gingerbread

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Posts by gingerbread

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  101

  New field service rules coming this summer

  by doinmypart in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  new guidelines for field service coming this summer.

  new publication to be released giving new ways of counting time, conducting studies, group activities, etc..

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  gingerbread

  Before 1975, JW's who "full-time pioneered" really meant business. They devoted their lives (every waking hour) to the ministry (their full time job). They relied on family, friends and the congregations for financial support, cars, food, housing, etc. They were always short on cash and physically fit.

  When they weren't knocking on doors they were writing letters, studing for studies, conducting studies, informal witnessing, studing for the meetings, reading all the literature, street witnessing, finding new studies, studing with young relatives, researching deeper bible topics, studing with young ones in the congregation, bringing people to the the point of baptism ( when was the last time you saw that happen ???).

  With less than two dozen folks getting baptized at conventions - the norm - in an assembly hall filled with hundreds of "full-time pioneers", it's obvious that things have really changed.

  Pioneering is now a part-time venture.

  And a full-time badge of 'honor'.

  ginger
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  17

  new look for SAD: during CO's, Bethel speaker's, baptism talks: SKIRTS!

  by prologos in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs
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  gingerbread

  The reality is that if it wasn't for wives who allowed their husbands to devote their free time to congregational responsibilities, there wouldn't be many elders.

  The WT leadership knows this. And the new, younger GB members are changing as many of the old (20th century) rules and regulations as quickly as they can.

  Part of that will be giving women positions/titles. It's going to happen. Many congregations have 6,8,10 or more elders - with few ministerial servants. The young guys aren't stepping up to the plate. The GB will show 'em...give these 'privileges' to the ladies.

  The 'mature' women in the congregations are part of the 1960's generation - peace, love and equal rights. They'll be joining up and pushing their daughters & granddaughters to do the same.

  ginger
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  17

  new look for SAD: during CO's, Bethel speaker's, baptism talks: SKIRTS!

  by prologos in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs
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  gingerbread

  I'm expecting sisters to receive greater 'responsiblities' or 'priviledges' in the very near future. Women are constantly seen in WT videos doing building work. Giving the 'girls' more equal footing in the congregations will make the Org. appear progressive and 'balanced'.

  It would be a selling point to new recruits and will help to keep young ones 'in'.

  I can see women handling microphones, the sound booth, working the lit/mag/territory counter, managing hall care - inside and out, etc. in the next few years.
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  143

  Letter to BOE: Adjustment in process for appointing elders and ministerial servants

  by pixel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hello, you read it here first!.

  governing body of jehovah's witnesses.

  to all congregations.

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  gingerbread

  Again - this letter is the beginning of the new arrangement / relationship between elders and the branch. More details will follow over the summer.

  The new arrangement for pedophiles within the congregation stays much the same as it has in the past years (contact the legal department when accusations arise and two witnesses are required for judicial action). The DIFFERENCE is the branch determines who will be considered a PREDATOR in the congregation.

  ginger
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  31

  How I Ended Up On JWN...

  by Divergent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is the story of how i ended up here on this site.... .

  i was stuck in a situation where reaching out took forever, an eternity.

  it was ridiculous - no matter what i did, there was always more to do.

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  gingerbread

  Thanks for sharing. Many of us have walked down a similar path.

  You've lived through some of the pain of being part of this organization. You are not a victim. It's how the WT machine works.

  Plenty of us have been full-time pioneers or elders and found ourselves in moral and ethical dilemmas. This frustration (and cognitive dissonance) with our relationship to the people in the congregation and the directives of the man made Organization causes us to examine our religion.

  Many continue to stay in the Organization - hoping their situation is unique or that they need to work on their own spirituality by increasing their activity.

  Some (like myself) decided to research - the history of the Watchtower Society and to read the scriptures (particularly the words of Jesus) by themselves.

  Take your time. Be patient. Keep your doubts & reservations private. Educate yourself.

  Welcome to the journey!

  ginger
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  9

  who says apostates are mentally diseased, bad people?

  by hoser in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i had an encounter with a long time fader on a recent business trip.

  this regular lurker and sometimes poster on this forum was nothing but kind to me.

  i had contacted her and offered to buy her a coffee on my stop in her city but she went out of her way for me.

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  gingerbread

  The phrase 'mentally diseased' was removed from the (new) New World Translation.

  "We never said that" will be the answer to your question.

  ginger
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  23

  If you are thinking about "Stepping Down" you better do it QUICK!

  by Comatose in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the new arrangement for co's to handle deletions (and appointments) means you no longer will be able to give your friends on the body an excuse and step down.

  you will have to answer to the co and most likely have a long uncomfortable chat about everything with him in order to step down.

  so if you have been thinking about stepping down, you need to do it quick before the new arrangement..

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  gingerbread

  The latest BOE letter makes it very clear. New rules are coming down the pike.

  The Circuit Overseer is now responsible for the individuals on the elder body. He has to power to appoint or delete. No guidance from the 'holy spirit' here folks!

  Elders will begin to feel even more pressure to conform to uniformity.

  The noose is tightening.

  ginger
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  143

  Letter to BOE: Adjustment in process for appointing elders and ministerial servants

  by pixel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hello, you read it here first!.

  governing body of jehovah's witnesses.

  to all congregations.

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  gingerbread

  After re-reading this letter, a couple of points came to mind.

  The circuit overseers are now responsible for making these decisions. No longer do they pass recomendations to the branch. They are liable for their appointments and deletions; perhaps the consequences as well. You can be sure that the CO's received their own separate letter too.

  In the post script, it refers to future letters that will provide additional direction regarding this 'adjustment'. Any elder with his head screwed on realizes that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The pressure continues to be turned up on elders - and they will pay, their wives will pay and their kids will pay.

  The GB doesn't care about the individual. It cares about the sustainablity of the organization. The message is clear to elders > either play by the new adjustments (rules) or you will be deleted.

  ginger
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  34

  Aposate crashes the memorial!

  by Batman89 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i should have posted this a few weeks ago, anyways this guy tony prime has guts!.

  check it!.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uadqh8-3qa0&list=uu7urkksine92mtdj2s33gwq.

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  gingerbread

  This guy has as about as much 'guts' as an adolescent shaving one side of his head or getting her lady parts pierced.

  Big deal.

  This video records a guy looking for his 15 minutes of fame (his YouTube channel if full of whining, complaining and selfies). In this video, he appears (or probably is) drunk, high, a little off or a full blown nut job. I agree that growing up as a JW messed him up. No doubt. Time to grow up and let it go dude.

  ginger
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  30

  Serious subject - How to cut your alcohol consumption?

  by quellycatface in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  how can i cut down without going teetotal?

  i love the taste of wine, i'm not fussed with other drinks but just need to rein in it a bit.. going wine-free tonight and tomorrow, as i'm out socially.. i also need to shift a few pounds.. thank you, everyone..

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  gingerbread

  As a recoverer, I can say from experience that a person doesn't have a drinking problem. A person has problems so he drinks.

  If you are a dependent personality, you have tons of will power - you'll climb a mountain to get a drink.

  Use that energy is a positive way. Don't isolate yourself. Change your playground - drinking friends and places.

  If you can't manage your life problems by yourself, there are plenty of good folks and groups in your area who can help. You won't ever get this from the Org. or the Kingdom Hall.

  Their answer is to DF you a.s.a.p. and take away all your support system - family and friends.

  ginger