in 1971 the elders "arrangement" was being rolled out in the UK. One sunday i was to do the public talk that afternoon--i had only glanced through the printed script and just couldnt be bothered with it all anymore. I phoned the congregation servant ( former branch servant somewhere ) and asked to see him there and then.
After a few mins into the meet up--i told him how i felt about it all--and he thanked me for telling him--as he was about to recommend me as an elder ! FFS--i was 23--and had absolutely no interest in the daft cult anymore ! So much for spirit directed .
Now i just had to explain it to the wife--a pregnant 3rd generation born in . That was the start of 10 years of marital misery.