What's the big deal about a Circuit Overseer visit?

by jaffacake 25 Replies latest jw friends

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  steve2

  I remember cringe-inducing notices read by elders from the platform instructing sisters who were preparing meals for the CO to "not over do it" and stick to plain nutritious meals, that Jehovah knew what was in their hearts so they did not need to try to impress the CO, etc..

  I guess there may have been some basic sense in the "instruction" but it was phrased and delivered to the entire congregation in such a condescending and almost a chiding manner. As I sat there listening to the brother intoning at some length about this issue, I remember thinking, "The nerve! They ought to be bloody grateful that sisters are even volunteering in the first place, let alone being told how and what to prepare!"

  Of course, I never said anything at the time!
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  lonelysheep

  I never got it. I was "fortunate" to have a CO have one of my studies w/my conductor and I. I didn't see him as any different than any other man in the hall, but the way some jw's around me acted...it was if he was the pope and knew more than anyone else.
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  coolhandluke

  I saw the CO as my friend when he'd visit. I'd arrange to go on return visits with the group that had him. Then I'd bend his ear. Several times one overseer in particular told me, "Tell me the climate of the congregation, Dominick. I'm tired of getting my ass kissed and I need some honesty." Mind you I was a teenager, but I saw this as at least an attempt at honesty, at helping the group. That made me happy.

  "Never go against the family."
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  bennyk

  Heh. The last time the CO came to visit, I denounced the Presiding Overseer and his Sidekick. So (just maybe) the CO visit is an opportunity to 'clean house'.
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  Finally-Free

  The last time the CO came to visit, I denounced the Presiding Overseer and his Sidekick.

  I did that once. The CO pretended to be interested and sympathetic. Then he immediately went and reported it all to the PO, who then worked even harder to turn my life into a living hell.

  W
• 

  XBEHERE

  I know of elders/MS/brothers who only auxiliary pioneer during the month of the CO's visit; again to get his ear and impress the CO with the capabilities

  This is typical in my congregation, if you dont then you will NEVER get a part on an assembly. This all varies from CO to CO but generally speaking the more you suck ass the more "privileges" you receive. Our last CO loved for his "ring to be kissed" by the brethren. What an ass!
• 

  PaulJ

  kiss-assity

  That is exactly what the elders are displaying when the CO is in town.

  Maybe it was just the various CO's that I saw over the years but how come their wives had very partticular dietry requirements? They all seem to have to have wheat-free shit (at least, some are evn more difficult to please)....
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  upside/down

  kiss-assity
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  vitty

  A sister decided to take the CO and wife out for lunch, she said she was glad they werent going to have to eat another cold chicken salad again and rolled her eyes, the ungrateful, unappreciative bitch!

  I vowed then id never invite them for a meal. My friend was upset by the comment because she knew the sister that had fed her fat face the day before was really nervous and didnt have much money
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  LongHairGal

  About the only time a CO got honesty was when he worked with the people on the fringes or certain elderly ladies. Then he got to see what was really wrong. Unfortunately, what is usually wrong in a congregation hurts these type of people the most - not the ones who are in the cliques.
  
  If he didn't get to speak to these fringe people (or was deliberately steered away from them) what he got was a sugar-coated report from some cover-your-butt brother who didn't want him to see what was actually going on.
  
  Kind of like a place I worked for years ago where the head man sent in bogus figures to the home office. All was well for a while till the shit hit the fan.