2022 Governing Body Update #3

[Michał]

27 minutes ago, jwhess said:

It does remind us all to check the JW.ORG at least daily if not more often (and/or our JW Library app).  During my Field Service program this morning, one of the sisters says she doesn't really check the web-site even weekly unless I send the group a text about changes and updates...😃

Bery true. Maybe brothers are working on push notifications? That would be helpful too. 

[Parale]

47 minutes ago, jwhess said:

one of the sisters says she doesn't really check the web-site even weekly unless I send the group a text about changes and updates

I've always suspected that that is likely a majority view... and would perhaps explain why the Governing Body realises that the 'Governing Body Updates' need to be played at the KHs a few weeks after being released online.... because actually the majority, or at least, a significant minority, of brothers and sisters have probably not watched it??.... Remember also the Update videos are simply played, there is no added discussion or Q&A, unlike for example last week's video All Trials Have an Expiration Date which was originally part of the May 2020 JW Monthly Broadcast.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by Parale

[Dhanyel]

I check the site about 15 times a day, when I'm attacked I check it like 30 times 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Susan Cook]

6 minutes ago, Jonadab said:

I check the site about 15 times a day, when I'm attacked I check it like 30 times 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by Susan Cook

[Susan Cook]

😂 

[Sofia]

41 minutes ago, Jonadab said:

I check the site about 15 times a day, when I'm attacked I check it like 30 times 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

You are addicted 😂

[Tortuga]

43 minutes ago, Jonadab said:

I check the site about 15 times a day, when I'm attacked I check it like 30 times 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Slacker....

[Saffron]

6 hours ago, jwhess said:

one of the sisters says she doesn't really check the web-site even weekly unless I send the group a text about changes and updates...😃

I once heard someone say to a group of people that they did not bother to watch the monthly broadcasts, adding that it wasn't a sin to skip them either.  Alrighty then. 

 

It's still a tad bit surprising to hear that there are people who don't routinely check the website. I check, but don't do it all day like I used to. I already know that if it's anything super interesting, someone here will have a whole thread going within minutes of it being posted. 😅

[Suspended in Time]

4 hours ago, Saffron said:

I once heard someone say to a group of people that they did not bother to watch the monthly broadcasts, adding that it wasn't a sin to skip them either.  Alrighty then. 

I think most of us would safely say that the appropriate thing to do is 'mark' such individuals by personally limiting our involvement with them, and move on.

 

I'm sure we all value our Faith too much to expose ourselves to this kind of thinking. If they truly could say such a thing in seriousness, they have already taken a small step in a direction where no true Christian ought to go.

 

4 hours ago, Saffron said:

It's still a tad bit surprising to hear that there are people who don't routinely check the website. I check, but don't do it all day like I used to. I already know that if it's anything super interesting, someone here will have a whole thread going within minutes of it being posted. 😅

😁

 

Feedrabbit.com or similar can be used to receive an email update whenever there is a new item posted on NEWS.JW.ORG. I really wish there was a way to do the same for the Videos.

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by Suspended in Time

[Suspended in Time]

What really stood out to me was the comments about Neutrality in the 2022 update #3, especially this one:

 

"Did you notice how they cope with the trauma of news reports? They focus on God’s Kingdom as the solution; they limit the amount of news they consume; meditate on how Jehovah has helped his servants in the past; pray frequently; and focus on the time when there will be no more war but instead lasting peace. No doubt, these same things will help us too."

 

Of course, as true Christians, we should not be taking sides in this world's conflicts, and we should be careful to avoid expressing personal views that may make it sound as if we are doing so. This is not an easy road to walk, but the above are some practical things that may help us in this regard.

 

I was reminded of this paragraph in the June 2018 Study WT (highlighting for emphasis):

 

[New World Explorer]

9 minutes ago, Suspended in Time said:

think most of us would safely say that the appropriate thing to do is 'mark' such individuals by personally limiting our involvement with them, and move on.

Wouldn’t be nice to try to help them first?, perhaps inviting them to watch broadcasts together etc 

Assisting “weak” brothers and sisters is actually Biblical responsibility (Acts 20:35)

[Suspended in Time]

18 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

Wouldn’t be nice to try to help them first?, perhaps inviting them to watch broadcasts together etc 

Assisting “weak” brothers and sisters is actually Biblical responsibility (Acts 20:35)

Agreed.

 

The safest thing to do is to leave such things up to the spiritually qualified ones who are assigned to shepherd the flock.

 

Some that I had known for a long time went down this path. I helped them all I could, but in time it became clear that trying to help them further would put my own spirituality at risk, and that they were in great danger of becoming a corrosive influence in the congregation.

 

In my experience, unfortunately, when ones have crossed the line to indicating a lack of respect for the organization, it has only gone one way (Note that I am not referring here to "wild talk" from those who became temporarily depressed. Even the faithful man Job was susceptible to that.)

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by Suspended in Time

[Susan Cook]

5 hours ago, Saffron said:

I once heard someone say to a group of people that they did not bother to watch the monthly broadcasts, adding that it wasn't a sin to skip them either.  Alrighty then. 

 

It's still a tad bit surprising to hear that there are people who don't routinely check the website. I check, but don't do it all day like I used to. I already know that if it's anything super interesting, someone here will have a whole thread going within minutes of it being posted. 😅

We may be surprised who makes it and who doesn’t……….

[hatcheckgirl]

"Not viewing the broadcast/what's new section on jw.org/supplementary articles in WT/etc"

 

Friends, I really think this borders on judging.  What does it matter if some don't?  Are we saying they are not good associates?  Do we know what their circumstances are?  (Cue: WT study this week, par 1,2, 13, 14).  Who are we to know why they don't or can't keep up?  Like was mentioned, maybe help them start to enjoy the extra feasting with us, sharing the good bits.  Let them be accountable to Jehovah alone.

 

 A bit of compassion and sensitivity please, friends.  Our weaker brothers are still sheep.

[Suspended in Time]

19 minutes ago, hatcheckgirl said:

"Not viewing the broadcast/what's new section on jw.org/supplementary articles in WT/etc"

 

Friends, I really think this borders on judging.  What does it matter if some don't?  Are we saying they are not good associates?  Do we know what their circumstances are?  (Cue: WT study this week, par 1,2, 13, 14).  Who are we to know why they don't or can't keep up?  Like was mentioned, maybe help them start to enjoy the extra feasting with us, sharing the good bits.  Let them be accountable to Jehovah alone.

 

 A bit of compassion and sensitivity please, friends.  Our weaker brothers are still sheep.

 

Yes, I agree with you, and I must apologize because the comment I made about a very specific situation does in hindsight sound a bit harsh or unkind. I also apologize for helping to turn this thread in a negative direction.

 

But in reference to that specific example mentioned, trying to help ones who are spreading such ideas around is not the responsibility of those of us who are not appointed to shepherd the congregation. But there are cases where it may be prudent for us to take measures to protect ourselves spiritually. The latest OD Book has more on this.

 

I'm probably not the only person here who finds that such attitudes (as the specific one mentioned) being spread around to groups of people sets off alarm bells. My experiences of life in the Truth have taught me to be extremely wary of any who spread disrespect for the organization. Once again I apologize if this came out a little too prominently in my comment.

 

The primary responsibility for assisting such "weak" ones rests with those spiritually appointed and qualified to do so, as the context of Acts 20:35 indicates. A few verses back in Acts 20:17, it said - "However, from Miletus he sent word to Ephesus and called for the elders of the congregation."

The Bearing Witness book says:  "Paul urged the Ephesian elders to display a self-sacrificing spirit. "You must assist those who are weak," he told them."

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by Suspended in Time

[Amygdala]

3 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

Not viewing the broadcast/what's new section on jw.org/supplementary articles in WT/etc"

 

Friends, I really think this borders on judging.  What does it matter if some don't?  Are we saying they are not good associates?  Do we know what their circumstances are?  (Cue: WT study this week, par 1,2, 13, 14).  Who are we to know why they don't or can't keep up?  Like was mentioned, maybe help them start to enjoy the extra feasting with us, sharing the good bits.  Let them be accountable to Jehovah alone.

 

 A bit of compassion and sensitivity please, friends.  Our weaker brothers are still sheep.

We also have to remember there are newer ones in the truth over the past 10 years whose teachers may have not necessarily directed them to use the tools effectively, or as a language barrier, little children, reactivated ones, non-technologically able, that we have to try and encourage these ones. The ones brother Donald is talking about who simply choose ignorance can also be shown the value of keeping up-to-date with such things.

 

The mindset of self-righteousness through overly judging others is sometimes what long-timers have to work on, and these are reminders we also get through our programs. 😉

[Susan Cook]

1 hour ago, Woanders said:

We also have to remember there are newer ones in the truth over the past 10 years whose teachers may have not necessarily directed them to use the tools effectively, or as a language barrier, little children, reactivated ones, non-technologically able, that we have to try and encourage these ones. The ones brother Donald is talking about who simply choose ignorance can also be shown the value of keeping up-to-date with such things.

 

The mindset of self-righteousness through overly judging others is sometimes what long-timers have to work on, and these are reminders we also get through our programs. 😉

Should we be close friends with people are habitually drowsy in a spiritual sense? I’ve never heard that in a magazine or talk

 

The minute you start to scrutinize who your close friends are.. and applying any kind of criteria ( which we are told to do , quite frankly ).. then anybody can be accused of being ‘judgmental ‘….. personally, I think it’s just showing good judgment.

[Susan Cook]

When you start following good examples in the congregation, aren’t you in effect suggesting that one’s you don’t follow are not good examples? And now in effect, being judgmental?

 

Id raise an eyebrow if somebody with internet access only checked JW.org like once or twice a month.

[Dhanyel]

In my opinion, watching the monthly broadcasts, reading the articles, watching morning worship is a way to respectfully treat food at the proper time,and a way to keep spiritually warm and vigilant, the spiritual paradise is a great wealth, it's a lot of food, I can choose not to read or watch at a certain moment, but stop watching or ever study never, as the banquet is big, I prefer to read and watch so as not to accumulate . I know people who read the daily text sometimes and not daily, I don't think that's right, but each one will carry their own load of responsibility! What can we do is try advise to help in some way, but there are people who just don't listen!

[Dages]

1 hour ago, Susan Cook said:

Id raise an eyebrow if somebody with internet access only checked JW.org like once or twice a month.

I would not "raise an eyebrow", I would feel sad for them, then encourage them by speaking in a very positive way about this TIMELY spiritual food.  

[Susan Cook]

7 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

"Not viewing the broadcast/what's new section on jw.org/supplementary articles in WT/etc"

 

Friends, I really think this borders on judging.  What does it matter if some don't?  Are we saying they are not good associates?  Do we know what their circumstances are?  (Cue: WT study this week, par 1,2, 13, 14).  Who are we to know why they don't or can't keep up?  Like was mentioned, maybe help them start to enjoy the extra feasting with us, sharing the good bits.  Let them be accountable to Jehovah alone.

 

 A bit of compassion and sensitivity please, friends.  Our weaker brothers are still sheep.

She was only making an observation…

[Parale]

1 hour ago, Jonadab said:

I can choose not to read or watch at a certain moment,

Isn't that kinda the elephant in the room?

 

After all I understand that the Governing Body themselves have arranged to have every single 'Governing Body Update' played, as is, at the KH meeting, shortly after it has been released.

 

Thus for many the view may be that: 'We're going to be watching the Update at the KH anyway, so there is no real need to watch it now, and actually, I'm even better off spending that time on other spiritual food that will not be simply repeated at the KH, maybe spending that time instead on my WT Study answers.'

[hatcheckgirl]

Well, maybe you can apply your opinion to me then? I don’t catch a lot on jw.org, but do watch broadcasts and updates. Good on you if you can keep up with everything. Not going to judge you either way if you don’t. There’s room for improvement always in enjoying our spiritual feast.  
 

But even the brothers have told us NOT to feel overwhelmed that we have to watch everything on jw.org. It’s really something that’s between each person and Jehovah. If they are just being slack, then they answer to Jehovah, not to you. If they are weak, then we encourage. 
 

Getting back on track, the updates are becoming more vital for us to keep up with changes, which are very quickly now (2 hrs after the GB meeting!) And as has been mentioned, we have been doing them in our meeting as well.
 

So I think we all agree, it’s a risk not to be informed and keep up through our updates at this late stage. Just let each one work on his own salvation, not using things like our own opinions as a measure of judging our brothers. We all can pray for the desire to act and be better in our spirituality - Phil 2:12, 13.

[Susan Cook]

18 minutes ago, Parale said:

Isn't that kinda the elephant in the room?

 

After all I understand that the Governing Body themselves have arranged to have every single 'Governing Body Update' played, as is, at the KH meeting, shortly after it has been released.

 

Thus for many the view may be that: 'We're going to be watching the Update at the KH anyway, so there is no real need to watch it now, and actually, I'm even better off spending that time on other spiritual food that will not be simply repeated at the KH, maybe spending that time instead on my WT Study answers.'

If we had to be honest, there is a lot in these updates that you don’t capture on the 1st watch…I find myself noticing bits & bobs I don’t remember even on 2nd and 3rd watch through 

Personally, I view the GB updates as a message from Jesus himself .. when he talks, I make time to listen asap

 

At the end of the day people are going to follow a routine that pleases them.

Edited April 24, 2022 by Susan Cook

[Susan Cook]

On a personal note, I’ve found it difficult keeping up with all the updates on our Russian brothers.. to the point where I try and just have a quick glance at the story but find it difficult to read right through. Usually just skip to the end to read the encouraging scripture that is quoted.