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 5 hours ago by Miss Bea