How will the WT change as older members die off?

by nicolaou 3 Replies latest jw friends

  • nicolaou
    nicolaou

    The 'old-timers' generally carry a congregation.

    I grew up in a cong' with six members of the 'anointed' - only two remain and one of those, a lovely lady with genuine warmth and interest in people, is now in a nursing home.

    What happens when the depth that these individuals bring is lost?
    Of course, they were/are barking up the wrong tree as much as the rest of the dubs but their influence at least tended to 'round out' some of the more hard-line JW's.

    Nic'

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    Hansen, Gertrude
    Publication Date: Oct. 14, 2001
    Of Wauwatosa, died Oct. 9, 2001 at Mequon Care Center at the age of 92. Preceded in death by her husband William, her sons Robert and Eric, her grandson Chad Clifford and her son-in-law Edward Clifford. Survived by her children William(Nancy), Gail(Bob) Schneider, Joan Clifford Koenig(Louis) and Elaine(Richard) Liersch. Further survived by 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Visitation WED after 6:30 PM at KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES(4909 N. 110th St.) with the Memorial Service at 7:30 PM. A special thanks to Mequon Care Center for their concern and kindness.

    Cobbs, Charlene
    Publication Date: Oct. 05, 2001
    Age 79. Oct. 1, 2001. Beloved mother of 7 daughters and 5 sons. Visitation Fri., Oct. 5, 2001, 12 noon-8 PM. Family Hour 7 PM at PITTS MORTUARY, 2031 W. Capitol Dr. Funeral Sat. 10 AM at Merrill Park Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 6636 W. Appleton Ave. Interment Graceland Cemetery.

    Nolin, Geraldine Jane
    Publication Date: Sept. 19, 2001
    Age 74 years. Passed away peacefully Sept. 13, 2001 at home. Preceded in death by her husband Earl. Loving mother of Maureen Griggs, William (Lyanne), Robert (Mary) and Lee. Cherished grandmother of Thomas, Tracey (Michael) Stachowiak, Renee (Patrick) Jezuit, Daniel, Lucas and Megan. Beloved great-grandmother of Justin, Grace Jezuit and Michael Stachowiak. Gerladine was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all. The family will receive friends from 5 PM until time of Memorial Service at 7 PM on Friday, Sept. 21 at the Hartson Funeral Home, 11111 W. Janesville Rd. , Hales Corners. Memorials to the ALS Association. Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Cheng, Dr. Wendy Peltier, Dr. Gregory Harrington and their staff, Rolland Nelson Crossroads Hospice and Pro Health Home Care.

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    http://www.do-not-call.org

  • montag
    montag

    The watchtower will become more and more mainstream, it's the only way to maintain membership and achieve their holy grail of continued expansion.

    Losing the elderly will only help in this as these are the ones that cling most tenaciously to older WT doctrine.

    Most of the young dubs don't know old WT history [or care for that matter] so as new generations continue to replace the old we can look forward to a corresponding shift in WT theology which allows for more tolerance within the org insofar as df's are concerned [bad for the figures you see].

    Then again, maybe not.

  • Thirdson
    Thirdson

    Montag

    Most of the young dubs don't know old WT history [or care for that matter] so as new generations continue to replace the old we can look forward to a corresponding shift in WT theology

    In JWspeak generations don't get old and don't get replaced they stretch. Forget the dead people, JWs live in one big happy generation that started sometime around the turn of the 19th century and continues on.

    "This generation" saw the coming of Armageddon (the 1914 one) when Jesus had arrived, saw him come again (in 1914 with hindsight) watched the "faithful men of old" live again in 1925, built them a fancy house and sold it, waited for WW2 to turn in to Armageddon, decided not to have kids, sold everything and saw Armageddon through in 1975, hoped for it in 1986, got renewed energy in 1995, watched TV all day long Dec 31, 1999...and still says the WTS is God's only channel, his organization who are not inspired but directed and the UN thing, isn't true, is true but is OK, is not OK so we left...UN who?

    So many old don't remember much. Pehaps the newbies who are left won't remember or know this and will choose to forget and can move on to something different and hopefully better.

    Thirdson

    'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

  • RR
    RR

    Although I would dread the thought of the Society becoming 'mainstream' I do believe it is possible for them to grow and survive without doing a major makeover.

    Christian freedom is important for growth, the Society is in for a big downfall, as they have chased out all of their capable people.

    If they would just lax a bit and allow their members to think for themselves and not ENFORCE their theology, things would go a long way.

    Perhaps they could learn a lesson from Pastor Russell and the way things were done in the early days. When the Society was nothing more than a publishing house, publishing religious literature, and the congregations were autonomous, governing themselves.

    ____________________________
    I Still Believe ....

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