Island Woman - while you may have had exceptionally good experiences in your corner of the world, the fact that so many have not had good experiences is telling. JWs and WT preach they are 'United in pure worship.' Yet these little things, like how pioneers and COs are treated (not necessarily materially) differently speaks volumes about the inconsistencies in JW theology. I don't think most people who join the ranks of pioneers expect to be materially supported. They wouldn't be pioneering if they felt that way. But, the WT does repeatedly use this reasoning, that putting Kingdom interests first, will result in all your needs being cared for.
My mother-in-law has pioneered on and off over the last 47 years, the last stretch was a 10 year stint and only quit because her husband was dying. He was not a Witness, and pinchy when it came to $$$. She often went without. I remember how she would line her winter boots with plastic bags because she couldn't buy new ones. (We were equally poor or I would have bought her new boots.) The congregation rarely helped her, and I don't mean materially. They did not support her emotionally, nor do they support her emotionally now. Of course, this local congregation is a shining example of showing favoratism. There are two younger pioneer sisters new to the area. The congregation secretary offered them a vacation in Hawaii if they would read the Bible cover to cover. But none of the elders would help a mildly mentally retarded newly baptized sister get to the District Convention. We took her in our old camper with our kids (truck only had two seatbelts, so there were 3 adults, 2 kids). She rode home from convention in another camper, family with 5 kids. A widowed sister shared her hotel room (the mildly mentally retarded sister split the costs) but I never heard so much complaining when we got home. Sister widow complained (and not just to me, but the entire congregation) about her room mate's lack of social skills. That was the last convention this mentally retarded sister attended.
Yet where my parents live, 300 miles from here, they take very good care of the pioneers. The body of elders take the pioneers to dinner once a month. They never have to use their own cars for service. They are never without 'new' (new to them, but very nice) clothes. And for the most part, the congregation consistently cares for their own, especially 'widows and orphans.' I believe they are exceptional.
In another congregation in Oregon we know personally a couple of pioneers - life time pioneers, 40+ years in the service. Brother Pioneer has always done manual part time labor to support them materially, Sister Pioneer has a few house cleaning jobs. They have given everything to the WT over the years, time, $$, emotion, doing without many things the rest of us might consider to be necessities. They are pushing 70 years old now. A couple of years ago they had a series of unforseen circumstances. Their car gave up (needed a new motor). Health problems. Got the car motor fixed but needed new tires. You would think someone would have noticed their need. These people took their vacation at the yearly conventions. They couldn't afford anything else. Only one family in their circuit took notice. And they were young and equally poor. Word travelled all the way to us via our young and poor friends and help was found - but not within the ranks of loyal JWs. So very sad. These experiences are the reality of JWs.
Jesus told his followers that they would be known by the love they had. He gave the illustration of the good Samaritan. So true followers of Christ would make great efforts to show love to their brothers and to those not related to them in the faith. This is not consistently practiced by WT followers. If it were there would be no need for this fine forum.
Day two of being on my soapbox, sorry for going on and on and on......
Mrs. R