Blondie -
Having been an elder just over 1 year ago, I can tell you exactly how the Dubs will take this article. All the stuff about "you can't control every movement" is a release for the elders not to have to pay attention to the "weak" or "needy" who are "always asking for something". Guarantee it. The elders in my old KH were really only interested in helping the real "strong" people in the congregation. Here's a story:
Right before I got disfellowshipped, a sweet sister called me to talk. She lives with her sister and their mom, who is declining rapidly from Alzheimers. They are very poor and all of them suffer from depression. (Of course they do!) Well, the girls both work opposite shifts so one of them is always there for their mom. So, their work choices are somewhat limited and they don't have any "trade" to capitalize on. So, they were having a real hard go of it one month and, for the first time in their lives, approached the PO to find out if they might be able to get some help to pay their $500 rent that month. After that, they felt they would be back on their feet. (Reason why is one of them had surgery the prior month and couldn't work... so it's not like this would continue to happen.) Do you know what that elder told her? He said the congregation does not offer support like that, except to pioneers, and it was improper for her to even ask. And he sent her away. (Oh, by the way, most everyone in his family, including him are pioneers in the congregation.)
Can you believe that? What the F**K kind of "loving care and concern" is that???????? She called me and I ripped him to shreds and told her that "the congregation is a family" and if your family isn't willing to help you, maybe you should find a new family. Oh MY... it was my first "apostate-like" statement to someone... wow!!! ha ha
Anyway... my point is that all that article is about is basically to brainwash the following thoughts:
- Elders are like Jehovah and they care deeply for everyone
- Elders don't control every aspect of you life... so, if you have a problem that they don't want to deal with, or you take up too much of their time will your issues, it will fall into the catergory of, "we don't want to control every aspect of your life" and this gives them a "holy out" of the situation
- For the R&F, don't expect the Elders to be there for you all the time.
This article actually pissed me off. Why? Cause I see right through the BS and the true way it will be used with the R&F. Makes me so mad. Most Elders don't care - they just want a powerful job that DOES control others' lives.
Just my 2 cents.
