2024 Governing Body Update #2

[New World Explorer]

27 minutes ago, Stormswift said:

Can I just deal with the word 'casual' for a minute here. Casual can mean different things to different people. 

Ie: for someone like myself who has been brought up in the truth even dressy trousers for sisters seem casual in my eyes. But with this tweak I have to put casual into a new box and realize that when the brothers say not to be casual, this would mean for us to be careful not to let the world's view of casual creep in. It's going to take a bit for some to tweak their view. 

 

Someone also said earlier in this thread we have to follow the chariot. We do. But continuing to wear skirts and ties (not together) is still following the chariot too. 

 

With more options on the table for us all, we can adapt quickly to changing circumstances and world events around us without having to go to an elder and ask if that or this is OK, we know ahead of time now, Jehovah’s thoughts on the matter. He's dignifying us prior to any major event.

 

Thank you Jehovah we all love you very much. 

 

I fully anticipate more directions on dress and grooming especially during GT … (more casual) I think Jehovah is slowly transitioning us into more flexible mind. And in the meantime how wonderful is to have a choice .., if a person still wants to wear tie or skirt … no problem with that. Personal freedom is a wonderful gift from our loving Father. 

[Ahuvah]

12 hours ago, Dages said:

 

Found the brother who had "a part" during A-day  

More sisters wearing dresses than slacks there too. So Jehovah has really just open the door to much more lifestyle choices for everyone. A more casual (casual within HIS standards not the worlds) yet dignified approach.

 

Agree with you donutboy ... I mean Greg, definitely at the still classy stage, but in order to blend soon, I can see ' casual' being ok, but still dignified. I mean in some parts of town, dressing to blend, you'd have to dress like a homeless person .... and that would never be ok. 

Edited March 19 by Stormswift

[New World Explorer]

I think we are still to experience full meaning of this scripture; Now Jehovah is the Spirit, and where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom 2 Cor 3:17

 

I can't stop thinking how this statement will be fully realized a the end of Millennium.

And what aspects of our daily life in paradise will be touched on by this scripture? 

We know that Jehovah loves variety and within the sphere of his moral boundaries, there is so much room and flexibility. 

[Keep Fighting]

There are so many reactions from all over the world. When we preachers did not need to report. Then came one of the big ones, now brothers can have beards, just look how long that topic is 54 pages. Then came another surprise nice pants for sisters, no tie or suit jacket for brothers. 

What about the topics that have with now more right-minded people can join after the great tribulation, now a Christian who has a relative who is disfellowshipped or you have had a study with someone who has been disfellowshipped, invite him, her to a meeting. This new guidance that the elders will go through now in a short time and that will be read out in all the congregation that correspond to Brother Sanderson's speech. 

It can save more lives than beards, ties, no ties, skirts, dresses or nice pants.

We don't yet know why we can dress differently now than before, we will surely find out when the time is right.

 

What we are going through now we had in a study magazine just 2 years ago:

Do You Trust in Jehovah’s Way of Doing Things?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/watchtower/the-watchtower-2022/study-edition/february

Paragraf 15: As the end of this system of things draws near, we need to trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things as never before. Why? During the great tribulation, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives. That will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism, wondering, ‘Is this really coming from Jehovah, or are the responsible brothers acting on their own?’ How will you fare during that crucial time in human history? The answer might be indicated by how you view theocratic direction now. If you trust the direction we receive today and readily obey, you will likely do the same during the great tribulation.—Luke 16:10.

I know it says: During the great tribulation, at the same time it says: How will you fare during that crucial time in human history? The answer might be indicated by how you view theocratic direction now. If you trust the direction we receive today and readily obey, you will likely do the same during the great tribulation.

There will be situations we don't know what to do, so many questions, should brothers who bring sound, microphones, who are not up on the platform wear a tie, just an example. 

Until we get more guidance let's rather think, if we wonder what should we do, do something good. 

Again I just have to apologize that my English is not so good which unfortunately results to me being misunderstood. 

I promise to love you more even though I haven't seen you before (from a convention song)

[trottigy]

No more wondering how the Zoom people are dressed. No tie or dress is ok. 

 

[Landon1285]

Now sisters can do mics more comfortably with pants. 

[Qapla]

29 minutes ago, Landon1285 said:

Now sisters can do mics more comfortably with pants. 

 

Does that mean the brothers can carry mics without a tie?

 

[Dustparticle]

1 hour ago, Qapla said:

 

Does that mean the brothers can carry mics without a tie?

 

Yes

[DancesWithWife]

1 hour ago, Qapla said:

Does that mean the brothers can carry mics without a tie?

Our brother who was doing the stage tonight wore no jacket or tie. He had a long sleeve sweater with a nice shirt.i was on Zoom so i couldn’t see the microphone carriers.

[coolbrz731]

1 hour ago, Qapla said:

 

Does that mean the brothers can carry mics without a tie?

 

Just came back from the meeting, carrying a mike with no tie.  The COBE complimented me on my color coordination after the meeting.  He knows my wife is sick and I got dressed "all by myself"😂

[Mrs.Blessed]

At my Sunday Special talk meeting, the Brothers doing the AV department were wearing jackets but no ties. Same for the microphone Brothers. The Brothers on stage were wearing ties and jackets. I live in the Greater-Vancouver area of BC, Canada. 

There were about 10 sisters, or more, wearing slacks. We had 159 in the hall and many Brothers in the audience have beards/goatees. Some/others without ties and some/others without jackets. One MS had a very nice button-up short sleeve white shirt with no tie or jacket. He looked very dressy and dignified (clean shaven). I truly enjoyed seeing all the friends showing their different dignified and beautiful "feather's"... 😉 💖 🐦  🦜 🦚 

Edited March 20 by Mrs.Blessed

[Exter]

16 hours ago, Esined said:

Very cute and practical, sis! I like your scarf.

The wind factor makes skirts tricky sometimes. As my mom said, “I bet Jesus never said, ‘I can’t go out in service because I don’t have the blue schmatte (Yiddish for loose, hanging piece of clothing) with me’”

Yes, dear sister. your wear an excellent dress for the ministry. 

[Exter]

On 3/18/2024 at 9:25 PM, Qapla said:

Thanks, dear sister for this picture. You got an wonderful idea.Can i send you all my ties? But make from all the ties a good trouser with jacket! 🤣🤣I think, you became enough for a lot of sisters...

Edited March 20 by Exter

[Exter]

On 3/16/2024 at 11:55 PM, Sofia said:

I have no doubts!

I look forward to the next changing. Which you hope?

[Exter]

On 3/16/2024 at 3:25 PM, TheKid23 said:

I was the only sister at my group who took the plunge today but others said they’re going to next week. Seems nobody wanted to be the 1st, I thought someone’s gotta do it 🤷‍♀️😂

Excellent dear Sister. You can wear this to all theocratic events and ministry  Buy in the summer an light one.

[DancesWithWife]

12 hours ago, Landon1285 said:

Now sisters can do mics more comfortably with pants.

Are your sisters used to carry mics in your congregation? 

[Exter]

1 minute ago, DancesWithWife said:

Are your sisters used to carry mics in your congregation? 

In my Congregation, in Ahlen, German: The sisters carry mic, and look for the entrance by Zoom!

[DancesWithWife]

5 minutes ago, Exter said:

In my Congregation, in Ahlen, German: The sisters carry mic, and look for the entrance by Zoo

Interesting. Is there limited brothers to use?  Ours is all Brothers including Zoom. One time during Covid-19 and we were doing Zoom only service our sisters would host the Zoom meeting. This led to one brother being offended over it as he thought sisters should not be hosting. I thought well if there are no brothers, what were they supposed to do? And besides if a qualified brother shows up, she would just be hosting the Zoom meeting, not conducting the field service meeting. 

Edited March 20 by DancesWithWife
Added sentence for clarification

[Exter]

On 3/15/2024 at 9:17 PM, Pabo said:

Here is special thought for elders, husbands, and brothers need to keep in mind - we need to apply even moreso the spiritual counsel we received at our last convention -Exercise Patience.

 

Why?

 

Because our sisters, wives, daughters and mothers now need more time to work out what they are deciding to wear now that they have more choices in their wardrobe.

 

Even moreso if we accompanying them on their shopping expeditions.

Yes, i will do this. I am patient yet, when i see my wife in slacks, pants, trousers. But never more in Skirts. This is now out...

[Exter]

4 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

Interesting. Is there limited brothers to use?  Ours is all Brothers including Zoom. One time during Covid-19 and we were doing Zoom only service our sisters would host the Zoom meeting. This led to one brother being offended over it as he thought sisters should not be hosting. I thought well if there are no brothers, what were they supposed to do? And besides if a qualified brother shows up, she would just be hosting the Zoom meeting, not conducting the field service meeting. 

It is not limited brothers. The CO give an advice and the elders do so.  

[Mrs.Blessed]

There is a dear sister in our congregation (in her 70's) that hosts some of the Zoom service groups. It's so cool that she knows how to set it all up.

It's similar to having the service group at a sisters house. She would be "hosting" the group then too.

It's comforting to know that the sisters can host the Zoom service group incase one day no Brothers were available.

[Mrs.Blessed]

I love that the sisters in some congregations can do the microphones!

This might help some shy sisters and children to have the courage to comment. 

For shy sisters, it can be a little intimidating having the brother doing the mic staring intently at you as you give your comment.

[computerwiz]

36 minutes ago, DancesWithWife said:

Interesting. Is there limited brothers to use?  Ours is all Brothers including Zoom. One time during Covid-19 and we were doing Zoom only service our sisters would host the Zoom meeting. This led to one brother being offended over it as he thought sisters should not be hosting. I thought well if there are no brothers, what were they supposed to do? And besides if a qualified brother shows up, she would just be hosting the Zoom meeting, not conducting the field service meeting. 

 

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1102014936&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=13

 

Note that in the list of "who handles these duties", never does it mention elders.  We have enough to do, and are supposed to focus on the flock.  If there's not enough ministerial servants or exemplary brothers, sisters may be used to take care of things.

 

How you interpret "not enough" is for each congregation to decide.  Personally, I think it wise to allow some brothers to "breathe" and simply enjoy a meeting from time to time instead of having an assignment every single meeting.  Also, when situations happen where there's a lot of sick ones, and suddenly we physically don't have enough, it is good to have sisters already trained on what to do, instead of scrambling and trying to get them to help on the fly....

[Exter]

25 minutes ago, computerwiz said:

 

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1102014936&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=13

 

Note that in the list of "who handles these duties", never does it mention elders.  We have enough to do, and are supposed to focus on the flock.  If there's not enough ministerial servants or exemplary brothers, sisters may be used to take care of things.

 

How you interpret "not enough" is for each congregation to decide.  Personally, I think it wise to allow some brothers to "breathe" and simply enjoy a meeting from time to time instead of having an assignment every single meeting.  Also, when situations happen where there's a lot of sick ones, and suddenly we physically don't have enough, it is good to have sisters already trained on what to do, instead of scrambling and trying to get them to help on the fly....

This is the whole case by us in Germany, in the Cngr. Ahlen. The Elders getting older. And the sisters are very helpful. All sisters are are exemplary in their preaching and have a very good reputation

Edited March 20 by trottigy

[Landon1285]

On 3/15/2024 at 3:29 PM, Tortuga said:

I think this announcement helps us to adjust our thinking about what it means to go out in service. My service day could be walking around Costco for several hours trying to have conversations or walking around a cemetery talking to people. It would be difficult doing that while wearing a suit and tie. So now I feel more comfortable planning to engage in those forms of ministry.

As Brother Splane said in the 2024 Governing Body Update #1: "Are we 'off the clock,' so to speak, because we’re no longer in the formal preaching work? We don’t look at it that way"