Connaughty

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Posts by Connaughty

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  17

  When an elder steps down - does he stay a ministerial servant?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  no he becomes a member of the lowly rank and file...and if no reason is given it is accepted that he was forced out...

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  Connaughty

  It really depends on the reason that he stepped down.

  If it was because of doing something unscriptural, then he may have to work towards being a MS again.

  I have been approach several times to become an elder again, since stepping down due to health reasons in the past. I have declined the offer. It's different when you know what you can expect when you enter that service. I'm not against helping in the congregation, but, lately I'm tied down with the same health issues, and work situation that makes the eldership duties hard to manage.

  The recent Org book mentions that Elders can step down for personal reasons,and mentions that he should be respected for this decision. The book mentions Retired Elders. These are not Ministerial Servants since they also work very hard, and I find that they work harder than some Elders do.
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  23

  brilliant counsel elder style

  by *Incubus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i was 14 i decided to dissassociate myself.the elder flipped and met with me and my parents.i shared my feelings about the hypocrisy that i saw in the teachings and actions of the witnesses.i was assured that i simply needed to pray more and that i was too young to comprehend the incidents which had made such a negative impression on me.. .

  then they went on to liken my feelings to a man who had a handful of diamonds but could only see the dust on them.. did you ever receive counsel that belittled the real issue?

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  Connaughty

  Incubus,

  That was a cruel thing for this person to say to someone who was young. I'm sorry that you were in the middle of that embarassing situation with your parents. One day your parents will see how ineffective it was.

  Isn't it sad that at that moment you were much wiser than those adults in that room, and saw how those words didn't really deal with the issues that you were facing at that time.
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  48

  Would YOU Remain A JW If You Thought The Watchtower Could Be Reformed?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  personally, i don't think the organization is reformable.

  while i was an elder, i tried to be a more moderate voice and as i grew older any harsher attitudes disappaited from within me.

  as they say, all the good (and smart) elders have left.

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  Connaughty

  I think that more people like Raymond Franz need to come out from the Governing Body. I can't believe that all the members totally agree with the current policies and procedures that are in force. Some must have some sense of honour, but are feeling helpless.

  Reforms take time, and may not occur in my lifetime. eg. The Pioneering hour requirements will be changed shortly. The last time that happened was around ten years ago. I also don't think their pressures to not get an education will be successfull. There are many Elders families that are ignoring that counsel.

  When you see a count of inactive witnesses out-number the active ones, this tells you that the GB is losing their inflluence.
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  14

  What kind of tea do you like that will help you to relax or go to sleep?

  by asilentone in

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  2. friends
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  Connaughty

  Skip that tea and go straight to the Johnny Walker. I remember the comment WC Field's made, he said," It only took one drink to make him drunk. The problem was that I couldn't remember if it was the 7th or 8th"
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  23

  brilliant counsel elder style

  by *Incubus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i was 14 i decided to dissassociate myself.the elder flipped and met with me and my parents.i shared my feelings about the hypocrisy that i saw in the teachings and actions of the witnesses.i was assured that i simply needed to pray more and that i was too young to comprehend the incidents which had made such a negative impression on me.. .

  then they went on to liken my feelings to a man who had a handful of diamonds but could only see the dust on them.. did you ever receive counsel that belittled the real issue?

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  Connaughty

  Incubus.

  You should have asked the Elder who presented the illustration of a handful of diamonds. Was he holding blood diamonds? If that's the case it's worthless to me. What kind of diamonds was he trying to categorize? Not all diamonds are precious. Some come with a bad history.
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  23

  brilliant counsel elder style

  by *Incubus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i was 14 i decided to dissassociate myself.the elder flipped and met with me and my parents.i shared my feelings about the hypocrisy that i saw in the teachings and actions of the witnesses.i was assured that i simply needed to pray more and that i was too young to comprehend the incidents which had made such a negative impression on me.. .

  then they went on to liken my feelings to a man who had a handful of diamonds but could only see the dust on them.. did you ever receive counsel that belittled the real issue?

  .

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  Connaughty

  I understand CoolhandLukes comments.

  They are saying so you are sick of service, reading the publications, meeting attendance then...do more and you'll like it.

  Try that on a kid who doesn't like eating brussels sprouts, " Well you don't like that do you lad? Well have some more, more, more...." You get the picture.
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  2

  I see the 144,000...but they are on Mount Zion

  by kzjw in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  how did the wtbs arrive at thier theory?

  the misconception is killing me!

  help me out...

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  Connaughty

  I really would like to help you out on this one, but, If I did I would have to increase my service report time.

  If I do that, they may give me a microphone to carry at the meetings. I know I'm being selfish.

  Sorry.
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  13

  I heard they might be doing away with Auxilary's...

  by cognac in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i heard this from a friend of mine who has really, really good bethel connections.

  keeping "pioneers" but doing away with the "auxilarys".... anyone else hear about this?.

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  Connaughty

  I've heard that not only the Auxilliary Pioneers, but the Reg Pioneers are due to change as well.
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  21

  How many have had a problem with the confession idea to elders?

  by Hope4Others in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i use to, well i still do think its no better than the confession idea to a priest.. 1. how many elders step down and are removed and what then?.

  2. how many people have access to the file cabinet?.

  3. my biggest thought is how many that are no longer elders repeat the dirty little secrets?.

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  Connaughty

  The system works well if the Elders can respect the privacy of the congregation.

  In our congregation, I was the secretary, and only I and the PO had the keys to the congregation files. The Judicial Committee files however were in a a metal file box that had a separate lock(the PO and I had the keys for this box}. Not all the Elders in the body knew of the details of the files in that box, but they did know about the charges for the congregation member.

  We had good body that respected the privacy of such matters, but I do recall two elders that would reveal details to their spouses. They were removed for doing so.

  Something disturbed me when I was pioneering in the early 70's. I was talking to a person whose sister was married to an Elder in a congregation in the East of Canada. I asked this person if she had any news about a brother who I had met back then. She was apparently visiting her sister down East, and what she told me was details that could of only been given in a judicial committe. This person giving the info wasn't even in the organization. There was a definite breach of confidentiality there.

  I do see the need for talking and confiding our problems to a Mature individuals, but it will backfire if that person can't respect your confidence. You may be better off talking to a Schrink who is under law to maintain your confidence.
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  2

  I need worldwide report totals year by year

  by granhermano in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i need worldwide report totals year by year, please give me a link to a page where i can find them to make statistics, thanks

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  Connaughty

  Good luck with this.