Posts by AllTimeJeff

6

Don't Ever Forget, the GB only makes Practical Decisions, Not Ones Based On "Faith"

by AllTimeJeff in

i have been reading a lot about the downsizing of branch offices and congregations lately.

i know of a few being downsized personally.

this addresses two critical issues that the gb is facing.

AllTimeJeff

I forget which 70's GB'er said this after the committees started running in 1976, but Ray Franz reported he said something to the effect of 'We are supposed to be a Governing Body and I haven't been doing a lot of governing lately.....'

The GB is interested in "Governing", and their first and foremost role as an executive is cash flow. Forget food at the proper time, any changes in doctrine will always be about them, so, whatever. But make no mistake, when the financial statement hits, and the credits and debits aren't where they feel they need to be, they will change anything to correct that issue.

19

BEHOLD! THE GRAND CLIMAX IS AT HAND!

by Brother Mike in

dear friends of jwn,.

the time is now.

it is time to prepare for the "grand climax".

AllTimeJeff

I think what has changed is he's having a bad week.

74

The Gall Of WT To Give This Advice To Pioneers:

by JW GoneBad in

this past week's wt study lesson was entitled: 'pioneering strengthens our relationship with god'.. under the subheading 'remaining in the full-time service' in par 14 the wt has the nerve to give this admonition to pioneers: .

'desiring to learn from jesus' example, a pioneer does well to keep in mind that the more material things he has, the more he will have to maintain , repair, or replace.'.

i don't think the gb or anyone in the writing department has the freedom to speak on giving adivce on the matter of 'material things' given the fact that wt has close to a billion dollars in real estate and loads of money in various bank accounts; given the fact that gb is currently building themselves new living quarters with who knows what sort of comforts and other amenities.

AllTimeJeff

If you see how GB's live, their rooms, the adulation, the fact that they don't have to cook, or even clean, it just blows your mind.

They play the game of fake humility very well.

54

Hello, its good to be back, seriously!

by AllTimeJeff in

jw
friends

for the last year or so, the opening lyrics to gloria estefan's "always tomorrow" have been howling at me.. i've been alone inside myself, far too long.

never really wanted it that way, but i let it happen..... .

(btw, the message in that song is great for former jw's, if you want to think about the lyrics that way....).

AllTimeJeff

Ditto Rip!

54

Hello, its good to be back, seriously!

by AllTimeJeff in

jw
friends

for the last year or so, the opening lyrics to gloria estefan's "always tomorrow" have been howling at me.. i've been alone inside myself, far too long.

never really wanted it that way, but i let it happen..... .

(btw, the message in that song is great for former jw's, if you want to think about the lyrics that way....).

AllTimeJeff

Trebor, I will only be Chairman for a year, before the leadership elects a new one. Maybe we can split up the power into 5 committees.

54

Hello, its good to be back, seriously!

by AllTimeJeff in

jw
friends

for the last year or so, the opening lyrics to gloria estefan's "always tomorrow" have been howling at me.. i've been alone inside myself, far too long.

never really wanted it that way, but i let it happen..... .

(btw, the message in that song is great for former jw's, if you want to think about the lyrics that way....).

AllTimeJeff

So what does "being healthy" look like?

Love and accept yourself for who you are
Whatever you do with your life, make sure that you help other people along the way
Take care of yourself physically. I didn't realize this, but did you know that if you don't exercise much and eat like shit, it has adverse affects on you? lol

That's what I got so far...

Oh, being honest. That could be a big one for ex JW's. :)

54

Hello, its good to be back, seriously!

by AllTimeJeff in

jw
friends

for the last year or so, the opening lyrics to gloria estefan's "always tomorrow" have been howling at me.. i've been alone inside myself, far too long.

never really wanted it that way, but i let it happen..... .

(btw, the message in that song is great for former jw's, if you want to think about the lyrics that way....).

AllTimeJeff

Thanks Steve. My life needs to be about other people, and getting outside myself. (so yeah, I go ahead and write yet ANOTHER existential post about me... LOL)

6

Don't Ever Forget, the GB only makes Practical Decisions, Not Ones Based On "Faith"

by AllTimeJeff in

i have been reading a lot about the downsizing of branch offices and congregations lately.

i know of a few being downsized personally.

this addresses two critical issues that the gb is facing.

AllTimeJeff

I have been reading a lot about the downsizing of branch offices and congregations lately. I know of a few being downsized personally. This addresses two critical issues that the GB is facing

One is cash flow. A real consequence of dumbing down their flock is, they are usually not formally educated to get work that pays well. As a result, donations are on the decline. Additionally, recent converts (at least anecdotally to me) are not in as well educated demographic, meaning their ability to make substantial donations is limited. People who have higher paying jobs also have better internet access, and some curiosity, so they can see what JW's are about on their own, whereas 20 years ago, that wasn't the case.

The other issue is the drop in elders and MS. We all have seen it. You can't have congregations run with the amount of elders and MS that are available. This will also limit the amount of CO's needed to visit the congregations, so the Borg saves money there as well.

The GB will spin this as using "YHWH;s" extorted/donated resources more wisely. In fact, the GB just wants to make sure they are taken care of. The next 20 years? That's GB 3.0's problem.

53

Jamaican Branch Office Closing

by jw07 in

i'm from jamaica, montego bay to be exact.

if there are other jamaicans here, feel free to let me know.. with that said, it was announced at our last meeting (a letter was read) that the branch office (bethel) in kingston would be closing, and affairs would soon be directed from us hq.

now the branch office here is a large compound built on acres of prime real estate.

AllTimeJeff

There is no doubt in my mind that the Borg does not have the cash flow they once did. Branches AND congregations are being downsized purely for cash flow. The property is then sold, and where do you think the profits for the sales go?

I know of several congregations lately that are being merged into larger ones, and the KH's are being sold. The money will go to Bethel. This is purely an economic move.

24

Just got off the phone with my dad!

by Kool Jo in

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had this conversion with my dad earlier today, hes an elder...both my parents were laid off during the recession, however, they saved and lived a decent life.

AllTimeJeff

Selfishly, I saw several decade vested Bethlites being shown the door in 2005, and that absolutely accelerated my desire to leave. I wasn't going to be in Africa for 10 years, get Malaria, then get sent home because I wasn't healthy with no savings or skills. It seemed like every so often, a GB at morning worship would comment about how those "who get a new "assignment" (code for, being kicked out of Bethel into a local congregation) need to trust in Jehovah....

What struck me most was the sheer terror of the old timers not in the any of the 5 major departments and with no skills. Particularly the sisters, who had been there all their lives, and were now seeing for the first time how they were really viewed in the Borg's eyes. Just pure anxiety.

Glad your dad is being realistic!