These posts have really made me think. I was a true believer from my early years, and between regular and auxilary, have probably at least 12 years of pioneering under my belt. I pioneered for about 7 years as an elder with three young kids.
Yeah - I was really into it. Even taught several pioneer schools, believe it or not.
What did I think about it? I really enjoyed being with the friends. I got to know the congregation very well. Enjoyed being with everybody, especially the kids. But I did not especially like the house to house work, as I saw it as basically an arrogant, condescending activity, even though I was very good at it. My heart was seldom in it, and less so as I saw what a waste of time and energy it was. In my last year or so I found myself literally going months without talking to someone at the door.
I can remember the relief I always felt when we headed for break or for home. I realize now that I was totally making myself do this. It was not done for the joy of the work. At least two years before I left the Witnesses I decided I simply couldn't go h-to-h anymore. It was when they changed that statement in the purpose of the Awake! - 1994 I think. I felt we needed to start going to people and apologizing for lying for the previous 70 years!
I think now about where I would be in some ways if I'd put the energy I gave to pioneering into some of the other things I've wanted to do with my life. I don't cry about it - nothing can be changed. But it was such a huge waste in so many ways. The friendships and the people I may have helped in some ways during those years - no regrets there.
S4