the brief outline for this item makes reference to the most recent wt on the subject of "reaching out" (sept 15 2014 - pages 3-6) if you are a jehovah's witness and thinking about becoming a ministerial servant or elder, then please consider the following information prior to attending the kh for this weeks clam.
first - if you hope to become an elder, in the uk you will also become a charitable trustee.
you will not be given any training for this part of your role.
A few weeks before my public nervous breakdown at the KH, I was interviewed onstage as an example for other young brothers to be a happy Elder like me...
I said the words because I was expected to, but inside I knew I did not wish anyone to experience the torture of that position.
On the outside I was a 'Happy, Joyful Elder', while on the inside I was planning suicide as my only escape...
The 'yoke is light', my ass it is.
to all bodies of elders in the united states branch territory .
re: magazine requests .
dear brothers: in our letter to all congregations dated october 20, 2015, regarding making wise use of printed magazines, publishers are encouraged to use good judgment to determine an individual’s interest before offering magazines.
warning of a long boring post ahead.
i feel like i need to vent my story out, as i feel quite helpless at the moment.. i'm 31 year old, married, father of toddler with another one on the way, due later this month.
i've been serving as elder for about 4 years now in a south florida congregation.
Hi Sanchy, your story and mine are similar. Even the part about FL, I am from SWFL.
I was an MS for ten years and then an Elder for the next ten... I was ready to kill myself even though I had two little kids. I was also killing myself slowly with alcohol. I ended up having a breakdown at the KH right before I was to start the meeting.
My wife has been supportive of my mental health now, and we very rarely discuss 'spiritual' things. I am happy, calm, sober and love my family more than anything...
I wish you the best, show lots of love to your family, be a great husband and Dad!
on a previous post mamacita29 pointed up the low quality of new jw converts.. is the quality falling even more as the society use lower than low meeting, talks, broadcasts etc.. when i was active initially the organisation and standards seemed totally different today.
i have seen hard working intelligent elders fall by death or exhaustion.
the younger generation that came along never really grasped responsibility hence shortage of good elders, never mind the watered down to almost nothing quality of meetings.
What level of intellect do you attract by handing out the brochure "Answers to life's BIG QUESTIONS"
That title immediately struck me as Dumbed Down. I would not be able to keep a straight face while presenting that, and simultaneously be embarrassed.
it never hit me until i was out.
matt:23;4 "they tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them.
on other people shoulders".
ever noticed how co's and ex-do's never say thank you for the hard earned money they get from the friends?
they truly believe they are entitled to live an easy life at the expense of others.
this makes my blood boil!
ever noticed how co's and ex-do's never say thank you for the hard earned money they get from the friends?
they truly believe they are entitled to live an easy life at the expense of others.
this makes my blood boil!
I received a part on a CA as a 'thank you' from a CO. I was wondering why even though I was known as a good public speaker I never got a part on the assemblies. The green handshake was an experiment. It worked. Less than two weeks after I 'performed' a green handshake, I received a speaking assignment on the CA.
Coincidence? I think not.
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!
Alcohol and I are happily divorced...
As an Elder and previously M.S. Some of my best parts on the meeting were composed and delivered while drunk.
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.
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.
The only way I could deal with the incredible stress of being an elder, changing doctrines, etc was BOOZE. I was getting serious about suicide as my only relief, even though I had a wife and two small children. My health was horrible, bleeding ulcers and wound up in the hospital due to my alcoholism.
The BOE was reluctant to let me step down until I simply told them I quit.
That was 5 years ago. No meetings since then. I am sober, happy and calm.
I don't know how to link a post here, but search for a post I started 'Another Elder', my story is on page 3
