2023 Governing Body Update #8 / BEARDS!!!

[Tortuga]

6 minutes ago, coolbrz731 said:

So this is a no no?

Unless you are in a drama...🤣

[TheKid23]

2 hours ago, jlocke said:

What are trousers?

 

[Pjdriver]

56 minutes ago, Lee49 said:

I guess the question now is - How Long of a Beard  - short, medium, or xtra looooooong !  😂

 

 

 

Not too long . You wouldn’t want to look like a girl. 

 

I took it as anything modest goes...

 

1 hour ago, coolbrz731 said:

Nope.  No soul patch

 

  I may have to explore the soul Patch. 

.

 

I wonder if the GB heard about all the discussions we’ve had here on this forum? 

They are concerned about unity of course. So in deciding what to do, they review it no doubt and followed the scriptural direction rather than imperfect opinions. I’m very encouraged by the reasoning the GB is following.  Stick to God’s word. 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Pjdriver

[LeolaRootStew]

3 hours ago, *Jack* said:

 

When I heard the update, I was listening anxiously hoping they would approve the wearing of beards but I didn’t want to get my hopes up in case they weren’t going to approve it. When they approved it I shouted out Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!  
 

I’m not surprised they made this adjustment. I had been meaning on writing the branch and asking if it were reasonable to think that brothers would be able to wear beards in the near future because they are becoming more popular in business and politics. After a while I decided not to because I’m sure they get that question all the time and didn’t want to bother them. I used to look forward to wearing a beard in the new world. Now I can have my piece of paradise now 😆
 

(Here’s my comment from another thread)

 

[Dolce vita]

2 hours ago, Sofia said:

J'ai été particulièrement ému par cette expression : 

“ (…) le Conseil d’administration s’efforce aujourd’hui de promouvoir l’unité. Nous ne voudrions jamais que la question de la barbe provoque la division entre nous. 

Nous devons tous nous rappeler que la partie terrestre de l’organisation de Jéhovah s’efforce toujours de refléter la partie céleste, c’est-à-dire de suivre son rythme, pour ainsi dire. Vous souvenez-vous de la vitesse du char dans la vision d'Ézéchiel ? Comme des « éclairs ». Quiconque cherche à devancer ce char, essayant d'imposer un changement prématurément, ou qui est à la traîne, hésitant à soutenir les changements venus de l'esclave fidèle, ne monte le rythme avec l'organisation de Jéhovah.”

My personal impression is that the GB wanted to cut off the Dragon's head, because it was looking for every means to divide us, even on a subject that had little meaning in the end. Calm should return and the beard will find its place but be careful not to give it more importance than it has, on one side or the other.

[LeolaRootStew]

2 hours ago, Dages said:

Apostle Paul, so that was the thorn in your flesh ?

careful now...

[Tortuga]

So, no more sheep shearing...

[LeolaRootStew]

1 hour ago, coolbrz731 said:

So this is a no no?

[LeolaRootStew]

Now they won't be able to tell which brothers have a role in an historical drama.

 

On that note, I hope the guy who plays Jesus can grow a real one. 💜

[Hope]

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

Unless you are in a drama...🤣

 

He probably soon *would* be in a drama (in the congregation) if he showed up like this!

 

[Jerry]

When my wife and I started to study in 1971 we went to a circuit assembly after about 4 or 5 studies. I had a full beard and hair to my shoulders. The brother who was studying with us introduced us to the district overseer who happened to be visiting. He was very friendly and non-judgmental of me, and that made a big impression. I shaved the beard and cut my hair that night. Next day the DO came up to me and commented about how different I looked. And, he remembered my name. I'll never forget that brother and what he said. Maybe some remember Bro. Good?

So, now, after over 50 years, I look forward to growing out a white beard. 

[hatcheckgirl]

Nice comments about unity, not lagging behind the chariot, not running ahead. For those of us on JWTalk, we've seen how divisive the “beard” threads have been, so much so that I still shudder whenever anyone mentioned the word, in “ “ it was so divisive. 😂

 

What I also take from the update is that it now opens up to more of our faithful brothers to be used in all sorts of duties. Things are going to change so very quickly, and we already have very spiritually bearded brothers ready to go to help in shepherding and other organisational roles.

 

Not to mention, during the GT I doubt any one of us will have the time or favourable situation to keep up with ordinary hygiene routines we can do now. It will be survival living, not a time for the luxury of a shave. So, it’s a practical look for our near future too.

 

In the end, it’s a test of our obedience to Jesus and his congregation. This really is only a “faithful in small things” obedience. For those brothers who were wanting beards but waited patiently on Jehovah, that's the reward for obedience. Soon, that type of obedience will mean our salvation.

 

And it will also help the “sticklers” see they can’t be masters over our faith. It gives them the opportunity to change and rejoice over this change. Bro Lett really emphasised this point about sticking together united. What great times we are living in!

[hatcheckgirl]

The timing, just before the Xmas break when quite a few have time off, will make it easier for the transition for beard growing. If brothers are away, they can tweak their new look, before attending the meeting again. Gives us all some adjustment time.

[just1-4all]

8 hours ago, Tsheppar said:

 

TBH my respect for No. 1 went up a notch when they decided to have him sport a beard ... just sayin' 😉. That may be a reflection of ... what ... I don't know ... on my part, since it shouldn't be about looks in RL, but, well ... there it is, again, tbh.

Edited December 16, 2023 by just1-4all
spelling error

[DancesWithWife]

This would be an acceptable beard in Texas. This is known as a Texas Goatee! Everything is bigger in Texas as the saying goes!

[BLEmom]

1 minute ago, DancesWithWife said:

This would be an acceptable beard in Texas. This is known as a Texas Goatee! Everything is bigger in Texas as the saying goes!

See, I would have a hard time with these big beards. I think because we’ve lived in a world where beards weren’t a thing for so long, anything big or dramatic just comes off as “overdone”. That is me. To me it’s like wearing a prom dress to the meeting. It’s odd and distracting.  

[DancesWithWife]

4 minutes ago, BLEmom said:

I would have a hard time with these big beards.

I am not serious, I don't this would be acceptable.

[DancesWithWife]

This is a wonderful thread about beards. It's nice to see the appreciation but also the humor that has been posted. Jehovah is the "Happy God" so he wants happy people. Thank you for all the wonderful posts and comments here!

[BLEmom]

8 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

I am not serious, I don't this would be acceptable.

Gotcha. Well ya never know with Texas! 😜😂

[CHecker]

Just of note: law enforcement and the military have been strict about facial hair but now I'm noticing some local LEO's are sporting a close cropped trimmed beard. They look nice! As well as lawyers and such.

 

Then my thoughts wandered, meh like it usually does 😄, to how Jehovah created us. We have hair where polite society deems it inappropriate and are compelled to shave. Women in many countries don't shave arms or legs but are ridiculed and considered offensive to others in quite a few parts of the world. But Jehovah made us this way! Time to embrace it. 

 

So brothers, I hope you fully enjoy your new found way of self expression 🧡. Practice up because those men of old have the beard thing down pat!

[Julsey]

On 12/12/2023 at 6:47 AM, Sofia said:

I think it will be on monday... but I may be mistaken. Brother lett looks ill  poor dear. I hope he´s ok. 

I noticed that, too. 😪

[1MKnight]

6 hours ago, jwhess said:

France maybe but the USA had published standards.  I had the "No Beards" from the SCE Branch instructor and just this fall we had an elder move into our cong with a medical condition and he had not shaved.  The CO came with instructions that he could remain an elder and do his cong parts while under medical supervision, but the beard would have to come off when he was done.  The brother was a little reluctant but conformed.  He has been clean shaven for a few months.

 

This really surprised me. I have always been under the impression it was up to each BOE in the US except for Assemblies. Huh. Especially given what was said in the 2016 Watchtower I'm even more confused. I had heard in the past someone tell me that the CO came through and made someone shave their beard, but I thought that was just hearsay, or the CO overreaching, or a very specific scenario with some behind the scenes details I was missing.

 

Well, whichever it was, I guess that's water under the bridge now

 

5 hours ago, Brandon said:

2016 WT did not change this: “in some cultures, a neat beard may be acceptable… in other cultures and localities, beards are not considered acceptable for Christian ministers,”

 

since that wt never clarified which “cultures and localities” it was left to each congregation (perhaps with input from the CO? not sure) if this direction applied to “us” or only to “witnesses on the other continent(s)”

 

I was told it did not apply to our locality.  Honestly, I think the 2016 should never have been published with the wording that it did. It only caused confusion. 

 

Yeah, I'm pretty confused about the previous direction in the US. Apparently I knew less than I thought lol. But I'm happy with the clear as day clarification. I especially love that the specifically mentioned Circuit Overseers, Bethelites, Special Full Time Servants, etc. That removes any doubt. Two thumbs up.

[1MKnight]

 

(EDIT: I meant to put this in the MEME thread. Oh well...)

Edited December 16, 2023 by 1MKnight
Wrong thread... But it's probably aperpo lol.

[jwhess]

18 minutes ago, 1MKnight said:

 

This really surprised me. I have always been under the impression it was up to each BOE in the US except for Assemblies. Huh. Especially given what was said in the 2016 Watchtower I'm even more confused. I had heard in the past someone tell me that the CO came through and made someone shave their beard, but I thought that was just hearsay, or the CO overreaching, or a very specific scenario with some behind the scenes details I was missing.

 

Well, whichever it was, I guess that's water under the bridge now

 

 

Yeah, I'm pretty confused about the previous direction in the US. Apparently I knew less than I thought lol. But I'm happy with the clear as day clarification. I especially love that the specifically mentioned Circuit Overseers, Bethelites, Special Full Time Servants, etc. That removes any doubt. Two thumbs up.

Br. Michael, I sent you a PM.

[TJ]

Meanwhile at Bethel...