Elders/Former Elders, i'm still receiving teaching assigments. What gives?

by R.F. 13 Replies latest jw friends

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  R.F.

  I'm a Ministerial Servant and i've been to only 2 congregation meetings in about 2 and 1/2 months and haven't turned in a field service report for those two months as well. I've also skipped some assignments within that timeframe. The elders talked to me last week about possibly removing me because of the ex-fiancee situation, but i'm still being assigned to these parts. They don't schedule them way ahead of time either. I thought that me "no longer setting the example" would disqualify me from giving parts very quickly.

  Is it typical for a BOE to take away that this responsibility only when a deletion from this position occurs, or do they ever take the teaching responsibilities away before a deletion takes place as some sort of pre-deletion strike?

  R.F.
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  OnTheWayOut

  Many BOE will think they are doing you a favor by giving you these assignments.
  They think they will "save" you from your lack of activity.

  Most BOE will continue to give you regular assignments until they tell you that
  you are removed or you tell them to stop giving them.
• 

  SnakesInTheTower

  RF

  In my experience and training in the Borg, if you are irregular without good reason for one month, they might still give you teaching parts, especially if they are short handed good teachers in your congo. (and the secretary would slip 1 hour onto your publisher card so you are not irreg) Two months? They should have taken you off extra responsibilities and given you some kind counsel and shepherding and given you 6 months as a MS to get back on track. Two months? I think your BOE is just setting up a paper trail for the CO. I can see the conversation now (cue strumming of harp to seque to dream sequence):

  PO: "See Brother CO, Brother RF was assigned several teaching parts in the last 6 months that he blew off, along with his irregularity in the ministry and the whole breaking off the engagement thing...he really hurt Sister Fiancee......hmmm what do YOU think Brother CO?"

  CO: "Yes Brother Self Righteous, I see that Brother RF has this history. What have you done to help him?" (if he is a good CO..otherwise:"you are RIGHT! Lets meet to delete him")

  After some hemming and hawing, Bro. S.R. PO mumbles, "Well, we've tried to "encourage" Brother RF, but he is not responding. We believe as a BOE that Brother RF no longer qualifies because he is not "reasonable", especially regarding his broken engagement.)

  CO: "We'll meet with him before our joint MS/elders meeting, see what is going on." (cue strumming of harp leaving dream sequence)

  RF, depending on your CO this is what will happen. If he is a good CO, he will encourage you and get to the heart of the matter. If it is discouragement over the fiancee situation, he will be understanding and give you 6 months to get back on track and get on the elders for not helping you out. If he is a self-righteous ass, he will agree with the recommendation to remove you and its a done deal. If he is Really an ass, he will start digging and digging trying to find something more on you, possibly for a JC. And remember, the BOE will meet for their quarterly meeting 3 months before the CO visit and then likely again a week or two before to go over recommendations and deletions...your name will be on the agenda. I had the previous DO/CO buy me a year or more to keep the elders at bay from removing me. The next CO bought me some more time. But the same CO in my last congo, during his last visit, I knew it was over (seems the CO became golfing buddies with the PO, SO, and his son). Yep, finally deleted, even though I was giving teaching parts, public talks, right up to the last minute. I think I even conducted a part during the CO visit that week!

  The BOE cannot remove you before the CO visit unless you do something judicial, which by all of your postings, you have not done (well, except this little matter of associating with us apostates! but they dont know about that...I digress).

  I cant remember, did you come off as a pioneer? If you were "struggling" to meet your time requirements in February, they should have met with you and provided assistance. If you have not come off as a pioneer, do it now. Makes the BOE look like idiots come pioneer meeting time with the CO..one less pioneer raises questions that elders dont like to answer. If you are really done with all of this (the Borg that is), force their hand and step aside. If you "humbly" step aside as an MS now, and decide later this fade thing is not for you, then you only have to wait a year before being reappointed. If they remove you, its 3 years before they can recommend you again (that is where I am at again. I refused to step aside, so they removed me..now I would have to wait 3 years, get reappointed as MS, wait 6-12 months, then reappointed as elder....NOT that I EVER want to be an elder again, mind you, Im just saying.) Give yourself options...do it on your terms, not theirs.

  RF...I wish you well on this continued journey. I share the same road with you, Ive been down it 2 or 3 times..this time I am going to keep walking. If you want to talk about this, PM me your phone number and we can talk. My training and experience in the Borg may be helpful. Us single brothers have to stick together. (maybe find a couple of apostababes!)

  SnakesInTheTower (of the "fading but not completely" Sheep Class)
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  cyberguy

  When I was an elder and on the way out (not actually removed, that took 3 months), they took me off meeting parts amd removed me from all assignments (I was the school overseer). Even low hours in field service will get you taken off assignments, unless you're on your death-bed, and even then they'd still want to see you get the 15 mins./month!
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  jgnat

  Maybe they don't want to pick up the slack. Also, sometimes those in power are fooled in to thinking they still run the show, especially if you keep doing the assignments.

  A series of 'planned incompetence' might be in order. Say 'no' and if they give it to you anyways, don't show up.

  They'll catch on.
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  BluesBrother

  The latest "Organized Book" says about service Meetings, " Elders and well qualified Ministerial servants are assigned to handle the various parts"

  I guess from what you say, that either your congo is short of people that can be used, or they are acting from missplaced kindness. In the times that I served, a servant who was no longer the best example would be taken off the list of Sevice Meeting speakers pdq. Or perhaps the Secretary hasn't bothered to tell the PO that you have not always reported....
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  R.F.

  My thinking was too along the lines of them not wanting to pick up the slack. There are plenty qualified speakers but many of them are subject to frequent "no-shows" themselves. That's included with the fact that all the elders are elderly and very worn down and tired. The PO knows I have missed 2 months of reporting FS time. Im still even on the pioneer list, despite the fact that i've asked them to remove me from that. They're still trying to hold on for dear life with that I suppose.
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  return visitor

  fewer people giving parts = more parts for the remaining individuals giving them. They'll keep you on at all cost because they don't want to do it either.
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  R.F.

  That's true return visitor

  You outta see them as they struggle throught the TMS and Service meeting week after week.
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  steve2

  Looks like it has less to do with principles and more to do with pressure to get someone - anyone - to do the parts on the programme that the poor overworked brothers know no one else wants to do.