Once inactive, do u need to meet with elders to go out in service again?

by Iwonder17 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Iwonder17

  So I haven't been turing in my fake field service hours for 3 months now. i think that it is 6 months and then you are counted as inactive.

  My question is, once I am inactive, would I need to meet with the elders again to be "active" if I decided to turn in time again, or do i just start going out in service again?

  Although i am fading, I want to keep my options open to make things easier down the road. So if I need to put in a fake slip once every couple of months, that is easier than dealing with all of the other crap.
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  OnTheWayOut

  Even though I was an elder, I don't clearly know the answer to your question. I know you are a publisher, I know they want service slips from as many as possible to make themselves look good. But I also know that an occasional slip from an "inactive" one to change them to "irregular" will generate an elder response. I don't think it's mandatory for them to meet with you to accept your slip. I know that they will WANT to do that.

  I just always assumed that if they came down to deciding that members should shun inactive ones, I would turn in a 1-hour slip every six months.
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  zombie dub

  just dont go irregular, turn in a fake slip before the 6 months is up
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  blondie

  Elders are concerned basically about 2 things, 1) have you done something you could be df'd for, 2) have you missed hearing some "new light" or change in doctrine.

  *** km 11/00 p. 3 Question Box ***

  How can a person who has been inactive for a long time be helped to qualify again as a publisher of the good news?

  When an inactive person gives evidence that he has a heartfelt desire to serve Jehovah, this is a cause for rejoicing. (Luke 15:4-6) Likely, the individual allowed opposition or pressures of life to crowd out his personal study, meeting attendance, and participation in the field ministry. How can personal assistance best be given so that he will make spiritual progress?

  All of us should take the initiative to reassure this one of our genuine Christian love for him. The elders will be quick to assess his specific spiritual needs. (Jas. 5:14, 15)If the inactivity lasted for a short time, a helping hand from an experienced publisher might be all that is needed to reactivate the individual in the field service. However, if the inactive one has not associated with the congregation for a long time, more help will probably be necessary. To build up faith and appreciation, a personal Bible study in an appropriate publication may be advisable. In that case, the service overseer will arrange for a qualified publisher to conduct the study. (Heb. 5:12-14; see the November 1998 OurKingdomMinistry Question Box.) If you know of someone who needs such help, talk to the service overseer in your congregation.

  Before inviting a longtime inactive one to share again in the ministry, it is advisable for two elders to meet with him to see if he qualifies as a Kingdom publisher. They will follow a procedure similar to that used when meeting with new ones who are seeking to qualify as publishers of the good news. (See the November 15, 1988, Watchtower, page 17.) The inactive one should have an earnest desire to share the good news with others. He also needs to meet the basic requirements outlined on pages 98-9 in the OurMinistry book and to be consistent in attending congregation meetings.

  Having a good spiritual routine will do much to help the returning one to strengthen and maintain his precious relationship with Jehovah and to keep walking on the road to everlasting life. (Matt. 7:14; Heb. 10:23-25) His putting forth "all earnest effort" and developing Christian qualities that endure will prevent him from ever again becoming "inactive or unfruitful" as a Christian disciple.—2 Pet. 1:5-8.
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  AllTimeJeff

  Thanks Blondie.

  Believe me when I say, that meeting with two elders is also designed to investigate anything judicial so that any "sins" can be handled JW style, with a judicial committee.

  Elders are given some latitude on this (example: one case of loose conduct 10 years ago would in most cases be ignored) but if it was an ongoing thing (example: a sexual relationship with one whom you are not married to) the elders would likely make a JC, just to make the wrist slap official.
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  WTWizard

  Here are my qualifications:

  1--An apartment full of Christmas decorations, including some that can be seen from outside.

  2--Christmas music, along with some of the filthiest rap I can get my hands on. Also, music from disfellowshipped people.

  3--Being active on apostate forums.

  4--A Ouija board.

  5--Watching the occasional porn piece on my computer.

  6--Having not been to a boasting session in more than 4 1/2 years, with no intention of ever going back into the Kingdumb Hell again.

  And no, I will not volitionally meet with the hounders to get back into field circus.
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  cameo-d

  Wizard....Do you send xmas list to north pole, or can you contact santa/satan directly via ouija?
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  undercover

  Did Jesus have to have a study with his prospective followers...did he have to a meeting to see if they "qualified"...did he have to refer to printed guidelines from higher up to determine who could or couldn't preach with him...was there a "procedure" to follow?

  No...he just said, "come, be my follower"

  If someone wants to preach about the Bible door to door, they don't need "permission" from a bunch of dunderheads who work for free for a publishing company. Just go...take your Bible, go knock on some doors and share what you've learned about the Bible to whoever will listen.

  Sorry, I digressed from the original question, but the pharisaical approach to any and everything by the self-proclaimed leaders of righteousness just gets me worked up sometimes.

  To the OP... I agree with zombie...just turn in a fake slip once in awhile. You stay irregular but don't get marked as "inactive".
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  OnTheWayOut

  The info. Blondie quotes has a lot of "outs" in it. A helping hand MIGHT be all that is needed. A LONG TIME is not specified and more help is PROBABLY necessary. It is ADVISABLE for two elders to meet with him. This allows the locals to decide what to do. Stil, they probably won't accept a slip from someone if they feel they are just putting it in to avoid being inactive. It might really stir things up.

  The alternatives to trying this are to just become inactive or to start going to meetings again. I know which one I will choose if it ever becomes an issue.
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  blondie

  I was "out" 2 years the last time. I refused to study with a "sister" especially after having demonstrated that I knew more than 99% of those at the KH including all the "new points." A family member had given me all the publications for the last 2 years which I read in a week. They did not force the study on me. The real issue is have they done something they could have been df'd for. How much time is little and a lot, is the elders decision; 6 months would not be enough. 10 years probably would get you an invitation to meet with the elders.