she can pull her elbow out of joint working contruction. ( I know of a case ) or dig ditches in the hot sun. Don't you love how considerate of the sisters JWs are.
• 

  slimboyfat

  I wondered what was going on. In the past few years since covid a brother and wife (various couples, not just one) have managed the sound together and when the brother got up to give a talk the wife took over during his talk. On Tuesday, when the brother got up to give a talk, instead of his wife taking over control, another brother came up, sat beside the wife of the other brother at the sound booth, and took over control himself. When the brother finished his talk, the other brother got up, and the original brother went back to the sound booth next to his wife and took control of the sound again. I thought this form of musical chairs was novel, so a new letter with these instructions would explain it.