by jgnat 79 Replies latest members private
johnny cip, some people take the punishment then ask for more. One can get addicted to the attention, even if it is bad. Why do people keep going back to the crap tables to bet, even if they lose more than they win? Because they get JUST enough encouragement to keep them in eternal hope for more.
The casinos know EXACTLY how many times to "reward" their customers to keep them coming back.
Actually, Finally-Free, that's a great point. Who on Earth are a bunch of men to tell ANYONE they cannot preach. Surely it's between an Individual and God.
jgat, I'm sorry that your husband is having to put up with this crap. Sadly, by complying with the 'Elders'' decisions it just empowers them more.
jgnat,
I'm not surprised your husband is discouraged. I have never heard of anyone being told they cannot go out in service. That is a right, not a privilege.
He could always write to the society's HQ, os ask the circuit overseer on his next visit. He wouls want to know why someone is inactive anyway. It would be interesting to know what the elders tell him.
How long has it been since his last 'infraction'? If it's been more than a year, and he's been on these restrictions, he should talk to the CO and emphasize how he wants to get back out in service. The CO will probably make that happen. Yes, it would cause more problems for your husband, but then maybe his eyes would be opened more and wouldn't that help with your ultimate goal?
I was reinstated in 1991 and I had two restrictions: no commenting and no TMS. After 3 months or so, I could comment. I was in that cong for another 3.5 years and I never had the second restriction (participation in the TMS) removed. I didn't care. I moved to my current cong and as far as I know, I'm still have that restriction, 15 years later.
Thanks everybody for your contributions and words of support. Here is what I composed for him, taking in to account his temperament, history, and what he is ready to hear:
Study Questions:
1. What's the relationship between the discipline and your faith?
2. If you were to discipline a child who wanted to make amends would you put limitations on his desire and ability to what is required?
3. "Success comes in CANs, failure comes in CAN'Ts" List some things you can do to make your situation bearable.
Bible Verses:
4 In carrying on YOUR contest against that sin YOU have never yet resisted as far as blood, 5 My son, do not belittle [the] discipline from Jehovah, neither give out when you are corrected by him; 6 for whom Jehovah loves he disciplines; in fact, he scourges every one whom he receives as a son." 7 It is for discipline YOU are enduring. God is dealing with YOU as with sons. For what son is he that a father does not discipline? 8 But if YOU are without the discipline of which all have become partakers, YOU are really illegitimate children, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we used to have fathers who were of our flesh to discipline us, and we used to give them respect. Shall we not much more subject ourselves to the Father of our spiritual life and live? 10 For they for a few days used to discipline us according to what seemed good to them, but he does so for our profit that we may partake of his holiness. 11 True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness. (Hebrews 12:4-11)
5 Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent?not to be too harsh in what I say. 6 This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary now, YOU should kindly forgive and comfort [him], that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad. 8 Therefore I exhort YOU to confirm YOUR love for him. (2 Corinthians 2:5-8)
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of the sin is law, but thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55-56)
"If in fact Abraham was justified by works then he has grounds for boasting, but not before God" (Romans 4:2) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression (Romans 4:15)
Watchtower Quotes:
***km12/74 p.4 Question Box***
In a case in which a person, because of genuine repentance, is not disfellowshipped, is it none the less proper to restrict him from the preaching work under certain circumstances?
When one is privately or publicly reproved, the information on page 168 of the Organization book applies. While it is true that certain restrictions may be placed on such individuals, it is good to note what is said on page 168 regarding the preaching work, namely: "The person would be free to engage fully in the preaching work and to report such . . . " Likely in the case of a notorious situation where one is publicly reproved, it would be the course of wisdom for that one to engage in the preaching work in a section of the territory where the problem is not widely known, at least for a while. It is good to keep in mind that the preaching work is a basic part of our service to God, and all who serve Jehovah should be sharing in it.?Matt. 24:14; 28:18-20.
What about a person who has been reinstated following disfellowshiping? Should he be allowed to engage in the field service immediately? Yes, in harmony with the above thoughts he should be allowed to engage in the field service following reinstatement. As to other privileges in this regard we can be guided by what is stated in the Organization book, page 177.
***km2/89 pp.3-4 Our Identification as Jehovah's Witnesses***
Our Identification as Jehovah's Witnesses
As ministers of the good news, we are known publicly as Jehovah's Witnesses. Our voluntary participation in the field service is motivated by love of God and neighbor. It is not carried on at the insistence of any man or organization but is according to our God-given commission to preach the "good news" and make disciples. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) Therefore, publishers do well to avoid representing themselves as agents or representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., or any other corporation used by "the faithful and discreet slave" to advance Kingdom interests.?Matt. 24:45-47.
In case of an accident or an emergency or if problems are encountered while working trailer parks, apartments, or certain other territory, publishers may need some form of personal identification beyond giving their name along with a brief Scriptural explanation of the nature of our religious work. If questioned, or when asked for credentials, baptized publishers may use the identification card (S-65) signed by the presiding overseer, which shows one is preaching the good news of the Kingdom in association with the local congregation named on the card.
A supply of identification cards (S-65), which may be issued to baptized publishers when there is a need, will be included with the annual shipment of congregation forms. If any publishers use a personal name card in connection with their field service activities, they should not print thereon that they are representatives of the Watchtower Society.
Jehovah's Witnesses told me to be a Jehovah's Witness one HAD to "witness". It was the "witnessing" that made one a Witness. The Jehovah's Witnesses are TELLING him they don't want him to "witness" and thus, they don't WANT him to be a Jehovah's Witness.
Actually , He could still report all the time that he spends talking to you and the neighbours , even though he does not go door to door. he can count a return visit every time he has another talk with you and any literature that he passes on.
It sounds as though a good few hours would be countable. It is up to them whether or not they record it on the cong. records , but he is obediently making a report
Something is wrong here they can not keep him from preaching unless he is DFed or has DAed. I say talk to the CO because it sounds like talking to elders will only be a waste of time.
Lola
The Jehovah's Witnesses are TELLING him they don't want him to "witness" and thus, they don't WANT him to be a Jehovah's Witness.
That's what I think too, GaryBuss. They don't want him in their club. I imagine the thought of sharing paradise forever with him gives them the shudders.
Hi J,
From a purely pragmatic point of view, would a change of congregations be feasible?
