AboutRobert Jones Expertise Answers on what Jehovah's Witnesses believe and how the beliefs effect relationships with non-Jehovah's Witnesses. How congregations are structured. How elders make decisions. How the organization is run.
I try not to post replies as to what "I" believe. That is not the purpose of this site, in my opinion. Please let the following serve as a general statement of belief for any who are interested. I was raised as a JW and spent 32 years actively promoting the religion, the last 13 years as an elder. I was never "irregular" or "inactive" as the labels go. I have not attended a meeting since October 2000. The last time I was in a Kingdom Hall was at my daughter's wedding in 2001. I saw much "new light" flash forth from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" from 1968 to 2000, which I embraced and promoted.
I do not believe that any one people (the Jews for example) were selected by God to receive a message or blessing that made them special. I believe that sort of thinking to be same sort of delusion that leads to C. T. Russell type religions where the belief is some version of "We are special, God chose us and therefore not you." I am long past preaching anything or trying to convince anyone of anything. I consider spirituality to be a very personal effort that each person must discover for themselves. I do not believe the Bible to be an inspired book any more so than any other preserved ancient writings such as the Koran and Buddhist writings. I do believe that all these writings contain some universal spiritual truths that stand the test of time. I am amazed where these writings compliment each other about the human condition and the higher, or better, way of existence that is possible for those who allow themselves to become enlightened. I see the Jesus person of the Bible as a great teacher of the enlightened way of living. But I also see these writings as influenced by the culture and history of the people from which they come.
Experience Active Jehovah's Witness for 32 years. Congregation elder 13 years. Pioneer work, Congregation Secretary, Watchtower Study Conductor.
Education/Credentials Degree in Computer Programming. Not applicable here.
Question Hi Robert, How long do elders keep the entry in the publishers card of a disciplined JW for? Does it mean it's marked forever that a JW is disfellowshipped even from 20 years ago? Does that mean that if a disfellowshipped person transferred to different congregations, all the elders would have to know she/he's been disfellowshipped and know all the details why even if it was 20+ years ago? Does it all mean that if she/he stayed in the same congregation and she/he grew old on it, all he new elders from different generations would know what she did from a long time ago? This question pertains to someone who's been reinstated already. Thanks and all the best!
Answer Hi Eelai,
Thank you for the question. In brief, for most of your questions, the answer is NO. Following is an explanation.
First, NOTHING is marked on a publisher record except for things directly related to field service activity. In addition to the monthly hours, magazine placements, and so forth, the Secretary can write on the card "Aux.Pioneer", or "continuous aux.pioneer" or other such things. A record of someone'e being disciplined is not recorded on the publisher record card.
Whenever a judicial matter is heard by a committee of elders, a record is kept of the meeting. Whatever is written by the elders who are on the committee is turned over to the committee chairman who puts all the notes in a sealed envelope. The committee chairman writes an official statement about the findings of the committee and whatever action was taken, whether disfellowshipping, restrictions, etc. and puts that in the sealed envelope. On the outside of the sealed envelope the person's name and date are written and the names of the elders on the committee. The sealed envelope is turned over to the Congregation Secretary for safe-keeping. Only the elders whose names are on the envelope can request the envelope and open it. The elders are instructed that records of judicial matters over 5 years can be destroyed if no other event has taken place since then. A well-organized Secretary will stay on top of this and make sure that there are no envelopes in the congregation file over 5 years old. My experience has been that congregation files are often in disarray and the Secretary does not even know what is supposed to be there.
When a person (or family) transfers to another congregation, the new Secretary contacts the old congregation and requests a letter of introduction about the new publishers. It is the letter of introduction that might include mention of a person being disfellowshipped or reinstated if it was recent, or any restrictions that any family member is under. The new elders do not know the details, only that something happened. Matters from 20, or even 10 years ago, are hardly ever mentioned among elders even in the congregation where it happened.
I hope I answered your question. If there is something that I did not cover. please ask again.
Robert J
