I was about 27 and yes it did affect my ego, I wanted 2 change the world had all the answers and made alot of the friends mad right off the top. I eventually saw the havoc I was causing and backed off. So many of the young brothers were mad at me 4 being an elder and I lost all of my peers as friends. Had 2 associate with brothers who were older, and really it was good because I learned alot from them but Its so sad the perception of elders being the ones you got 2 steer clear of because they always watching u. Which I geuss is true. But 2 my own credit I eventually became the brother who most wanted 2 be in on judicial cases because they knew I would lean toward mercy....I mean why not give mercy and help? Wouldnt Jesus do it?
theotherside
JoinedPosts by theotherside
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23
25-year-old elders and 18-year-old ministerial servants
by Gopher inat some point in the 1980's, a good number of younger men were appointed to the position of servants and elders in congregations, at least here in the midwestern usa.
before the 1980's, the required age for elders seemed to be 30, and for ministerial servants 20 (except in rare cases).
perhaps due to a lack of men who were "reaching out", the organization needed to "reach down" and pick out younger men to populate their hierarchy.
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14
Insider info given to me by a very loyal, long time brother
by seeitallclearlynow inas mentioned in the topic title, a very active, very positive, "faithful" brother talked to me out of the blue at work last week.
it was a highly unusual opportunity - i happened to be in a secluded area, captive to my task, and i saw him passing so said hello.. he's a wonderful person with a well-known, fantastic sense of humor, known all over the circuit and district.
former pioneer, elder, fill-in c.o.
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theotherside
My experience of eleven years as an elder was that regardless of what the make up of the body, the congo always FELT the PO ran the body. I even saw that any brother could run the body as long as he did more in the ministry than the rest. The CO would always gravitate 2 the brother who was pioneering or out more during his visit. If a brother couldnt be PO and he wanted 2 push his weight he would push 4 secretary as this gave him privy 2 all correspondance 2 the society. Really the PO from my experience never ran the congo. U still had strong willed brothers 2 contend with and every thing had 2 be voted on...its hard 2 get ur way when u got 2 vote...and the majority decision is what the minority supposedly had 2 support..even though I saw several times brothers didnt line up 2 this principle....the whole scriptural point of u have one leader, Christ, the rest of u r brothers got lost in the organization system.
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Does anyone feel that their abilty 2 make money has been influenced by WT?
by theotherside inwe were told so many times that we were slaves 2 not only god but anyone in a secular position of authority.
so i feel that this only encouraged a subordinate and non confortational attitude with our employers.
almost 2 the point that that even those of us who are self employed never get 2 develope the killer instinct that is needed 2 compete in the business world.
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theotherside
Yes didnt say it wasnt possible 2 have success but did you reach FULL earning potential without Wt agenda of organizational proscribed agenda of what 2 strive 4? No wordly career , no college, dont use the world 2 the full and avoid materialism?
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Does anyone feel that their abilty 2 make money has been influenced by WT?
by theotherside inwe were told so many times that we were slaves 2 not only god but anyone in a secular position of authority.
so i feel that this only encouraged a subordinate and non confortational attitude with our employers.
almost 2 the point that that even those of us who are self employed never get 2 develope the killer instinct that is needed 2 compete in the business world.
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theotherside
We were told so many times that we were slaves 2 not only God but anyone in a secular position of authority. So I feel that this only encouraged a subordinate and non confortational attitude with our employers. Almost 2 the point that that even those of us who are self employed never get 2 develope the killer instinct that is needed 2 compete in the business world. Anybody feel me?
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Tone of the current literature
by TheListener ini haven't started a thread in some time but this is something that has got me thinking.
i want to know if i'm off-base here or if others have noticed this too.is.. over the last several months (perhaps 6-9) i feel that the tone of the wts and kms have been very strong.
not strong in the sense of legalistic do's and don'ts but strong in the sense of do more!!!!
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theotherside
2 me it boils down 2 faith will always produce works, but works dont necessarily produce strong Christian faith. They are focusing on the wrong side of the equation. Its not how much we can do 4 God, its how much he has done 4 us. Since God is Love, Christianity is all about learning how 2 love.
They are beating people down 2 the point that they have made it hard to focus on making sure everyone feels love. Everyone is 2 busy earning salvation. Its the sad state of the organization right now. Will it change? Probably not because they keep this sense of impending doom before everyone. Its the Jws against all the wicked world. Hard 2 develope love even 4 your enemies when your constantly bombarded with that mentality
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Favorite Movies
by purplesofa ini am sure there is a thread out there somewhere about everyones fav movie........there are so many good ones.. today for the first time i saw the birds by alfred hitchcock.
yikes!!!.
and now the quiet man is on with john wayne.
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theotherside
anything with my boy Brad Pitt
A River Runs Through It
Legends of the Fall
Interview with a Vampire
Seven
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Can Quiting Smoking make you sexual?
by Sparkplug inok, loosing my damnable mind over here.
i have not smoked today and i am ready to climb the walls....so, with that said, is it just me?....
or is it this irritability frustration that could be solved with some "cuddling?
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theotherside
I quit about 19 yrs ago and one thing I remember is that the strongest urges only last maybe 5 minutes at a time...if u can deal with the 5 minute urges u can make it through. One more thing five minutes is plenty of time 2 satisfy other urges 2
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Just thinking again, it can be dangerous.
by purplesofa inand when they say they keep knocking on the same doors in case peoples circumstances have changed.
they are looking for something in that persons life so they can build them up.
so why search out weak ones?
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theotherside
Its sad when you are taught that God is so shallow and petty that we got 2 constantly question his love 4 all. In the process we become shallow people in our view of the world and the people in it. When we unlearn this, the whole world opens up it seems and the way we see people, which is now the way God sees them.....so dont stop thinking Purp you got us all thinking
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For the women: Clothes shopping right before the memorial
by catchthis ini have noticed now and in the past that most, if not all sisters, go clothes shopping right before the memorial.
they make it out to be this huge deal.
almost to the point where if they do not get that new dress from nordstroms, they won't be able to be seen at the memorial.
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theotherside
hey give them a break its the only chance they get 2 wear something similiar 2 Easter attire
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Hey!
by purplesofa ini have had this nickname online for over five years.
when i signed up at this discussion board i really was looking for fellow jw believers, looking for some new freinds.
what i found was something so much better.
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theotherside
40 yrs old , Twins in college, self employed, recently relocated makes it hard 4 me 2 post at this site much but if anybody can make me visit its Purple. I used 2 post a couple years ago as the Pretender as I was still in as an elder and can relate 2 what Purplesofa is going through. She is the best online friend you will find. Always concerned about everybody. So good 2 see a person having the chance 2 see what we devoted most of our lives 2 and being given the chance to see it 4 what it really is. I dont believe anyone has shared thier journey like she has and it touches my heart 2 see it. Anyone who is true 2 heart winds up at this point and what a change in life it brings. Best of wishes always 2 a Friend