Stepping down as an elder

noname

Well-known member
Hi Sutterhome
I am in the same position as you.
I was going to step down a couple of weeks ago when the school mandate came out here in Aus.

My wife has talked me out of it for now.
Partly to save face and because of the affect on the smallish cong we are in.

My thinking for now is once you step down you lose opportunities to give talks or make comments that actually refresh and encourage.

Things that counter the negative propaganda in the assigned material.

For example the WT study this week is about hope, but no mention is made of the ransom.

Instead Jehovah is portrayed as a god that needs to be pleased as if he will get angry if we don't go out in the ministry (see paragraph 10)

It's no wonder the brothers feel negative about themselves.

We have been taught that exercising faith means works, but we exercise faith in our hearts, it's called believing.

Every week there is something you can say to counter their guilt propaganda.

I know so many brothers and sisters that are now motivated by guilt, it's criminal.
Yes there is a definite guilt motivation. It was by the fire and brimstone of Armageddon we had to attend each meeting until 2020 and all of sudden it wasn’t necessary anymore. Then it was by the fire of Armageddon we have ours cameras turned on during the zooms. It’s a very good tactic for a religion. Scare tactics never fail with controlling the masses.
land on the WT article they did a similar thing the week before in paragraph 18, all of a sudden our ministry became the ministry “Rather than carry out the ministry in our own way, we try to follow the suggestions we have been given”
now they are attempting to take away the freedom of expression in the ministry.
anyway thanks for sharing your story. It’s nice to hear from other active witnesses.
 

noname

Well-known member
It also helps knowing you aren't alone.

Things might develop as time goes on forcing us to step down.

But in the meantime we don't want them to beat us
Yea and I don’t think many account for the practical help you can give within a congregation, the Congregation gives us a opportunity to serve others in our community. I think we will be counting on a strong community during the great tribulation.
 

noname

Well-known member
Good afternoon,
As we enter 2023, I have made the decision to step down as an elder here in New York, upstate.

The last 3 years have opened my eyes, with the nail in the coffin being the "vaccine is a gift of Jehovah" and "land of the living" lie. We all know this experimental gene therapy is poison and part of something much more evil. (at best, money; at worst, satanic depopulation) To hear the GB push it told us that they are not speaking to Jehovah.

At first(summer 2020), my wife and I said that they just probably get their info from CNN and the CDC, which we all know are corrupt. They are just naive and dont know any better. But then it became apparent, that they DO know. All those "covid deaths" reported in the broadcasts were fear mongering lies.

They also went from "Zoom is an amazing privilege" to "elders, dont use zoom anymore" because the scamdemic is now "over".

Our field service groups now consist of people driving around to RVs who dont answer for hours or sitting at a cart with zero visitors. Doesnt feel right at all.

To tell pure bloods to essentially not reach out is disgusting and wrong. To even ask your vaccine staus is criminal. The brothers in our hall are good men, but they are all rule followers. They enjoy the title/status and will not go against anything from "mother." (Cringed typing that)
95% of the congregation is jabbed up and beyond reason.

Sorry for the rant. Here is my question:

For those with experience, what is the best way to word the resignation? I dont want to be talked out of it and also dont want to cause divisions.
I KNOW that we have the truth on the vaccines as we spent years researching. But all of our best friends/family are JWs and wish not to cause conflict.

SH
I agree with your post here . All those things bothered me the same. And I witnessed all the same.
its very encouraging to hear and see their are elders that have eyes to see and ears to hear.
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
I shall henceforth be participating from the cupboard under the stairs wearing my war-time tin hat. I set up the shelter last February when all this kicked off and I have a kettle, tea and sugar ready, ear-plugs in case it gets noisy and an umbrella in case Putin blows the roof off the house. As I am pretty much on the flight path of any USA bound fireworks from Russia I’ll let you know and likewise the brothers in Russia if you guys in America bat one back. All under control here. Bring it on.
 

kenmuldoon55

Well-known member
Elder here, wouldn’t recommend that. They will shut the sound off on you pretty quick and usher you off- will probably traumatize some in the cong, and it Will be spun against you. If your cong is like mine, Sanderson could walk on stage and kick the speaker in the groin and most would say “look! A gift from Jehovah”. Most are so blind, misled, and clueless. It is better to go with dignity. Ug just try to read a post or two over at JWTalk, that’s how most are here🤮
As Zechariah 13 foretells, the third of Gods people who repent and survive to Armageddon do so on account of going through the refining fires Jehovah subjects them to during the great tribulation and not rebuke from a Kingdom Hall lectern.
Besides, as you point out, the clip below depicts the fate of such an outspoken person:

 
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Bruce

Active member
Yes there is a definite guilt motivation. It was by the fire and brimstone of Armageddon we had to attend each meeting until 2020 and all of sudden it wasn’t necessary anymore. Then it was by the fire of Armageddon we have ours cameras turned on during the zooms. It’s a very good tactic for a religion. Scare tactics never fail with controlling the masses.
land on the WT article they did a similar thing the week before in paragraph 18, all of a sudden our ministry became the ministry “Rather than carry out the ministry in our own way, we try to follow the suggestions we have been given”
now they are attempting to take away the freedom of expression in the ministry.
anyway thanks for sharing your story. It’s nice to hear from other active witnesses.
That's one good reason to work on your own in the ministry 😉
 

BagdadBill

Well-known member
I shall henceforth be participating from the cupboard under the stairs wearing my war-time tin hat. I set up the shelter last February when all this kicked off and I have a kettle, tea and sugar ready, ear-plugs in case it gets noisy and an umbrella in case Putin blows the roof off the house. As I am pretty much on the flight path of any USA bound fireworks from Russia I’ll let you know and likewise the brothers in Russia if you guys in America bat one back. All under control here. Bring it on.
I'm up the road from a navy training base. Ain't we got fun. If you see anyone glowing in the dark that's just me.
 

BagdadBill

Well-known member
Here is something that bounces around the vacant spaces in my brain. I think and believe that maybe only a few JW don't have a decent understanding of prophecy to come. We read it again and again because that is what we await, patiently as it happens just as God said it would. As scripture seems to be unfolding before our eyes, this thing we and many other generations have waited for, doesn't it seem strange to be seeing it in our time? Cursed and privileged for the same reason. I have said it before. This is a one time through and it won't happen again. Everyone who lives or perhaps even murdered (sorry for the reality check) by this wicked system will have amazing stories to tell. I would imagine about 1000 years worth. Sorry if I am annoying anyone. Just these thoughts as we get closer.
 

mts

Well-known member
I am tempted and seriously planning to write a well written letter with strong arguments regarding the GB's v@x stance and requirement. Have experience writing papers where have to substantiate arguments with clear evidence (Heb 11:1). It would refute the letter shared here along with many of their other updates and statements. It may take months to write; nonetheless, may be worth having on-hand if forced to let go of certain privileges due to not being 💉.
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
In my opinion being instantly turned into nuclear ash would be the best way to die.
Unfortunately I live nowhere near any strategic targets.
Come and move into the cupboard under the stairs in my house Ken. You can watch the missiles fly by on their way to London and we can make toast in front of the nuclear flash and maybe fry a steak or two. Bring a hat in case there is any fall-out.
 

Ms_ladyblue

Well-known member
Come and move into the cupboard under the stairs in my house Ken. You can watch the missiles fly by on their way to London and we can make toast in front of the nuclear flash and maybe fry a steak or two. Bring a hat in case there is any fall-out.
BTD Don’t forget the masks! Wouldn’t want to breathe in any nuclear fallout huh? 😵‍💫 😮‍💨 🤪 😷
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
BTD Don’t forget the masks! Wouldn’t want to breathe in any nuclear fallout huh? 😵‍💫 😮‍💨 🤪 😷
We thrive on nuclear fallout here, I am only forty miles away (or less as the crow flys) from one of our decaying nuclear power stations - owned by France of course so probably not much better looked after than one of their unspeakable street toilets that they have in Paris. They are truly frightening - the stuff of nightmares.
 
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