by BU2B 6 Replies latest jw friends
So I have read that if an elder commited porneia (or other serious sin) while serving and it came to light years later, he would not necisarily be removed. I mentioned this to my wife a while back, and she refused to believe it.
Is this policy still in effect? If so, can someone post the information? I like to be factual and have my s**t straight when talking about things.
Also to former elders, do you have any stories about seeing this rule in effect?
Thanks- Brought
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Believe
It's in the current Sheperding book, which you should be able to find online.
The Sheperding book doesn't mention a time period, says a "length of time" or some such.
There is a letter to elders that more or less stipulates as a clarification that that is 3 years.
The SOLE KEY is "Jehovah's blessing" ; I.e. lots of service, lots of meaningful comments - the same key of whether or not to DF Joe Publisher.
Flock book, pg. 38 , paragraph 19 states:
" If it comes to light or an appointed brother confesses that he has committed a disfellowshipping offense years in the past : The body of elders may determine HE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE if the following is true : The immorality or other serious wrongdoing occured more than a few years ago, and he is genuinely repentant, recognizing that he SHOULD HAVE come forward immediately when he sinned. "
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So, my question is: why can't a Publisher get away with committing secret sins using the same rule?
My guess " AndDontCallmeShirley " is that those " rules" only apply to those doing the " Ruling".
Ie the G.B with American passports, in order to have those passports dont mind " pledging alligence" to the United States.
Bu2B: As to your orginal post, i think the elders are often a little club of rules that suit themselfs.
The answer to why elders can use the three year rule and not the pubs is (in my opinion)
1) elders are "supposedly" appointed by H.S. and how would it look if an elder was sinning and serving for years? Better to sweep it under the rug if possible. Of course if he is not cooperative then it has to come out,,,,that is the part they would call "unrepentant" its not about repentance, its about how likely is this to hit the fan.
the other reason
2) its harder to get elders and to keep them.
