by zack 5 Replies latest jw friends
If according to JW's one is cleansed of sins when one repents on the basis of Jesus sacrifice, how far back do they/can they go in determining privileges, etc. How long is a sin that is forgiven by God (according to them) held against you by men? ( WTBTS)
And when does bringing up a past wrong, even if true, constitute defamation if one has lived down a prior bad act? When is it slanderous?
Zack
This is from the Elder's manual (pretty vague):
When an individual is reinstated, he will still need much
spiritual assistance.130 - "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock "
- The elders should see that definite arrangements are made
to help the person regain spiritual health and strength.
(Col. 2:7; Titus 2:1, 2)
- They may arrange for a Bible study to be conducted,
which would be reported as field service.
- Restrictions should be imposed to help the person see the
need of continuing to make 'straight paths for his feet' and
also out of consideration for the congregation's
conscience. (Heb. 12:13)
- The privilege of sharing in the field service is restored
when the individual is reinstated.other privileges, such as commenting at meetings,
handling parts on the program, and offering prayer at
meetings, can be restored progressively when it is
determined that the individual has progressed spiritually
to the point that he is qualified and when it is judged by
the elders that the extending of such privileges will not be
offensive to the congregation.
- It will be up to the elders of the congregation where he
now is located to decide when certain privileges may be
restored.Circumstances of each case govern the length of time that should elapse before recommending a reinstated brother for additional privileges and responsibility.
- Carefully consider possible effects if the individual were
to be appointed. Would it be a cause for stumbling among
the brothers?
The privilege of serving as ministerial servant or elder can
be recommended only after he has had ample time to
prove himself to be irreprehensible and is again "free from
accusation" and has "freeness of speech." ( 1 Tim. 3:2, 9,
10, 13)
- He must live down the reproach and build up a convincing
record of righteousness, which may take a number of
years. If wrongdoing occurred in another congregation, the
feelings of members of that congregation should be
considered.
In cases of scandal, he might not be able to live down
his wrongdoing sufficiently to qualify for an appoint-
ment to serve as a ministerial servant or an elder for a
very long time.
UNIT 5 (c) - 131
If memory serves, "restrictions" usually last anywhere from 6 months to a year after reproof or reinstatement. Bethel will generally not approve the appointment as elder of anyone who has been reproved or reinstated within the last 5 years; and most judicial files are supposed to be purged every 7 years. Pedophiles are the exception.
Can any elders confirm that for me?
I remember when my dad was reinstated. The only thing he was allowed to do for 10yrs was comment and go door to door. This was about 1963. Don't remember anyone ever being resticted from field service, unless DF'd
The only thing he was allowed to do for 10yrs was comment and go door to door
Yup ... keep on sellin' them books!
Judges ... self-appointed.
Love
ESTEE
Yup ... keep on sellin' them books!
Yeah, sad isn't it. My dad stayed the course, gave his frist puplic talk sometime in '72.
He was so excited. Don't recall, but think he was restricted from giving the 15min talk at MS as well, could be wrong. My memory...sigh!...where did it go.
