2024 Governing Body Update #2

[Exter]

49 minutes ago, Dages said:

As we are getting close to the GT, maybe sisters would receive some training in case they are alone without any brothers? 🤔

 

Yes, this will coming very soon. Think on the persecution in Nazi-Germany!

[Eejay]

10 hours ago, Hope said:

I DID just buy this suit. 

 Well done! It is really elegant. Hopefully the material suits the climate where you are. 😊

[Eejay]

10 hours ago, Leslie.m said:

it feels weird (for me) even thinking about attending the Memorial without a suit or jacket / tie.

It is just about adjustment to change. The tradition of ties and jackets etc is entirely cultural, and as a specific mode of dress, has no absolutely no scriptural basis.

 

They do say "dress as you feel!" Do you want to feel "wierd" at the Memorial? If not, dress in a way that doesn't distract you (or others) from the importance of the occasion. 

We would certainly have no objection to interested ones dressing as they feel comfortable, and now, in following the recent WT advice to discuss dress-code with them, we can reassure them that there is no need to dress "up" for the occasion, although our garb should reflect a respectful attitude.

 

We have had so many changes over the years. I can remember feeling "wierd" about not asking for a contribution towards literature costs. I still feel "wierd" about not approaching people on cart work. Many are feeling very "wierd" about adjusting from "presentation" to "conversation".

 

Adapting to change is an achievement. If it is any consolation, if that is you in your profile pic, you look anything but "wierd". 😊

[Pabo]

11 hours ago, Tortuga said:

 

They had bacon and eggs for breakfast every day.

[Almursal]

italian transcript

Aggiornamento dal Corpo Direttivo n2-2024.pdf

[Andrey]

18 hours ago, DancesWithWife said:

Including not having to wear socks with dress shoes for the brothers!

 

[Andrey]

When sister found out that you can wear trousers to meetings and conventions. 🤣

 
Edited March 21 by Dages

[LeolaRootStew]

27 minutes ago, Andrey said:

When sister found out that you can wear trousers to meetings and conventions. 🤣

 

i can't play the video

[Landon1285]

I was forwarded this nice thought:

“Imagine you are an Israelite woman. All your life, you lived with the Mosaic law. Now that Jesus died, it's no longer a requirement.
All these people at the meeting without a blue ribbon on their clothes. Men are no longer circumcised. There's no need to go to the Temple anymore to sacrifice.
Imagine how you would have felt if your daughter had a baby and she doesn't go to the Temple for the sacrifice. Doesn't even keep the time of uncleanliness.
Everything you held dear your entire life and helped you decide if someone was good company or not is not there anymore.
We're living in very similar times.
Brothers are wearing beards, sisters are wearing pants. We're not turning in a time sheet anymore. Less literature. Fewer meetings.
Like the first Christians, Jehovah is getting us ready for the end of this system of things by removing the visible traits of faith and extending mercy. For the first Christians, it wasn't long before their world ended. It won't be long for us now either.
Jehovah has never been a God focused on things but always intention."

[daydream]

1 hour ago, LeolaRootStew said:

can't play the video

The first video I could view. It was a bit slow to download. Maybe a few seconds. Blame it on my slow house wifi.

[Michał]

GB update #2 is going to played tonight at our MWM.


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[Landon1285]

3 minutes ago, Michał said:

GB update #2 is going to played tonight at our MWM.


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Yeah that was fast

[Dawid]

3 hours ago, Landon1285 said:

I was forwarded this nice thought:

“Imagine you are an Israelite woman. All your life, you lived with the Mosaic law. Now that Jesus died, it's no longer a requirement.
All these people at the meeting without a blue ribbon on their clothes. Men are no longer circumcised. There's no need to go to the Temple anymore to sacrifice.
Imagine how you would have felt if your daughter had a baby and she doesn't go to the Temple for the sacrifice. Doesn't even keep the time of uncleanliness.
Everything you held dear your entire life and helped you decide if someone was good company or not is not there anymore.
We're living in very similar times.
Brothers are wearing beards, sisters are wearing pants. We're not turning in a time sheet anymore. Less literature. Fewer meetings.
Like the first Christians, Jehovah is getting us ready for the end of this system of things by removing the visible traits of faith and extending mercy. For the first Christians, it wasn't long before their world ended. It won't be long for us now either.
Jehovah has never been a God focused on things but always intention."

It is good to rember that Israelites has got law from Jehova. Wearing or not wearing beards or clothes is not from Jehova. This is different situation IMO.

[DancesWithWife]

24 minutes ago, Michał said:

GB update #2 is going to played tonight at our MWM.

The update was shown at our meeting on 3/19/24 Tuesday of this week. 

[Dages]

28 minutes ago, Landon1285 said:

Yeah that was fast

I like that a lot. Jehovah is training us to react very fast.

[coolbrz731]

24 minutes ago, Dawid said:

It is good to rember that Israelites has got law from Jehova. Wearing or not wearing beards or clothes is not from Jehova. This is different situation IMO.

According to a Branch Representative, these instructions do come from Jehovah

On 3/18/2024 at 6:50 AM, McKay said:

I think this topic brings up a lot of things to consider.

 

We had our CA with Branch yesterday and a few sisters in slacks, a few brothers without ties (including me), and about 40% of the brothers had beards, including the Branch rep. I've talked to a few elders and some are taking the updates poorly. They fear we're yielding to the masses and not setting ourselves apart from the likes of Christendom.

 

But an interesting point was made during the final talk. The speaker said that we should see these changes as coming from Jehovah, not men.

 

So that's an interesting thing to remember when we're "afraid" to be the first to wear slacks. Who are you afraid of, sisters? Or you're "worried" about losing the tie? Who are you worried about, brothers? This is Jehovah's organization. Run with it, if you so choose!

 

On a practical matter, I think this is a great change for many families and even our studies. I have 4 sons and it is very expensive keeping them clothed for meetings as they grow. When we first went back after Covid, I spend $1500 on new suits and alterations for myself and the kids because we had all grown or gained weight!

 

But what about women we might study with who have never worn a skirt or dress, don't own one, don't WANT to wear one, and are hesitant to come to meetings because they know it's expected? They don't have the spiritual appreciation yet, and so this is keeping them from making progress. These women can now join us in worship, and that's a very good thing.

 

Finally, my wife and others have suggested that part of these changes might end up being a protection during the GT as it will harder to distinguish us. 

 

Whatever the case, servants of Jehovah should anticipate change. Although Jehovah does not change, he is clearly fond of leading his people closer and closer to His truth.

 

[Dawid]

46 minutes ago, coolbrz731 said:

According to a Branch Representative, these instructions do come from Jehovah

 

In 2024 GB Update #2 brother said that it was GB decision. 🙂

One brother explained it nicely, " Jehovah  allows the GB to think on their own, following bible principles as they can understand them.  This dress code is as much about policy, culture  as it is about Bible principles. So discretion is often left to the Faithful and “Discreet” slave."

[Landon1285]

53 minutes ago, Dawid said:

In 2024 GB Update #2 brother said that it was GB decision. 🙂

One brother explained it nicely, " Jehovah  allows the GB to think on their own, following bible principles as they can understand them.  This dress code is as much about policy, culture  as it is about Bible principles. So discretion is often left to the Faithful and “Discreet” slave."

It's all training for their future assignments in heaven. 

[Dawid]

5 minutes ago, Landon1285 said:

It's all training for their future assignments in heaven. 

Yes. I can agree. In Heaven they will get perfection, and a lot of wisdom

[MullumMiss]

3 hours ago, Michał said:

GB update #2 is going to played tonight at our MWM.


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We had it at our meeting on Tuesday.

[MullumMiss]

I hope the same mercy/care is extended to those who though were not reproved/disfellowshipped lost their privileges.  As an example a few years ago we moved congregations.  Without going into the whys and wherefores my husband was not recommended as an elder and myself as a pioneer.  12 months later when I applied to regular pioneer the brothers took several months before they would approve basing their deliberation on my not being recommended 12 months prior.  I told them I felt like they had their feet on me not allowing me to move forward.  I felt if I had done something that led to reproof/disfellowship it would have been easier to move forward.  

The interesting thing is when we first moved we had a shepherding call from the CO.  One of the things he said to us both as we were reeling from what happened, was “you have not been deleted, just not recommended, the brothers now in our new congregation will be keeping an eye on us both in the next few months and if all goes well we will in time get our privileges back”.  We both just continued life as we have always done busy in the congregation, but it has really been a battle at times.  Especially for my husband.  After around 18 months they approved me as a pioneer but it has been much longer for my husband.  He has been  MS for around 18 months.  The original incident happened 7 years ago.  

So I hope any others in a similar situation get looked after by the elders.  Apart from the initial shepherding call from CO we have never received another.  The goal now to lead those disfellowshipped or those who commit serious sin to repentance is beautiful but please do not forget ones that have experienced what we have.  

 

[Tortuga]

9 minutes ago, MullumMiss said:

I hope the same mercy/care is extended to those who though were not reproved/disfellowshipped lost their privileges.

So I hope any others in a similar situation get looked after by the elders.  Apart from the initial shepherding call from CO we have never received another.  The goal now to lead those disfellowshipped or those who commit serious sin to repentance is beautiful but please do not forget ones that have experienced what we have.  

 

I agree. I know many brothers that use to serve as an MS or elder and have not served for many years. The general attitude of the BOE is that the brother isn't reaching out. But it doesn't seem that anyone is asking the brothers what they can do to help them reach out. I hope the GB addresses that type of situation more firmly..

[Qapla]

[Joey]

3 hours ago, MullumMiss said:

my husband was not recommended as an elder and myself as a pioneer

What?! I thought you were automatically an elder and pioneer when you move? I just moved to a new Hall, I think I am still a regular pioneer here.Should I ask about that?

Edited March 22 by Joey

[Murilo Orlando]

The cover of a certain publication makes me think that we will study the changes discussed in this update soon, in September.