what goes on behind the doors of the governing body is never published, but it can be surmised that recent years' service reports (which show a disturbing falling off of levels of increase), warrant a special push on getting new members.
with the experience of the 1975 fiasco, the governing body must know that creating a fear of an early armageddon would bring in more members, and the deliverance at hand assemblies did just that, with quite good increases in membership during the 2007 service year at 3.1% of active members.
the following data comparison probably identifies a cause for concern for the governing body :-.
Thanks for the stats.
Quite an eye opener. What are the chances of these stats being in a WT article?? Not likely. LOL.
If this trend continues they will be having real problems in the next few years.
Plus, the internet must be a factor in the number of those leaving - learning the truth about the truth.
The scotsman
so, the people in my congo expended hours and hours distributing the invitations, but the attendance was the same as always (actually a little less than other years).
how about your congo?
-ootn
Our cong distributed 8500 tracts and the attendance was down 13. Not a single member of the public came with the invite.
now that memorial is past i hope that all is well for everyone mentally, physically, emotionally.
many were in a great turmoil as to feelings and what to do about.
going , so how are we all today?
I just survived. Attendance was down from 113 to 100. No partakers.
A sister dropped a plate of bread. apart from that it was pretty boring.
Wine did smell good right enough!
it happened last night guys.
i got early to the kh and the boe came to talk to me.
they ask me to read the bible and asked me a couple of questions.
OOTB
I have not read all of this thread, I think it was all said on the other thread you started a few days ago.
Look, you are clearly in a difficult situation. fair enough.
BUT STOP DREAMING!!!! You will not help anyone out of the org by being an elder. Though a few on this site give examples of some elder managing to get there family out - this is very very rare. You will now find it more difficult to live the double life. I was an elder, realised it was not the truth and from then on it was totally frustrating. The only honourable thing I could do was step down as an elder. If staying an elder could help in getting family out we would have all done it, but, this site is full of ex elders.
It is worthy to note that if you are found out you will be disfellowshipped real quick, when you possibly could have faded and kept contact with family.
You mention the questions elders ask you before they appoint you. The child abuse question is old news - its been on the internet for years.
One of the other questions is along the lines of - Is their anything in your personal life that would disqualify you? You clearly had to dodge this one by not telling the truth, you cant possibly feel good about that!!!!!!
Anyway, all the best for the future and I hope you acheive what it is you are planning.
The scotsman.
the latest video from watchtower comments - this one is superb - dedicated fully to the memorial celebration.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbyzo_gy9tc.
the scotsman.
.
The latest video from Watchtower comments - this one is superb - dedicated fully to the Memorial celebration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbyZO_Gy9tc
The Scotsman
but i will now try harder than ever......................oompa
oompa -
Why do we fall?
So we can learn to pick ourselves up.
the bible students taught that christs return in 1914, would be preceded by an invisible presence from 1874.. when these prophecies failed, judge rutherford revised the teachings, and said that christs return in 1914 was also invisible, and that the world had ended (invisibly!!
) in 1914. hence "the world has ended - millions now living will never die" talk.. even when we were studying in 1969, we were taught that christ had already come.. in 1993 the district a$$embly talks gave new interpretations of mark 13, luke 21, and matt 24, and said that many of the features we had been told applied from 1914 were actually still in the future.
this meant that he could not have come in 1914.. christ did not sit down on his glorious throne in 1914. hence noolite on the sheep and goats parable.. people "faint out of fear" was not at the threat of nuclear annihilation, but terror at the "celestial phenomena" (glorified fireworks, actually) let off by jehoobie to terrorize those who had not bought the witchtower.. now we see it in black and white:.
The sad thing is that it does not matter what the org say - the programmed minds of rank and file JWs will just rationalise the changes.
Even if it is such a major change as moving the significance of 1914.
Though what I would say is, if any in the org are feeling some doubts and are not sure about the WTBTS then a major change like this may just get them thinking.
I also agree with many comments on this board - a change to 1914 is inevitable.
that's right guys.
as i told you before, they boe have been considering me for the eldership.
which i don't care for, but since my family is stuck in this cult, i guess i can use the new position to help them see that the holy spirit has nothing to do with me being an elder.
Scotsman said - "Hypocrisy is a human trait, and we all engage in it to differing degrees"
This is an absolute truth.
ps - do not ever accuse me of watchtower speak!!! lol
THE Scotsman
that's right guys.
as i told you before, they boe have been considering me for the eldership.
which i don't care for, but since my family is stuck in this cult, i guess i can use the new position to help them see that the holy spirit has nothing to do with me being an elder.
Scotsman - you said - he'll be a hypocrite, big deal
BIG DEAL????????????
My God man, we want to remove the old WT traits not pursue them. To become an elder OOTB will need to lie about and hide who he really is.
Would we want our friends to be liars and cheats? Of course not.
And please explain - why am I "a fader" a hypocrite?
THE scotsman
that's right guys.
as i told you before, they boe have been considering me for the eldership.
which i don't care for, but since my family is stuck in this cult, i guess i can use the new position to help them see that the holy spirit has nothing to do with me being an elder.
AK-Jeff
You say this - "If a sister came to me and told me she had been raped by an elder in the congregation I would advise her to call the police first, seek counselling, and find the help she needed to deal with the matter properly. If a teen came to me and admitted that he/she was involved in masturbation, I would tell them that this is a normal thing, and to quit feeling guilty. You get the point.
I can assure you that you would be removed as an elder faster than a nuns first curry if you said anything like that. Not that I disagree with what you say - you are absolutely right. But the org would not agree. Elders need to toe the line, some may be as flexible as much as they can be, but their is not much room for that.
I just think that outofthebox would totally regret taking the position. In the end I found it so frustrating.
