Posted by Amazing [Anointed] on November 24, 1999 at 15:21:42 {BlpRHB6gpc/CPYT8orz2ASIIcexUto}:
In Reply to: *To Active Elders posted by Answer on November 24, 1999 at 14:12:38:
Answer: You are correct in that many cases are handled in a more positive way. I mentioned this in some of my comments to Camryn in an earlier post. I found his experience to be unusual given the time frame of 1978.
I have personally known many fine Elders who have for one reason or another changed to being an MS or resigning all responsibility completely. Later on many have resumed serving as Elders. In those cases the Body of Elders displayed a very loving attitude.
You are correct in that it can be done very quickly. Although the formal / official change will not really happen until the CO makes the next visit. At that time he will send in the form with the recommended appointments, deletions, and modifications. The change from Elder to MS is often done in practice immediatly.
I do not believe that the less than 'positive' experiences given here today are intended as unfair mudslinging. They represent to me another common phenomenon going on that many JWs and Elders may not be aware of or be willing to admit.
Some of the problems are dependant on the personality of the specific congregation. I have served in 9 different congregations as Elder and MS. I have been blessed to mostly enjoy the more flexible and rational types.
Two of the congregations I served in, the Elders seemed very rigid and at times over-zealous in thier application of the Society's instructions. Sometimes they just invented their own rules. Some did not seem to care about the impact on the individual. Others at times exhibited shear ignorance and immaturity.
Simply Amazing