Pioneer and Field Missionaries Meeting with the Elders

[dljbsp]

1 hour ago, blue-jay said:

Why is it called "... with the elders"?

Could all elders attend if they wanted to? 🤔

Or is it called that because two elders instead of the circuit overseer give the talks/discussions?

 

The pioneer meeting is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and uplift those serving in this special capacity. When elders attend, their presence alone can be a source of encouragement. But even more, when they actively participate—offering comments, commending the pioneers, and building them up—it leaves a lasting impact.

 

I personally counted it a privilege to be in attendance with the pioneers. Their zeal and devotion are inspiring, and seeing elders there to support them only deepens that encouragement. This is especially true during the local needs portion, which reflects the collective agreement and care of the entire body of elders.

 

When elders actively support and uplift the pioneers, it demonstrates the love and unity described at 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Keep encouraging one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.” By being present and engaged, the elders reaffirm their appreciation for the pioneers’ tireless work. It would indeed be heartwarming and spiritually strengthening to see more elders take part in this special meeting to build them up.

 

Dave

 

 

[Mike047]

All elders are encouraged to attend, if they can, but they remember this meeting is especially to encourage and thank the pioneers for their hard work. The spiritual programme is very helpful, and even more filling than the food afterwards!

 

 

[Hanah45]

On 1/3/2025 at 3:09 PM, TheKid23 said:

Do you think there’s anything I, or the other pioneers can do to help our elders? 

One thing I appreciate about our congregation, we don’t seem to worry about elders giving to pioneers, everyone just gives to each other.  Pioneers just give to each other and the elders.  
We make or buy gifts. Some of us join our funds and buy specialized Jw gifts. Some give simple gifts.  We have also received cash and gift cards. About half of our pioneers have husbands who are elders.  We all join in, it’s contagious. 
Different ones initiate some sort of meal together, once someone starts, everyone joins in. 
We have had simple meals, restaurant meals, take out meals, organized  pot lucks, and so on. 
Sure it’s great if the elders initiate, but if they don’t, anyone can start the fire of giving.

 

[Miss Bea]

Sorry, this all can be disconcerting. Iʼm going to say it like I feel it. I had a pioneer sister, (for many years) actually tell me, “You donʼt know what to, um, have an appointment in the congregation .” I said, “um”, because I guess it still riles up a bit of stress in me. 

I kid you not. We have pioneers in our congregation, and I love them dearly. They don’t set themselves aside from the rest of us. In fact, I have to think hard as to who they are. Maybe 7 in a small congregation of maybe 20 publishers They fuss over us as much as we fuss over them. 
We have a meal where we meet for service on Wednesdays. Most all bring food. And some of the most wonderful dishes are provided by our dear pioneers. 
They are not a group that, “the rest of us are on the outside, looking in”. They never have been. 
As much as our dear pioneers do do, it would be a sad congregation without the rest of us, and yes, the support and encouragement they give us, individually.

I’m one of those that, private functions are fine. But, let’s keep the tone down. 
We all need to be upbuilt. 
And to see the elders included in these, “get-to-gathers”, is wonderful. 
Yes, i had a really traumatic experience with this particular sister, and it looks like i still need to pray to get over it. Compłetly.

In the meantime, i know itʼs is all wonderful, (spiritually, and otherwise) and Iʼm not trying to fault anyone, 

Just my sad experience, and how it affected me. 

[Hope]

1 hour ago, Miss Bea said:

Sorry, this all can be disconcerting. Iʼm going to say it like I feel it. I had a pioneer sister, (for many years) actually tell me, “You donʼt know what to, um, have an appointment in the congregation .” I said, “um”, because I guess it still riles up a bit of stress in me. 

I kid you not. We have pioneers in our congregation, and I love them dearly. They don’t set themselves aside from the rest of us. In fact, I have to think hard as to who they are. Maybe 7 in a small congregation of maybe 20 publishers They fuss over us as much as we fuss over them. 
We have a meal where we meet for service on Wednesdays. Most all bring food. And some of the most wonderful dishes are provided by our dear pioneers. 
They are not a group that, “the rest of us are on the outside, looking in”. They never have been. 
As much as our dear pioneers do do, it would be a sad congregation without the rest of us, and yes, the support and encouragement they give us, individually.

I’m one of those that, private functions are fine. But, let’s keep the tone down. 
We all need to be upbuilt. 
And to see the elders included in these, “get-to-gathers”, is wonderful. 
Yes, i had a really traumatic experience with this particular sister, and it looks like i still need to pray to get over it. Completely.

In the meantime, i know itʼs is all wonderful, (spiritually, and otherwise) and Iʼm not trying to fault anyone, 

Just my sad experience, and how it affected me. 

 

I get this Sister Bea - 1000%.  For many years, I felt sad around the elder/pioneer meeting time because it seemed so nice and fun.. and I was in sore, dire need of encouragement and association.   I felt like - the elders and pioneers are always hanging out with spiritual people, doing Jehovah's work, getting "extras", and my sad, single, struggling self couldn't buy an invitation to anything, anywhere. 😢 

 

In fact, one of the many different reasons I wanted to regular pioneer was so I could finally be in the "In Crowd".. feel like I *really* belonged to a group. And I'll tell you - it is quite different. As a regular pioneer, the elders pay more attention to you. You get the Pioneer School (education, association, encouragement - just for you!), the Circuit Pioneer Meeting ahead of the Circuit Assembly (I didn't even know about that one 'til I started going), and the Elder/Pioneer Meeting. They are all SO lovely! And you get a key to the Kingdom Hall 😉 

 

Of course, it's a huge time commitment, exemplary living requirement, and responsibility. And a massive blessing of undeserved kindness from Jehovah. The special attention is definitely warranted and appreciated. I'm sorry for those of you whose elders/pioneers don't go "all out" for each other - over the years, our crew bought coffee mugs, encouraging cards, tote bags, pens, etc... especially during pandemic. We pioneers delivered spiffy mugs to our elders at the 2021 meeting. ❤️Usually the dinners were cooked by the elder wives and we all ate together at the Hall.

 

CAVEAT:  I do want to emphasize that our pioneers are NOT exclusionary or clique-ish or anything like that. My feelings on this are my *own* expressions... not necessarily rooted in an actual problem or issue in my congregation. We've gone from over 40 pioneers down to nine now over the past few years and they need all the support we can give them.

 

This is my first year without all those extras. 😢 I do really miss it. I know why I was asked to come off the list and it was the right thing to do.. but I'm not one of "The Cats" anymore and it does feel different- more internally, than externally. I missed my first Circuit Pioneer Meeting on December 6. I did get to hear about this year's elder/pioneer meeting outline from a couple of weeks ago, about taking good personal care of oneself - I sure would have liked to hear that entire meeting. But my elders still look after me.  A fine consolation is that since I'm aux pioneering this month, I can join the CO pioneer meeting next week (Jan 25). That will be fantastic.

 

I hope I can rejoin the ranks one day soon. It *is* a bit of a rush, I don't care what anyone says. 😉 But we also must always keep in mind that Jehovah only wants the best we can do. If that's pioneering, groovy. If it's being a regular publisher in this distressing world, that is also so very groovy. ❤️ Let's all of us strive not to forget each other out here and unite, not divide.

 

Love y'all.... u.

[Old]

When I was in the pioneer ranks circa 1957 it did seem like we pioneers had "Stars on thars."* At 17 pioneering opened up a whole new world to me. In the small congregation the CO gave pioneers more attention, probably because we were out every day . The servant body was mostly made up of pioneers. At Circuit Assemblies the majority of the speakers were older pioneers. When it came to volunteering at circuit assemblies and district assemblies the pioneers were in the lead. When it came to Kingdom Hall construction who were in the lead? pioneers.

Sad to say I suffered from a big head, not a Christ like characteristic. Can you imagine a 19 or a 21 year old being singled out to be a congregation servant today? It happened. 

I think the current attention given pioneers if very appropriate. They don't have stars on thars but display Christian Qualities to a highest degree.

 

* Stars on Thars

https://youtu.be/PdLPe7XjdKc

 

 

[Miss Bea]

As usual. Convoluted..what was said to me was, “You don’t know what it is to have an appointment in the congregation”. 

Edited January 14 by Miss Bea

[Bamahrt]

I am sadden to see there are some, who feel   "left out" or sadden by these things.   Jehovah never wants any of us to stand out or dare I say feel puffed up with pride because of this.  Nor does he want any of us to feel hurt by being able to pioneer or be an elder or MS.

    At one time our Cong of about 80 publishers had only one lone pioneer.   So you can imagine she needed all the help she could get in going out in service during the week.   I want to be a pioneer, because I am semi-retired.   I know I have the time I can dedicate to Jehovah.   I also know that if I'm not pioneering, "I" will fall into the mode of ...."oh I can take today off I can go do this instead"   So for me its helping me to push myself to do more for Jehovah.   Because if I don't push myself, then I will take days off that I'm just going to lay around the house.   At the same time I've gone thru periods of "ohh I just can't do it, I can come off the list"   (this system wears on all of  us, none of us can do what we did before)  

    Soo please, please, remember Jehovah loves ALL of us.    

As far as "this system wearing on all of us"     I tell everyone that says that,   "your not old enough yet.  Wait till you get a little older (in the New World) then you'll be old enough."

[booboo]

42 minutes ago, Bamahrt said:

am sadden to see there are some, who feel   "left out" or sadden by these things.   Jehovah never wants any of us to stand out or dare I say feel puffed up with pride because of this.  Nor does he want any of us to feel hurt by being able to pioneer or be an elder or MS.

    At one time our Cong of about 80 publishers had only one lone pioneer.   So you can imagine she needed all the help she could get in going out in service during the week.   I want to be a pioneer, because I am semi-retired.   I know I have the time I can dedicate to Jehovah.   I also know that if I'm not pioneering, "I" will fall into the mode of ...."oh I can take today off I can go do this instead"   So for me its helping me to push myself to do more for Jehovah.   Because if I don't push myself, then I will take days off that I'm just going to lay around the house.   At the same time I've gone thru periods of "ohh I just can't do it, I can come off the list"   (this system wears on all of  us, none of us can do what we did before)  

    Soo please, please, remember Jehovah loves ALL of us.    

 

Well said my sister.  

[DarinS]

heard this one time

 

<<Pioneers are just publishers who have ...or made the circumstances to put more hours in the service>>

 

helped me have  better view of that privledge

 

like Jerry mentioned the old days.... well for me the early days where later....

in the 70's Pioneers preached 100 hours a month

they were appointed by the branch and had a little card that indicated they were pioneers and they reported directly to the branch

--there was a reason behind that --- it helped many of the young men avoid compulsory service in the 60's-70's

--they were ordained ministers

 

granted we are all ministers ---- but it helped in some legal scenarios

 

these days we see so many stepping up and pioneering - especially with the decreased requirements

(we have gotten away from <COUNTING HOURS> and spend our time looking for sheeplike folks)

 

there are so many ways young people can expend themselves in Jehovah's service these days

regular and Aux pioneering - PT or FT LDC/ need greater / Temp or FT Bethel service / visiting unassigned areas / remote bethelites / SKE / many many ways to volunteer to fill the many needs in this time of the end

 

encourage all those in your area to at-least try it out --

(i see too many ready to run into a relationship - marriage - house - kids)

 

try one of opportunities of Special Service -- for a year --- you can always stop if you don't like it

but you just might love it and let it become your FullTime Career

 

 

 

[Tortuga]

Pioneers aren't better people or better publishers; they may just have better circumstances.

[jwhess]

2 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Pioneers aren't better people or better publishers; they may just have better circumstances.

Perhaps their circumstances aren't "better".  It is just what these publishers make of their circumstances.  In our congregation, amongst the 24 Reg Pioneers, we have single ones who have been left single by unfaithful spouses, those that are single because they are widows, those that pioneer because their health is poor but stabilized and others that qualified for 'infirm' pioneering.  Some are young but have agreed to sell their homes and possessions to simplify their lives.

 

As I mentally review our pioneers, most have had lives that were better and more comfortable before now.  But they took the changes presented and turned them into opportunities to serve Jehovah full-time.  Many of them would be happy to revert to full, loving families, return of dead loved ones, better health and more comfortable life styles.  But they accept the challenges of their current lives and strive to put Jehovah's Purpose to work in their present circumstances.  It is a matter of devotion and drive to overcome.

[sfossy]

As a pioneer married elder with a full time job, I feel like my life is pretty much like a non stop wrestling like that of Jacob with the angel to obtain a blessing. Very tough, at times it leaves you without energy, but still I wouldn't trade it for anything. Sure, I'd have more free time, but the joy I feel when I go out there is unmatched.

[DarinS]

On 1/15/2025 at 7:30 PM, jwhess said:

Perhaps their circumstances aren't "better".  It is just what these publishers make of their circumstances.  In our congregation, amongst the 24 Reg Pioneers, we have single ones who have been left single by unfaithful spouses, those that are single because they are widows, those that pioneer because their health is poor but stabilized and others that qualified for 'infirm' pioneering.  Some are young but have agreed to sell their homes and possessions to simplify their lives.

 

As I mentally review our pioneers, most have had lives that were better and more comfortable before now.  But they took the changes presented and turned them into opportunities to serve Jehovah full-time.  Many of them would be happy to revert to full, loving families, return of dead loved ones, better health and more comfortable life styles.  But they accept the challenges of their current lives and strive to put Jehovah's Purpose to work in their present circumstances.  It is a matter of devotion and drive to overcome.

 

AGREE ---I used to think that it was better circumstances also....

 

then we had an article about those in Japan - like 50% of the congregations were pioneering

and the article said only those with special circumstances "might NOT be able to pioneer"

 

helped me shift my thinking

--then we had that video of the sister with no limbs regular pioneering -- really sent home that Jehovah can use anyone with the right attitude and desire

 

I am very busy in my mind.....but I have it way easier than some others - i'm amazed at some of the friends

so i will use my strength - whether its limited(often) or feeling full .......to praise Jah

 

but please continue to encourage those in your hall who might have less responsibilities

young - in school or finishing

older - retire etc

 

to test out pioneering - it is some work -- but most rewarding work you will ever do

[BLEmom]

A nice balanced view of “circumstances“ is in a April 2022 study article entitled How to Set and Reach Spiritual Goals

 

 

 

We can learn from Paul’s experience in Thessalonica. We may be reaching out for a privilege of service, but circumstances beyond our control are preventing us from receiving it. (Eccl. 9:11) If that is true in your case, be willing to pick a different goal that is within your reach. This is what a couple named Ted and Hiedi did. Because of a health problem, they had to leave Bethel. But their love for Jehovah moved them to look for other ways to expand their ministry. First, they took up the regular pioneer service. In time, they were appointed as special pioneers, and Ted was trained as a substitute circuit overseer. Then the age requirement for circuit overseers changed. Ted and Hiedi realized that they were no longer eligible for this privilege of service. Although they were disappointed, they recognized that they could serve Jehovah in other ways. Ted says, “We have learned not to limit our focus to one type of service.”