| Author | Message | ||
     pd |
The workers founded the truth in Ireland around 1900. Based on Jesus sending his disciples 2 by 2 in Matthew 10, workers believe they are the only "true ministry" that traces back to the New Testament ministry making other ministries "false". Thus in order to have eternal life, you must "profess" through a worker. Workers set the conditions for "taking part" in the fellowship meetings. Workers have the sole right to "kick someone out of the meetings" based on marriage, worldliness in the home, questioning a worker or denying the workers total authority over your life. The workers are seen as a step closer to God than the friends since they are said to "spend time on their knees in prayer" while other preachers are making a living and raising a family. Most professing people consider the words of a worker during meeting as absolute! Worker words are said to come straight from heaven. Workers even decide which fellowship meeting the friends will attend in their field. Workers usually decide which bible study the friends will study on Wednesday nights. The head workers have the highest status and also have power over the lead workers in a field. Lead worker has power over a "younger worker". Friends often act different around the workers though some workers tell us that "God sees what the workers don't see". Workers are also seen as watchmen over "God's people" or the friends.Many professing girls won't wear any jewelry or pants around the workers! Friends will hide televisions should the workers visit them for the night. Male workers are called "brother workers" and female workers are called "sister workers". Each field has either a pair of brother workers or a pair of sister workers. Workers cannot marry today though workers once married. Workers are expected to cut most ties with their natural family and be free to move to whatever area a head worker will send them without any complaint. Obedience, submission and willingness are a common theme in meetings. Younger workers must obey and submit to the older workers or be kicked out of the work. Some workers are given "home visits" every few years. Many workers are leaving the work due to nerve problems and other issues. Workers preach about shortages of workers and the "need of the harvest". Workers often stress the importance of young people being willing to go out into the work during convention sermons. | ||
| So |
So whats the point? What are you driving at? | ||
| Yaakov |
]Workers have the sole right to "kick someone out of the meetings" based on marriage, worldliness in the home, questioning a worker or denying the workers total authority over your life…. Workers cannot marry today though workers once married. Workers are expected to cut most ties with their natural family and be free to move to whatever area a head worker will send them without any complaint. Obedience, submission and willingness are a common theme in meetings. PD, I read things like this and it is still incredible to me that people voluntarily relinquish control of their own lives. Why? Why? | ||
| Anonymous |
Unless you were born into a strict "professing home", you cannot understand the control that the workers (preachers) have over the friends in the Truth way. Growing up, if the worker spoke something in meeting or conversation in the home, we were never to question what was spoken. As children we were to be on our best behavior around the workers. Our professing parents might yell at us or whip us if we said or did something that the workers didn't approve of. Workers in the home were served first. As children we were sort of afraid to cross a worker fearing hellfire if we didn't obey them. Professing girls suffered wearing dresses and their hair on the head in a bun. Workers wouldn't allow radios and TVs in the meeting homes. When you have a meeting in your home, workers exert even more control over your life. | ||
| Anonymous |
There is something about the quiet mannerism of most of the "servants of God" that appears humble, reverent and honest. Brother workers usually wear a tie whenever they are on the street. Clean shaven men and sister workers wearing dresses, hair in the shape of a bun and no jewelry/makeup makes a good impression on the work. One feels that the workers are morally superior to other human flesh. Workers are very low profile. They only advertise using a simple ad in a newspaper. They don't go by any title like reverend or pastor. They don't have their names written on any church property such as a meeting home or convention. The workers often meet in the homes of well esteemed saints. Head workers often meet in those places and make decisions about staff changes, meeting locations and other clandestine information. Workers guard information about their secret worker's meetings from the rank and file of professing people. The work is a fascinating ministry in a way. So humble and yet so proud. So rich and yet so poor. So organized and yet so simple. It is easy to see how some professing people feel that their ministry is the only true ministry. It is so different and strange. | ||
| Anonymous |
The work has to be hell until you get some place or "responsibility" and then you move from a servant to a ruler. There is a class system in the "work". Young workers suffer nerve problems trying to "fit into" the work. You know that dying life of submission, sacrifice, and filling your place. Many of them are unhappy in the work yet feel God has called them to be a worker. They fear a loss of their worker reward if they no longer preach. Many do "rest" due to nerves and often marry after leaving the work having an "open home" for the workers. Sleeping in a different bed every night. Funerals. Preps. Convention and Special Meeting visits. A different field every year or two unless they are in "places of responsibility". Unable to marry and spending a year with a companion of the same sex. Unable to raise children and have a comfortable home to rest each night. Always on the move. Trying to act happy when you are unhappy away from friends and family. Your entire childhood has been taken away as soon as you go out into the work. | ||
| Anonymous |
Head workers preach where they please unlike younger ones. Head workers make the worker lists! Nobody tells Barry Barkley, Charles Steffen, Taylor Wood, Jerome Frandle, Charles Thain,Kenneth Lerwick, Richard Middleton, Ed Alexander, Ira Hobbs, Ron Thompke, George Lee, Glenn Gasser, Dennis Kinnan, or Irving Ross where to preach! They say they are in submission to God. Look how long Taylor Wood has preached in NC or Charles Steffen preached in NY. It must be nice to be a head worker. All of those years of submission, obedience and fitting in to the orders from the head workers finally pays off. You get to tell people what to wear, where to go to meeting, who cannot take part in meetings, who will be someone's companion/field of labor, etc.. And head workers get most of the money given to the younger workers. | ||
| Anonymous |
Former Ohio head worker Leonard Hawkes has passed away. His sister Rosalie Hawkes passed away a year or two ago. Ohio switches head workers more frequently than other states. Earlier head workers include Andrew Abernethy, Hubert Childers, Weldon Burgess, Earle Newmiller and now Irving Ross. Lots of nice friends and workers in Ohio US. Truth seems to be a bit more relaxed there compared to neighboring Midwestern US states. | ||
| Anonymous |
The workers started the Truth in Ireland. They make all of the rules. They decide who is ready to profess. They decide who to kick out of the meetings. They tell the friends which meeting to attend and the friends aren't allowed to comment about it in some cases. Total worker control over the friends. Workers have the highest status in the truth!! | ||
| Anonymous |
OBITUARIES Edith Bacon - JONESBOROUGH Ms. Edith Bacon, age 89, Jonesborough, died Saturday July 26, 2003 at Johnson City Medical Center after a brief illness. She was a native of Malvern, Iowa, and daughter of the late John E. and Mary Garst Bacon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers; Robert E. and John Galen Bacon. She was an Undenominational Fellowship Minister. Survivors include 1 sister, Vera Roberson, Newport News, Va., and several nieces and nephews. Dillow-Taylor was in charge. [back to top] ---------- Tennessee sister worker Edith Bacon has passed away. You may have seen her in a wheel chair at Knoxville or Paris conventions. I don't know who preached her funeral. Dennis Kinnan is head worker of Tennessee. After Agnes Kinsey passed away, Edith Bacon was the oldest sister worker in Tennessee. Mary Lois Nugent or Lois Culver may be the oldest sister workers in TN. Edith will be missed by the friends and workers in Tennessee USA. | ||
| Anonymous |
The relationship between older and younger worker is one of submission on the part of the younger one and domination on the part of the older one. The submitting, fitting in, dying to self, and other archaic control mechanisms often lead to abuse. Workers have hurt each others feelings and the feelings of others. | ||
| Anonymous |
http://home.earthlink.net/~truth/sec8-4Marriage.htm#Letters | ||
| Anonymous |
Workers are often identified as "Non-Denominational" or "Undenominational" ministers in obituaries in local newspapers. But since the workers preach that other ministers are "false" or "worldly" preachers, they should be called "anti-denominational" preachers since they believe that other ministers will go to hell. Only the workers are "God's true servants or messengers" according to many workers even if you have to attend several meetings (even several years) before they admit that outright. Often professing people who weren't born and raised "in the truth" will "lose out" or leave the meetings once they hear a worker sermon indicating that unprofessing people not a part of the meetings isn't saved unless they become a part of the "truth". Younger professing people hang on but often prefer this only way belief to be kept quiet especially in meeting. | ||
| Anonymous |
Latest example of worker glorification Another example of 2x2 "worker worship" has surfaced. The Kansas/Nebraska staff, or somebody in the area, made a 2003 calendar using a computer printer and photo-quality paper. The cover of the calendar shows several members of the Kansas staff in a posed photo taken at preps for one of the Kansas conventions. Each month of the calendar features a different group photo of workers taken at various conventions in or near Kansas. Looking at the dates, one can find events such as "Palm Sunday" and "Easter." It makes me wonder if those events are now recognized by the 2x2s? I certainly don't remember hearing those terms when I was still in the group. In fact, Easter Sunday was treated no differently than any other Sunday of the year. Essentially a member of the 2x2 church, which doesn't officially observe Easter, puts out an unofficial calendar which lists Easter Sunday. It makes me wonder if that is to make outsiders think they recognize it, when in fact they do not - another mysterious doctrine found within the "we-don't-have-any-doctrine" church. Either that, or they forgot to delete the entry. Nothing else in the entire calendar even remotely refers to Jesus (with the possible exception to Christmas, but I didn't bother to look, I was so disgusted by the blatant "worker worship"). The entire thing points the viewer's attention to one group of people: the workers. Now, you tell me. What is more important to the 2x2s: Jesus, or the workers? From Ilylo | ||
| Anonymous |
We hear about workers in "places of responsibility" and how we should pray for them. And how they also have their struggles and how we should fit into the plans that they make for our lives-meeting changes etc.. Is it responsibility? Or is "power" part of the issue. Power corrupts in any organization. Overseers decide where they want to preach. | ||
| Anonymous |
I know many fine workers out there who have a genuine care for the souls of the friends and want unprofessing people to "make their choice". But there are others in "places of responsibility" who are intent on getting others to obey,submit and fit into THEIR plans. I feel for the workers who are not into the power and place thing. Others though are interested in power and authority. Getting the friends to bow to them! Getting the friends to give up worldly things in the home and outward appearance changes for the hell of it. | ||
| Anonymous |
Lots of current and formerly professing people are starting to question the workers and send them mail outlining their complaints. Workers are defensive about it and identify such a person as having a "bad" or "wrong spirit". I can detect this defensive tone when the workers are preaching. They seem to be warning the friends about turning aside and listening to the "enemies of truth". Workers have often vested many years and even decades in "the work". They felt that they were called of God to "preach the true gospel" to worldly people. They have giving up a home and cut ties with their home country,state or province. Some have even cut ties with unprofessing relatives. | ||
| Anonymous |
Professing people often seem nervous around the workers. The senior ones can be aloof and even cold. I have seen professing people laugh and joke around and then get that serious look on their faces when a worker enters the room. Workers can stare with their serious expressions and often get their point across by their silent look of disapproval. | ||
| Anonymous |
Here is a link about the late head worker of the Eastern half of USA and Canada-George Walker (1877-1981).http://home.wwdb.org/resource/BRG5-4-2GeoW.html#George%20Walker George Walker's words and actions were copied by more recent head workers including Charles Steffen, Andrew Abernethy, Albert Knaggs,Taylor Wood, Irving Ross, Weldon Burgess, Barry Barkley, Jerome Frandle, Sam McCracken, and others. | ||
| Anonymous |
After a meal, the friends/workers will remain at a meal and talk for up to an hour (or more) after various things long after the meal is over! There seems to be some warm feeling of fellowship as a result of such conversations. Friends will discuss worker's health, friend's health, whether or not an interested outsider or new babe has a revelation, interest in a remote part of the field, somone "losing out" or having a "taste for this world", world situations (some workers frown upon such conversations and tell us God is in control and how we shouldn't worry about war). I have many memories of dinner conversations with the workers or servants of God. Some would be interesting. Others would be boring. All depending upon their personalities and experiences. | ||
| Anonymous |
Professing conversations have a unique pattern. Rarely do several conversations occur simulataneously. When a worker speaks in a potluck or sing, all eyes are glued to the speaker. Professing people may rebuke a child or adult for even attempting to whisper something. Usually one person talks and the others have their eyes glued upon the speaker. Children are to be seen and not heard thus causing children to lack self esteem and social skills. (Some good little kids can be robots). I find the conversational patterns to be intimidating. I like talking to individuals and not to a group. In worldly settings, a handful of people will gather around each other and only discuss issues that they share in common. Friends often speak in a soft tone. Rarely do they get loud. Little joking is heard. Friends seem awkward when someone cracks an off color joke. | ||
| Anonymous |
In the Midwestern US, professing people can really be dull and dry. No joking. Serious face 7 days a week. I have seen professing potlucks and sings turn into the formal structures of meetings-one person talks at a time, eye contact, nobody interrupts or makes comments etc.. I am intrigued by this communication style found in the rural professing areas. I have seen singspotlucks involve someone becoming a leader asking someone for the number of hymns and all. At one potluck someone was asked to give their testimony! The friends can be very uptight when around the workers. I have seen professing people change their conversation when a worker would walk into the room. Laughing ceases and those serious looks develop on people's faces! | ||
| Anonymous |
All of the first workers were from the British Isles during the strict victorian age in the late 1890s. George Walker, Jack Carroll, William Irvine, Eddie Cooney, Irvine Weir and company. They brought their old English ways with them to other countries in the early 1900s. | ||
| Anonymous |
Workers assign the friends in each field a meeting home for Sunday morning meetings, Wednesday night meetings and union meetings (5th Sunday meetings in Idaho). Sometimes the workers will give into some friend wanting to meet somewhere else but workers prefer that the friends let THEM decide which meeting home someone attends. | ||
| Anonymous |
Growing up, I felt nervous around the workers. I felt like they were super humans who couldn't make mistakes. I was taught that the workers were closer to God and saw further than we as plain professing people could see. I saw the workers as "spiritual middlemen" between God and man. I remember being hurt and confused when a worker left the work! How could they leave the best profession on earth. Little did I know that many of them suffered nerve problems trying to maintain the holy and pure image!! | ||
| Anonymous |
Workers used to give professing children "worker talks" if they didn't act like the workers felt like they should act. And professing parents wouldn't challenge the workers for their stern and sometimes hateful talk to their children. Workers were seen as men and women from God. You didn't DARE question them! No. Never. They couldn't be questioned or criticized. | ||
| Anonymous |
Young workers are not supposed to question the orders from "those in places of responsibility" meaning the head worker of an area. Responsibility in the "truth" and especially the "work" means POWER. Yes the workers say they pray about decisions effecting "the kingdom". I don't know how long they pray. I really shouldn't know how much "time they spend on their knees". When one uses "one's place in the kingdom" as an opportunity to control other people, he or she is treading on dangerous waters!! I greatly fear abuse and intrusive workers because of the "place" the friends elevate them to approching the place Jesus SHOULD have in their lives! | ||
| Anonymous |
Many workers are sincere. They feel that God called them to "preach the gospel". They feel that without their sacrifices, men and women would have no hope. Sacrificing home, family, economic support and other benefits isn't easy. Some hope to bring some unprofessing person to the "truth" before the person dies and goes to hell. Some workers do have a love for lost souls. They just cannot fathom the idea that God could use a "denominational" preacher to preach the gospel. | ||
| Anonymous |
I was always on my best bahavior around the workers growing up. I was awkward and nervous. I was afraid they might give me a dreaded "worker talk". I felt like I didn't put enough time into reading and praying. I felt so insecure and unhappy! My self esteem was so low. I thought the workers were super human beings unable to err. To me the workers were infallible. If they told me something, I felt like I HAD TO DO WHAT THEY TOLD ME. | ||
| Anonymous |
The workers in the past didn't have any problems hurting someone's feelings for the "sake of the kingdom". Or should I say for the image of the worker's meetings! Professing people have been verbally rebuked in front of the meeting crowd for the following things: Long testimonies, testimonies the workers didn't agree with, talking too loud after meeting, clothing, behavior of children in meeting, unprofessing children giving out hymns in meeting and other things. It is as if they feel like a standard of outward appearances is more important than being loving, kind and compassionate. And while this behavior is "less common" today, workers still won't repudiate the behaviors of the past thus allowing it to still continue in some places. | ||
| Anonymous |
Workers love to say how "the world" thinks a homeless ministry living by faith cannot exist in our time. And how we are living proof that "God still provides for HIS ministers". Folks, the unprofessing people by and large have NEVER hear about "the Truth"! | ||
| Anonymous |
The workers are known by many names-God's servants, God's true servants, God's true messengers, brother workers (male), sister workers(female), modern day disciples/apostles, ministers without a home, homeless ministers, true preachers of God, etc.. Because they give up owning a home or raising a family, they have a very high place in the "truth" religion. They often decide who is willing or worthy to profess. They will set conditions for the "friends" to remain taking part in meetings. They tell the friends which nights they will visit them. They assign Wednesday night bible studies and meeting homes for the friends in their field. Workers aren't to be questioned or disobeyed. | ||
| Anonymous |
Professing people rely upon the workers for spiritual guidance. Workers tell the friends where to go to meetings, what they can and cannot have in their homes, who they cannot marry, dress, hair and many other issues. Workers cannot be questioned or the person asking them questions will be labeled as unwilling or having a bad/wrong spirit. | ||
| Anonymous |
To be fair, there are many fine workers out there. Some of them stick to the scriptures instead of using cliches/symbolism and experiences to preach the only way belief. I appreciate the willingness of the workers to sacrifice home, friends, family, prospects of a family,job stability, and natural possessions in order to preach like they feel Jesus wants them to preach. Matthew 10. Sleeping in a different bed every night isn't fun. Eating in a different kitchen every day or so isn't fun. Not knowing what you will be eating for your next meal isn't fun. These ministers don't have to plan for their meals or lodging since the friends assist them in their needs. But it can't be much fun though the promise of a "worker reward" makes it bearable. I just don't believe they are the ONLY TRUE servants of God out there. I don't believe God ONLY speaks to them and doesn't speak through other ministries or without a minister. | ||
| Anonymous |
Former Scotland head worker, Horace Toddhunter, has passed away. Frank Simpson has been head worker of Scotland for several years. Horace spent many years in the "harvest field" laboring for lost souls. | ||
| Anonymous |
There is something about a senior brother worker that commands respect in the community-tie, dress pants, shoes, black bible case, brief case, etc. I think many worldly or unprofessing people think the brother workers are secret servicemen or businessmen. | ||
| Anonymous |
I admire that a homeless ministry can exist in 2003 despite worker sermons about a shortage of young people willing for the "harvest field". A young person leaves home with no visible means of support! Professing people will provide them with money, automobiles, places to eat and spend the night. But workers are denied a stable homelife, marriage partner, job security, promise of retirement, etc.. Workers go into a community to hold gospel meetings. People in the community cannot understand 2 homeless ministers following Matthew 10 as a guide. It makes no sense. Workers have to tell people they have no name and yet preach the true gospel of Jesus unlike the religious world. You have to be brave to be a worker. | ||
| Anonymous |
Often in a convention or even fellowship meeting, the speaker will comment about the "sacrifices of God's servants". Workers sacrifice a stable homelife, owning a home, marriage and most possessions in order to own a suite case and live amongst "God's people". I think the workers spend much more time with the professing people than trying to evangelize those who don't belong to their church. Somehow this "sacrifice" thing has caused the friends to elevate the ministry to a higher status than that of the friends. And certain workers have abused power because of the high status that the friends give the workers. I think the workers impressed the first professing people 100 plus years ago living as tramps. Generations of professing people have lavished so much praise on the homeless 2 X 2 ministry. | ||
| Anonymous |
The friends (members) have spoiled the workers/homeless ministers!! The friends provide the workers with money, cars, food, and a place to spend the night. Some workers appreciate this but others (especially the head workers) take advantage of the friends. Some workers won't even call ahead when visiting the friends. Other workers tell the friends when they will be spending the night without consulting with the friends as to whether it is OK with them! | ||
| Anonymous |
Workers preach against an open collection plate in meetings and conventions. Thus you NEVER see any money given to the workers! No collection plates. This appeals to worldlings who are unhappy with pressure to contribute to the church's coffers. Workers don't charge for the meals served in the convention cookhouse or preaching funerals. Professing people give the workers money in secret-envelope in a bedroom, money in a handshake or in private. Workers often say that the "preach by faith" relying on God to provide them with support. Carson Cowan onced mentioned about being in the work over 60 years and never asking for a collection from the friends. Today some deceased friends will leave estates to the workers which helps on plane tickets to foreign conventions and upgrades to convention grounds. | ||
| Anonymous |
Sometimes a worker leaves "the work" due to nerves, health, desire to get married or a conflict with another worker/head worker. At first only a few friends know about the worker leaving the work. After awhile, others know about this decision. Then all of the friends know about the worker leaving the work. There is less stigma associtated with "leaving the work" today than in the past. Workers are sensitive about someone doing or saying something that might hurt the image of their "perfect way". Ex-Workers may "rest" with a professing person or get an apartment. Many ex-workers suffer financial problems with limited training in today's technological world. Some ex-workers are so nervous that they cannot function in a high stress job. Ex-Workers have a low status for awhile. If they have an "open home", privileges of Wednesday night or Sunday morning meeting, and remain "true" to the standard, their status will improve! If the ex-worker becomes "bitter" about their past experience, their status will remain low. A vocal ex-worker might even be asked to stop taking part in meeting by the head worker (also called overseer). Occasionally an ex-worker will return to the work but they are less likely to have any responsibility for several years. I imagine that is has to be a difficult thing to tell your head worker that you plan on leaving the work. And it has to be difficult to break the word to professing family since most professing families are greatful to have a worker in the family! | ||
| Anonymous |
Head workers have asked younger workers to leave the work for many reasons-nerves, failing to submit to the overseer or head worker, questioning the Truth as the only way among other things. Ex-workers can be misunderstood and often slandered behind their backs depending upon the situation. | ||
| Really |
Oh really. | ||
| Anonymous |
Growing up, I felt uncomfortable around the "workers". I felt they were superior to any other group of people on the earth! The workers seemed so spiritual in their conversations and manner of life. They seemed so pure and clean. So quiet. So serious with little nonesense. I felt like they were so pure and I was so evil. I felt like they spent hours on their knees in their bedrooms. They always kept their bedroom doors closed and I thought they were likely reading, praying, meditating, and writing letters. Workers dressed nice. Brother workers wore ties and dress clothes even when visiting. Brother workers were clean shaven and neat. Sister workers always had their hair up and seemed to have every hair in place. I felt like the workers were the best people on earth and the only true ministers who did what they taught in public. | ||
| Anonymous |
Growing up, I considered the workers to be closer to God than the friends/professing folks. When the workers preached in a meeting setting, I felt that God alone was doing the speaking! Many professing people cannot separate God from their fellowship which to them is one and the same! So if a worker is preaching against certain forms of clothing or entertainment, professing folks think God is telling them to get rid of the particular worldly object. Workers have quite a bit of power over the friend's lives. Workers decide who is worthy to profess and take part. Workers can withold someone's right to speak or pray in the Sunday AM or Wednesday PM meetings. While professing people do invite the workers to eat a meal with them or spend a night with them, workers often do the inviting! Growing up, if our family planned a vacation event and the workers planned on spending the night with us, the vacation was canceled. Workers would even visit our home unannounced! You would hear a knock at the door and 2 dressed up "Servants of God" were there with their suit cases ready to spend the night!! Worker control over the friends is immense. They can interfere in personal choices. And many professing people don't have a problem with the workers controlling their home or lives! That is part of the mentality that encourages obedience, fitting in, filling your place, submission, unquestioning obedience, dying to your human reasoning, and all. Professing people allow the workers to control them because they believe that they don't know if they are saved or not until they die! So they must be faithful in getting to meeting and obeying the "servants". Professing people credit the workers with bringing the gospel to them or their parents. Professing people need the approval of the workers to make themselves think they are doing what is right. A case of spiritual dependence. | ||
| Anonymous |
Many of the workers and friends are nice people. But the head workers of states, provinces, countries and regions can accumulate a lot of power. Sometimes the spiritual snobs are annointed by some aging head worker. These workers often critique the lives of the friends. Head workers usually kick professing people out of the truth or younger workers out of the work. These head workers will meet in some clandestine location (open home of a hearty saint) and make decisions effecting other professing people and workers. Yet rank and file workers and friends aren't allowed to sit through those secretive meetings! Young workers often give most of their secret donations to the head worker. Young workers have no freedom of movement or choice of who their same sex companion will be! Older workers can be cruel to younger companions and have total control over staff assignments, visiting schedule, and other activities. Many head workers feel that their place in the kingdom is greater than that of any mortal man! | ||
| Anonymous |
It is a waste of time to try to reason with some workers! They have their cliches, one liners, scriptural verses taken out of context, experiences and analogies that justify their beliefs. You see workers preach against "human reasoning" in gospel meetings. The workers say we must give up our human reasoning in order to find "God's way". To the workers, common sense and thinking is sinful because "God's way is contrary to our own human reasoning". The worker's human reasoning is somehow heavenly but the professing people must renounce their human reasoning and trust the worker's reasoning I guess!! Workers preach about willing obedience and the "faith that questions not". See Hymn 270 in Old and New hymnbook. So thinking and reasoning are sinful. We must think like the workers want us to think in meetings. We must give up what they workers want us to give up without reasoning or complaining. Workers warn us against anyone or anything that would "weaken our faith!" We must have FAITH IN THEM though they say that they want us to have faith in God and not them!! Workers define iniquity as "I think" or "human thoughts about religion." Workers bash "self" in meetings and teach that "ourselves are our own worst enemy!" So much is preached about obedience, submission, fitting in, filling your place, self denial, giving up, dying to the world, being different from the world, etc.. The Truth fellowship doesn't make sense. WOrkers and friends know this. But they make excuses for the things about this "lowly way of Truth" that doesn't make sense! If we find fault with "God's way" (what they call their meetings) it is OUR FAULT! The workers and friends (who are hearty in the truth) can NEVER be at fault. And we as "people of God" should show a "right spirit" toward the workers and friends. | ||
| Anonymous |
Often workers in "places of responsibility" (power) exert much power and influence over the friends. Workers feel they are "responsible" for feeding and chastising the sheep! Professing people are quick to make changes in their lives and homes if a worker detects some "worldly influences" that need to be removed. Workers sometimes appear to be serious and sincere. Some of these workers seem so gentle and spiritual. It is easy to feel uncomfortable around them-brother workers often wear dress shoes and a tie! For years, they told us they weren't hired like the false preachers. They were called by God into His "harvest field" so we had better obey them 100% without questioning them! They were right and we were wrong! They were closer to God and would get a "worker reward" when they died. Growing up, these men and women had SO MUCH influence over my parents! And myself as a child. Thank God for freedom. | ||
| Anonymous |
Most professing people and even younger workers know little about the secret organization of the head workers. Clandestine meetings. Decisions made without input from the rank and file of the friends. Nothing is recorded about these secret meetings. You cannot challenge them. | ||
| Anonymous |
Older workers often preach about the "sacrifices of God's servants" during convention. We often hear about a shortage of willing young people to go out into the harvest field and the "great need of the harvest" as souls go to hell because they don't hear the workers preach. While there are fewer young people "going out into the work", several offer annually in the US though most leave the work after about 10 years at most. The work is very political-submission to head workers and no input on where you spend the night or which field you labour. Head workers decide which field a younger worker will preach and he/she must submit or be kicked out of the work. | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
The workers love to make mention of their sacrifices. They encourage single professing people to consider the harvest field (their ministry). Because they don't own homes, have children or personal possessions, they love to remind the friends during meetings or conventions about their sacrifices. They love to speak about Jesus sending his disciples with nothing into the world so they would have faith in God's provisions. How many times do the friends and workers pray for "God's servants" in meetings! I used to get so tired of hearing about the "servants". Why aren't they praying for other people? Some professing people hold the workers to such high expectations. WOrkers are considered to be closer to God than regular professing saints! Why do the workers praise themselves in meetings or conventions? I don't know. I wish I knew. They think they alone are the only true ministers and all other clergy is doomed to hell. A common prayer in my meeting was "Lead thy servants to seek the lost and seeking souls". Workers believe that if someone is lost, they will be led to the workers by God. Workers also try to convert ALL unprofessing people even if the unprofessing people are members of other churches. I wished the workers wouldn't elevate their sacrifices. Why do the servants have such place in the fellowship? | ||
| Puzzled (141.214.17.5) |
"Lead thy servants to seek the lost and seeking souls". Workers believe that if someone is lost, they will be led to the workers by God. One thing that always puzzled me as a child born as a 2x2 was that when my unprofessing grandfather died, my mom said that her father was "saved" even though unprofessing, because he was a "good man." The workers never were able to lead my grandfather to God, so I figured one really didn't need the workers after all. | ||
| Vicki (216.104.73.149) |
Dear puzzled, If your Grandfather believed Jesus died for his sins he is saved!!! And that is GREAT hope!!! I truly believed my Father was in hell because he was not a 2X2. I now have the hope that he is in heaven and there is a big probabilty that the family members in the 2X2s are not going to heaven as they believe Jesus is just a man. I now worry about all my famlies salvation in the TRUTH. Being good does not save you for we all fall SHORT of the mark. We are saved through GRACE by a GOD that is fair and loving!!!! We are saved through his son Jesus. As a 2x2 we were never taught the trinity and all though that word is not in the Bible it is mentioned in several places as an example of the FATHER, SON and the HOLY GHOST. The word BIBLE is not in the Bible nor is Rapture. Our Bible is not the Bible that Jesus used. The King James Bible is a translation that is hard to understand and as there has been more discoveries, such as the dead sea scrolls and more knowledge in translations there are better Bibles out there that are more accurate. It is very hard to understand the KJV. Go to your nearest Christian book store and find a translation you like. | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.125.204) |
The workers think they are the ONLY ministry that has God's favour on the earth. They don't tell outsiders this for awhile until the outsider experiences the "warmth and love of God's people". Workers feel they alone continue in the tradition of the disciples of Jesus! They love to boss the friends and tell them how to live because of their place as a "servant of God". |
