Age for Elders

Isn't that what a ministerial servant does?
I have no idea what the difference is between a MS and an elder. I just know there are some who never reach out past being a MS, so I assume the responsibilities are different. For instance, does a MS sit in on elder meetings? Do they counsel people?
 
I'm on to something here....I just realized there is another similarity with the "generation" fiasco.....I'm seeing a trend here!!!

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Like "The Generation That Will Not Pass Away", the actual "Elders" have in fact "passed away", by actually dying or they left! No problem, we'll just change what those words actually mean. I mean not really, but the R&F will believe it...well most of them any way!
 
We are concerned about all the negative news about the untested and dangerous vax. We would like to know why the governing body recommended it and said it was from Jehovah.
Ooh really? How did they react to that??!!
 
I have no idea what the difference is between a MS and an elder. I just know there are some who never reach out past being a MS, so I assume the responsibilities are different. For instance, does a MS sit in on elder meetings? Do they counsel people?
No I don't believe they sit in elders meetings but yes non elders do counsel. Sisters council sisters and older sisters council younger brothers. I received a lot of counsel from sisters. A good elder will help groom an ms that wants to reach out to be an elder.
 
I have no idea what the difference is between a MS and an elder. I just know there are some who never reach out past being a MS, so I assume the responsibilities are different. For instance, does a MS sit in on elder meetings? Do they counsel people?
IF you fit into the "elite" club, or if you are related to the right person...
 
I have no idea what the difference is between a MS and an elder. I just know there are some who never reach out past being a MS, so I assume the responsibilities are different. For instance, does a MS sit in on elder meetings? Do they counsel people?
A MS is a gopher, they don't sit in elders meetings..
 
No I don't believe they sit in elders meetings but yes non elders do counsel. Sisters council sisters and older sisters council younger brothers. I received a lot of counsel from sisters. A good elder will help groom an ms that wants to reach out to be an elder.
Every man and his wife counseled ME 🥴 over the minutest things and over standing up for Jehovah 🙄 I got counseled by an elder for taking my kids to play on the 2p machines in the seaside amusements in school holidays, I got counseled (from other sisters) for allowing my kids to all choose a school friend to invite to the parties I used to do for them (it was majority of witness kids, small minority of those evil worldly kids 🙃) I got counseled by an elder for taking elderly sisters to the assemblies because they weren't in "my" congregation, I got counseled by a MS for having the audacity to say I didn't want to watch a film they were watching, it was a very violent horror film and there were 8 kids in the room with us too 😤 honestly, I could write a book!! I'm eternally grateful for Zoom, 🤭
 
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Every man and his wife counseled ME 🥴 over the minutest things and over standing up for Jehovah 🙄 I got counseled by an elderly for taking my kids to play on the 2p machines in the seaside amusements in school holidays, I got counseled (from other sisters) for allowing my kids to all choose a school friend to invite to the parties I used to do for them (it was majority of witness kids, small minority of those evil worldly kids 🙃) I got counseled by an elder for taking elderly sisters to the assemblies because they weren't in "my" congregation, I got counseled by a MS for having the audacity to say I didn't want to watch a film they were watching, it was a very violent horror film and there were 8 kids in the room with us too 😤 honestly, I could write a book!! I'm eternally grateful for Zoom, 🤭
Maybe in your case, a 21-year-old "elder" might give more sensible counsel. :p
 
They didn’t know what to say. Acknowledged it ,and changed the subject. It felt good from our side though, we didn’t evade the subject, but calmly made our point.
Brilliant! Even so, a "real" elder would have done his job properly, and asked questions in order to understand you to be able to help you..
 
I was going to avoid this thread but I can't help myself. Let me think back to 21. Twenty one was a fun age for me. Nowhere close to adult.. Smoking dope, trying desperately to do what the world does and look like the world does because you're young and that's what young people do. It's a great age and a terrible one at the same time. You have the energy that I wish I still had. If I had that energy and somewhat tempered brains to handle it! Oh the work I could do. With some age, I wouldn't squander it on the stupid like I did when I was young. Right now I think I would become an expert farmer and water conservationist.
As a young man if I could just stop thinking about that one thing that young people think about, I might find that there are other things to think about, and do. Youth is such a pitiful time to watch from older eyes. I am older but not so sure about any wiser. Jehovah is wise. I don't know if anyone will recall but I mentioned before that I am a former Mormon. Yes, it is strange even among the LDS to call a young man, elder. It's one of those, don't ask things. They don't and I didn't. The Elder thing goes way back to Brigham Young and that's all I know. Most people associate Mormonism with Joseph Smith but Young was their Rutherford if that makes sense.
I know a lot of evil about the LDS so I will stop there. Another topic for another day.
I happen to know that quite a few of our number are former LDS, or LSD if you prefer. Jehovah's Witnesses was the next logical step for me. What I don't get is how they intend to explain using mere boys as shepherds. If I need to move something heavy, I know to beg some young fellas to help an old man out. I didn't mean to get old. It just creeps up on you. I used to feel bad about asking the younger men to help but no more. I helped when I was their age so guilt begone!
When it comes to matter of wisdom though, now I feel awkward to explain to a young man what he will think and experience as time goes on.
Jehovah invented time for our benefit. It gives us reference points and we do need them. Time to Jehovah is like gasoline to an eagle. As time goes on there are certain expectations we have of those around us, yes? Maybe for men, there is a two edged sword. Expected to act like men but pushed back if we try to take too much too soon, according to our time law constraints.

So now in the congregation there is this new expectation that we outgrow our youth a little too soon. We have needs so now you will be expected to have the wisdom of an older man even though you haven't been, kicked in the teeth, betrayed by a brother, seen the real corrupt world as Jehovah sees it.
Am I speaking Chinese here? I don't wish that pressure on anyone and I forgive any arrogant pup that temptation to take hold the reigns of shepherding. Woe to the shepherds. I think that is Jeremiah?
 
While I generally agree that it's pretty ridiculous to appoint all these young "elders", I wonder how old Elihu was. They are probably basing this idea on him. And Timothy.
I was thinking the same thing as I listened to Job yesterday.
 
I was going to avoid this thread but I can't help myself. Let me think back to 21. Twenty one was a fun age for me. Nowhere close to adult.. Smoking dope, trying desperately to do what the world does and look like the world does because you're young and that's what young people do. It's a great age and a terrible one at the same time. You have the energy that I wish I still had. If I had that energy and somewhat tempered brains to handle it! Oh the work I could do. With some age, I wouldn't squander it on the stupid like I did when I was young. Right now I think I would become an expert farmer and water conservationist.
As a young man if I could just stop thinking about that one thing that young people think about, I might find that there are other things to think about, and do. Youth is such a pitiful time to watch from older eyes. I am older but not so sure about any wiser. Jehovah is wise. I don't know if anyone will recall but I mentioned before that I am a former Mormon. Yes, it is strange even among the LDS to call a young man, elder. It's one of those, don't ask things. They don't and I didn't. The Elder thing goes way back to Brigham Young and that's all I know. Most people associate Mormonism with Joseph Smith but Young was their Rutherford if that makes sense.
I know a lot of evil about the LDS so I will stop there. Another topic for another day.
I happen to know that quite a few of our number are former LDS, or LSD if you prefer. Jehovah's Witnesses was the next logical step for me. What I don't get is how they intend to explain using mere boys as shepherds. If I need to move something heavy, I know to beg some young fellas to help an old man out. I didn't mean to get old. It just creeps up on you. I used to feel bad about asking the younger men to help but no more. I helped when I was their age so guilt begone!
When it comes to matter of wisdom though, now I feel awkward to explain to a young man what he will think and experience as time goes on.
Jehovah invented time for our benefit. It gives us reference points and we do need them. Time to Jehovah is like gasoline to an eagle. As time goes on there are certain expectations we have of those around us, yes? Maybe for men, there is a two edged sword. Expected to act like men but pushed back if we try to take too much too soon, according to our time law constraints.

So now in the congregation there is this new expectation that we outgrow our youth a little too soon. We have needs so now you will be expected to have the wisdom of an older man even though you haven't been, kicked in the teeth, betrayed by a brother, seen the real corrupt world as Jehovah sees it.
Am I speaking Chinese here? I don't wish that pressure on anyone and I forgive any arrogant pup that temptation to take hold the reigns of shepherding. Woe to the shepherds. I think that is Jeremiah?
You used to be a Mormon Bill? Wow, interesting 😃 it's funny how we witnesses used to laugh and joke about the young Mormon lads roaming around over here in the UK with "elder" written on their name badge. We really did used to joke about it, as if it was a ridiculous idea..
 
While I generally agree that it's pretty ridiculous to appoint all these young "elders", I wonder how old Elihu was. They are probably basing this idea on him. And Timothy.
I don't know, but I do know that Moses was about 80 when Jehovah made him a leader? Was he about 80? 🤔
 
Exactly, that's what I meant to say, you put it better. I'd take advice off of a 21yr old, about which mobile phone has the better camera, or which social media app is a good one to use for marketing your business etc But, me personally, I wouldn't ask for advice about the real problems in life like marriage, bringing up kids etc
The problem with me is that even if I were to ask a 21 year old for advice about phones etc, I wouldn’t understand it. Seriously though, most young people honoured with seniority of a sort such as this are full of what they want to achieve. They don’t listen in their eagerness to appear wise and supportive, to fill the role. I had one such example handed me on a plate by a young witness of about 21 years. His family were all pioneers and well respected in the congregation. They were all “very mature” and well spoken, but the boys were also very full of themselves. My then wife was in hospital with breast cancer and he came to “visit” (encourage, I suppose) and asked me how she was. I replied that she “had about three months” we had just been told. He said, quote, “Oh that will soon pass.” I replied “To live, not to stay in hospital.” He left. As to support from appointed elders, not one came to visit my wife or myself. They had no mental or spiritual tools with which to help over the whole 27 months of her decline. Neither did any of the brethren. I’m not complaining. Few know what to say or do, and neither would I expect them to, but that does not excuse the total lack of insight into the mechanics of faith and in the attributes of the spirit which could have given great comfort and hope. This is the outcome of the superficial depths of faith generated from the “channel” at bethel. It’s an administration, not the voice of Jehovah. It has a purpose to disseminate the truth, and it did, for those who could “make it their own”, but they by no means own it themselves. That’s why when those that wake up will leave. It is up to all of us to make the truth our own. If we do, surprisingly, we can “hear” what is spoken to us. Slaves know their master. Rarely does the master over them. know his slaves. I think the “channel” are a fine example of that.
 
Yes, but he couldn’t help us because we spoke truth. They know it. It’s a stalemate.
Thanks for putting this experience up anyway, it's very telling. It also makes me realise even more that I don't want to be close to people who blindly follow men rather than stick close to Jehovah, so I really can't see me ever going back to the kingdom hall. Whereas most people on this forum are the opposite. From what I've seen so far, they're not afraid to take a stand for Jehovah. This forum is a great relief for me. It really is ❤️
 
The problem with me is that even if I were to ask a 21 year old for advice about phones etc, I wouldn’t understand it. Seriously though, most young people honoured with seniority of a sort such as this are full of what they want to achieve. They don’t listen in their eagerness to appear wise and supportive, to fill the role. I had one such example handed me on a plate by a young witness of about 21 years. His family were all pioneers and well respected in the congregation. They were all “very mature” and well spoken, but the boys were also very full of themselves. My then wife was in hospital with breast cancer and he came to “visit” (encourage, I suppose) and asked me how she was. I replied that she “had about three months” we had just been told. He said, quote, “Oh that will soon pass.” I replied “To live, not to stay in hospital.” He left. As to support from appointed elders, not one came to visit my wife or myself. They had no mental or spiritual tools with which to help over the whole 27 months of her decline. Neither did any of the brethren. I’m not complaining. Few know what to say or do, and neither would I expect them to, but that does not excuse the total lack of insight into the mechanics of faith and in the attributes of the spirit which could have given great comfort and hope. This is the outcome of the superficial depths of faith generated from the “channel” at bethel. It’s an administration, not the voice of Jehovah. It has a purpose to disseminate the truth, and it did, for those who could “make it their own”, but they by no means own it themselves. That’s why when those that wake up will leave. It is up to all of us to make the truth our own. If we do, surprisingly, we can “hear” what is spoken to us. Slaves know their master. Rarely does the master over them. know his slaves. I think the “channel” are a fine example of that.
Ah that's a sad story Barney 😔 you're right about some people's faith being superficial. Many times over my years in Jah's org I've seen that lots of so called brothers and sisters don't even believe Jehovah can see and hear us. I've always been a great believer in the fact that Jehovah uses non witnesses to help us too. That statement would be shocking to many witnesses but it's true, I've personally experienced it many times. James said ALL good things come from Jehovah 😍 and I wouldn't mind betting that even though your present wife isn't one of Jehovah's witnesses, that she is a gift to you from Jehovah anyway ☺️
 
Ah that's a sad story Barney 😔 you're right about some people's faith being superficial. Many times over my years in Jah's org I've seen that lots of so called brothers and sisters don't even believe Jehovah can see and hear us. I've always been a great believer in the fact that Jehovah uses non witnesses to help us too. That statement would be shocking to many witnesses but it's true, I've personally experienced it many times. James said ALL good things come from Jehovah 😍 and I wouldn't mind betting that even though your present wife isn't one of Jehovah's witnesses, that she is a gift to you from Jehovah anyway ☺️
That’s my opinion too. Thanks. ❤️
 
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