Posts by Fernando

posted

8
What is the Biblical Leadership Model for Christian Communities?
by fulltimestudent in
1. watchtower
2. bible
nb: i'm using the word 'community' in lieu of the word 'church' or congregation.. --------------.

i know what i used to believe about organisational leadership in a community of christians.

1 timothy ch.3 was firmly fixed in my mind.
Fernando

This is admittedly a challenging topic humans have grappled with since the beginning of our history.

Autonomy vs control.

Leadership vs management.

www.greenleaf.org paints a clear and compelling picture of authentic leadership.

http://www.gore.com/en_xx/aboutus/culture/ shows there are other ways than hierarchical command and control systems.

Our idolatrous materialistic passions impede us from understanding transcendent Biblical Leadership which would otherwise be clear.

No carnal human authority over other humans.

Humans are semi-autonomous beings designed with an internal guidance system comprising heart, mind, spirit and conscience.

These work best when we seek and find God on his terms via the liberating gospel of grace.

We are to be led internally, organically and authentically by the spirit and not the letter.

Law vs grace.

Faith vs works.

Legalism is apostasy.

Moralism is apostasy.
26
Been asked to share my experience at church!!
by quellycatface in
1. jw
2. friends
my vicar asked me if i and another lady would like to say a few words about our faith journey.. she said my story was a particular powerful one, what with the da'ing and subsequent shunning.

i can also choose a hymn or christian song.. i was thinking of romans 8:38, 39 to highlight the shunning and the other scripture ne of how true christians will be indentified, if they have love among themselves etc.

i need to look that one up exactly.. any ideas for content for further content??.
Fernando

Maybe you could ask how members share the gospel of grace with those who come knocking?

All one need do is ask a simple question:

"What is the gospel in one word?"

That is exactly how our family found "the truth of the Good News" and left the lie.
60
Goodbye JW net
by snare&racket in
1. jw
2. friends
forgive me for indulging in a goodbye but it would feel wrong not to,.

i hope the discussions and atmosphere here do not change for it is a bubbling brew of doubt, bravery and sincere hunger for answers.

these are healthy ingrediants for humans and especially for a jehovah's witness.. this forum offers not just the ability to ask without consequence, but it also offers the means to be real.
Fernando

Thanks for sharing a glimpse into what is possible when we commit and put our minds to it, Dr Snare.

My you be granted the wisdom to always be kind, compassionate, and to make an authentic difference in those many lives you will touch.

Greetings

Fernando
52
reading COC for the first time
by This is my tigersuit in
1. jw
2. experiences
Fernando

Welcome This is my tigersuit!

I believe shock is one of the emotions that are common to the awakening process for many.

It is a rollercoaster ride.

There might be anger and related emotions.

All in all it is a process of transformation. It is not an event. One can't simply "get over it".

It can also be painful when giving birth to something better.

New found freedom can also be initially confusing.

Professional help from a good Psychologist (who does not push addictive and synthetic psychoactive drugs) can smooth and aid the process greatly.

Best wishes on the journey.

Holler out via PM if I can be of any help.

Greetings

Fernando

SEQ, Australia

ex since mid-2009
32
Hello and Thank You!
by Vintagewife in
1. jw
2. friends
i've been lurking here for about 3 months and decided it was time to register and become active.

i left the organization 17 years ago.

like so many of you, i had endured less than christian behavior from the strong cliches that ran our congregation.
Fernando

Welcome Vintagewife!

Bizarre is a Watchtower trademark.

Billions might not care or believe you, but we do since we've been there.

Greetings

Fernando

SEQ, Australia
13
" Why did you leave the truth?", and, "will you come back ?"
by Phizzy in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
when in conversation with jw's those questions, or varients of them, often come up.

i have noticed though, that because of their fear of any challenge to their faith, they do not wish to hear the answers, so i have developed an answer which at least i hope accomplishes a couple of things.. what i say to the first question (why did you leave ?

) is "because i am a lover of truth", to the second,( will i come back ?
Fernando

Great responses I believe Phizzy, especially since as you say they generally are not (yet) ready to hear, but are at least put on notice, and know they are welcome to return when ready.
60
The hardship of being a gay Jehovahs witness.
by truthwillsetyoufree in
1. jw
2. experiences
please spare a moment to consider the difiiculties faced by gay jehovahs witnesses.

i was raised and baptised as a very serious jw.

every waking moment of my day was lived for jehovahs and his organization and for nothing else.
Fernando

Welcome truthwillsetyoufree!

Congratulations on being free of this destructive cult and its apostate moralism and apostate legalism.

Here on JWN you're among friends who care and understand.

I pray for you to find greater peace and stability as well as a good life partner.

Anyone interested in an alternative (gay friendly) scriptural perspective may be interested in:

http://biblehouseofgrace.com/same%20sex%20relationships.html

Best wishes on your journey and your stay here on JWN.

Greetings

Fernando
4
Evangelical Science
by Earnest in
1. social
2. humour
.
Fernando

Yup, Watchtower proselytism (promoting religion) sure gives evangelism (promoting the liberating gospel message) a bad name.

Of course "evangelicals" often do the same.
35
Dilemma
by Gorbatchov in
1. jw
2. friends
gorby and his lovely wife had during dinner a chat about watchtower hypocrisy.

she faded with me since 2007 and shows sometimes affection for the organization.. we talked about the gb and ray franz.. she asked me if she could read my ray franz books.. now i have a dilemma.

the books gave me a hard time in the '90.. i know the ray franz truth can hurt and shock her so much.
Fernando

Hey Gorbatchov!

Personally I think reading ISoCF first may soften the blow.

Maybe you could suggest your wife read the article on "legalism" in the wt library first, and ask then her opinion?

It reads like a summary of ISoCF.

Maybe you could also ask your wife her thoughts on:

"Is legalism apostasy?"

"What is the opposite of legalism?"
44
Where to go from here...
by Patrickday in
1. social
2. relationships
i'm new around here, but i've been browsing the site the last few days in hopes of finding the answer to the situation i've been going through, so hopefully you can help me.

i met this girl in highschool, but never really spoke with her until about a year after i graduated.

she's three years younger (however it's legal where i'm from, don't fret) and still a teenager.
Fernando

Welcome Vivere!

Thank you for sharing your powerful story.

You have a great way of explaining something that, although common in Watchtower land, is still a rather complex topic.

And I'm delighted it worked out for you end the end.

And saddened of course for the many who've known only misery.

Greetings

Fernando