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 QUESTION: what kind of question do they ask someone who is disfellowshipe and want to be reinstated? Ana after the questions how do it take the elders to get back to you. who will be the decision as to if you should be reinstated or not. if you were disfellowshipe in a different congragation but than you move to a different congragtation
ANSWER: Hi Chantelle,
When a disfellowshipped person requests to be reinstated, the elders ask questions about the sin that caused them to be disfellowshipped. Questions like, what steps has the person taken so that the sin will not be repeated. What does the person do when tempted by that sin. Who are they associating with. Why does the person want to be reinstated when they can practice the sin as long as they are remain disfellowshipped. Generally, questions are asked to establish the person's frame of mind (their repentance) and what steps they have already taken to avoid falling to the same sin.
After the meeting with the elders it should be only a few days before the elders get back with the person. It certainly should not be weeks. Most elders want at least a day to pray about the matter and have some time to reflect so that a good decision is made. The decision on whether to reinstate is made by the same elders who were on the committee when the person was disfellowshipped. This is true even if the person has moved to another congregation. The elders in the new congregation will contact the elders from the previous congregation and relay all the current information that they have to the previous elders. It is the original elders who make the decision on reinstatement, unless it has been a very long time or the other elders are not available.
I hope this answers your questions. If more information is needed please feel free to ask again.
Robert Jones
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: it been like almost 2-3 years, does that matters?
Answer If it has been 2-3 years and the person has moved to another congregation, then the new elders will (should) contact the old congregation so that the original committee can consider the request for reinstatement. The original elders will want to know what the new elders have observed about the person. The new elders need not know the details about why the person was disfellowshipped. They will know that it was serious enough to be disfellowshipped, but do not need to know the details. The details are for the original committee only.
There are situations where the original committee no longer exists or the distance is too far for them to consider the person's request for reinstatement. But in all cases, the new elders will attempt to forward the request to the original committee.
