I used to think that people looked up to elders until I actually became one. Then I realized that if you actually tried to be there for folks, that you'd get steamrolled and treated like a slave.Everything you say or do is gossiped about, nothing is ever good enough. Crazy cat lady single 50 year old pioneer sister who calls in the middle of the night. Psycho 40 year old virgin guy who corners you at the meeting so you can't talk to the more normal people.
Yes, they have a lot of parts but no one pays any attention to them. I would spend hours trying to put together interesting parts only to realize that I could spent 5 minutes and get the same glazed over look. Maybe I just sucked as a speaker but the apathy with which the average JW lives their lives and approaches their religion is amazing. The religion really does suck the life out of you.
I also learned that you're nothing but a low level manager in a multi-national publishing corporation. The contempt that the COs/DOs and branch has for the average elder is barely concealed. They treat you like an idiot and constantly talk down to you.
Bottom line, the only impact that an elder can have on a publisher is the ability to DF them. But, if you're an unbelieving elder, you're going to avoid being on a JC or if you are on one, you'll push for reproof. Easy enough. The rest of the stuff just doesn't really matter. I think you guys are overstating the impact an elder has on folks.
BUT - the impact that having still serving elders on JWN is probably more positive than negative. Think about all the BOE letters that get leaked, the news that gets broken here. Bethel knows they have loyalty problems with their low level managers and it really pisses them off. They don't know who to trust and I think that undermines the power structure.
I first came here as an elder and when I saw other elders here, it gave me a sense of not being alone and made me stay. Yes, I eventually stepped down but it was my choice. I probably would have anyway because it's the worst "job" I've ever had. I hated it even before I knew TTATT. That just reinforced to me what I already felt.
I say that they should be encouraged to continue doing what they can, leaking what they know. The fact is that most posters here know way more about what's going on in the org than the average JW and in my mind that's a good thing.
Each must follow their own path.
