Did you ever get any "Bad Advice" from Elders or Ministerial Servants?

I remember once, an elder told me that I could become a Full time pioneer.  I was working 40 hours a week, and had a seasonal job 7 months a year.

The way he figured it out, I could work 8 hours during my day, then go to my meetings, and still find 3 or 4 hours to preach that same day.....

I told him to go climb a tree. 

Another elder told me that I should buy a house, so that the book study would be at my place...

And another elder told me that I should quit my job, do like the other brothers and work in the cleaning business a few hours a day, and be a full time pioneer...

OK, that reasoning wouldn't permit me to buy a house so that the book study would be there....

 

Elders back then in the late 80's told us to leave the city, and go live in the country side, some 20 miles further so that a new congregation and new kingdom hall be built....and many did that.

Some came back a few years later, because their work was in the city and it was too far to travel every day.

Gee, they gave stupid advice.

An elder once gave me a Bible Higlights part (I wasnt even a ministerial servant) and told me that it was to show the CO that i was capable of handling assignments, lo and behold, the CO wasnt even paying attention to any of the theocratic ministry school parts and left during the speech quality so he didnt even see my part.

Get baptised?

I got some atrocious marital advice. It kills me that unmarried elders are told they are qualified to give marital advice, but even the married ones doff their common sense and don their Watchtower Counselor's garb when they talk marriage.

If you can discern what the opposite of whatever advice they offer is, you can assume that would be a reasonably good course.

Dave

join the school, get baptized, move back in w/ my mom, get reinstated, pioneer.....the list goes on and on

luv, jojo

Jh i would have told him to do more than just climb a tree!! (whats happened to all my smiley things etc and highlighter????)

Not advice, per se, but that I would be "Truly Blessed" now that I quit college (at their urging.)

My dear Mr. Rat...I think the question should be..."Did you ever get any GOOD advice from elders or ministerial servants"?  Of course then there wouldn't be anyone responding probably.  No...you asked the right question.

They just kept telling me, at my lowest point of depression bordering on suicidal thoughts...JUST DO MORE IN SERVICE, GET TO MORE MEETINGS AND YOU'LL SNAP OUT OF IT!   Oh what a bunch of horse shit and I could go on and on and on.......

mumsy

They told me that the best carrier I could ever have would be working at "Bethel" scrubbing toilets.They told me that the best carrier I could ever have would be working at "Bethel" scrubbing toilets.

my opinion based on my experience with elder advice is that they give their personal opinions which are based on their own personal bias, why do you need three people on a Judicial committee if the decision is reached by prayer and direction from Jehovah, wouldn't one do?

Yes if the Society Say's your left hand is your right then from that time on it is. I was given this advice during a judicial meeting fro apostasy when I found out that the Society joined the UN. Why was I given that advice because the Elders refused to believe that the Society had joined.

  

One asked me if I thought about going to Bethel. I said why don't you go? He walked away. 

 

         

My version:  One asked me if I thought about regular pioneering.  I said have you?

He had a bad habit of doing this so I was prepared with 2 WT experiences of elders with full-time jobs, wife and 3 children who were regular pioneers.  He never asked me again.

Blondie

Let's see:

To stop dating this wonderful girl: good thing I didn't because now she my wife and the most wonderful thing that has happened to me.

To stop associating with my lifelong friends:  That never happened.

Not to get a pellet gun when I was a kid:

They told me to stop associating with my family. Told me that going to funerals of loved ones or friends at other churches would not be a good idea because you wouldn't believe anything that the preacher said, and because "bad associations spoil useful habits".  Funny thing is, I never felt like I had any family while in that religion. They told me not to let what others did "stumble me".  That's the best thing that a witness ever did for me (stumbling me).  Any of you lurkers out there, if you know my twins, please, stumble them. 

Well... While my first mariage was going down the sewage drain I took a chance and sought "comfort" from the c.o at that time. He tried though, I can't be mad at him. He said " The reason why your relationship isn't working is because one or both of you is not following bible principles. Son, take the time to go out in the field with her to improve your hours". At that time she was gone all day into the night for what ever doing her own thing  , PLUS we never had sex for 1 %$%^ year! I told him that, and he looked at me  like this! In fact ALL the elders looked at me like that.

Thanks guys.. . well equipped for every good work