Who the hell are "the elders"? Being an elder is supposed to be a "privilege". Elders are supposed to be "shepherds" who care for the flock. They are supposed to "serve" the needs of the flock. I do believe some men are sincere about their appointment but unfortunately being an elder means simply being an "Organization Man". A "good" elder cannot decide for himself that a person is truly needy or sorry about a particular act. He needs to get the body of elders to be involved. Doing something for someone without permission or approval from the other elders is a no-no. That's called "running ahead, independent thinking" and not "waiting on Jehovah".
What was supposed to be a "gift in men" has turned into a bureaucracy. Meetings are set up to determine whether you should be judged as unrepentant or not. The elders exert so much control that they can make your life a miserable nightmare! If you "question" the elders on a matter or hint that you might disagree with their viewpoints, you are labeled as "disorderly, immature, weak, or apostate".
The Theocratic Organization made mere men believe that they are something special, appointed by God and his holy spirit. These very imperfect men forgot who they really were. They bought into the hype of "being used by Jehovah". Questioning them or their authority is the same as questioning Jehovah God Himself.
When I look back at my years as an elder, I can't help but see how foolish we all were! We were no different than the priests of Christendom. At least most of the clergy have a degree and went to school and became educated. Witness elders are proud of the fact that they wash windows, floors and toilets by day and wield enormous power by night. It's a huge head trip. Thankfully many of us have seen the error of our ways and with humility have recognized how dumb we were really were.
8 comments:
What you say is true. I sat in many elders meetings where the ones with the most forceful personalities, the least humble, and the least loving, held sway and had their opinions and thoughts acted upon more frequently than the others.
I remember one elder who was a really caring, gentle man, a true elder in my mind, stood down because he could not stand the friction and the politics and the tension that often characterized the elders meetings in his congregation.
And yes, you are right, we were so unqualified to deal with many serious situations that arose in the congregation, supposedly relying on the 'Spirit' to help us reach the right decision.
I often wondered why it became evident in so many cases (eg. reinstated ones going straight back out...were they really repentant?) that the WRONG decision had been made, if we had the Holy Spirit? Of course, the answer is, that we didnt... because it is highly unlikely that it even exists.
I take it you are no longer a JW. I agree it is hard to find an elder that you think "speaks softly and cares a big stick". Ones who can stand up and get thru the petty BS. However I do know a couple of them. One of them in an Ohio Congregation. Another you was in my home congregation and recently passed away. He wasn't one to stand up to the other brothers however he did so much for the friends as far as giving support. If he didn't agree with a decision the brothers made, I am sure he thought Jehovah will work it out. Remember these are imperfect men. The early disciples of Jesus were ofter vying (sp?) for position and sometimes making wrong decision.
If someone was reinstated and was not repentant, truly that would show up again. That person would not change his course and soon would be back in the "Library" or disfellowshiped.
The question is where do you go from here? Back to one of christendom's churches that for sure aren't any better and definitely have the wrong thinking on so many scriptures? I am not the most active publisher and frankly think my no-JW sister is probably a better christian than I am... Still I have to believe and do that Jehovah will sort this out during the tribulation. I seriously doubt all JWs are going to make it. I hope I do.
How come you don't post much these days?
post about what?
post about what?
#Bonhenke, I was referring to the blog owner. He does not post stuff nowadays on this blog like before.
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