2023 Governing Body Update #8 / BEARDS!!!

[jwhess]

Last month was an overwhelming conversation about counting time and "check boxes".  Then we had a sample talk series (symposium) by GB members, from the AM.  Everyone was excited about changes.

 

A few weeks later we get this update on beards.  More excitement and conversation.  We get a special letter reminding us about unity and obedience.

 

Now, in two weeks we will get the rest of the Annual Meeting.  It is even more in-depth and clarifying.  I am sure we will put beards aside for the moment (like "check-boxes") and delve into the new adjustment.  Some will say, "I told you so" and others will have disappointments just like the last few clarifications.

 

We must remember that our reactions should represent the unity and obedience, loyalty and submission required of faithful servants.  We will continue to progress according to the will of God and Christ.  We will not be ahead of the chariot nor will we lag behind.

[Brother_Bliss]

21 minutes ago, Cool Cat said:

Quote

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.

 

Ah, but see, that wasn't me. If you look back in those previous posts I linked to, I said I had no problem with the expectation that appointed men be clean shaven. 

 

Remember, there never was a "no beard" rule for everyday publishers, but it was taboo. We've had bearded publishers on the school and out in the ministry in my area for years and years, though they sometimes had to deal with snide comments from friends who had strong feelings. Brother Lett mentioned people with such feelings, and how they should listen to Jesus when he said "stop judging by the outward appearance". And with that, the taboo has been lifted.

 

29 minutes ago, Cool Cat said:

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. 

 

Well stated 😉

[dove]

Read at ours today, and a few new beards — appointed and publishers

Edited December 17, 2023 by dove

[DancesWithWife]

Imagine if the clarification came during the 70s we would all be looking like Elvis! I’m not sure if Elvis had a beard.

[LeolaRootStew]

1 hour ago, Brother_Bliss said:

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.

That's a good sign. It shows he was following direction before and not just pushing his own viewpoint. 💜

[DancesWithWife]

1 hour ago, jwhess said:

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.

An elder in his 70s was checking in my wife and I today. I told him I have physical problems including the ability to shave. I sent him a photo of me just before I had bladder cancer surgery with my beard. He replied “looking good my brother. 

[Abigail]

3 hours ago, Parale said:

 

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

It was read at ours. UK.

[Floyd]

1 hour ago, jwhess said:

We must remember that our reactions should represent the unity and obedience, loyalty and submission required of faithful servants.  We will continue to progress according to the will of God and Christ.  We will not be ahead of the chariot nor will we lag behind.

 

Even if we thought nothing was wrong with beards many years ago we still cannot say we were right because the timing wasn't right. 

[dove]

20 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

An elder in his 70s was checking in my wife and I today. I told him I have physical problems including the ability to shave. I sent him a photo of me just before I had bladder cancer surgery with my beard. He replied “looking good my brother. 

You have brother Lett’s eyes 🤣🤣🤣

[Old]

1 minute ago, Floyd said:

 

Even if we thought nothing was wrong with beards many years ago we still cannot say we were right because the timing wasn't right. 

To a point perhaps but to say the Scriptures did not support arguments against beards was right. The great wisdom in this is where the scriptures are silent so are we.

 

Will pantsuits be next? 

[Lee49]

I thought I would grow one over night ! 🤣

 

[bobby]

we just had the latter read 

[Tortuga]

18 minutes ago, Lee49 said:

I thought I would grow one over night ! 🤣

 

Nice try!

Now try the goatee effect...🤣

[sully313]

called an elder and asked if a 5 o'clock shadow is ok as it is technically a "beard" or if you cant have it in a preliminary full beard stage...he said "i dont know anything about all that "preliminary stuff ryan, but facial hair kept clean looking is fine" haha

 

I look really nice with the 5 o'clock shadow (maybe a little more but NOT a full grown beard as i really dislike full beards)...needless to say i was 1 of 10 brothers who are growing facial hair at the congregation i attend of 132 pubs

 

Im thrilled i wont have to shave some meetings and thats a HUGE time saver for me

[Android89]

Unfortunately I can’t really grow a good beard, despite me being in my early/mid thirties. It is just kind of a neck beard, I was almost thinking of showing it today (but I had to work today) plus my parents told me it doesn’t look good, that I should shave it (which I did) they said it just makes me look scraggly, it’s thin and kind of patchy. 
 

I did grow a mustache last November/December though and did it again this year and was actually thicker this year.

[DancesWithWife]

1 hour ago, sully313 said:

Im thrilled i wont have to shave some meetings and thats a HUGE time saver for me

I see you are in SE Michigan; a lot of our brothers will appreciate the extra warmth on the face. I lived in Kalamazoo, Paw Paw, and Grand Rapids. 

[Tortuga]

What do you think? Should I keep it?

 

[Julsey]

On 12/15/2023 at 11:57 PM, *Jack* said:

I don’t think the sisters really understand how happy this makes some of us brothers. Imagine if you had to wear short hair or couldn’t wear makeup for decades. Especially when you thought the opposite made you look more feminine. Then imaging hearing the news that you now can. That’s how some of us brothers feel 😁

 

 

Edit: I’m not saying short hair and no makeup aren’t feminine. I love short hair on a woman with the right head shape and a woman that wears little or no makeup. I’m just saying generally speaking, many women seem to find long hair and tastefully applied makeup to be a feminine look. Many men find beards to be a masculine look.

Imagine how sisters would feel if we never had to pick up a razor again…

[Lee49]

6 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

What do you think? Should I keep it?

Keep it, but either lighten your hair or darken the beard !  ( kidding 😂 )

[Lee49]

2 minutes ago, Julsey said:

Imagine how sisters would feel if we never had to pick up a razor again…

You would feel a little hairy, unless you grew a lot of hair, then you would feel a lot hairy ! 🤣

 

 

 

[Julsey]

17 minutes ago, Lee49 said:

You would feel a little hairy, unless you grew a lot of hair, then you would feel a lot hairy ! 🤣

 

 

 

 Not quite what I meant…

[sully313]

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

What do you think? Should I keep it?

 

here i am after just saying i dont like full beards...Its lookin good torts!!! KEEP IT!!!

[rocket]

Amazing what the Russian App can do.

 

[Cushi]

 

[Ahuvah]

4 hours ago, Tortuga said:

What do you think? Should I keep it?

 

Maybe .. but only after the 25th!!!! 

 

I asked an elder if he was going to grow a beard and he said: "Nah, people might confuse me with Jesus!"

 

In NZ no letter either, but was eluded to during the wt.

*** Walks away singing: "Let it grow, let it grow ..." 🎶 🎵