2022 Governing Body Update #3

[Parale]

9 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

“weak” brothers and sisters

8 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

Our weaker brothers are still sheep

8 hours ago, Suspended in Time said:

such "weak" ones

I think we need to be careful of making the comparision between not accessing and watching videos on the jw.org website equaling being spiritual weak. Afterall, the Governing Body have given us all the following direction:

 

If you do not have access to material that is published on jw.org, will you become spiritually weak?
You can remain spiritually strong whether you have access to our Web site or not. The slave has worked hard to provide enough printed material to keep each domestic spiritually well-fed.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014602#h=16-18

 

Of course, we also have to be aware that just because a brother or sister does watch all the videos on jw.org as soon as they are released, does not in itself make them spiritual strong.

 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by Parale

[Suspended in Time]

45 minutes ago, hatcheckgirl said:

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. 

 

 

I couldn't agree more. If someone misses a few, or even a lot, of Meetings - we help and encourage them. If someone struggles to be regular in Field Service - we help and encourage them. If someone has difficulty preparing for all the Meetings or keeping up with the abundance of spiritual food - we help and encourage them.

 

But in the case that was mentioned here where someone goes around spreading negative talk about provisions from Jehovah's organization - we keep our distance and let the Elders deal with it. As someone else said here, that is simply good judgement. We show love whenever possible, but protect our own spiritual health when necessary. There is nothing judgmental about being selective about who we choose as our closest friends.

 

45 minutes ago, hatcheckgirl said:

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.

We do feel closer to the Governing Body than ever. They have spoken to us so much lately and they are so close to us that they even inform us of a major change so soon after they've met together!  When the Great Tribulation comes, we need to be right where Jehovah's Spirit is, front and center!

 

I think we would all feel genuinely sad to think that any of us might needlessly miss out on many of these provisions, which are available in so many languages and in all kinds of different places on the earth.

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by Suspended in Time

[Michał]

And now let’s get back to upbuiding information in these update. 😃 Did you catch all the labels on the signs from first in-person meetings video?

[Parale]

34 minutes ago, Michał said:

Did you catch all the labels on the signs from first in-person meetings video?

I think so, but I don't know what they all say?....

 

1:

 

2:

 

3:

 

4:

 

5:

 

6:

 

7:

[Sofia]

1 hour ago, Parale said:

I think so, but I don't know what they all say?....

 

1:

 

2:

 

3:

 

4:

 

5:

 

6:

 

7:

Portuguese! and spanish.

1- BENVINDO AS REUNIÕES = WELLCOME TO THE MEETINGS

2- SAUDADES (NO TRANSLATION) = we missed

2- ANTES ZOONIDOS AGORA REUNIDOS = before "united by zoom now reunited

3- No zoom foi bom mas juntos é bem melhor = In zoom was already good but together is much better

4- um dia feliz = a happy day

5-Bienvenidos = wellcome

6 & 7 - you all know!

Edited April 24, 2022 by Sofia

[Jothob]

It was such an encouraging update….

[Amygdala]

10 hours ago, Susan Cook said:

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

Of course we have to choose our friends wisely, but would you refrain from helping certain people (such as the ones I listed before) or sharing an experience from broadcasting to those who haven’t watched it yet (for one reason or another) simply because they are “weak” or incapable? I’m all about having good and positive vs.negative or critical influences around me, but if you had read my comments carefully, my point was helping ones who are disadvantaged in some way to get the monthly program. Or are you suggesting that it’s their own problem?

 

It’s easy to criticize and judge those who don’t follow the status quo, but when you look down deeper into what a person might be going through, there could be valid reasons for not being able to watch the monthly broadcast. This isn’t the same as being influenced by bad associations your talking about. What I notice with some, though, is they can look at all who don’t follow everything to a T as not worthy of their friendship or help. I have personally gained more joy in helping the single moms, newer ones in the truth, and older ones who may still need direction and support in some way. I am not concerned about being only friends with those who make me look good or only those who are spiritually mature. This is how clicks form. 

[Suspended in Time]

I really liked this comment from the video:

 

"Jehovah gives his holy spirit according to the actual need. So we’re sure that Jehovah is providing just what our brothers and sisters in Eastern Europe need at this time."

 

Brothers and Sisters in much more difficult circumstances than our own set a wonderful example for us in faith and devotion. Here are a few more quotes from the video:

 

"Our brothers and sisters in Eastern Europe have had a wonderful share in the ministry despite war and the pandemic. We are deeply touched by their godly devotion."

 

"Some of our dear brothers and sisters have lost everything - their homes, their possessions, their jobs, and even their loved ones - as they have fled the conflict. But as our brothers and sisters remain loyal to Jehovah despite war and other hardships, they give a loud reply to Satan’s taunts about Jehovah’s sovereignty."

 

"And yet many of our brothers and sisters have had to live through wars and civil unrest of all sorts. And some in various places are experiencing it now. But how encouraging to consider that so many have faithfully and successfully endured such challenging times!"

 

"What has really helped is following the news releases on our website, jw.org, about brothers and sisters from different countries, not just Ukraine and Russia. Their example of neutrality and loyalty has also helped me to keep my focus."

 

[Suspended in Time]

To receive the JW News Releases directly in your inbox:

 

1. Go to jw.org news , right-click on the 'Subscribe' button, and click 'Copy Link Address'.

 

2. Paste this into the box on feedrabbit.com and follow the steps from there.

 

You will receive a neatly formatted email like below whenever a new JW News item is released.

 

There is no advertising or any other unwanted emails (note that you can also set options to adjust the frequency of the email alerts you receive).

 

[Susan Cook]

13 hours ago, Woanders said:

Of course we have to choose our friends wisely, but would you refrain from helping certain people (such as the ones I listed before) or sharing an experience from broadcasting to those who haven’t watched it yet (for one reason or another) simply because they are “weak” or incapable? I’m all about having good and positive vs.negative or critical influences around me, but if you had read my comments carefully, my point was helping ones who are disadvantaged in some way to get the monthly program. Or are you suggesting that it’s their own problem?

 

It’s easy to criticize and judge those who don’t follow the status quo, but when you look down deeper into what a person might be going through, there could be valid reasons for not being able to watch the monthly broadcast. This isn’t the same as being influenced by bad associations your talking about. What I notice with some, though, is they can look at all who don’t follow everything to a T as not worthy of their friendship or help. I have personally gained more joy in helping the single moms, newer ones in the truth, and older ones who may still need direction and support in some way. I am not concerned about being only friends with those who make me look good or only those who are spiritually mature. This is how clicks form. 

The experiences related earlier in this thread are about people having a super casual attitude toward spiritual food .. you’ve turned this discussion in a different direction re: assisting those who are weak

 

if somebody who has been around the truth for decades is clearly demonstrating they don’t care to have their priorities straight.. well then 🤷‍♀️ 

[Amygdala]

Where is this clear discussion, as you claim, of those who are weak for decades therefore have skewed priorities in their lives, resulting in all who don't manage to watch the monthly programs to be so and as bad association?

 

If you understood that I was responding (as with others on this thread) why it's not wise to  conclude right off the bat why some don't watch it regularly includes other factors, and not because that are simply aloof and wrong association. You, however, have concluded this is the only reason why some don't watch it. At the same time, you have no problem to quickly cut yourself some slack for not watching all the updates...whereas others seem to be bad if they somehow have missed it watching for a month or two?

 

But, let me agree with you on one thing, in general. Those who are not stable in the faith, new or young should be careful about their own spirituality and avoid associating with individuals that display wrong attitudes in the congregation. But for others:

 

Quote

We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong,+ and not to be pleasing ourselves. - Romans 15:1

 

[Shawnster]

On 4/23/2022 at 11:42 PM, Suspended in Time said:

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.

 

 

On 4/24/2022 at 1:32 AM, Suspended in Time said:

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.

Donald, thank you for the apology. 

 

 

Friends, we are getting off into the weeds here with the discussion about helping vs. judging those who choose not to take in the same amount of spiritual programming that we do.  Let's return this to the specific topic of this Update. Any further off-topic conversation about judging or "marking" those we feel are weak will be hidden or not approved. 

 

We are here to build up, not tear down. 

[Suspended in Time]

19 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

Donald, thank you for the apology. 

 

Friends, we are getting off into the weeds here with the discussion about helping vs. judging those who choose not to take in the same amount of spiritual programming that we do.  Let's return this to the specific topic of this Update. Any further off-topic conversation about judging or "marking" those we feel are weak will be hidden or not approved. 

 

We are here to build up, not tear down. 

The reference to being "weak" came from someone quoting Acts 20:35 in response to my comment. 

 

I honestly don't think it was EVER intended by anyone to apply to those who can't keep up with the sometimes overwhelming array of spiritual food. Nobody should feel bad about that, and nobody here is saying anyone needs to be "avoided" for such a trivial reason.

 

By all means be strong, encourage, show love, give others all the help we can give. 

 

The example raised of an individual who told a group of people that they never watch the Broadcast and that they don't have to is one that may be best be dealt with by expert help from the Elders.

 

Again, I am sorry that the thread has gone off track, and led to misunderstandings.

 

Edited April 25, 2022 by Suspended in Time

[Cushi]

I really appreciated brother Jackson bringing out Matthew 24:6 where it says to not be alarmed about the reports of war. This was timely for me because I had read about some unspeakable things the Russians were doing to the Ukrainians and it discouraged me that Jehovah would allow such things. 
This helped me to put things into perspective.

 

I also thought the comment about taking precautions until the pandemic is over was timely too because the last time I went to work before watching the video I didn’t wear a mask. I also didn’t wear one for the first hour I was at work the time before that. For 2 years I faithfully wore a mask but recently I had gotten sick of wearing one. This helped me see the need to not let my guard down 🙂

[Sofia]

It´s time for a 4th update!  I´d like it to be hosted by brother Samuel Herd  

[Tortuga]

33 minutes ago, Sofia said:

It´s time for a 4th update!  I´d like it to be hosted by brother Samuel Herd  

What do you think it will be about?

[jwhess]

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

What do you think it will be about?

I feel safe speculating that it will include some comment about Covid and a lot of additional theocratic "stuff"...❤️

[Sofia]

3 hours ago, Tortuga said:

What do you think it will be about?

Coronavirus and Ukraine 

maybe … some news from the filming in Australia! Good news according to Jesus. That would be awesome 🤩 

[molnarj]

8 hours ago, Tortuga said:

What do you think it will be about?

The release of brother Dennis Christensen and the start of the Good news according to Jesus.

[jwhess]

With the "Breaking News" announcement about resuming Public Witnessing, I feel some time may be spent discussing this outstanding adjustment...❤️

[Sofia]

8 minutes ago, jwhess said:

With the "Breaking News" announcement about resuming Public Witnessing, I feel some time may be spent discussing this outstanding adjustment...❤️

I think it will be discussed on the #4 update too  

like.... "2 hours after a meeting with all member of GB we published the announcement!"

Edited June 1, 2022 by Sofia

[Skye]

On 5/30/2022 at 11:18 PM, Tortuga said:

What do you think it will be about?

Another update on resuming in-person meetings?

[AH173]

On 5/30/2022 at 5:18 PM, Tortuga said:

What do you think it will be about?

Maybe about the resumption of public witnessing (except for door to door ministry)?