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Post by anonymous on Apr 13, 2006 15:45:52 GMT -5
I wish the friends and workers were more open and honest as a group. The culture of secrecy leads to gossip and rumours. When a worker leaves the work, he/she should issue a statement explaining WHY they are no longer in the work. I have seen some hateful gossip spread out about ex-workers! No need for this. Openess is so important. Closed societies are often dictatorial.
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towit
Senior Member
. . .with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right. . .
Posts: 295
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Post by towit on Apr 13, 2006 16:08:27 GMT -5
I wish the friends and workers were more open and honest as a group. The culture of secrecy leads to gossip and rumours. When a worker leaves the work, he/she should issue a statement explaining WHY they are no longer in the work. I have seen some hateful gossip spread out about ex-workers! No need for this. Openess is so important. Closed societies are often dictatorial. As my friend would say- your use of certain words "culture of secrecy" "closed societies" "dictatorial" "wish friends and workers were more honest as a group" (implying that as a group they are not honest) seems to indicate pot stirring. When I left the work- I didn't issue a statement. I just went home and started trying to get acclimated with life again. I would be highly surprised if my dear friends in the fields in which I worked - "gossiped" about my leaving. There was no secret that I left. Aren't workers list published? They are hardly secret. If someone noticed I was no longer on the list- if someone hadn't heard that I left the work- I can't imagine, that if asked, a fellow worker wouldn't tell them where I had went. Just because one doesn't know something- it doesn't necessarily mean that it is a "secret" or knowledge that is being willingly withheld. Sincerely, towit |
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faith
Junior Member
Posts: 50
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Post by faith on Apr 13, 2006 19:58:14 GMT -5
I wish the friends and workers were more open and honest as a group. The culture of secrecy leads to gossip and rumors. When a worker leaves the work, he/she should issue a statement explaining WHY they are no longer in the work. I have seen some hateful gossip spread out about ex-workers! No need for this. Openness is so important. Closed societies are often dictatorial. Yes, SOME of the friends and workers are secretive and this does lead to gossip and rumors. However many of the friends I know agree that there should not be so much secrecy as to why a worker leaves the work. If people are told the reason it would REDUCE the gossip. In many cases it would be difficult for the worker leaving to "issue a statement" however the head worker/overseer should be responsible for "issuing a statement". The head worker here is very secretive and is also dictatorial. This makes it very difficult for his "staff" to be as open as they would like to be. I agree. Openness is important. |
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Post by guestS on Apr 13, 2006 21:27:54 GMT -5
To-wit,
Didn't you ever wonder what people were saying about your reason for leaving? I know what is heard around here when someone leaves...."he/she was UNwilling" "he'she lost out".... "he'she is listening to the devil".... "he's/she's got mental problems"...
I would NEVER trust an overseer to issue any kind of statement on my behalf IF I had left the work or left meetings.
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Post by ex worker on Apr 13, 2006 21:32:23 GMT -5
When I left the work many moons ago I wrote a letter to all the elders in my field and told them in general terms why I needed to leave. They read it in their Sunday meetings, and a number of caring friends wrote to wish me well. Loose ends were tied up, time to move on...
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Apr 13, 2006 21:49:59 GMT -5
Man, I feel like I'm saying, "That is not my experience" a lot here, but I'm being honest (and don't confuse that with being niave).
I dont recall ever hearing that a worker was unwilling or lost out when they left the work. I was always told that the work is not for everyone, and not always "forever", meaning that for some, the journey is a short one.
God moves in mysterious ways, and he may call someone into the ministry for a short time, or for a long time. For the most part, I know a lot of workers have left due to their health. I know it can be very stressful, and some already have health conditions going in.
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Post by Simple on Apr 13, 2006 22:12:36 GMT -5
Man, I feel like I'm saying, "That is not my experience" a lot here, but I'm being honest (and don't confuse that with being niave). I dont recall ever hearing that a worker was unwilling or lost out when they left the work. I was always told that the work is not for everyone, and not always "forever", meaning that for some, the journey is a short one. God moves in mysterious ways, and he may call someone into the ministry for a short time, or for a long time. For the most part, I know a lot of workers have left due to their health. I know it can be very stressful, and some already have health conditions going in. Be careful - "You do not fit the 2x2 mold, ve vil ave to do some trimming." - Someone whispers in a thick German accent |
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towit
Senior Member
. . .with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right. . .
Posts: 295
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Post by towit on Apr 13, 2006 22:40:02 GMT -5
To-wit, Didn't you ever wonder what people were saying about your reason for leaving? I know what is heard around here when someone leaves...."he/she was UNwilling" "he'she lost out".... "he'she is listening to the devil".... "he's/she's got mental problems"... I would NEVER trust an overseer to issue any kind of statement on my behalf IF I had left the work or left meetings. Hi, No, I didn't wonder what people were saying about me for leaving the work- I was more foolishly concerned with letting others down. I say foolishly because I have come to learn even more that a majority of the friends are very kind and very loving. You mentioned that you wouldn't trust an overseer to make a statement for you- I labored with 3 different overseers while I was in the work. Based on my experiences- I trust them. Sincerely, towit |
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Post by as i c it on Apr 13, 2006 22:54:43 GMT -5
witheyesopen,
I think a lot has to do with the area you're from: and which generation: when it comes to who has experienced what. Meanwhile, I agree with what you had to say about the work not being for everyone: or that some may be called to be a worker for only a short period of time.
As to the explanations given for a worker leaving, I think I've heard both kinds of reason given. If the individual continues to profess, it's usually that they left because of their nerves (or a health reason). If they quit professing, then the explanation has been that they've been unwilling.
In decades past, it wasn't "accepted" if someone quit the work. "Shame" was attached to the worker for quitting: and comments made about the worker as to them not being willing to fit into God's plan for their life...But today, there's an acceptance that the work isn't for everybody (and the "shame" or "embarassment") because they quit is gone.
Since God has the ability to know the future: create the future: or control the future, I don't think anything that happens in the future comes as any surprise to Him...
(and from my perspective, God alone knows the work that he wants done. Or in whom. Could be the individual him/herself: a parent/family member: or someone--or many--in the fellowship)...
And who gets told what, can also depend on "the talker" and "the listener": and their own personalities or closeness.
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Post by MsMarie on Apr 14, 2006 3:42:09 GMT -5
I think the idea of writing an open letter explaining reasons for leaving, is a good one, though why you should feel you have to justify yourself is debatable.
My husband has recently left, not explaining except to his immediate meeting friends, and already we have become aware the rumour mill is churning out all manner of incredible reasons, none of which bear any relation to the real reasons. We shouldn't really care about this and put it behind us, but there is an urge to correct people when you hear what is untrue.
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