i know that a lot of the memorial partakers are crazies, or have emotional problems, or want attention.
i am not talking about them.. but there is a percentage of partakers that are not weird, or attention-getters.
they act normal, they have a good sense of humor, they don't promote themselves.
Very interesting posts. I never thought of that. So some of the "normal" ones that begin to partake do so because they come to the realization that the Bible is directed at THEM.
So instead of thinking the Organization is WRONG, they start to think they are ANOINTED!
Wow.
BF
so we have all seen the yearbook or the wt with the yearly statistics.. when i became a c.o., at my first meeting with the other c.o.
's at the branch, i was handed a piece of paper with statistics on it for that past year, both of the circuit i was assigned to serve, and the total stats in the country.. here are the stats that the branch keeps track of:.
publishers, congregations, bible studies, baptized, memorial attendance, pioneers, aux pios, etc.
So that's why I am guessing that some of the foreign branches are really cutting down. It's because NY is supporting them, and they don't want to anymore.
BF
i believe this thread will be many pages!.
I was treated great in the eyes of the Organization for many years. I was appointed early to positions, I was interviewed on many assemblies, I was accepted to MTS, then to a missionary assignment. Bethel paid for my surgeries, and airfare back to my assignment. They never sent me a bill, even after I left missionary service.
But then after I got back here, I was starting to get upset at some of the ridiculous hypocrisy of the body of elders. They hardly went in service, yet set super high standards for others. They hardly prepared for their parts, and yet criticized me for being too "colorful" in my teaching. I got on their case, and it backfired.
I changed congregations on advice from the D.O., and when I did, I was not recommended as an elder. I couldn't believe it.
They said I had "revealed confidential talk." No proof though.
It was so weird to see how the friends treated me after that. All the respect that I thought I had, down the drain. Some were still nice, but what a difference in the majority.
Yes, I felt "screwed." But that was another thing that got me to thinking.
Good thread.
BF
i know that a lot of the memorial partakers are crazies, or have emotional problems, or want attention.
i am not talking about them.. but there is a percentage of partakers that are not weird, or attention-getters.
they act normal, they have a good sense of humor, they don't promote themselves.
I KNOW that a lot of the Memorial partakers are crazies, or have emotional problems, or want attention. I am not talking about them.
But there is a percentage of partakers that are not weird, or attention-getters. They act normal, they have a good sense of humor, they don't promote themselves. Sometimes the only time you know they are "anointed" is when they partake. I have met and associated with a lot of "anointed" ones because I have been in a lot of congregations over the years.
And focusing on the normal ones, some are outgoing its true. But some of them are very shy. There doesn't seem to me to be any reason for them to partake. They don't even seem to want the attention.
So, why do they partake? What really happens to them that causes them to partake? Again, I KNOW THAT MANY MEMORIAL PARTAKERS ARE NUTSO AND ATTENTION GRABBERS.
But what about those THAT ARE NOT CRAZY?
What about the "normal" ones? How did they get "the call?"
BF
so we have all seen the yearbook or the wt with the yearly statistics.. when i became a c.o., at my first meeting with the other c.o.
's at the branch, i was handed a piece of paper with statistics on it for that past year, both of the circuit i was assigned to serve, and the total stats in the country.. here are the stats that the branch keeps track of:.
publishers, congregations, bible studies, baptized, memorial attendance, pioneers, aux pios, etc.
Another thing is regarding the circuit assemblies and special assembly days. We were told to instruct the congregations to make a donation BEFORE the assembly to cover the estimated cost. They said that way there is less pressure to donate during the assembly. If the circuit does not cover the "expenses" of the assembly, then the congregations in that circuit still have to pay, they have to make resolutions in each congregation to cover the sum.
The expenses were always high for the lights and water. Plus we were paying for the building of the assembly hall. And of course, if there was any money left over, we were supposed to send it to the Branch. My circuit kept a little for emergencies, and to help me with my car. Once a sister needed emergency surgery, a long-time pioneer, so we used the money for that. Branch not too happy. But I was clueless and I thought that was so loving. The Branch discouraged me from lettting the bro's do that with the money. They said the friends would get carried away. As far as my car is concerned, I had bought the car with my own money I worked for here in the States, but my circuit helped me maintain it. The Branch got mad at me for that too, they said I could use public transportation like the other C.O.'s. I told them I had done that for two years, and I either had a car, or I would leave my assignment because its very tough to ride those crazy buses all week. (Bus are PACKED FULL OF PEOPLE ALWAYS. I even rode on the top of the bus, and hung on the sides sometimes with my bookbag, those countries are really something)
Anyway, my point is that I was always under pressure at the assemblies TO PAY THE EXPENSES. I worried and sweated that we wouldn't have enough money to pay, and I would get a reputation as having an "unspiritual" circuit. These were poor brothers, too. Sometimes, when I saw the final tally on Sunday, I used to put my own money in to break even. I used to get updates from the Accounting bro's after every session.
My Branch Coordinator told me that the Branch Office gets money every month from NY for Branch operation, food, etc. He was always talking about how he wanted the brothers to finally pay for Branch operation, so we wouldn't need money from NY. The Branch Coordinator also served as a Zone Overseer, so he told me once that very few of the developing countries pay for themselves. The Coordinator was good friends with brother Jaracz, I saw that in person, so I have no reason to doubt him.
Thought you guys might like to know.
BF
the wt society doesn't seem to answer questions like other organizations do.
issues such as the policy on pedophiles, un involvement, lawsuits for shunning, and the like are never mentioned in the publications.
yes, they do talk about pedophiles in the wt, but never jw pedophiles and the society's policy on them.
The WT society doesn't seem to answer questions like other organizations do. Issues such as the policy on pedophiles, UN involvement, lawsuits for shunning, and the like are never mentioned in the publications. Yes, they do talk about pedophiles in the WT, but never JW pedophiles and the Society's policy on them. Or they might say that "Opposers try to say bla bla bla against us, but they are from Satan." So anyone who brings up that subject is automatically an opposer.
Their silence works.
Witnesses pick up the cue and refuse to discuss these subjects. Since the GB doesn't say anything about these matters, they must not be important, right?
The only time that things really get rocky for the Society is WHEN THEY ACTUALLY SAY SOMETHING about a certain situation. Now, since they said SOMETHING, ANYTHING, people can discuss their response.
So they don't say anything. And if we bring it up, we are APOSTATES.
So I think they will continue their silence. It has worked up till now.
What do you think? Is it the right strategy, or not?
BF
i know of two jw therapists, one who is an elder.. so yesterday i was out in service (yea i know) and we saw another car group from another congregation in a parking lot.
so we all started to talk and see who knew who, etc.
do you know any other jw therapist elders out there?
I know this brother personally, though I haven't talked to him recently. Ok I will check my PM's.
BF
friday am during keynote address "the wonders of creation reveal god's glory" 32 minute dvd on creation available at the convention.
friday last talk "sing to jehovah" - new songbook with 135 songs, 42 which are new.
will start using in january 2010. cong will begin receiving them after september 1st.
So I am curious. What was the general feeling like at the convention? Lots of applause? Excitement? Boring, dull, lackluster? Or somewhere in between?
BF
while much has been said about bible dramas in recent years, very little information has been given on the effort that goes into one.. i thought i would share my experience.. i played a minor role in the 2003 drama, "boldly witnessing despite oppsition".
this was a full costume drama and revolved around overcoming opposition to the preaching work.. when a congregation is chosen for a bible drama, it is a serious responsibility.
the presiding overseer takes full responsibility for the drama, and in effect becomes the director.
Truthseeker, I enjoyed your experience. I had the "privilege" of directing a couple of dramas when I was a missionary. It always irked me how they pointed to heaven when they said Jehovah, so fake. I tried to get my group to do more natural gestures. It wasn't easy.
You described the drama exactly the way I remember it. Except I made my group practice more.
BF
I am still active. Over 40 years, all my life.
BF
