Underlining is
mine. This is a letter to elders from over ten years ago. Has the WT become
more dogmatic about this subject? It would seem to depend on where you live
& how strict the elder body is.
March 6, 2012 Letter To
Elders:
TO
ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Reminders from Kingdom Ministry School held during
2011 service year Dear Brothers:
Pursue divine education: Some of our brothers are pursuing higher
education, feeling that they can acquire a measure of financial security. As
you are aware, the educational system varies from country to country. In the
United States, for example, public schools offer 12 years of basic education.
Thereafter, students may choose to attend university for four or more years, leading
to a bachelor's degree or to postgraduate studies for careers in medicine, law,
engineering, and so forth. Such university education is what
we mean when the term "higher education" is used.—w05
10/1 pp. 26-31.
Of course, education is an essential part of Christian life, and
we highly value it. Education equips us to care for our responsibilities, both
material and spiritual. (1 Tim. 5:8) However, Satan, the master of deception,
has made the pursuit of higher education
dangerous for a Christian. (2 Cor. 11:14) Many
of our young people have been misled
from the faith or have become involved in immorality as a result of
pursuing higher education. The "fight for the faith" is especially
challenging when one leaves the good influence of his home and congregation and
places himself in the university environment. (Jude 3) Besides involving bad associations, higher
education often erodes faith in Jehovah God and in the Bible. All
must weigh carefully the disadvantages and any perceived advantages of pursuing
higher education before determining what they will do. Christians must remember
that the purpose of any
supplementary education should be to praise Jehovah and serve him as much and
as effectively as possible, while providing for material needs.—Eccl.
12:13.
Appointed men must be exemplary in heeding the warnings given by
the faithful slave and its Governing Body when it comes to education. (Matt.
24:4547) Would an elder, a ministerial servant, or a pioneer continue to qualify to serve
as such if he, his wife, or his children pursue
higher education? Much depends on the circumstances and how he is viewed. When
such a situation arises, the body of elders should consider the following
questions and scriptures:
Does he show that he puts Kingdom interests first? (Matt. 6:33)
Does he teach his family to put Kingdom interests first?
Does he respect what has been published by the faithful slave on
the dangers of higher education? (3 John 9)
Do his speech and conduct reveal that he is a spiritual person?
(Ps. 12, 3; 1 Cor. 2:13-16)
How is he viewed by the congregation?
Why is he or his family pursuing higher education?
Does the family have theocratic goals? (Phil. 3:8)
Does the pursuit of higher education interfere with regular
meeting attendance, meaningful participation in field service, or other
theocratic activities?
The BOE's are told to review and consider the above factors.
Also the brother and his family’s general overall attitude are evaluated. If an
elder or ministerial servant is promoting higher education to
others for the material advantages or the status it may bring, he is calling
into question his qualifications
to serve the congregation because of the effect on his and
fellow appointed brothers’ freeness of speech. (1 Tim. 3:13; Titus 1:9) The
body of elders may determine that
the brother no longer qualifies to
serve.
Many
elders are annoyed at having this decision placed upon them from up top. They
feel it opens up a whole can of worms, resentment, judging, favoritism etc.
Lots of vindictive brothers (elders) are just waiting for their chance to make
a case against a fellow elder. Also the questions used to evaluate that brother
and his family is totally subjective. The way elders answer them are just based
on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions. Elders I remember
from the past who had kids go to 4 years or more university knew well, to keep
their head down low & their yap
shut to avoid rocking the boat and draw attention to themselves.
