Posts by Journeyman

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Journeyman

But the cost of living in Croatia has to be low, so it's probably a better gig to beg on the internet for those in higher earning countries to send money, not realizing what it translates to.

Good point. If he were to settle back in the UK, he would have to do a real job to earn real money and pay his way.

Also, he keeps whining about how 'corrupt' he thinks the UK is because it has a royal family and because Brexit happened. Really, I think that's a cover for the fact he knows he can't set foot in the UK for too long without his past catching up with him. I'll bet there are elders from his former congregations who might still want to pursue him over his past (a lot of which is still murky and unresolved) and that might lead to other consequences he doesn't want.

So no, I really don't think he'll return permanently to the UK. If for some reason he had to leave Croatia, he'd probably rather go somewhere else - like Thailand where he can still live cheaply but also have his other "interests" catered for.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Journeyman

Good summary. Yeah, I remembered he'd said it was a combined figure with YT and Patreon, but as you say, I'm sure he inflated what was necessary to give himself more.

I reckon he had already arrived at the point where he'd have to cut his pay in order to keep Tibor and he didn't want that. He could have sacked him, but it would have doubled his work load and he definitely didn't want that.

Not only that, but his ego likes the idea of being someone's "boss", having someone follow him and dependent on him for a wage (look at his constant comments about having a "team" to make himself sound more important). He also doesn't want to have to admit defeat in any way. Getting rid of Tibor would go against both those character traits, so he really doesn't want to have to do it. It would probably hurt him even more than losing the Bunker/Ramacro.

It's probably inevitable though. Either he will eventually be unable to pay Tibor (and keep his own level of disposable income), or they will have a disagreement and Lloyd will do what he always does with people who argue with him, or Tibor will simply outgrow the man-child and his ways and move on.

12

Blood Card Check

by NotFormer in

i remember many years ago that apparently there was an annual event where witnesses' blood cards (or whatever they're called) were checked by some visiting wt dignitary.

that the blood cards were current, and that the r&f were carrying them.. given the situation in some countries that kingdom halls can't legally keep data about people who have been visited, is the practice of checking and enforcing the carrying of blood cards similarly illegal in some places?.

are there any places where it is illegal for the hlc to set up camp near the hospital bed of a sick jw?.

Journeyman

This does not prevent JWs who work in the hospital (billing, records, nursing, etc.) from telling local elders about any patients taking blood, having STDs, having drug addictions, or getting abortions. (Not uncommon).

That's pretty shocking. Here in the UK, that would be a serious breach of professional standards and your employment contract, and constitute a sackable offence (and possibly even leave you open to criminal proceedings).

NHS confidentiality policy says it's even forbidden to use internal systems to browse your own medical records or those of your family if you are an employee:

4.5 Abuse of Privilege

It is strictly forbidden for employees to knowingly browse, search for or look at any personal or confidential information about themselves without a legitimate purpose, unless through established self-service mechanisms where such access is permitted (e.g. viewing your ESR record). Under no circumstances should employees access records about their own family, friends or other persons without a legitimate purpose.

Action of this kind will be viewed as a breach of confidentiality and may be an offence under the Data Protection Act 2018.

When dealing with person-identifiable or confidential information of any nature, staff must be aware of their personal responsibility, contractual obligations and undertake to abide by the policies and procedures of NHS England and NHS Improvement.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Journeyman

what is that number?

Well, he felt it necessary to making a begging video when it was at 387, and in it he said he needed a minimum of 500 to keep the channel going as it is in the longer term, if I recall correctly.

However, he's clearly got headroom in there. He could lay off Tibor first, for example. And he's presumably inflated the figure above his absolute minimum to give himself extra spending.

12

Blood Card Check

by NotFormer in

i remember many years ago that apparently there was an annual event where witnesses' blood cards (or whatever they're called) were checked by some visiting wt dignitary.

that the blood cards were current, and that the r&f were carrying them.. given the situation in some countries that kingdom halls can't legally keep data about people who have been visited, is the practice of checking and enforcing the carrying of blood cards similarly illegal in some places?.

are there any places where it is illegal for the hlc to set up camp near the hospital bed of a sick jw?.

Journeyman

NotFormer, I don't know what country you're in, but here in the UK I can confirm what slim said, that I don't recall that ever being done here.

I agree with the contrast between updating blood cards vs chasing ministry reports too. Earlier this year we had a new round of appeals to update blood cards because the form has been changed again (edits to the wording), so the announcement was made that everyone should do so as soon as possible, but noone has been checking up on it.

Nowadays, they also suggest you should lodge a copy of it with your GP too for your personal medical record, but again, it's just advised - noone ever monitors it or tries to find out if you've done it. I suppose some more 'zealous' BoEs in some parts of the country might ask more than once, but to my knowledge there's noone standing over you to make complete it!

6

Got my convention invitation

by Anony Mous in

how things have changed, apparently they totally forgot i am an "evil apostate" two good looking ladies came to my door, my wife opened the door.. handed my wife the tract and said they are simply inviting people in the area, nothing further, not even a bible or other literature in their hand.. the invitation is small, like the size that a small 3-fold tract used to be.

i remember the last invitation was at least a proper sheet of paper.

and thin, you can see right through it.

Journeyman

Since about 2016, they've had the same very basic suggested presentation for offering convention invitations every year.

It's just something like "we're here to invite you to a special event that's going to be held at <venue> on <dates & times>. This is your invitation. We'd be happy to see you there."

There's also the option to highlight a couple of points from the invitation, or to play a short video (of course) to the householder if they show sufficient "interest".

That's about it. No need to show a bible verse or engage in any kind of discussion.
The annual memorial invitation campaign is similar.

Talk about easy ministry.

EDIT: This is the text from the 2016 instructions to publishers, which they recycle every year.
Note the 'What Will You Say' section:

Convention Invitation Campaign

Each year, anticipation builds for the spiritual feast that we enjoy at our regional conventions. So that others too may taste Jehovah’s goodness, we will invite as many as possible to attend with us. (Ps 34:8) Each body of elders will determine how to make the best possible use of the invitations.

DETAILS TO KEEP IN MIND
When is my convention?
When does the campaign begin locally?
When are the local meetings for field service?
What are my goals for the campaign?
Whom do I plan to invite?

WHAT WILL YOU SAY?
After giving a customary greeting, you might say:
“We are involved in a global campaign to distribute this invitation to a very important event. The date, time, and address are printed on the invitation. We would enjoy having you present with us.”

HOW CAN YOU CULTIVATE INTEREST?
Although we want to invite as many people as possible to the convention, we should be alert to cultivate any interest shown.
On weekends, you may offer the magazine along with the invitation.

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Journeyman

There's something of a delicious irony if Derek & Inna win the Patreoff for the second month, at the same time as they get to expose the details of LE's "lawsuit"!

August could be quite a month!

11530

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars

by Newly Enlightened in

original reddit post (removed).

Journeyman

It's now up to 482..

34

2023-August-S-147-Announcements And Reminders!

by Atlantis in

jw
friends

page 1. https://imgbox.com/32tnfnel.

page 2. https://imgbox.com/f8jh7e0m .

page 3. https://imgbox.com/chjmr4km .

Journeyman

In the Mike & Kim video they calculate it to be about $13.3m per month based on the current figure of 1.23m publishers. So that's nearly $160m per year. And that's just from the USA.

34

2023-August-S-147-Announcements And Reminders!

by Atlantis in

jw
friends

page 1. https://imgbox.com/32tnfnel.

page 2. https://imgbox.com/f8jh7e0m .

page 3. https://imgbox.com/chjmr4km .

Journeyman

Are they individual pledges, or is it at the congregational level.

Congregational. The 'suggested' donation amount for the whole congregation per month (based on headcount) is put to a resolution of all baptised Witnesses each year. Of course, as we know with such votes, there is significant peer pressure to go along with the proposal. Anyone voting "No" can expect to be having a word with the elders in the back room afterwards...

Is the amount really decided by the elders as to how much they can shake-down the congregation for, or does Bethel decide how much they expect each congregation to cough up, while pretending that it is the elders' decision?

Good question. I believe it is down to the local elders, but the branch has 'recommendations' regarding the amount per publisher that they should consider. But maybe someone on here who has recent experience of being an elder might know for certain? Can a local BoE set a different amount, and if so, can it only be above the 'recommended' donation per publisher (ie: choosing to give more)?

My understanding was that donations were tied to the literature.

To my knowledge, that's not been the case for many years. Donations for literature were effectively ended in the 1990s, when it was all made voluntary.

It's probably part of the reason why the org was facing alleged 'financial problems' a few years ago, when Lett made the now-infamous begging video.

While a few wealthier congregations might donate more than they 'cost' in literature and KH expenses, many others are probably in technical 'deficit'. But of course, there's now no way for anyone on a local level to know, because the money raised by every congregation is now ~~grabbed by~~ 'donated' directly to the organisation, above a certain basic balance allowed.