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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Mar 18, 2011 12:06:21 GMT -5
My title refers to an oft-used, probably worn-out, pun on the annual "rounds," but it can probably serve well enough as an introduction this topic. I am writing this as a compliment to SholarGal's thread on Special Meetings on the main board.
For a contrast, I'll begin by mentioning a particular "rounds" in the San Diego region, in which a young worker from another region - as in "under a different overseer" - had planned the visiting schedule. I was one of the visitors (I had been in the work for 13 or 14 years at that time, in the early 90s), and I was becoming thoroughly disgusted at the amount of "visiting," which entailed running from home to home, cramming in a coffee or tea or merienda every morning and afternoon. The worker who planned this, after being a visitor in other California fields, realized that he had way overplanned things, in relation to local practices, and he did apologize.
I was asked by several older companions to make up the plans for the special meetings in our fields. Sometimes this was just because they were busy or didn't want to be bothered, and at times it was also considering the fact that I do have a certain ability to coordinate things like this, as far as the plans for one field are concerned.
Other younger workers and I talked about things we liked and disliked on the rounds, and I think one thing we heartily agreed on was that we disliked having big dinners, with an older worker being asked to "share something" immediately after the meeting, on Sunday evening. Having a part in the planning did enable me to steer away from things like this.
I think (maybe I flatter myself!) that I played a significant role in initiating the planning of transportation, in the form of transportation lists. This may sound like overkill from your perspectives, but believe me, it can be a mess when a worker zealously ensures that every home has a visitor, but takes no thought for how they're going to get there! I've been on a few rounds in which this has happened, and I was sometimes called on to make last-minute arrangements at a potluck, finding rides for the various workers to travel to their assigned homes for the night.
This occurred repeatedly with one older brother in California. I was later with him for a year, and did the planning in that field for that year. But the next year, a brand-new worker (who happens to be a very capable young man) was in the field with this same companion. The older companion made the plans (first-year workers really have no idea what is done on special meeting rounds), but, as had been planned at a higher level, the older companion was assigned to attend another special meeting on the weekend of the one in the field.
So . . . brand-new "younger companion" was the one other workers turned to with questions and problems. And there were lots! Workers would show up at a home, only to find that the people had not been informed they were to have a visitor that night! I don't remember in particular all the stories I was told, but the week was a nightmare for this young worker.
I don't mean to imply that this older companion is an evil or thoughtless man - he is simply disorganized! And I'm using this in an attempt to illustrate what a worker is thinking about . . .
Another older brother worker had two elderly workers - Don Fisher and Blanche Curtis - staying in homes in the same area, but miles from anyone else - way up in the hills of California's "gold country." Not a workable plan, considering the driving distances and the confusing roads in that area! We had some chuckles about that one.
We did consider things from different angles also, as far as who stayed (or ate) where. Some of us who felt it was not necessary to have a worker in every home also felt it was important for workers to have time together - we enjoyed being together! And of course we had to tally the number of cars we would have available, the number of drivers, those familiar with the region, dietary (and rest) needs . . . it can quickly grow very complex!
This is not a defense of - or an attack on - special meetings . . . it's simply intended as a glimpse into one former worker's involvement in them.
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Post by ScholarGal on Mar 18, 2011 12:46:29 GMT -5
My first insight into the logistics of special meeting happened when I was invited to an afternoon tea where all the workers were assembling on their arrival to a city during the special meeting rounds.
As each car drove up, I noticed that there was a paper taped to the rear passenger's window with a letter: A, B, C, D, etc. The list of visit plans included the name of the host, the name of the visiting worker(s), and the car letter that would get them there. I think the drivers were given a map with the addresses marked for their car.
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Mar 18, 2011 13:21:20 GMT -5
As each car drove up, I noticed that there was a paper taped to the rear passenger's window with a letter: A, B, C, D, etc. The list of visit plans included the name of the host, the name of the visiting worker(s), and the car letter that would get them there. Hey I had forgotten about that! We began that practice in California in the early 90s, but I think the idea may have been "borrowed" from another state . . . not sure on that now. It did help a lot! Most of us brothers could easily identify "the silver Taurus," but some sisters were left out in these descriptions . . . and remember, it's not just getting themselves each worker to the correct home, but also getting the corresponding luggage there too! Try to imagine yourself being handed a brother worker's garment bag that looked very similar to yours . . . We frequently used those map books (Thompsons?), inserting the map reference/page number on the list after the address. Of course, this was "way back when," before Blackberries n Androids . . .
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Mar 18, 2011 13:37:21 GMT -5
That is because Los Angeles is a "stop-over" from everywhere to everywhere Los Angeles also brought an interesting logistics challenge on the Monday after the special meetings in that area, as the 50+ workers needed to regroup to head for other special meetings, mostly down in San Diego and the desert areas. I was assigned the task of planning this major "shuffle" one year (1993?), and given the option of either having small groups of workers meet at various homes or to have one big gathering. I opted for the second choice, after attempting to work out a series of smaller "swap meets" (a term I jokingly introduced among my peers). We met at an older woman's large home a bit east of L.A., got out our lists (which I had compiled), and swapped luggage between cars . . . we wondered what onlooking neighbors thought! This didn't involve a meal, although the lady kindly set out some kind of snacks, I believe. It actually was fun, and I think this particular women enjoyed it immensely too!
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Post by apple on Mar 18, 2011 17:03:32 GMT -5
"Other younger workers and I talked about things we liked and disliked on the rounds, and I think one thing we heartily agreed on was that we disliked having big dinners, with an older worker being asked to "share something" immediately after the meeting, on Sunday evening."
A worker who sits down to a meal at someone's home must repay the host by "sharing something".Those who live off others are in no position to complain about returning the favour in some way and discussing scipture is a part of the job of a worker.
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Mar 18, 2011 17:16:09 GMT -5
A worker who sits down to a meal at someone's home must repay the host by "sharing something".Those who live off others are in no position to complain about returning the favour in some way and discussing scipture is a part of the job of a worker. This was often in terms of stories from a foreign land . . . yes, I agree with your point, and see where I should have made myself a bit clearer here. Some of us basically felt like we preferred to forego the large dinner/gathering, particularly if we were in a place from which we needed to travel some distance that Sunday night. I meant to question the idea of the gathering, not just sharing something there. As workers, we generally felt "drained" after speaking at a large meeting. I now see this in a different light, and I believe I could publicly speak about things I'm "passionate" about without feeling so drained. I look back on the feelings after speaking, and see it as a result of many pressures felt by some workers, living within a system that has some "dysfunctional" aspects. Please note too that the worker being asked to share something had very likely just shared something for an hour or so at the special meeting, and everyone had spent four hours listening to various workers sharing. Again, I'm not trying to argue any shoulds and shouldn'ts here - just trying to present the many, often conflicting, feelings I experienced, as well as a few things I'm aware of as to how and why certain practices were begun.
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Mar 18, 2011 18:13:16 GMT -5
This thread reminds me of a workers "after special mtg" Sunday dinner we had in our home in in the late 1970's. (In So. Calif.) . . . They really loved the small tables arrangment. I remember great times like that too, and yes, a small table arrangement was often appreciated! I'm going to sound like I'm equivocating on the topic, but doesn't that also bring out what some of us are trying to say - that our experience wasn't just all "good" or "bad"? I found - and still find, in other circumstances - that things are the most enjoyable and beneficial when care is taken to adapt to the current circumstances, rather than just doing what "we always do." Your dinner took place in S. California, and I'm guessing that most workers didn't have far to drive that evening. I had in mind (and maybe I should have spelled it out) a specific meeting - in Yreka - and in a specific year, when a couple of us had a 3 or 4 hour drive ahead of us, and we knew the particular worker being asked to talk could sometimes take a few hours . . . These discussions I've mentioned were in the early 90s, and some of us changed things done in particular places, perhaps drawing on the experience of someone who had been at the dinner at your place . . . I spent a year with Walt, and thoroughly enjoyed it. He was a very kind companion, but I did have to be careful suggesting something, because he would nearly do a u-turn on the freeway to do whatever I was asking. He's the one I mentioned in the disorganized special meeting plans, and that in no way detracts from my appreciation of him. I learned during our year together that he was not much of a planner within the field, and when he got it in his mind to do something, I would sometimes suggest we wait for a few days, as we were planning to be in a particular part of the field anyway, and could save time by coordinating activities. I'm learning to not see the positive and negative experiences as competing, as something to use in proving or disproving a person's position, but rather as a means to analyze and make appropriate changes.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2011 18:35:56 GMT -5
One sister worker organized a "young-persons" event after spec mtg some moons ago (mid-90's). The kids did the meal planning, did the cooking, brought the stuff over, set the table, and served. It was a small dining room with tables set up in the LR and DR. Walter P was there, not sure who else--it was a giggle watching the early confusion evolve into a fine outcome.
The only problem was a few of the kids couldn't drive so their folks had to arrange a drop off and collection route, but for the most part the kids were 16-18. That was the last year there was a "large" workers' dinner after spec mtg that I know of in my neck of the woods.
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Post by Gene on Mar 18, 2011 19:48:24 GMT -5
Hubert Childers was known for spreading workers far and wide in Texas during special meeting rounds. One year in particular, before he began enlisting the aid of younger workers for logistics planning, had workers flying back and forth across the state on Southwest airlines simply because he had not paused to consider that a Texarkana, Lubbock, Houston, Amarillo, Corpus Christi itinerary was not a workable arrangement by automobile!
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shushy
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Post by shushy on Mar 19, 2011 0:07:52 GMT -5
As workers, we generally felt "drained" after speaking at a large meeting. I now see this in a different light, and I believe I could publicly speak about things I'm "passionate" about without feeling so drained. I look back on the feelings after speaking, and see it as a result of many pressures felt by some workers, living within a system that has some "dysfunctional" aspects. Did you do spiritual warfare first? Did you fast when you prayed?Please note too that the worker being asked to share something had very likely just shared something for an hour or so at the special meeting, and everyone had spent four hours listening to various workers sharing. Again, I'm not trying to argue any shoulds and shouldn'ts here - just trying to present the many, often conflicting, feelings I experienced, as well as a few things I'm aware of as to how and why certain practices were begun.
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Mar 19, 2011 3:38:51 GMT -5
People need reality and they want to know God is real. Get them all laying hands on each other you will activate and enthuse them greater than you can imagine. People love the idea that God might want to use them and are eager to let him if only they get given the chance. Teach them how to move in words of knowledge/prophecy and healing, praying for the sick. Come on its time you all woke up. The Kingdom of God is within you. You pussy foot around at playing church but half of you have no clue what it means to flow and move with the holy spirit. Make a joyful noise and sing praises to him, learn how his presence moves and touches people break out of your comfort zones. Let God be God and move out of his way. You will be glad you did. Let's keep it to personal experiences in the work . . . one of you can begin a thread to discuss these topics on the main board if you care to . . . I began this thread to tell a bit of what I experienced regarding the planning and logistics of special meetings . . . I agree that changes need to be implemented, but this board isn't for discussing opinions on doctrines, practices, etc.
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Post by shushy on Mar 19, 2011 14:00:26 GMT -5
I can easily remove it. Something just gets stirred up inside me when I read all this stuff. The majority of the time I am trying to help and give you all the answer to the problem.
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Mar 19, 2011 15:51:04 GMT -5
I can easily remove it. Something just gets stirred up inside me when I read all this stuff. The majority of the time I am trying to help and give you all the answer to the problem. No problem, Shushy . . . we probably all respond quickly at times, forgetting " where we are." Please remember too, as far as what I'm writing, that these are experiences, perceptions, opinion, and feelings from an 18-year era of my life that ended 13 years ago. I have a very different outlook now too, but feel it can be helpful to others to simply share how I was experiencing things, and of course this goes for others who have contributed here too. I see it as opening a small window . . .
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Post by Christopher J. on Mar 21, 2011 9:59:50 GMT -5
Hubert Childers was known for spreading workers far and wide in Texas during special meeting rounds. One year in particular, before he began enlisting the aid of younger workers for logistics planning, had workers flying back and forth across the state on Southwest airlines simply because he had not paused to consider that a Texarkana, Lubbock, Houston, Amarillo, Corpus Christi itinerary was not a workable arrangement by automobile! How well I remember! Like the time Hubert and I left Texarkana special meeting at 3 pm on Sunday to "spend the night" in Amarillo (a 570 mile drive, for those who don't know Texas geography). We got in about 3 a.m., if I recall correctly. Hubert didn't pay much attention to either miles or "propriety". I remember him sending an older-middle-aged brother and an older-middle-aged sister off together on a similar trek from the Tyler area to Midland/Odessa, something that some folks considered improper back in those years, but it just never seemed to occur to Hubert that it was anything more than a drive around the block!
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