In the local congregation, control can seem more subtle, even innocent. The elder conducting the meeting pretends to scan the audience for “hands”, not acknowledging the lone arm nearly out of socket belonging to Brother Not-Well-Thought-Of. “Well, if there are no further comments, let’s have the reading of the next paragraph.” Nearly everyone in the hall is aware of the intentional snub and adjusts their theocratic ledger accordingly. Brother Not may be guilty of any number of infractions, real or imagined, but this little curtailment of his theocratic opportunity is part of his readjustment and puts others on notice to conform to theocratic order.
ha...just came across this....brilliant perception...
i was thinking about the whole dangling carrot thing recently...i always had circuit work held out as a goal to me..everyone knew i wanted to be a circuit overseer..and that i would be good at it..i didnt take the pretend to be disinterested stance...the exagerated surptise at being asked...but in all truth it was never going to happen..too outspoken...too ready to fight for justice for those unable to fight for themselves which inevitably meant clashing with service commitees, cos, dos, who would be the ones that would have to recommend me.
and at every circuit and district assembly pioneering is recommended as a springboard to greater priveleges - circuit work, missionary, bethel etc when in fact there are nowhere near as many assignments available as there are pioneers which leads to frustration and disillusion especially when someone who hasnt pioneered for very long or never pioneered at all (even stayed on for further education) gets an assignment ahead of someone who taken the recommended organizational route and been constantly overlooked.
but you never see this until you are on the outside looking in
