DECEPTIVE JW ELDERS – CASE#5
This case goes back many years, and illustrates how JW Elders can and do go create appearances for their own benefit. here is a case where both the Elders and the Society men acted in the same way, but for different reasons.
”But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ... ” Matt 6:3-4
We have all heard or used the expression, ‘their (management’s) right hand does not don’t know what its left hand is doing. This is likely a twisted play on what Jesus said, but is done in sarcasm to illustrate how people in an organization do not coordinate well and work together efficiently. Sometimes, it refers to doing something underhandedly. But, Jesus was talking about doing good works in secret and not trumpeting our good acts in public for mere human recognition.
Some JW Elders, on the other hand must have taken Jesus words in a way that made it look like they were doing something good, when in fact they were harming the interests of the congregation and some individuals.
A particular Kingdom Hall was pressed for parking, and in fact really had none except for a few spaces. I believe it was one of those conversions from a residential house to a Hall. So, the PO tried to negotiate a purchase with the property owner of an adjacent lot that had become vacant. The property owner did not want to sell, but did agree to Lease the land for the congregation’s parking use. Fair enough – I guess. The PO of course was given praise and honor for his ability to care for the interests of the congregation, and by extension, kingdom activity.
The Elders signed a long term Lease for many years. And the congregation was stuck paying the rent for the entire lease term. Even if they move, they would still be obligated to pay, regardless, unless they could sublet the lot. But in this case, subletting would not be easy.
One Day, the PO was removed along with the whole body of Elders. The PO was eventually disfellowshipped. I do not know all the reasons for this action, but I understand that this PO was among those few that managed to keep the PO position after the change from the old Congregation Servant arrangement when they were supposed to rotate. This and other issues triggered the Society to look into the matter. Along with a few letters from an Elder in the congregation who was keeping the Society notified of various shenanigans.
The Society eventually sent in a new team of Elders to keep the congregation operating. They even removed the Elder who was tipping them off, so as to have the appearance of not being biased toward any Elder. They told the Elder privately that in a few months he would be restored as an Elder. This way the congregation would not know that he was the one keeping the Society informed. The Elder was a good friend of mine and an honest person. He moved away, and did not accept any restored appointment.
While the Society men were there getting a handle on things, they discovered that the parking lot next door was leased to the congregation, and upon further investigation, discovered that the PO was the real owner. And they had to honor the lease anyway.
So, yes the PO did a favor for the congregation, sort of. And when he got the boot, they still had to pay him. I heard that the PO also owned the land that the Kingdom Hall sat on, but I was not able to confirm that part of the account.
The Deception: It is pretty obvious that the PO was not honest in disclosing all matters and parties while negotiating for the congregation. But, to me, the way the one faithful Elder was removed for the Society's PR sake was also another deception. If a man is a good person, doing what is right, and meeting the qualifications, I would think that the congregation would have benefited from knowing that he was the one really acting in their best interests. But the real lesson here is not about good Eldership being trashed, but about pure human politics and human organizational posturing. God and his kind ways are the last things that come to these people’s minds. - Amazing