Thought I'd post a positive experience for once......
There is the former elder in my congregation, nice guy. Raised in the JW's. He and his wife are in their late 40's. He sells insurance. (the irony, I know!) Anyway, I believe he has been fading the last few years. It all started at our old congregation, when it was announced that he was "deleted." My late father told me that this man had told him he was deleted due to health reasons. Now, my father knowing a little about organizational procedure, (Flock Book?) knew that health reasons were not a reason for "deletion." This was Red Flag #1, as he lied. This was around 1996 or so, which isn't long after the 1995 generational change. This guy has alergies, no doubt about it - severe, according to him. Thing is, he uses it as a constant excuse to miss the meetings. Red Flag #2. I hardly ever go to meetings (maybe twice a year) and it never fails that this guy is missing in action. He has taken zero steps to getting back to being an elder, or even a MS. Red Flag #3. I mean, it's like he doesn't care. His wife still shows up, and they've recently transfered to a Spanish speaking congregation so she can interpret. Red Flag #4. This means he can miss even more, and not be noticed. He's in my opinion, a total "fringe" JW, and I bet he doesn't barely make the minimum FS time at all. Years ago, if you asked him, the end was near. He never did anything. Last year, they took a looong vacation. They were going to build a home, etc. Red Flag #5.
Now, if you speak to him, he still has the same monotonously trained Elder voice, drawing out Jehoovah Goood, etc. He never gives out an aura of NOT being a dyed in the wool JW, but as you can see from his actions above, he would appear to be a "Fader." I'd say he's nearly done, probably only making token appearances for the sake of his still-in wife, who has some kind of chronic neuralogical disorder. We'll see how much "loving help" she recieves from the brothers and sisters in the KH, it may just wake her up as well.
Dude, if you are reading this (and it's entirely possible) PM me. I will not "out" you, as I've been out 10 years with no regrets. You're intelligent, and if you read on here I know you must be lonely. If you are doing fade, and have found Jah's and Christ's true message, then I salute you.
Regards,
Wing Commander