AlexB, I do hear what you are saying. But I think the membership has shifted..... this congregation used to have 120 publishers, mostly hard working families with a bit of property, interests, extended family in the "truth", etc. Now it might be 60 people, older ones and ones on disability, etc. Stubborn ones that will die a JW because they've always been one. The town is growing (and SEVERAL new churches are being built) but the congregation is shrinking. I agree there will always be people who fall for scams and high control groups, but they can't even get a decent sized group together to fix up the hall and mow the grass these days. People just don't feel connected enough to care.
So if the GB doesn't add something attractive to what's on offer (you can't even have a companionable chat, a drink and a piece of cake after any of the meetings anymore) then people can find that and more at the church down the street.