by kaffeburk 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Somebody i know have gotten into some problem and have to face a committee. The issue is hes being late in repaying a tiny sum of money (about 200 us dollar) he previously lent from a brother. I heard from another brother that such issues are to be strict handled by civil law, and cannot be an issue for a committee – and im suspecting that the practice can differ from country to country. Anyone have any further input regarding this?
if you owe the money to a brother let him take you to court and then go to the elders. hahah they would inmediately try to talk the brother out of suing you. That happened to me, I lend money to a dude and had to take him to court....yes they tried to make a JC out of it.. the funny thing? it was me who was in the hot seat for taking my bro to court. I was MS and they threaten to remove me from the post.
Here is a link to download the 'Elder Manual with notes'. It is the publication the Elders consult on all things JC
Here are some Body of Elders Letters (BOE LTR)
http://www.4shared.com/document/x2qqJHiy/BOE__1981-2006.html
I would also suggest strongly your friend search the CD regarding 'owing money'.
The lending brother should be willing to make arrangements for the borrowing brother to make restitution.
Was there a written agreement?
The main goal is to avoid 'reproach' on Jehovah and his Org.
*** w97 3/15 p. 21 par. 17 Let Discernment Safeguard You ***Of course, there would be no Scriptural basis for taking the steps outlined at Matthew 18:15-17 if there was no evidence or even a suggestion of fraud. Yet, what if a professing Christian actually defrauded us? Discernment can safeguard us from taking action that may put the congregation in a bad light. Paul advised fellow Christians to let themselves be wronged and even defrauded instead of taking a brother to court.—1 Corinthians 6:7.
Elders Manual
At Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus gave counsel on handling
serious wrongs that might be settled on a personal basis.
(w81 9/15 pp. 17-20; om pp. 142-5)
Jesus' counsel concerns serious sins committed against one
personally, such as fraud or slander‹sins serious enough
to lead to a person's being expelled from the congregation.
The person who believes he has been wronged takes the
first step toward resolving the matter; elders may encourage
him to do this.(Matt. 18:15)
The second step involves taking one or two persons with
him to speak with the individual. (Matt. 18:16)
These should preferably be witnesses of the alleged
wrongdoing or respected brothers, usually elders, who
can examine the evidence and offer counsel for resolving
the matter.
They also become witnesses to the evidence presented
in the discussion.
The person who believes he has been wronged takes the
third step, bringing the matter to the congregation, as a
last resort. (Matt. 18:17)
If the congregation elders are unable to bring a wrongdoer
to his senses, he is to be treated "as a man of the nations
and as a tax collector."
The unrepentant wrongdoer would be expelled (disfellowshipped)
from the congregation.
Deny, deny, deny.
If nothing is in writing, it's his word against the lender. Case closed, there are not two witnesses.
