Posted by deckhand [deckhand] on November 25, 1999 at 01:24:15 {yaNwUlwC5cfmCrDWrg/.sIXxWBqUkU}:
In Reply to: *Have any of you ever..... posted by Sincere on November 24, 1999 at 19:54:10:
Thanks, sincere...
actually, I did not write a letter - I just had a conversation with two elders who are close friends. I am in an unusual situation in as much as I serve in an English speaking group within an Italian congregation in Italy. The elders that make up part of the group are very loving and sincere - real shepherds - whilst the elders in the Italian congregation tend to display some of the less desirable qualities for appointed men.
Since my resignation is due to various doubts that I have (and they really are just doubts - I am aware that I may be wrong, I just am no longer as convinced as I used to be about certain things) the elders decided to discreetly explain to the Italian elders that I wished to be removed because I was finding the responsabilities as a servant to be a weight and my field ministry has become practically non-existent. In the meantime they have visited me a couple of times to try to resolve my doubts. Frankly, although I appreciate what they are doing, they have just deepened the doubts that I have rather than uprooting them. My point, though, is this: Since the resignation is MY decision, why can't it just be announced and the Society and the C.O be INFORMED of my decision. I do not understand why such a simple matter should take so long. I do not think for a moment that something "sinister" is going on, but neither do I understand what IS going on.
Anyway, thanks again for your post, it is good to hear from others who have been through similar problems, and I both appreciated and understood your advice to be careful about what I say and to whom I say it.