2024 Governing Body Update #2

[trottigy]

16 minutes ago, jwnate said:

One congregation I went to kept a hat in the coatroom in case a sister needed to do something like conduct the meeting for field service. I wonder if any halls will start keeping a tie and jacket in the coatroom in case a brother needs to fill in with something on the platform. 

 

[Kunlesky]

I have been musing over a version of informal witnessing where we show up to play sport, especially for those nearer to the gated communities where no soliciting and no literature signs were posted targeting Jehovah’s Witnesses. The idea is putting a small group together that blends in (wearing sporting gears depending on the scenario). While half the group is playing actual sport, the other half can try to engage in informal witnessing. This idea came from many a good report that I had near the table tennis (ping pong) inside a gym while trying to exercise in the evenings back in my day up in Canada (2001). I still recall one of those episode turning into sermon of the mount with over 30 publications placed resulting in 5 studies in a singular move.

 

The changes we are making seems to be reinforcing and recrystallizing the above idea:

1. No more emphasis on hour reporting: we can do whatever is needed to accomplish the mission.

2. Dress code changes: we can dress to match the occasions?

 

Do you think any more updates needed to galvanize the idea? People need our lifesaving message if only we can pierce through their resistance. Some people need us to be in stealth mode to get that message.

 

 

[Lee49]

1 hour ago, JudyO said:

Is THAT what that break was for?

From what I remember the talks were  one hour long and the Watchtower was also, 30 + paragraphs, so you needed a short break, my wife and I had started going to meetings in 1969, we both smoked ( both quit in 19 70 ), we only would stay for the talk , then leave so we could smoke in the car on the way home, I don't remember anyone going outside to smoke, then going back in, but that was just at our hall.

[Ahuvah]

2 hours ago, JudyO said:

Hmmm... maybe not with the whole "Hebrews 10: 24" thing.....but what about Midweek meetings in homes? Like the old book studies were. 

I thought that too ... after reading the New World novels .... perhaps if the GT is close then maybe zoom might enter the picture again ... OR a program of Jehovah’s design. We need to keep our worship dignified. Already I've heard sisters say we can wear jeans.... but yeah clarications from the Stage are coming I'm sure. 

 

Next update? My uneducated guess: Final sealing.  😄 🤣 

 

EDIT: A good idea is to go to that original song where the sisters are conducting an in home meeting with head covering (during the GT it appears) . No jeans there just well arranged slacks.

Edited March 17 by Stormswift

[Ahuvah]

34 minutes ago, Lee49 said:

From what I remember the talks were  one hour long and the Watchtower was also, 30 + paragraphs, so you needed a short break, my wife and I had started going to meetings in 1969, we both smoked ( both quit in 19 70 ), we only would stay for the talk , then leave so we could smoke in the car on the way home, I don't remember anyone going outside to smoke, then going back in, but that was just at our hall.

In the mid 70s I was a wee thing ... well school age. Lived in a small town. Hired a sports room for meetings  ... had a chain toilet up behind the speakers stand. All of us were too scared to go to the toilet because you had to go past the speaker and it was a noisy toilet! 

[Sofia]

1 hour ago, Stormswift said:

Final sealing.  😄 🤣 

 

EDIT: A good idea is to go to that original song where the sisters are conducting an in home meeting with head covering (during the GT it appears) . No jeans there just well arranged slacks.

I’m on that theme too.

Imagine next weekend a massive final sealing all over the world??!? 😁

 

Bellow from the original song “ with eyes of faith”:

[truce]

On 3/16/2024 at 6:00 PM, LeolaRootStew said:

 

At least not at meetings. We just had our maintenance day and I wasn't the only Sister wearing jeans. Work clothes are for working.

And meeting clothes are for meetings. Lol.

[Fiona]

What are these called? I could definitely do these!

These I ordered from.shein. just under formal pants.

Sent from my SM-A336E using Tapatalk

[truce]

On 3/16/2024 at 6:36 PM, cme said:

We had some sisters show up with pants and long matching coat/like sweaters or jackets to go with it.   It looked like a fashion show.  I was truly impressed by the beauty and classy yet, quiet colors and such good taste.  Very impressive yet, dignified.

 

One brother showed up with a "Hawiian shirt, short sleeved.  Ummmm.....we had the visit of CO and he talked about the the Update 2 announcement and, said that we still should dress modestly and in good taste.

 

He looked at the brother that was wearing the Hawiian shirt and then looked else where.  Needless, to say 2 elders approached him after the meeting and mentioned that perhaps this was "over the top".

 

It actually was.  I  was surprised because, I always thought this brother more spiritual conscience or a brother that would think things through.

Hawaiian shirt in the Spring? Lol. He should have waited till Summertime at least. 

[Ahuvah]

We had a brother who wore his Fijian (similar to Hawaiian) shirt to his daughters engagement.... and it was snowing outside.

[Kunlesky]

3 hours ago, Lee49 said:

From what I remember the talks were  one hour long and the Watchtower was also, 30 + paragraphs, so you needed a short break, my wife and I had started going to meetings in 1969, we both smoked ( both quit in 19 70 ), we only would stay for the talk , then leave so we could smoke in the car on the way home, I don't remember anyone going outside to smoke, then going back in, but that was just at our hall.

Those are back in the days when you have to be a bible professor to become a Jehovah’s Witness😆

[Dolce vita]

6 hours ago, LeolaRootStew said:

 

1:38 La petite fille de gauche porte une robe semi-dos nu (que considérerons-nous comme approprié ?) et les ressuscités sont amenés par bateaux depuis un autre endroit. Un autre frère a une liste (nous serons toujours organisés).

 

1:45 Les frères étudient avec Joseph, mais... ils n'ont pas de livres d'étude, juste des schémas et des Bibles. (qu’est-ce que cela dit sur la façon dont nous enseignerons ?)

 

Que vois-tu?

While viewing in 2022 I observed that sick brothers and sisters (the sister who had respiratory assistance, her son taking care of her) were free from any equipment (released of all oxygen for the sister), while they all are  in the line of Armageddon survivors (does this mean that a small miracle will take place for all the sick ones during the GT?)

 

One of the brothers who taught Joseph concerning the prophecy of Daniel went from white hair to black hair. So he rejuvenated quite quickly it seems.

 

The single Brother who welcomes his friends and the resurrected Joseph into his big house was apparently homeless. His house is huge even if he doesn't seem to have started a family yet. He suffered from something in this system, Jehovah took him off the street and gave him the house of his dreams, just to please him, to make up for everything he missed in this old world: 'You open your hand and satisfy the heart'

 

While they all turn their backs on the city, Jehovah continues to destroy it. Perhaps Jehovah does not want them to witness the spectacle?

 

When they begin the work of reconstruction there is already peace between the animals: we see wolves with lambs at their side (if I'm wrong: it's not glasses that I need but less imagination).

 

The impression therefore is that many miracles will take place from the start of the millennium or even a little before, during the GT. Let's wait and see...

 

(Sorry if what I say is very banal or even contains errors. That's just what I understand and see😊)

[Andrey]

Sister Fa, you note correctly, in the video for the song. In all the publications in the pictures of the Armageddon devastation, there are no disabled people, but there are elderly brothers and sisters. I too think that Jehovah will take care of the handicapped during the judgment. But the elderly will be empowered to go to safety, and the young will be empowered in the New World.

 

[daydream]

1 hour ago, Fiona said:

from.shein. just under formal pants.

 

This type of pants is what I have been wearing for the better part of last year. But mine was from Dorothy Perkins. I was dreading the elders would pull me aside for wearings such pants but I take buses to meetings/service. Last year I fell backwards as I was boarding the free bus in the city. Wasn't a pretty sight if I was wearing a midi skirt. At that time I had a trolley with me. 

Spoiler

 

[Hope]

On 3/15/2024 at 1:36 PM, Fiona said:

That's funny. The shaving the legs part was my first thought.

Sent from my SM-A336E using Tapatalk
 

😄 I will continue to shave my legs regularly throughout eternity. For me, it's just a better look.

[DarinS]

No Hawaiian shirts no Guayabera shirts  

in South Florida

we see them at social events but not meetings

 

I foresee some mild drama-unfortunately

TODAY -

Sisters pants = 4 adults - 1 teen & 1 child 

the teen was a bit casual (several sisters also mentioned it)looked like party wear

2 of the adults wore pants that were extremely tight - not good

2 looked ….. normal? … business like?

 

the 9 year old looked the best to me

simple slacks - shirts and small jacket 

( I complimented her in front of her grandparents)

 

only 1 appointed Brother (out of 25)

skipped a tie

2 baptized visitors from France skipped Tie

3-4 publishers were sans jackets

 

BOE met and agreed to request ‘normal’ wear until we have some more detailed instructions (we expect this soon)

so Ties for Brothers conducting Service

jacket and Tie for those with ‘additional congregation meeting duties)

Ties and jackets for parts and those who might be ‘back-up’

 

only thing still VAGUE ….. what is CASUAL?

 

How are y’all defining casual??????

Edited March 17 by DarinS
Spelling

[Andrey]

I've been racking my brain a bit, figuratively of course, but now we need to do some good research on clothing and appearance for meeting and ministry. The brethren have given us freedom in dress and beards, but the concept of a mature and prudent approach has not been abolished. Many turn liberty into excessive freedom and this can be embarrassing both in the assembly and in the informal settings of others in the world. It can feel as if the shackles of slavery have been removed and we are free to do as we please. There is a list of guidelines for dress code, where, when and what to wear. We need to have families have a proper discussion and thorough research in this area. The principle of 1 Corinthians 14:40, remains the same in the Christian life.

[Landon1285]

5 minutes ago, DarinS said:

No Hawaiian shirts no Guayabera shirts  

in South Florida

we see them at social events but not meetings

 

I foresee some mild drama-unfortunately

TODAY -

Sisters pants = 4 adults - 1 teen & 1 child 

the teen was a bit casual (several sisters also mentioned it)looked like party wear

2 of the adults wore pants that were extremely tight - not good

2 looked ….. normal? … business like?

 

the 9 year old looked the best to me

simple slacks - shirts and small jacket 

( I complimented her in front of her grandparents)

 

only 1 appointed Brother (out of 25)

skipped a tie

2 baptized visitors from France skipped Tie

3-4 publishers were sans jackets

 

BOE met and agreed to request ‘normal’ wear until we have some more detailed instructions (we expect this soon)

so Ties for Brothers conducting Service

jacket and Tie for those with ‘additional congregation meeting duties)

Ties and jackets for parts and those who might be ‘back-up’

 

only thing still VAGUE ….. what is CASUAL?

 

How are y’all defining casual??????

Interesting decision I believe most elder bodies have decided the other way- to allow the friends to use their own conscience (obviously inappropriate clothes should be addressed)-then adjust to any further instructions. 

[Kunlesky]

Pants on rampage at the meetings in UK today🤣🤣🤣

 

[BLEmom]

18 minutes ago, DarinS said:

No Hawaiian shirts no Guayabera shirts  

in South Florida

we see them at social events but not meetings

 

I foresee some mild drama-unfortunately

TODAY -

Sisters pants = 4 adults - 1 teen & 1 child 

the teen was a bit casual (several sisters also mentioned it)looked like party wear

2 of the adults wore pants that were extremely tight - not good

2 looked ….. normal? … business like?

 

the 9 year old looked the best to me

simple slacks - shirts and small jacket 

( I complimented her in front of her grandparents)

 

only 1 appointed Brother (out of 25)

skipped a tie

2 baptized visitors from France skipped Tie

3-4 publishers were sans jackets

 

BOE met and agreed to request ‘normal’ wear until we have some more detailed instructions (we expect this soon)

so Ties for Brothers conducting Service

jacket and Tie for those with ‘additional congregation meeting duties)

Ties and jackets for parts and those who might be ‘back-up’

 

only thing still VAGUE ….. what is CASUAL?

 

How are y’all defining casual??????

If they are not on the platform, why worry so much?  I think the whole point of recent changes is less judgement and rules, not finding new rules to make. 

[truce]

21 hours ago, carlos said:

 

Rune, I am not sure I am understanding your point.

 

Of course every counsel must always be loving and kind, not judgmental. What did we do until now if a brother forgot to wear a tie, as you say, or if they came to the meeting in work clothes? Usually no advice was necessary if this just happened once. We just assume the brother forgot his tie or had to come directly from work, and would praise them for coming anyway. It would be different if the brother usually came to the meeting dressed that way, then maybe he would need some kind advice.

 

On the other hand, would we allow that brother without a tie or in work clothes to have a part on the platform? We wouldn't before and we won't now. So nothing has changed in that sense.

Without a tie on the platform might be permissible, if ties are not the standard in a given area. Work clothes on the platform, not applicable. 

[Esined]

There were 5 sisters wearing pants at my meeting (Special Talk) today, myself included. Sisters wore pants in service yesterday. One brother wearing no tie, a few with no jackets. I saw a brother from the Spanish congregation who attends after us wearing a guayabera, his wife wearing a pretty pants suit. Everyone looked appropriate and nice. I was super happy to say “hi, it’s good to see you” to two younger sisters who had been disfellowshipped. I feel like we’re being helped to focus on what’s most important and get closer to how Jehovah wants his people to be.

[Qapla]

We had a few sisters in pants and all the brothers wore pants. The brother who handled the A/V did not wear a tie, even though he wore a dress shirt and a vest.

 

It seems our congregation is going to expect those who are "seen" are to wear tie and coat/jacket. This includes those on the platform and the mic carriers.

 

We will see what direction is yet to come from the Branch

 

[daydream]

7 minutes ago, Esined said:

guayabera

 

Guayaberas are tradionally shirts from Cuba or Mexico. They are a type of shirt with 4 pockets and embroidery but keep in mind there are many types and styles of guayabera.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[BLEmom]

Sister slacks started in service yesterday. I wore slacks for SMPW.  I did look for an email indicating otherwise before I did that but no letter was emailed so I wore my wide legged linen slacks.   Got there and the key man had no tie. lol 

Today many sisters in slacks and brothers without ties. 
Move with the chariot or get run over! 😜