by CaptainSchmideo 45 Replies latest jw friends
Yeh, we had a meeting like that. The elders advertised it for a fortnight emphasizing it was important for everyone to be there. Turned out to be a talk warning them all to stay away from little old me, the fallen and dangerous ex-elder that was sowing seeds of discontent - not that they mentioned my name, just described me.
So watch out Captain, it could be all about you...
Were defd and scholar invited?
I often felt it was a case of; "Power...use it or lose it!" The WTS need the dog and pony show to make the Bros jump through hoops to let them know who's the boss. (Pardon all the puns)
Those losers love meeting, makes the uneducated, window washers feel important and special. The ones that go feel superior over the ones who didn't because they are more spiritual! My wife used to hate it when I was told to go to these worthless, time-wasting meetings. Friday night and she gets to sit home with the kiddies. Puts her in her place doesn't it!
They used to do that all the time ... often it was a talk on trying to get more brothers to reach out and be a spiritual lead in the family.
Extremely likely that this is what its about. Our CO read us the riot act last visit for not going over every baptized brother's qualifications (publishers record card and ass kissing progress) before he came. I am guessing his "top secret" CO letters from WTHQ told them all to check on this. Lets face it, nobody wants to reach out anymore.......at least not in my area, MS's and elder #'s are dwindling fast. Can you blame them?!?!!
Can you blame them?!?!!
Nope. I know that if I was a guy I wouldn't have wanted the burden. You aren't trained properly for half the stuff you're asked to do.
I used to feel like dirt, the lowest of the low, as a single sister, but it doesn't sound all that great to be a brother either. It looks like the guilt factor is even stronger for the guys. I know I sure wouldn't want to take up my Friday evening with a stupid browbeating session disguised as a something "special".
ROFLMAO @ Lawrence!! We can only hope!!
Yes, it's probably some crappy meeting where they try and get you to feel guilty for not reaching out for a position in the congregation. They should advertise these positions in their local papers:
WANTED: Men who can take orders without question and who have no more than a Grade 10 education. University graduates and women need not apply. These positions involves knowing the intimate details of 70+ peoples lives, from crowsfeet to child molestation and solve these problems in the same manner. Hours are extensive with no sick or health benefits, or even an hourly wage. In fact, there is no compensation whatsoever. Candidates must agree with everything that those higher up on the scale say. Must be available 24-7 and have no bad habits yourself. Call now before this fantastic opportunity closes!
Ah yes, the ole' guilt trip the brothers into reaching out meeting. I've been to several of those myself. I always felt like crap afterwards. They usually result in inspiring some of the bros to cut back hours at work, putting their families in financial peril, so that they can devote more time in reaching out (sucking up). The last one I went to was very inspirational. One of my peers quit his job in sales and started his own business, finishing drywall. Within two months he went from being the party boy, to the elders darling. Oh yeah, and he was also trying to hook up with an elders daughter, who wouldn't give him the time of day. That is until he started "reaching out." Everything worked out great for them, he's almost an elder and she's fat. A true "blessing from Jah!"
They used to do that all the time ... often it was a talk on trying to get more brothers to reach out and be a spiritual lead in the family.
I agree. There is a lack of brothers capable of doing sound/microphones/attendants, assist account servant/literature servant/magaziner servant/territory servant, read at meetings, etc., etc. in this area.
No new men being baptized and teenage male JWs are either leaving or getting DF'd. Thus the elders have to humble themselves and pick up the slack. Also in this area are many ex-elders who opted out and don't even want to start on that slippery slope back to being an elder. Microphones today--elders tomorrow.
Blondie
There is a lack of brothers capable of doing sound/microphones/attendants, assist account servant/literature servant/magaziner servant/territory servant, read at meetings, etc., etc. ;in this area.
Actually, it isn't so much a lack of brothers as a lack of "qualified" brothers i.e. those who must pass some imaginary test.
I remember a comment an elder made to me a few years back. We were helping my father-in-law roof his house, we all sat down to have a couple of beers and were talking..... The conversation drifted to young people in the truth, and he remarked about how many were leaving. He said something about how the elders had to stem the flow of young ones out, otherwise there wouldn't be anyone left to carry on the "work". It makes me laugh now.
I think they're scared people. The entire District Convention schedule dwelt on follow the elders and the slave. Apostate rhetoric is heating up again. They're realing back the higher education gambit. They've come out with stronger language about associating with DFed family members. And now more special meetings for brothers?
They're numbers are stangnating, people are leaving in droves.
It's a sinking ship.
