Doubting Bro

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Posts by Doubting Bro

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  32

  Other Points From the Annual Meeting

  by jabberwock in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i realize that the latest clarification of the generation teaching has been discussed quite a bit on this thread.. but i think that there are at least two other important points from the annual meeting that have been, for the most part, overlooked:.

  1. the weeds of matthew 13 are not the churches of christendom, but apostates.. 2. showing love to our neighbors involves more than just the preaching work.

  (thanks for mentioning this rubadub).

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  Doubting Bro

  OTWO - I didn't think about that aspect but am in complete agreement. I have to believe that they are still making some money on literature or they wouldn't print it. But, I'm sure their margins have been drastically reduced and they need to find a new business model.

  I do think that more men would participate. Ever been to a KH clean-up day just before the memorial? It's usually held on a Sat morning. Every one I've ever been to has been 1)well attended, 2) everyone is in a good mood, 3) there's usually a nice social aspect to it with food, coffee and 4) there are always WAY more men present to do the handyman work & outdoor work than there EVER is for a Sat morning service group (with the exception of when the CO is in town). And, everyone can feel like they were doing God's work and not feel guilty about skipping service.

  It's a win-win but I think that's probably why the WTS won't do it. Although, I really never thought they would give up a meeting night either.

  This would be a nice fit if they wanted to Mormonize.
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  32

  Other Points From the Annual Meeting

  by jabberwock in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i realize that the latest clarification of the generation teaching has been discussed quite a bit on this thread.. but i think that there are at least two other important points from the annual meeting that have been, for the most part, overlooked:.

  1. the weeds of matthew 13 are not the churches of christendom, but apostates.. 2. showing love to our neighbors involves more than just the preaching work.

  (thanks for mentioning this rubadub).

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  Doubting Bro

  sir82 - you crack me up! I agree that I have a hard time seeing that but I also had a hard time believing they would cut out the CBS. If they are getting pressure in a few western countries (I'm thinking the EU here and not the US) about demonstrating they deserve their tax exempt status, you can bet your last dollar they will do whatever it takes to keep that status.

  Remember how quickly dropped the set pricing on literature after Swaggert lost his court case?

  It is all about the Bengies baby!

  Now, there's no way in Hades they would even consider doing this without a real threat to the NFP status for the reasons you state above.
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  32

  Other Points From the Annual Meeting

  by jabberwock in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i realize that the latest clarification of the generation teaching has been discussed quite a bit on this thread.. but i think that there are at least two other important points from the annual meeting that have been, for the most part, overlooked:.

  1. the weeds of matthew 13 are not the churches of christendom, but apostates.. 2. showing love to our neighbors involves more than just the preaching work.

  (thanks for mentioning this rubadub).

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  Doubting Bro

  Regarding #2 - There was a recent WT "study" article that encouraged JWs to do good for others in practical ways. It was maybe 2 months ago or so (I don't remember the actual date). I can look through my (non-highlighted) WTs and see if I can find the quote.

  If they were to maybe change the definition of service/ministry to include doing good for others, my guess is that it would be entirely to help keep their not for profit, tax free, status. You could meet at the KH on Sat mornings and break up into groups that would work on specific projects and report time spent. I know a bunch of pioneers that work at RBCs that get to count that time towards their annual hourly requirement so the concept isn't that radical.

  I'd bet they'd actually get a lot more participation and those hours spent would actually benefit more than just the gas stations and coffee shops that current field service does.

  Regarding #1 - I agree this would be a drastic departure from their current interpertation of Matt 13 but really, when did that ever stop them???

  I see #1 as happening. #2 I think is the best idea they've come up with in years and therefore not one that will be implemented. If it is done, then at least the community would see some benefit.
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  148

  Notes From the Annual Meeting - Oct 3, 2009

  by daniel-p in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  from a little bird... .

  interesting portions highlighted.

  notes from annual meeting (oct 3, 2009) .

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  Doubting Bro

  ynot - that is scary! Actually, I could totally see that happening!
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  148

  Notes From the Annual Meeting - Oct 3, 2009

  by daniel-p in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  from a little bird... .

  interesting portions highlighted.

  notes from annual meeting (oct 3, 2009) .

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  Doubting Bro

  I had a post all typed out about how they're going to spin this change as just a clarification, but upon further review, I'm completely confused.

  I thought the latest generation teaching was that it represented the "annointed" as a whole who witnesses the signs that Jesus gave. I thought they had in essense detached 1914 from the generation teaching since they said the generation was the annointed living during the last days. My take was that it left it wide open which of course isn't much of a promise from Jesus (this generation will see the end but generation really doesn't have any specific meaning) but it did allow them to keep the 1914 date without another failed prophsey.

  So, now they are saying that people who were alive in 1914 would overlap (but since most of those folks are dead, not actually see) the annointed who would actually see the end? How on earth is that a generation? This makes even less sense to me that the convoluted defintion they currently have.

  I agree that the pick of Barr was to make it easier to take the news that all the old timers are now expected to not see the end. I also agree that they may be trying to spin that into saying that the "new" annointed such as the GB members who are in their 50s and 60s are the ones that will see the end in their lifetime. Do you think they are going to make a push for a 2034 end date?

  An end-time cult without an end-time date is the fundamental reason why apathy is so high among JWs at the moment.

  Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting this.
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  126

  MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HAS DIED

  by Mary in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is one post i had always hoped i would never have to do, but after a long and brave battle, my beloved brother in law has died.

  i have done a couple of threads on this in the past, so many of you know the battles he was facing.

  he had been diagnosed earlier this year with myelodysplastic syndrome and the mortality rate of this disease is quite high.

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  Doubting Bro

  Mary,

  My condolences to you and your family in this terrible time of loss. Your post gives us a glimpse into how special he was.
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  13

  WT Annual Meeting is tomorrow, 3 October, 2009.

  by Open mind in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone going?.

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  Doubting Bro

  I was just thinking about that. There were some rumors about new GB members but there have been very few leaks (that I've seen at least) on any changes. Leads me to believe that nothing major will come out.
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  57

  I'm new, let me introduce myself

  by no lies please in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been lurking here for many months.

  i served as an elder for many years, and regular pioneer for much longer until recently.

  i'm also a mts grad and was used extensively on the circuit and district level.

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  Doubting Bro

  Welcome NLP!! Your description of grieving was exactly my feelings as well. You will likely progress through all the phases (denial,anger,bargining, depression, and finally acceptance). Glad to hear that you don't have family in. That will be a major help!

  The ride will be bumpy but this board is a great place to vent.
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  51

  Everything About Being An Elder is Weird (my misc rambling memories of being an elder)

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  for any brother who is a jehovah's witness, the goal is put before them to reach out for the privilege of being an elder.

  i can only speak for myself, but being born into the religion, i wanted to be an elder since i was 5. i would have much rather wanted to be a doctor or engineer, but those are the breaks..... i'll skip the part about what it takes to reach out, all the crap you have to put up with as a ministerial servant to get appointed, and go straight to the reality.. i know many elders who sincerely just wanted to be shepherds.

  i did want the spotlight.

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  Doubting Bro

  ATJ,

  Your post brings back memories for me. I was 29 when appointed and did about 10 years or so. I never dealt with a pedofile but many of your experiences are similar to mine. I was an a$$hole for at least the first few years too. I cringe over some of the things I said and thought.I know I should continue to beat myself up over it, but it still saddens and disappoints me.

  Being an elder was nothing like I thought it was going to be. Being a company man sucked even worse.

  Exactly!

  And, the political games that I noticed in multiple congregations and at the circuit and district level were enough to allow me to just consider for a moment that "apostates" actually had legitimate points. I honestly can't imagine that there are many elders who actually think holy spirit is guiding them, at least at the local level.
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  15

  New Age Requirement for MTS

  by garlic81 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  at our 2 day circuit assembly this weekend they made an announcement for those interested in attending the ministerial training school to meet with the do & co at 9:20 behind the stage this morning.

  they said that there is a new revised age requirement, and it is 62 or older.

  he again clarified 62 or older, single, and a ministerial servant or an elder.. do you think they feel they've put enough young brothers through the school and now they want old retired individuals who they can send anywhere?

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  Doubting Bro

  I'm sure it's 62 or younger. I have a friend who just started MTS and he's in his mid-40s. They've expanded from 50 to 62.