Posts by Alligator Wisdom

there was a big elders meeting in columbia sc on saturday june 9.. around 240 congregations, 2000+ elders.. the society wants to build a brand new assembly hall in columbia, sc, to handle the huge influx of jws moving to the us southeast from up north.. they expect to have it done in 34 months (finished by april 2010).

total cost estimated to be approximately $8 - 9 million.. they want to have the whole thing paid for by the time the building is done - no long term loans.. they "strongly suggested" that each of the 240 congregations commit to supporting "their share" of the expense.

Alligator Wisdom

The elders in each cong. will have to make up the difference. If they pledge to do it, they will
be expected to make up any shortcomings of their own flocks. That could be an extra $100 in
any given month for any one elder, with several each month having to find more windows to
wash.

I was wondering about this.

Do the elders have to make up any defecit on account if their congregation is unable to fulfill its resolution to finance any endeavor such as this one?

Well then, if this is the case, MAY ALL congregations just say "yes" to these types of resolutions. Don't worry. Those taking the lead in the congregation (elders) will gladly be a pillar of support if you are unable to satisfy your obligations in terms of financing any project. Afterall, it is based on your voluntary and anonymous contribution. They'll never know who donates what.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

29

Which JW commandment did you break first ?

by JH in

jw
friends

i always tried to my best as a jw, to observe what the watchtower and bible told us "not to do".

then i became inactive and lowered my guard, and didn't care as much.

i think that my first jw sin, was playing lotto, then talking to disfellowshipped ones in my congregation, then posting on apostate forums, and then giving blood.

Alligator Wisdom

A couple of Benson & Hedges menthols I stole from a pack of cigarettes that my "worldly" friend's mother had lying on her dining room table. Yes, I got a nasty head rush and almost threw up what was in my stomach. Oh yeah, since I stole them, it can be considered a double sin.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

7

Remember how excited...

by El Kabong in

jw
friends

...we used to get when the circuit servant/overseer/area douchebag manager would come to our congregation and give his "special talk" on sunday complete with slides or a movie?

it sure was a nice change from watching some guy up on the platform wearing a cheap suit and droaning on and on about nothing.

Alligator Wisdom

we used to get when the Circuit Servant/Overseer/Area Douchebag manager would come to our congregation

I still see the elders scurrying to get in their token shepherding calls during the final weeks before the CO visit, so that they can answer in the affirmative when asked during their CO/Elders meeting.

I still see the service overseer scurrying to make his appointed visits to each book study group during the final weeks before the CO visit.

I still see the secretary scurrying to the back room to handle tons of paperwork and to have them in order during the final weeks before the CO visit.

I still see the PO scurrying about and approaching each publisher to insure that they can accomodate the CO in terms of transportation, field service, meals, Bible studies to go to...etc.

Yes, when the CO is coming to town....there is excitement in the air!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

P.S. I, in turn, got the CO excitedly frustrated when I refused eldership twice!

27

What injustice and abuse of power did you suffer at hand of elders?

by flipper in

jw
friends

how many of us suffered in the jws from a lack of justice, love, or abuse of power by elders?

how did it make you question what you believed or had been duped into believing?

would be good to hear experiences so we can bounce ideas off each other on how it freed you from fear of authority or otherwise.

Alligator Wisdom

I found myself more encouraged by some humble brother or sister in the corner, who the elders would consider, inconsequential.

Oh so true!

My current "team" of elders in the congregation are task masters. Shepherding is done on a token basis the week before the CO visits the congregation. Any and all so-called counsel and direction that was given to me in this congregation wasn't based on fundamental Biblical truths. How do I know? I even asked them to crack open the Bible to help me understand the reasoning behind their direction. The answer I got : Read the publications. Funny, isn't it?

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

28

The End Is Near!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Irish Rose in

jw
friends

yikes, the end is near!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

that's about the only thing i just can not get past.

i have gotten over many, many of the things i grew up with, except that one.

Alligator Wisdom

There are several in my congregation who say, "We are now living at the very end of the final part of the last days".

Now really, how close to the end can you get?

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

79

2007 International Apostate Tour

by lawrence in

jw
friends

let's show up at a few assemblies (close proximity) and have a p-a-r-t-y!

screw the debates over words; when we spoke to the boe, cos, dos, and bethel we were dealing with murderers, pedophiles, and protectors of mean men and women, called brothers and sisters.

now it's our time to have some fun within "the courtyard of the gentiles.

Alligator Wisdom

I'm curious as to what the "theme" is for this annual event.

This year the WTS has the theme "Follow the Christ" for their annual convention.

What about this JWD International tour/convention?

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

14

The best WT elders are

by Axeman in

jw
friends

i know some elders want to be real shepherds in the biblical sense and are constantly challenged by wt directions that are cold unloving & self serving and many leave because of this.

such an elder who has his own conscience and is troubled by it does not make the best wt elder.

im looking to name the characteristics that make the best wt elders.

Alligator Wisdom

The best Watchtower elders have inflated egos.

It just so happens that their egos are based upon their "works".

Same story at every level in the WTS.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

19

GB member Gerrit Losch - Special Talk - the 6 comings of Christ (LONG)

by yaddayadda in

he cites .

then he moves on to the 6th and final coming of jesus.

he cites .

Alligator Wisdom

If it was posted on E- Watchman's give us the link to it.

E-Watchman Link :

http://e-jehovahs-witnesses.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=451

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

32

WTF are they even out in service for?

by mkr32208 in

hey hey!

been a while since i've started a topic.

i've been gone for a long time and just check in from time to time but i had to comment on this.. .

Alligator Wisdom

Yes, it is a social setting at best with those going out in field service.

Of course, those pioneering and doing it full time are "forced" into this setting. This makes for clashes in personalities. The lowly publisher seems to get along fairly well with the others in field service due to the lack of exposure. But from my experience, the pioneers always have something to say, usually negative, about the other pioneers. It goes to show that their "forced time" with each other is wearing them out.

I've seen pioneer alliances in my congregations, past and present. They would have clicks and would entice any new unbaptized publisher into their fold. Sometimes there would be bickering between these pioneer groups about what the other pioneers were or weren't doing.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)