2023 Governing Body Update #8 / BEARDS!!!

[jayrtom]

On 12/16/2023 at 4:20 AM, Doug said:

 

As I listened,  I wondered if this adjustment has anything to do with the great need for appointed men.  As you said, "we already have spiritually bearded brothers ready to go".    The ones kept on ice due to facial hair.

If they had facial hair after receiving counsel they were not exemplary in the first place

So they definitely are not ready to go 😉

[Dustparticle]

If I start growing now I would probably like him by the age between of 65-70 years old.

 

[Tia]

1 hour ago, Hope said:

I don't know.. I have Beaverton, OR on my avatar. 

 

I do truly love New York/ Brooklyn, though 🥰

Don't forget New Jersey Uani 😄

[Tortuga]

We had our meeting for service by Zoom today and before the meeting I used the Zoom Studio Effects to give myself a nice beard. 

[DancesWithWife]

It was nice to have the announcement by the Governing Body read at the end of today's meeting.  There may have been those who have not watched or heard the announcement about beards. They may have seen brothers who were unshaven in the congregation and wondered why. Not everyone is diligent about watching the monthly updates or broadcasts. I am glad it was read at the Weekend Meeting. 

[Hope]

29 minutes ago, Tia said:

Don't forget New Jersey Uani 😄

Never been... except to Stanley Theatre 😁

[Parale]

2 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

It was nice to have the announcement by the Governing Body read at the end of today's meeting.  There may have been those who have not watched or heard the announcement about beards. They may have seen brothers who were unshaven in the congregation and wondered why. Not everyone is diligent about watching the monthly updates or broadcasts. I am glad it was read at the Weekend Meeting. 

 

Well, it isn't being read at all the Weekend Meetings ..... 🤔

[TheKid23]

New awake for 2024? 

[DancesWithWife]

3 minutes ago, Parale said:

Well, it isn't being read at all the Weekend Meetings

Possibly North America first? That would make sense some of the European countries have had no issue with beards. 

[Qapla]

It was not read at our meeting today. It was alluded to during the WT - and it was somewhat discussed among those on Zoom before the meeting.

 

Yes, I am in the US ... Florida

 

Edited December 17, 2023 by Qapla

[DancesWithWife]

2 minutes ago, Qapla said:

It was not read at our meeting today. It was alluded to during the WT - and it was somewhat discussed among those on Zoom before the meeting.

 

Yes, I am in the US ... Florida

I am in Oregon. Wondering if there was issues with beards in some areas and the Circuit Overseer had the brothers read the announcement. Our COBE conducted the WT study and said they were directed to read the following announcement based on update #8. He then read exactly what Brother Lett read. 

[Tortuga]

2 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

I am in Oregon. Wondering if there was issues with beards in some areas and the Circuit Overseer had the brothers read the announcement. Our COBE conducted the WT study and said they were directed to read the following announcement based on update #8. He then read exactly what Brother Lett read. 

The announcement in the letter is to be read at the next meeting, however the elders have been reminded to check their email once a week, so its possible that some elders haven't seen the letter yet.

[Pabo]

[Qapla]

The sentiment of the elder body in our congregation had leaned toward the anti-beard side ... back when we had that WT that indicated beards could be worn if it was normal to your culture, the elder conducting the meeting said plainly that our culture was not one that allowed beards. He indicated that it applied to middle eastern places and that it was not the case here ... even though it was common to see many businesspeople and scholars wearing beards in our college town area. And, as such, brothers wearing a beard would not be used.

 

Today, during the WT, that same brother alluded to beards now being allowed. Perhaps the announcement will be read at the MWM.

 

Edited December 17, 2023 by Qapla

[Dolce vita]

13 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

Peut-être l’Amérique du Nord d’abord ? Il serait logique que certains pays européens n’aient aucun problème avec la barbe. 

Uhhhh in France: Beard = problem squared. Just recently, a letter was sent from an Assembly Hall saying that the bearded brothers could not participate in cleaning the hall. And I, to avoid being on duty, thought, 'let your beard grow !'

More Seriously, my brother-in-law who has been bearded for decades for skin reasons (epidermal spots that bleed when the blade passes) was very disturbed. Thank you Jehovah for having done everything to keep his people in love and unity. But now, I hope we can move on quickly.

[DancesWithWife]

9 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

The announcement in the letter is to be read at the next meeting, however the elders have been reminded to check their email once a week, so its possible that some elders haven't seen the letter yet.

Thank you. I was just happy to hear the announcement again. I am still kind of in shock. My son-in-law is starting to grow one. 

[Parale]

54 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

That would make sense some of the European countries have had no issue with beards.

 

Maybe at congregation level, but anything above that?

 

In France brothers with a beard where not allowed to help clean the Assembly Hall....

 

30 minutes ago, Dolce vita said:

Just recently, a letter was sent from an Assembly Hall saying that the bearded brothers could not participate in cleaning the hall.

 

In the UK brothers with a beard where not allowed to be on the platform for Assembly parts... they would need to shave their beard off....

 

On 12/15/2023 at 5:01 PM, Ross said:

I have a part at the assembly tomorrow, so I will be keeping my beard this time. It will feel very strange.

[DancesWithWife]

As Bob Dylan once sang " The Times They Are A-Changin'" seems appropriate.

[Tortuga]

1 minute ago, DancesWithWife said:

As Bob Dylan once sang " The Times They Are A-Changin'" seems appropriate.

We are being trained to be obedient and to quickly change our viewpoint as needed to keep up with Jehovah's organization. I'm looking forward to seeing how many of our deeply entrenched assumptions will be completely destroyed after Armageddon. Can you imagine an angel handing you a perfectly cooked steak? I wouldn't hesitate for a second 🤣

[LeolaRootStew]

4 hours ago, Jerry said:

We love Jehovah and as a brother once  said "hair doesn't grow on the heart".

I mean, you're not wrong...

[Cool Cat]

14 hours ago, Brother_Bliss said:

 

I'm sorry that you feel that the tone of my post was along the lines of what brother Lett counseled against. I have to disagree that it was. I've been a member of this community for 17 years and in another JW community for 21 years and I have participated in a lot of "Beard" topics/discussions and have always voiced the same opinion.

 

See for yourself...

https://jwtalk.net/search/?q=taboo beards&quick=1&author=Brother_Bliss&updated_after=any&sortby=newest&search_and_or=and

 

Brother Lett said not to feel vindicated nor to boast "See, I was right all along", and I am neither boasting nor saying such a thing. I am simply adding to the same conversation we've been having on this topic for over a decade.

Hiya, I too have been involved in those discussions

 

https://jwtalk.net/search/?&q=beards&author=Cool Cat&search_and_or=and

 

However brother Lett mentioned that some of us may of held strong views for a long time even promoting our own opinion on the subject and saying how ridiculous it all was that elders had the view they had. 

Brother Lett:-

Quote

Here’s another question: How can we promote unity in light of this direction? Well, after viewing this program, some might have to contend with strong feelings. 

For example, some might feel as though they’ve been vindicated, saying, in effect: “This is what I’ve been saying for a long time. This proves that I was right all along!” Others might feel disappointed, saying, in effect: “I supported the policy about grooming for all those years. Now I feel let down!” 

But is either reaction appropriate? Not really. Note what the apostle Paul was inspired to write at 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse number 10: “Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” 

How does that principle apply here? Well, if we’ve been promoting our own opinion on this subject, contradicting the guidance from the organization, have we been promoting unity? Have we helped the brotherhood to be “completely united . . . in the same line of thought”? Clearly not. Any who’ve done so need to adjust their thinking and attitude.

 

If that was us we are encouraged to change our view.

 

It is great that many people have patiently waited for this change without being critical of Elders and Elder bodies who found it hard to accept beards. 

[DancesWithWife]

18 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

Can you imagine an angel handing you a perfectly cooked steak? I wouldn't hesitate for a second 🤣

I would be happy with the bread that the angel fed Elijah with. Interesting ravens brought him bread & meat, but an angel provided bread and water. Either case I am sure Elijah was thankful. He quickly adapted and accepted the counsel and assignment without hesitation. I am looking forward to hearing more about this beloved prophet of Jehovah. A personal role model for me.

[DancesWithWife]

3 minutes ago, Cool Cat said:

However brother Lett mentioned that some of us may of held strong views for a long time

That would be me. I only shared my feelings with my wife and Jehovah. 

[jwhess]

1 hour ago, DancesWithWife said:

I am in Oregon. Wondering if there was issues with beards in some areas and the Circuit Overseer had the brothers read the announcement. Our COBE conducted the WT study and said they were directed to read the following announcement based on update #8. He then read exactly what Brother Lett read. 

In addition to the part read to the congregation, the elders received a full page of reminders and instructions (plus a little 'stern' counsel).  We hope the elders will embrace and apply the directions.

[Brother_Bliss]

2 hours ago, DancesWithWife said:

It was nice to have the announcement by the Governing Body read at the end of today's meeting.

 

1 hour ago, Qapla said:

It was not read at our meeting today.

 

Neither was it read at ours. But everyone is aware of it. I've been out for 3 weeks due to a cold/sinus infection followed by covid, so I had a head start with my mustache-goatee combo. Our presiding overseer, who knows I've been dieting and losing weight and working on my health, looks at me and says "Man! That was fast! I want to know what kind of vitamins you are taking!" lol  

 

1 hour ago, Qapla said:

The sentiment of the elder body in our congregation had leaned toward the anti-beard side ... Today, during the WT, that same brother alluded to beards now being allowed.

 

Simliar circumstances here. Former brother anti-beard nazi suddenly seemed to be complimenting about the 6 or 7 of us who showed up with facial hair. Almost like magic, lol.