If this individual had congregation privileges, say an elder/ms/pioneer would they be removed for bringing reproach on God’s name? If they had this change of heart after the trial began would they lose their precious privileges? After all it is embarrassing to JW’s who claim to have this superior Bible knowledge, while everyone else in the world is pathetically lost. My guess is they would, for using poor judgement and not deciding in advance.
baldeagle
JoinedPosts by baldeagle
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Jehovah's Witness juror - The actions of this juror are a complete disgrace, said Prince Georges County States Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.
by Sol Reform inhttp://www.csnwashington.com/article/juror-email-leads-mistrial.
juror email leads to mistrial.
that juror now faces a possible contempt of court charge.the trial of a man involved in a high speed crash that killed a prince george's county police officer last year ended in a mistrial.. one of the jurors told the judge via email thursday morning that judging others was a violation of her religion as a jehovah's witness, news4's prince george's county bureau chief tracee wilkins reported.. kevon darnell neal, 23, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and fleeing and eluding following the death of officer adrian morris, 23.. morris and his partner were pursuing a stolen silver acura when their cruiser ran off interstate 95 near the powder mill road exit in august 2012. morris died after being ejected from the vehicle.
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May 22, 1969 Awake! promises "you will never grow old" - Creative Writing
by Mad Sweeney inthe year is 1969. faithful followers of the watchtower society are gearing up for the imminent end of the system of things just as they had been for the previous ninety years.
a young witness named andrew is trying to decide what to do with his life.
andrew is a smart kid and he has an entire lifetime ahead of him.
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baldeagle
Great story with a perfect ending. The saddest thing about it all is, we all know many individuals that followed this advice. Some of these sincere kind brothers & sisters could have become great doctors, teachers, nurses, social workers etc. Many had specific leanings towards a certain field of learning or were natural students. I used to look around at the DC's & in the congregation at people in this age group. So many were still struggling financially and were physically worn out from their jobs. The look on their faces revealed the true feelings about the decisions they made decades earlier. How very sad!!
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WT Study Article Counsels JWs To Be Humane Towards Disfellowshiped Ones
by baldeagle inwt august 1, 1974 pp.
467-468 maintaining a balanced viewpoint toward disfellowshiped ones.
5 it is right to hate the wrong committed by the disfellowshiped one, but it is not right to hate the person nor is it right to treat such ones in an inhumane way.suppose, then, a member of a christian congregation boating on a lake were to see another boat containing a disfellowshiped person capsize, throwing the disfellowshiped one into the water where he struggled to stay afloat.
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baldeagle
I humbly agree with all the posters comments regarding this much older and obsolete WT study article. It is still available on the 2012 WT library for now anyway.
AMNESIANO, blondie, frankiespeakin, flipper and others all correctly stated we now have a newer meaner, harsher stand on treating disfellowshipped ones. As Oubliette said, “The brief days of a "kinder, gentler JW" are long gone.
steve2 you are bang on, “a more understanding and compassionate approach to "apostasy" would open the floodgates on the shonky Watchtower dam. To brook even tolerance of doubters would cause others in local congregations to question.”
In my personal case as I stated on another post, “I haven’t been to a meeting in four years. During that time I completed a successful fade from the organization after almost 40 years being baptized.” I was a longtime servant (ms/elder) that began having doubts about policies and doctrines. The dam finally burst for me when I finally had enough with the last “overlapping generation” insanity. Enough was enough!! I was never reproved, DA, or DF’ed. But you would think otherwise with the way I’m treated.
I can vouch that the meaner harsher stance and prevailing attitude of congregation members to “shun” has successfully crossed over to include faders as well. Friendships I had spanning several decades have all pretty well dried up. Even though I remained civilized and extended a hand of friendship through emails, phone messages and text messages, it was rarely reciprocated. Many would say they would get back to me later. I was always known for my generous hospitality and loyal friendship. I was outgoing and enjoyed a good time, families appreciated coming over to my home. I was that brother/elder that was not overly prudish or narrow-minded. In the end I was truly “naive” as all of you have so eloquently said; congregation love and relationships are truly “conditional.” The WTS has been successful in training their followers that if someone drops away you isolate them.
The fear factor that our present brotherhood is experiencing is tremendous. They fear their nagging doubts, suspicions, and thoughts, but can never express themselves. A good and upright longtime friend must be discarded simply because he no longer can agree with everything. The Watchtower leadership should be proud of themselves.
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WT Study Article Counsels JWs To Be Humane Towards Disfellowshiped Ones
by baldeagle inwt august 1, 1974 pp.
467-468 maintaining a balanced viewpoint toward disfellowshiped ones.
5 it is right to hate the wrong committed by the disfellowshiped one, but it is not right to hate the person nor is it right to treat such ones in an inhumane way.suppose, then, a member of a christian congregation boating on a lake were to see another boat containing a disfellowshiped person capsize, throwing the disfellowshiped one into the water where he struggled to stay afloat.
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baldeagle
WT August 1, 1974 pp. 467-468 Maintaining a Balanced Viewpoint Toward Disfellowshiped Ones
5 It is right to hate the wrong committed by the disfellowshiped one, but it is not right to hate the person nor is it right to treat such ones in an inhumane way.Suppose, then, a member of a Christian congregation boating on a lake were to see another boat containing a disfellowshiped person capsize, throwing the disfellowshiped one into the water where he struggled to stay afloat. Could the Christian ignore that one’s peril, row away and feel free from guilt before God—inasmuch as the one in danger of drowning was disfellowshiped, viewed as “a man of the nations”?Certainly not. That would be cruel and inhumane. We cannot imagine Christ Jesus doing so; nor would any other Jew of the first century who had a balanced viewpoint have reacted that way toward a Gentile or a tax collector in such a plight.
6 But consider a less extreme situation. What if a woman who had been disfellowshiped were to attend a congregational meeting and upon leaving the hall found that her car, parked nearby, had developed a flat tire? Should the male members of the congregation, seeing her plight, refuse to aid her, perhaps leaving it up to some worldly person to come along and do so? This too would be needlessly unkind and inhumane.
Yet situations just like this have developed, perhaps in all good conscience, yet due to a lack of balance in viewpoint.
7 If we imitate our heavenly Father we will remember that he even showed certain considerateness toward the first human pair after their disfellowshipping in Eden, providing them with clothing. (Gen. 3:21) This was an undeserved kindness toward them. As Jesus reminded his disciples, Jehovah God “makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45) So, not “mixing in company” with a person, or treating such one as “a man of the nations,” does not prevent us from being decent, courteous, considerate and humane.
I always found this study article to be disturbing and shameful. Things are really bad when the F&DS feel it necessary, to actually have to tell their followers to do the right thing in a life-saving emergency. Also to be a gentleman and help a woman in need!
Why do we even have to clarify or ask such embarrassing questions in a WT study? Do we really need to obtain permission to save a disfellowshiped human being (either real or hypothetical) from drowning? Can’t a JW decide on their own what is morally and ethically right? This is a symptom of organizational dysfunction, a sign you see whenever people aren't allowed to think for themselves. For that reason no one does anything, since they are so afraid of garnering disapproval and condemnation from others.
They have become so micromanaged and told what and how to do every little thing. As a result they are now too irresponsible to make a common sense decision.
On the other hand, if this individual was a Catholic nun drowning, or a Muslim person with a flat tire, they would be tripping all over themselves to help them out. Afterwards, they would commend one another and brag about how they gave such a good witness, showing true Christian love!!
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Need help from JW History Buffs
by ILoveTTATT ini need help with writing an article regarding vaccinations, organ transplants, and blood transfusions.. i am doing my research using limited amounts of non-wt sources and mostly just the actual wt literature.. what i am having a hard time understanding is:.
most of the articles in the golden age, at least at the beginning of the anti-vaccination stance, are actually written by contributors.
since there are very pro-vaccination articles and then lots of anti-vaccination articles, how can i determine the actual wt viewpoint on vaccinations?.
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baldeagle
WT February 15, 1952 p. 128 Announcements
Friends of the truth throughout the earth will be interested to learn of the death of one who played a prominent part in the affairs of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society for many years, Clayton J. Woodworth.
Brother Woodworth was made editor of the Society’s newly introduced magazine The Golden Age. He remained editor when the magazine’s name was changed to Consolation in 1937, to carry on as such until 1946. Because of advancing years he was relieved of this when the magazine was given a new change of name to Awake!
He died at the ripe old age of 81, loyal to the faith and unwaveringly devoted to the theocratic organization, on December 18, 1951, at 4 a.m.
Its common knowledge that Rutherford appointed his buddy Clayton J. Woodworth to manage and be the editor and decision maker of the The Golden Age and Consolation magazines. It was during his tenure that Woodworth allowed the understanding and opposition towards vaccines to manifest and become doctrine for several decades. Some very bizarre and unsavory comments were printed in order for JW’s to feel revulsion towards accepting vaccinations. Interestingly, only one year after Clayton J. Woodworth died the WT December 15, 1952immediately released “New Light” and completely rescinded and overturned all the decades’ long teachings. Some have suggested that the WTS wanted to do this much sooner but out of respect, courtesy and to avoid embarrassment for Brother Woodworth they waited until after he died. Below is that Watchtower with my italics and highlighting.
WT December 15, 1952 p. 764 Questions From Readers
● Is vaccination a violation of God’s law forbidding the taking of blood into the system? G. C. North Carolina.
The matter of vaccination is one for the individual that has to face it to decide for himself. Each individual has to take the consequences for whatever position and action he takes toward a case of compulsory vaccination, doing so according to his own conscienceand his appreciation of what is for good health and the interests of advancing God’s work. And our Society cannot afford to be drawn into the affair legally or take the responsibility for the way the case turns out.
After consideration of the matter, it does not appear to usto bein violationof the everlasting covenant made with Noah, as set down in Genesis 9:4, (Verse 4: Only flesh with its soul—its blood—YOU must not eat.) nor contrary to God’s related commandment at Leviticus 17:10-14.
Most certainlyit cannot reasonably or Scripturally be argued and proved that, by being vaccinated, the inoculated person is either eating or drinking blood and consuming it as foodor receiving a blood transfusion.
Vaccination does not bear any relationshipto or any likeness to the intermarriage of angelic “sons of God” with the daughters of men,as described in Genesis 6:1-4.
Neither can it be put in the same class as described at Leviticus 18:23, 24, which forbids the mingling of humans with animals. It has nothing to do with sex relations.(Verse 23: “‘And you must not give your emission to any beast to become unclean by it, and a woman should not stand before a beast to have connection with it. It is a violation of what is natural.)
Hence all objection to vaccination on Scriptural grounds seems to be lacking. Medical science, in fact, claims that vaccination actually results in building up the vitality of the blood to resist the disease against which the person is inoculated. But, of course, that is a question for each individual concerned to decide for himselfand as he sees it to be Jehovah’s will for him. We merely offer the above information on request, but can assume no responsibility for the decision and course the reader may take.
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The Total Embracing Of The Internet - How Will It All End?
by baldeagle ini havent been to a meeting in four years.
during that time i completed a successful fade from the organization after almost 40 years being baptized.
it seems nothing anymore will surprise or shock me with these latest bunch of brooklyn leaders.
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baldeagle
To Besty: East-Central Canada
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The Total Embracing Of The Internet - How Will It All End?
by baldeagle ini havent been to a meeting in four years.
during that time i completed a successful fade from the organization after almost 40 years being baptized.
it seems nothing anymore will surprise or shock me with these latest bunch of brooklyn leaders.
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baldeagle
I haven’t been to a meeting in four years. During that time I completed a successful fade from the organization after almost 40 years being baptized. It seems nothing anymore will surprise or shock me with these latest bunch of Brooklyn leaders. I was told that it was announced at our recent mid-week meeting that the Kingdom Hall is now Wi-Fi capable and all are encouraged to use it during the meeting. The brother said that any who forgot meeting materials at home, like a magazine or other references for a meeting part can now log on with their devices to jw.org and follow along etc. No official WTS letter was read at the hall on this subject. I’m assuming it must be left up to individual congregations to decide. The person who called me about this said that some tested their connection at the hall and were able to update their Facebook accounts. (Hilarious) Maybe in time these sites will be blocked.
I am totally perplexed at this complete embracing of the evil internet. Over the years when we had our elders meetings on Thursday nights with the C.O. the internet almost always came up for discussion. The CO would tell us that scores of MS’s and Elders were being removed across the circuit because of easily available porn that these men, from all walks of life were viewing. He also appealed to those currently serving as a MS or Elder who had viewed porn, or violent videos, or listened to debasing music, to come forward for spiritual help, since they no longer qualified to serve. This is a huge problem worldwide.
I understand the WTS having to adapt to the digital age that we’ve all accepted as part of everyday life. I understand the cost savings in printing, shipping and inventory. All major companies have had to adjust and change in order to stay in business, I get it.
But what I’ve learned in my forty years on the inside is that JW’s can be “obedient to a fault” in many things; (shunning family, no blood, no higher education, don’t call the police first re: pedophiles etc.). However they can also be overly curious, devious, and disobedient due to their repressed and frustrated upbringing. So the internet should be the last thing to tell JW’s to embrace and welcome at every level. Curiosity and basic human imperfectionwill cause thousands more worldwide to view, read, and listen to what the WTS clearly forbids!! Do the Brooklyn 8 really and truly think this will end well? Will this really produce better, stronger and more mature JW’s?
We all remember this announcement at every district convention year after year, “Brothers, please refrain from taking flash photos during the drama since they provide no benefit, and only serve to distract others, so please be loving and cooperative in this matter.” Seems easy enough to comply with.
After that announcement I would automatically look at my watch and within less than 10 seconds, dozens of flashes would start going off throughout the auditorium. Simple instructions instantly disobeyed!
So now does the GB really expect millions of repressed, micromanaged, exasperated people(young & old) with a computer in the privacy of their own home, to surf only where they command?? Some will definitely stick only to jw.org, but many won’t!!
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Blood Transfusions First A Personal Matter Then Became A Disfellowshipping Offense
by baldeagle infor a number of years in jw history it was taught that having a blood transfusion was a matter of personal choice that an individual made between him/her and god.
it was not to be anybody elses business.
blood transfusions were frowned upon by the wts leadership (wt july 1, 1945 pages 199-200).
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baldeagle
For a number of years in JW history it was taught that having a blood transfusion was a matter of personal choice that an individual made between him/her and God. It was not to be anybody else’s business. Blood transfusions were frowned upon by the WTS leadership (WT July 1, 1945 pages 199-200). The WTS leaders were hoping that by not condoning the use of human blood in any way, and at the same time seemingly allowing freedom of choice for the brothers, the brothers would make the right decision.
Evidently (ha-ha) the WT leaders guessed wrong. Evidently too many JW’s were choosing to accept blood transfusions. The rank and file were clearly making the wrong choices or decisions in regards to blood. If the WT can’t influence or persuade one’s thinking, then it’s time to ramp up the consequences for these “stiff-necked people.” In other words we’ll say that it’s a personal choice, but you must choose our way, or else!
WT July 1, 1951 p. 416 Questions From Readers
● Then are we to conclude that Jehovah’s witnesses oppose the people’s use of transfusions?
That would be a wrong conclusion. Jehovah’s witnesses do not oppose the people’s use of transfusions, but allow each one the right to decide for himself what he can conscientiously do. The Israelites felt bound to abide by God’s law forbidding the eating of meat with the blood congealed in it, but still they had no objection whatever to those outside God’s organization doing it, and even supplied unbled carcasses to outsiders who regularly ate such things anyway. (Deut. 14:21) Each one decides for himself, and bears the responsibility for his course. Jehovah’s witnesses consecrate their lives to God and feel bound by his Word, and with these things in view they individually decide their personal course and bear their personal responsibility therefor before God.
WT August 1, 1958 p. 478 Questions From Readers
● One of Jehovah’s witnesses who claims to be of the anointed remnant recently went to the hospital and took a blood transfusion, voluntarily. Should she be allowed to partake of the emblems of bread and wine at Memorial time? R. J., United States.
We, of course, regret with you that this sister who professes to be one of the anointed remnant took a blood transfusion voluntarily during her stay in the hospital. We believe that she did the wrong thing contrary to the will of God. However, congregations have never been instructed to disfellowship those who voluntarily take blood transfusions or approve them.We let the judgment of such violators of God’s law concerning the sacredness of blood remain with Jehovah, the Supreme Judge.
Since an individual is not disfellowshiped because of having voluntarily taken a blood transfusion or having approved of a dear one’s accepting a blood transfusion, you have no right to bar this sister from the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal. As an anointed member of Christ’s body she is under orders and command by Christ Jesus to partake. Whether she is unfaithful as to what she professes to be by virtue of taking the emblems of the Lord’s Evening Meal is something for Jehovah God to determine himself.
*Let Us Now Help You Make The Right Choice!(From Now On You Can Be Disfellowshipped)*
WT January 15, 1961 pp. 63-64 Questions From Readers
● In view of the seriousness of taking blood into the human system by a transfusion, would violation of the Holy Scriptures in this regard subject the dedicated, baptized receiver of blood transfusion to being disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation?
The inspired Holy Scriptures answer yes. About the middle of the first “Christian” century the twelve apostles of Christ met with the other mature representatives of the congregation at Jerusalem to determine what should be the Scriptural requirement for the admission of non-Jews into the Christian congregation. The twelve apostles and other representative men of the Jerusalem congregation as met together on this occasion to decide this vital question were Jews or circumcised proselytes, and, as such, they had been up until Pentecost of A.D. 33 under the prohibition contained in the Mosaic law against eating or drinking the blood of animal creatures.
Those Jewish Christians had now come under the new covenant that had been validated by the pouring out in death of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Mediator between God and men. What, then, was their decision as to the requirements to lie imposed upon Gentile believers for admission into the Christian congregation? The decree setting forth their decision replies: “The apostles and the older brothers to those brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the nations: Greetings! . . . For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favoured adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep yourselves free from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things killed without draining their blood and from fornication. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!” (Acts 15:23-29)
Thus for all Christian believers the apostolic decree under the guidance of God’s holy spirit declared that among the things necessary for them was the keeping of themselves free from blood and from things killed without draining their blood. Years later that decision was still in force upon Christians according to Acts 21:25. That decision has never been revoked, because it is God-given and still applies to Christians today who are dedicated, baptized believers, faithfully following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who was born a Jew over 1900 years ago.
Hence a Christian who deliberately receives a blood transfusion and thus does not keep himself from blood will not prosper spiritually. According to the law of Moses, which set forth shadows of things to come, the receiver of a blood transfusion must be cut off from God’s people by excommunication or disfellowshipping.
Proclaimers Book Chapter 13 pp. 183-184 Why Blood Transfusions Are Refused
The respect for life shown by Jehovah’s Witnesses has also affected their attitude toward blood transfusions. When transfusions of blood became an issue confronting them, The Watchtower of July 1, 1945, explained at length the Christian view regarding the sanctity of blood. It showed that both animal blood and that of humans were included in the divine prohibition that was made binding on Noah and all his descendants. (Gen. 9:3-6) It pointed out that this requirement was emphasized again in the first century in the command that Christians ‘abstain from blood.’ (Acts 15:28, 29) Consistent with that understanding of matters, beginning in 1961 any who ignored the divine requirement, accepted blood transfusions, and manifested an unrepentant attitude were disfellowshipped from the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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baldeagle
MS for 4 years. Then was an elder for 6 years. I declined an elder appointment next time around. Waited a couple of years and foolishly accepted to serve as a MS again. I discovered within the first six months of going to all the elder’s meetings after many mid-week meetings that lasted till 10 pm, that the subjects we discussed were mostly lame and petty.
I was embarrassed and naive to have imagined all through the years that the elders in the congregation library were making all these world renowned decisions. They would all emerge at times looking like they had just split the atom or solved life’s greatest mystery. The truth is I soon learned from experience most of what we discussed was not vital, earth shattering or very intellectual. I felt awkward being there.
I did not feel that God’s spirit guided any decisions. Just a bunch of guys, some very genuine and sincere, believing they were making a difference.
But most were backstabbing, power hungry men that day-to-day had no position of authority in the community or at work. At work they were often puny men doing menial jobs that provided little personal satisfaction or reward. But once they walked into that KH they were somebody special carrying their little folders and secret silly WT letters. At the KH they were looked up to, they had a title and authority.
The politics, hypocrisy and hidden agendas clearly showed me that this was a big sham. It reminds me now of the show “Survivor.” I quickly learned you have to make “Alliances” with other players or you’re toast.
Most directives & decisions made, were already established before the meeting even began by alliances made by “one tribe” against another “tribe” or “individual.” The meeting often was a mere formality.
Today I’m convinced that the Governing Body meetings are absolutely the same. They are simply glorified “elders meetings” with no more insight or special gifts being brought to the table. The GB fumble, blunder & trip along the way like the rest of the imperfect elders worldwide.
Only they have the absolute say & power in everything. Unfortunately millions of people look at them all star struck. They forget the horrible track record these GB men (simply imperfect elders) have in the WT history!!
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Instructions To Elders Re: Pursuing Higher Education
by baldeagle inunderlining is mine.. march 6, 2012 letter.
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.
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baldeagle
Underlining is mine.
March 6, 2012 Letter
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 is told to review and consider the above factors. Also the brother and his family’s general overall attitude are evaluated. If however the brother fails this litmus test, the following occurs:
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.
If a person is serving as a regular pioneer only and the body of elders determines that he no longer qualifies to serve because of decisions he has made with regard to higher education, the person, the congregation and the branch office should be informed in the usual manner.
My Observation:This has caused huge rifts and tension among BOE’s. You may not be the most liked elder in the hall and even have the worst kids. But still nothing may happen to your privileges. Your fellow buddies, and two brothers-in-law on the body will look after you & convince the rest, you’re still qualified.
Meanwhile two congregations over a genuine loving, hardworking elder has a kid going to university and keeps up with the meetings, etc. But because of petty jealousies, envy or whatever other human imperfection among some fellow elders, that brother gets deleted.
Many brothers 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 are 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!!!