Last night I reluctantly attended the meeting. I don't go very often but as you have seen in previous posts, I go occasionally to keep peace with my wife. Last night this elder hands me two Auxiliary Pioneer Forms with mine and my wife’s name filled in already. (BTW the app was preprinted with a laser printer so they put allot of thought into this scam) I asked him, "What is this?" He replied that because so many pioneered last year that the BOE decided to make it easier by filling them in for everyone and whoever wants to pioneer can just sign it, we are anxious to read off as many names as we can during the Service Meeting tonight. (BARF)
I handed the forms back to him without saying a word. He just stood there with a stunned look on his face. During the meeting I was brewing in anger, my wife did manage to calm me down and talked me out of leaving. I am glad I did stay as you will see.
After the meeting he apologized if he offended me in any way. I told him that there is far too much emphasis on getting people to put in their; what I call “T HE DIRTY THIRTY” no matter what! (he actually chuckled) I then quoted 2 Cor 9:7 in part where it says that each of us would do what is in our heart not..., then I said "should I finish the scripture or should you?" He just looked puzzled. I then continued...”not grudgingly or under compulsion, this method you guys are using is absolutely disgusting; talk about a cheesy ploy to get the publishers to sign this form…shame on you guys. What is this, some sort of contest between other congregations?”
He did agree with me that I made some good points and that perhaps they were too hasty and thanked me for my candor. He is one of the more humble elders that I got along with very well when I served. I wonder if this was concocted by the BOE or if this is a directive from the branch or maybe an overzealous CO? In any event I found the whole thing absolutely shameless!