2025 GB Update #5 - Putting to rest issues on “Higher” Education

[Dhanyel]

How wonderful! Very appropriate!

[Dages]

Just now, Dhanyel said:

How wonderful! Very appropriate!

Very balanced. Yes.

[Isaac Lupupa]

5 minutes ago, Dages said:

Very balanced. Yes.

Is it out yet 

[dannysharedstuff]

6 minutes ago, Isaac Lupupa said:

How do you brothers get to know that it's now on the servers, is there a link that you ise to follow up?

 

Some brothers/sisters work at Bethel / are commuters / remote volunteers and have access to the servers and some inside information. My issue here is that they shouldn't leak any information or give some "hints" about the content of feature releases.

 

As someone here said before: "Let's wait on the faithful slave to release any information at the correct time. If you try to get in front the chariot, you might get knocked over."

[Dhanyel]

It's available on the JW website!

[dannysharedstuff]

BTW, here's the link for the GBU: https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/StudioNewsReports/docid-1112024036_1_VIDEO

[Parale]

14 minutes ago, Isaac Lupupa said:

is there a link that you ise to follow up?

 

https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/StudioNewsReports/docid-1112024036_1_VIDEO

[JohnFromOz]

Seems like we no longer use the expression "higher education" but rather "additional education". Interesting. 🤔

[Sofia]

Spoiler

We have the theme of 2026 conventions 

 

[Andrey]

Thank you, Jehovah and GB, for understanding us (education topic).

 

Regional Convention 2026 Theme:

 

Quote

As we reflect on these happy occasions, you may wonder, ‘What’s ahead for future conventions?’ Would you like to know the theme for the 2026 convention series? It’s a good one. The theme is “Eternal Happiness.” Isn’t that nice?

 

 

[Isaac Lupupa]

From this update, will it be a problem for an appointed man to pursue additional education or can an exemplary brother who is pursuing additional education at a higher learning institution be considered for appointment as a ministerial servant or perhaps and elder?

[sfossy]

It has never been an impediment in the first place, as the experience of many can testify.

 

What's really new in this update is that brothers who choose to pursue additional education are given practical suggestions to stay spiritually healthy rather than being left to navigate the dangers by themselves.

[Friend of Peace]

I guess elders that were deleted because their children went to university will be able to serve again immediately? 

[Dages]

6 minutes ago, Isaac Lupupa said:

From this update, will it be a problem for an appointed man to pursue additional education or can an exemplary brother who is pursuing additional education at a higher learning institution be considered for appointment as a ministerial servant or perhaps and elder?

"And while an elder or a mature friend may discuss with us the pros and cons about obtaining additional education, no Christian —including the elders— should judge a fellow Christian’s personal decision on this matter."

[Aleks]

In Mexico during the 1980s, the “elders” told us that it was a sin to go to university... now I raise my glass to the young people who, with their own conscience, will pursue further studies.

[Buckeye]

Sure wish I had been allowed to go to college. I mean this is such a change. The circuit overseer told me if I went to college how disappointed Jehovah would be in me.  Now parents should be encouraging us to go to college. I’m 45 now and it’s too late.  It’s so frustrating to me at times when these changes happen 

[johnnyjw01]

5 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

Sure wish I had been allowed to go to college. I mean this is such a change. The circuit overseer told me if I went to college how disappointed Jehovah would be in me.  Now parents should be encouraging us to go to college. I’m 45 now and it’s too late.  It’s so frustrating to me at times when these changes happen 

There isn’t really a change, just a clarification. I know elders even older than you that went to university white they were witnesses… 

[jwzhang]

Is it just me, or does it seem like the forum topics are very in tune with the updates we are getting? Organization reading some things here? 😆

[Friend of Peace]

Just now, johnnyjw01 said:

I know elders even older than you that went to university white they were witnesses…

Yes, but it was similar to those who were able to grow beards and not be counselled for it before the update was announced. Now, it’s a blanket: “Don’t judge your brother, and that applies to elders too.”

[Andrey]

8 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

Sure wish I had been allowed to go to college. I mean this is such a change. The circuit overseer told me if I went to college how disappointed Jehovah would be in me.  Now parents should be encouraging us to go to college. I’m 45 now and it’s too late.  It’s so frustrating to me at times when these changes happen 

 

Dear brother, Nathan. You remain loyal to Jehovah. Jehovah loves you very much! 🙏

[johnnyjw01]

22 minutes ago, Isaac Lupupa said:

From this update, will it be a problem for an appointed man to pursue additional education or can an exemplary brother who is pursuing additional education at a higher learning institution be considered for appointment as a ministerial servant or perhaps and elder?

I am sure it was the same before, since my friend was appointed as a ms while studying at university

[Tortuga]

2 minutes ago, jwzhang said:

Is it just me, or does it seem like the forum topics are very in tune with the updates we are getting? Organization reading some things here? 😆

No doubt...

[Andrey]

5 minutes ago, jwzhang said:

Is it just me, or does it seem like the forum topics are very in tune with the updates we are getting? Organization reading some things here? 😆

 

They copy information from us like schoolchildren during exams. 🤣 

[Dages]

5 minutes ago, Friend of Peace said:

Yes, but it was similar to those who were able to grow beards and not be counselled for it before the update was announced. Now, it’s a blanket: “Don’t judge your brother, and that applies to elders too.”

Same, we've had beards for years in France  
Are the frenchs a corrupting influence?  

[johnnyjw01]

7 minutes ago, Friend of Peace said:

Yes, but it was similar to those who were able to grow beards and not be counselled for it before the update was announced. Now, it’s a blanket: “Don’t judge your brother, and that applies to elders too.”

Yes, I’m glad that now all the congregations will be on the same page