The video streaming of the German Branch visit program was excrutiating 3.5 hours long.
I just went to see the last 45 min (part of Mark Sandersons talk).
I think Sanderson is quite a sympathetic speaker and he kind of made a loving impression.
He didn't mention controversial stuff (except for one thing I will come to soon). He mostly talked about how to find joy, even when life is not easy, and how much the gb loves the rank and file.
One point seemed soooo important to him. Parents and children. First he mentioned that he himself, the brother that is travelling with him and his wife, and the branch overseer (don't know the correct title) and his wife, they all WERE BAPTIZED BETWEEN AGE 9 AND 11. In other words, it is very good, if a child as young as 9 gets baptized.
Quite long he urged parents not to hinder young children to get baptized. He also talked about the reasons, why jw parents would possibly hinder young children for baptism.
The first reason he mentioned:
Fear of the parents that the child might be DISFELLOWSHIPPED later.
Second reason:
Parents wish that the child will have a good education and that it has goals in this regard.
He said (i recorded it): "At the various conventions this year, it is a real joy to see so many who have qualified for baptism, AMONG THEM WERE SOME QUITE YOUNG IN YEARS. You parents have to be commended for raising your children to have an appreciation for the truth and for encouraging them to make a dedication to serve Jehovah when young. Such dear young ones face many challenges at school and yet have qualified to get baptized speaks very well of the home training they have received. Well that beautifully expresses the viewpoint of the governing body. And now brothers I would like to ask you a question: DO YOU SHARE THAT VIEWPOINT OF THE GOVERNING BODY? ARE YOU HELPING YOUR CHILDREN TO BECOME UNBAPTIZED PUBLISHERS AND TO MAKE THEIR DEDICATION AT A YOUNG AGE?"
I felt the way he talked about this is a sign, that this might be a real problem for the gb.
