Posted by proplog2 [proplog2] on October 23, 1999 at 20:12:48 {Fflr7qpqSg0hi4VK0MIQlJ4aSwVkqg}:
Allow me to be the "Greater Jethro" for a moment.
How can the Watchtower change? Their strength lies in their
publishing powers. They ought to use this strength for the
upbuilding of everyone. They ought to see themselves as providing
the educational and informational tools for the self-governing of
the various congregations. This could be accomplished by producing
one really slick magazine for public consumption. They could also
begin to buy television time and generate interest more
efficiently. People who respond to the television shows could be
contacted by skilled local representatives. Field service could
still be carried out periodically in the form of campaigns to get
pointed messages to the public.
They also need to start a journal of open discussion. This would
not be a journal for any wacko to get exposure. It would be based
on questions that get handed up from the local congregations.
Questions that can't be answered locally would be passed to a
higher level. The goal would be for matters to be debated openly
using standards that are used in other areas of scholarly research.
True some local congregations would fail to pass a question up the
chain because they feel it lacks sufficient merit. But if a
question is really significant it will be raised somewhere and upon
review be passed up to a higher level. This process would utilize
all 6,000,000 members of the household of faith.
No change, including "blood transfusion" issues would be made until
the subject was thoroughly discussed. The overriding goal would
still be unity of thought. Unity of thought comes through open
discussion. The flood gates of creativity would be opened and
people would truly regain their self-trust. The organization would
literally blossom with Greg Staffords who, given a chance, would be
able to defend what is really true and right. This would not be
democracy. It would not be rule of the majority. It would be the
rule of reason.
The "governing body" would become a board of facilitators or
referees who would coordinate this activity on a world wide basis.
They could continue to supply traveling teachers and even
certifying specific local representatives as teachers who would not
necessarily control things but would be available to render
assistance. Intensive educational courses could be expanded and
made available to anyone who wants to advance their personal
knowledge. Large gatherings could be sponsored for everyone's
mutual benefit.
The organization is way too
big to be "governed" by some central authority.
Each congregation would design their own programs or use those
suggested by the "board of facilitators". The format of discussions
would be selected by local directors.
The effect would be a maturing of all the brothers.
Very few
people would feel alienated by this structure. It maintains
hierarchy but removes the lethal authoritarian aspects. Rather
than having just a few people making stupid mistakes we allow all
6,000,000 members to make stupid mistakes. Guess what. There will
be a lot fewer mistakes.
Unless something along the lines I describe here are implemented
JW's are doomed.