by african GB Member 5 Replies latest jw friends
In the past when someone was summoned to attend a JC it was almost guaranteed they'd be DF'd. In recent times however, Elders don't just rush to DF. I have seen teenage baptised unmarried girls fall pregnant and not DF'd, but instead had their "priviledges" taken away for a few months.
Why this type of approach now?
Are they running out of members?
They are always going to take the approach that will do the most damage. People with family in are more likely to be disfellowshipped than those with nothing to lose. Also, if they think they can control you more by keeping you in, they will. Especially if they can keep a close watch on you.
Remeber, DF is for those UNREPENTANT.
they either ARE repentant and avoid being DF or
FAKE repentance and avoid being DF.
DF has rarely ever been an AUTOMATIC response
oz
Most people don't get DF even if they committed adultery or fornication.......usually the elders try to help and keep them in the organization.
Twenty one years as an elder i remember DF just a 2 or 3 and it was not because of what they did but lying
to the elders even though there were witnesses.
There were elders though that were quick to DF, especially if they didn't like an individual!
I don't think anything has changed necessarily in their "approach".....a JC guarantees punishment, pretty much....but not necessarily DF-ing. I've been in front of a JC on 3 different occassions....2 private reproofs, one public.
That being said, I think there are more cases of them choosing the wrong "punishment" than anything else....DF-ing people just because they don't believe they're repentant enough....and quite frankly I thought my public reproof should have been a private one....but what can ya do? Didn't you know that the verdict of a JC is a verdict from GOD HIMSELF???? *rolls eyes*
Judicial committee results are 100% dependent on the 3 elders picked for the committee.
Get 1 or 2 who have a grudge against the accused, or who want to "set an example for the benefit of the congregation" and DF is virtaully assured.
Get 1 or 2 who are reasonable, who recognize that it's impossible for one human to judge whether God has accepted the repentance of another human, and it's more likely the accused will get off with "only" reproof.
If you've seen more leniency in your congregation lately, recognize that it is entirely a local phenomenon. The congregation next door might be disfellowshipping everyone who comes through.
