Posts by freddo

10

Who really is assigned the Congregation Charity Tax return in the congregation?

by Quarterback in

i have this poor friend that has so much to do.as an account servant.

i recently noticed that he got additional work loaded on his back by the secretary who told him that it was his responsibility to fill this register charity form return.. i remember from long ago that this was a job that the secretary had to do, but can't find it in writing.

does anyone have anything in writting on it?.

freddo

When I was Accounts Servant as an MS I did it. When I was Secretary I did it myself. But we had a "good" time when we had ten elders and one of them was Accounts Servant and he did it for me for a while.

It depends on workload and number of appointed (and semi-competent) men.

At the moment in our hall the Secretary works secularly and the Accounts Servant is a retired MS. The accounts servant does.

Final responsibility for all things financial is the Secretary. (Well whole BoE as trustees actually)

46

Bethel layoffs of oldies

by I am a Bible Student in

is this true?

has anyone heard of it?

saw it on my facebook.. "jan. 6 bethel update 108 elderly bethelites getting the boot.. brooklyn, ny.

freddo

In UK they are definitely laying off those in their late 30's through late 50's and some of whom have given 10, 20, 30 years of Bethel service. Absolute definite FACT.

I have been told at least four of them are moving to two struggling congregations in our circuit (these are Elder plus wife couples) in February.

Really old ones - 70 plus I have not heard of. I don't think I know of any in their 60's either.

37

Infighting at the top?

by JeffT in

jw
friends

we've all been trying to decipher what is going on at the top of the watchtower organization.

clearly, the game's afoot, we just don't know what game we're playing.

item: the constant harping about money and donations.

freddo

Fisherman is right. There is more. Mainly the "spiritual" legal team and the "spiritual" accountancy and investment team who exert a lot of influence upon the Governing Body.

I don't know but I believe what we are seeing is a panic reaction to several converging forces coming against the Governing Body's intended course. (GBTV - PropertyGB and ObeyusGB)

The "A"'s that are causing this problem for the GB:-

Abuse; advancing Apathy; awaiting Armageddon; = accounts anguish against angry Assholes.

20

Have you got a cow that you could sell ?

by pepperheart in

have you got a cow that you could sell for the gb they really really need the money

freddo

In Pharoah's dream didn't seven skinny cows eat up seven fat cows?

Anyone got any skinny cows? Seven skinny cows needed for Brooklyn.

133

The new service meeting

by John Aquila in

i wanted to relate an experience that happened this morning.

it is regarding the new format for the meeting on thursdays in my area.

its not word for word but im summarizing what i heard, the best i can remember.

freddo

And then I woke up ...

76

What is your relationship with ALCOHOL?

by nicolaou in

here in the uk new drinking guidelines have been issued which suggest "no more than 14 units a week - equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine.".

another piece of the advice which is getting a lot of attention is that "if people drink, it should be moderately over three or more days and that some days should be alcohol-free.".

already people are making cries of "nanny state!

freddo

I drink more and eat more when I'm stressed. Since resigning as an elder and being mentally "out" I have drunk and eaten less.

I've probably only been drunk a couple of times in my life - and once was at home in a drunk myself to sleep kind of way. The other was on holiday when me and a mate shared a bottle of spirits till it was gone one evening. Fell asleep in a chair by a log fire. Both times it was "Southern Comfort" funnily enough!

But not in the last twenty years or so.

7

CO Pet Peeves, and cowering eldubs & others!

by DwainBowman in

i have seen many over the years.

a new co comes to town, and during, after or just before his next visit, often little pointless things change, sometimes big ones!

and most of the time, there is no to very little of anything in the wt or bible to justify it.. the one that popped to mind while reading another post is this one!.

freddo

About 20 years ago I worked with "brothers" secularly. One of the partners was the PO of his congregation. I was a new elder in my congregation and we were both in the same circuit.

We were discussing what the new circuit overseer was like and as he had previously visited the congregation of the other brother he dished the low down. Apparently he had a thing about videos and DVD's that brothers had and would comment or counsel or get elders to visit those who had "unsuitable" videos in their collection.

I laughed because this brother had been to see "Silence of the Lambs" and I asked him what he was going to do about his own collection.

His response was priceless. "I'm not having him round MY house nosing through MY videos and DVD's!"

Although he is still a jw he resigned as an elder about ten years ago.

24

General health after learning TTATT

by Darkknight757 in

4 months ago i was conducting the watchtower study along with a long list of responsibilities that come with being an elder in a very goofy congregation.

during this time my health was going down hill.

i've always had a low blood pressure,(102/65 or abouts) but for the past year it had creeped up to 135/90 range.. so 2 months ago after learning ttatt, i'm still considered an elder because the brothers won't let me step down, but i haven't done anything in that time except comment once at a meeting a few weeks ago.

freddo

Hi Darkknight,

I'm in the UK and just starting my secular work as it is about 8.30 am over here. This evening (GMT) I will send you a pm. It may be helpful.

Freddo

32

How this Jehovah’s Witness feels about the Australian Royal Commission

by Simple Minds in

i know the arc is old news i know i am preaching to the converted but i had to express how i feel because most of my jw friends and family dont want to hear .

so this is how i feel.

i have faithfully served as a jehovahs witness for over 25 years..

freddo

Take your time and breathe "Simple Minds" - there is no need to rush.

9

Dis-association Vs Inactivity

by Listener in

is it just me or is this just really bad double talk?.

9.372 moreover, the suggested finding has no connection with preventing or responding to child sexual abuse and, furthermore, appears not to appreciate the difference between disassociation and inactivity.

as was explained, if someone decides to no longer associate with jehovahs witnesses that is a personal decision and no disciplinary action is taken against that person.

freddo

The Gruesome Twosome (Jackson and O'Brien) were squirming under pressure from a well prepared and competent lawyer and a "velvet hand in an iron fist" razor sharp Judge.

When they and their minion CO's are presiding over elders meetings it is a different story.

Yes, you can "go inactive" i.e. "fade" and after several years go off the radar. But if you live near your own congregation or anyone who knew you as a witness then don't hang up the Xmas lights or get your girlfriend pregnant or smoke in public because it can hang like the sword of Damocles. Nowadays a picture of you celebrating Xmas on Facebook may get you DF'd.

But fading is very often the best way to go because often the elders won't chase you down - especially if you weren't high profile or you don't have a spiritual policeman in your close family stirring up trouble - and if they do, by the time they DF you in absentia you don't care so much.