It was brought to my attention that there was another post a while back made from my account . I am unsure how that message was tagged as being from me . I am not and have never been DF'd and I in fact Live and have always lived in the Central U.S. and not where was mentioned within that message . I have tried to contact the moderator on how to remove that or both of my posts ... or even how to close my account and then open a new one . So far no response.
brokethechains
JoinedPosts by brokethechains
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The wonderful things you hear AFTER you step down as an elder!
by redpilltwice inwell, well, that was quite a heartfelt welcome on this site four days ago.
thank you all for the encouraging replies.
one of them was this one from magnum: "hey now, don't just pop your head in and disappear.
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The wonderful things you hear AFTER you step down as an elder!
by redpilltwice inwell, well, that was quite a heartfelt welcome on this site four days ago.
thank you all for the encouraging replies.
one of them was this one from magnum: "hey now, don't just pop your head in and disappear.
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brokethechains
My Experience :
I was born into a Jehovah's Witness family .
At 19 I was made a Ministerial Servant . By 20 I was serving at Patterson .
At 24 I was married and my wife and I left Bethel and regular Pioneered .
At 25 I was appointed an Elder .
At 27 I became the Theocratic Ministry School overseer .
At 30 I became the Congregation Secretary at the same time I serving as the Watchtower Study Conductor .
I did this for 5 years ... then I returned to the Theocratic Ministry School Overseer Position .
From the age of 27 I was a circuit ... and then District Level Speaker ... frequently giving parts at most all District Conventions .
But just like in the wizard of Oz ... once the curtain is pulled back ... you can't " Unsee " the wizard ! And with greater responsibility came greater insight and exposure into the inner workings of a monster that needed to be fed .
Although through the years I had many questions and even doubts on Doctrine as well as Scriptural usage ... I had always softened this by telling myself that the organization was constructed of imperfect volunteers ... trying to give their best ... and were by and large motivated by Love of others and not personal agendas . And the few I met along the way who were " career oriented " and treated their positions as a job and people were the rungs you stepped on to get further up .... those people always seemed to fizzle out . But in 2 swoops that changed !
Both " swoops " involved Governing body members !
The first was when I was serving as " Convention Overseer " at a District Convention and our Guest Speaker was Stephen Lett . Without a long detailed recounting ... lets just say arrogant , rude , self important and Diva would sum it up .
The second " swoop " and far far worse experience came when Gerrit Lösch was the guest speaker at our New Kingdom Halls dedication . I was serving as acting Presiding overseer at the time since the brother who was Presiding had passed away . So needless to say It became my responsibility to care for the " needs " of the guest speaker . The " NEEDS " ? They included the congregation pick up the cost of a Personal Charter Plane from New York to our area as well as expenses . Although it was initially stated by his " helper " that he would enjoy eating as well as lodging with the local brothers ... Gerrit Lösch upon arrival had other thoughts and stated this was an error and that the accommodations as well as the diverse menu would not agree with what his stomach had become acustomed to .
While he was present for that long weekend ... it became instantly apparent that this man was not only out of touch with the struggles of the average publisher ... he in fact did not care . In fact he matter he stated without remorse that it was not his " Job " to worry about those needs ... he left it up to His " Father " and his " Big Brother " to satisfy those ... and if they didnt seem to be worrying about them specifically ... why should he ! ...........I could go on and on .
In the end .... after 45 years as a baptized Jehovah's Witness .... as one who held many positions ... had helped countless individuals ... and worked tirelessly for the needs of others .... I stepped down and faded away !
To my surprise ... its been 4 years since I attended a meeting . The reasons ? I've never specifically told anyone ... but then again ... Ive Never Been Asked ! Not one single elder has EVER inquired as to why or visited me and my family !
So tell me , where is the Modern day fulfillment of Matthew 18:10-13 ? Where is whats identified at Romans13.8-10 ?
In my experience ... the organization is like any other "franchise ". Do what the home office says . Make the location " Kingdom Hall " uniform and familiar . Serve the same food recipe so anywhere u go it " tastes " familiar . Put managers ( elders ) in charge who are not Free thinkers ... but are instead " bottom line " ( whats on the Circuit overseers report ) oriented company men . Do this well ... and you get "promoted " ( appointed ) to a more noteworthy " Job " ( responsible position ) and you climb the "corporate " ( Theocratic ) ladder .
Deviate ... and it is not ... " what have you done for others " ... it's what have you done for " us " lately . And just like that ... you are gone .
Regrets ? Yup ! The Biggest ? Only what I've lost and will never be able to find again ..... Time !
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Where are they now? Long, lost JWs
by Bro-jo inif it has not already been done, i would like to introduce a new topic.
for me, i would like to know the whereabouts and what's up with some of my former friends and acquaintances.
to start: some folks i used to be close to at cape cod mass: bob and pam fragosa , dick and valerie davis, charles harutunian (sic).
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brokethechains
Long time Lurker and first time poster here :) I was originally from the Hartford Connecticut area . In the congregation I was in, there were 2 elders who were very very kind to everyone including me ... even during my Judicial committee when I was DF. Does anyone know of these 2 younger elders : Dave Smith ( black / Jamaican brother who was service overseer and book study conductor ) or John Beal ( good looking White Brother - He was the School overseer, the Watchtower Study Conductor and my Book Study Overseer at the same time ) They were both somewhere in their 30's in the late 1990's . Although I never went back - I will never forget these 2 kind men ! I hope they are well !