Circuit Overseer Guidelines (tg-E) October 2015

by wifibandit 48 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  wifibandit

  Circuit Overseer Guidelines (tg-E) October 2015

  http://bit.ly/1UTgiZt
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  ToesUp

  This is great!

  A disgruntled CO? Say it isn't so! (sarcasm)

  Thank you to Cedars and everyone involved in getting this out!
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  bafh

  It is disturbing that:

  • 1) it appears they put more weight on whether or not someone has a "scriptural marriage" than if someone has been accused of child sexual abuse
  • 2) They appear to believe that asking someone directly "are you a child molester" will yield an accurate answer should someone actually be child molester
  • 3) Communication with the Branch about sexual abuse of a child is required to be conducted by phone (no paper trail).
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  jwleaks

  Thank you.
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  Listener

  Thanks Wifi, I haven't seen that this has been available in the past.

  Bahf - 2) They appear to believe that asking someone directly "are you a child molester" will yield an accurate answer should someone actually be child molester

  
  They must know that it is highly unlikely a child molester will be honest just by being asked this question and resulting in his not only losing a higher position but other repercussions as well.

  
  This would be a good excuse for the organization to later put the onus on the individual for any compensation payments.

  
  On the other hand, it may be indicative of another problem within the organization. It may be that the individual had already been subject to investigation and even a JC with either no action being taken and/or no record being kept and no details that the issue was in relation to child molesting. Basically, the Branch may never have been informed but others, including elders, are aware of the incident.

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  Pubsinger

  Bahf (and others as thread grows)

  Can you put references (page/section etc) of where important things found are please. Will help everyone greatly 😊
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  sir82

  They appear to believe that asking someone directly "are you a child molester" will yield an accurate answer should someone actually be child molester

  They're stupid, but not that stupid. They know every person will answer "no", including child molesters.

  The question is there for their own legal protection. They can swear in court "to the best of their knowledge, Brother Kiddieporn was never a child molester".
  
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  Listener

  My review of the Circuit Overseas instructions (2015 version) to Chapter 19

  The introduction provides encouragement to the oversees, explaining how they are following in the footsteps of the 1st century congregations and includes this –

  In his inspired letter to the congregation in Ephesus, the apostle Paul highlighted the need for all overseers to work under Christ’s lead-ership “with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, for ministerial work, to build up the body of the Christ.” (Eph. 4:8, 11-13)

  Of note here is the fact that their role is focused only towards the anointed, who are the holy ones and the only ones required to build up the body of Christ. Most congregations that the overseers administer to have no anointed ones.

  Care should be taken to avoid a situation where a circuit overseer or his wife is left alone in a home with a member of the opposite sex.

  That’s fine and good advise if you don’t trust your most exemplary Bro’s and Sisters but may also avoid any gossip. However, it is noted that there is no mention of being alone with children.

  For example, if a brother is so extremely overweight that others would be distracted if he had a part on the program, good judgment would need to be used in deciding whether to give him an assignment, even though he might otherwise be qualified

  This is just sad, as it is just an example, it is likely that they would apply it to other physical disabilities. Geoffrey Jackson even felt a need to explain about being blind in his left eye.

  While a sister may be a good interpreter, it is not appropriate to use a sister as an interpreter for judicial cases.

  This would suggest that they consider it inappropriate for any sister to be in attendance at a JC even in a role providing assistance.

  In all cases of judicial reproof and reinstatement, restrictions should be imposed.

  Absolutely no discretion here, you do something wrong and there will be discipline.

  The 30-hour option is limited to four times per year.

  -for auxiliary pioneering

  If the brother is (1) being appointed for the first time as a ministerial servant or (2) being reappointed as an elder or a ministerial servant for reasons other than his move from one congregation to another, the circuit overseer should ask the following questions: “Is there anything from your past, even before baptism, or in your personal or family life that disqualifies you or that would prevent you from accepting this appointment? Is there any reason why your appointment should not be announced to the congregation? Have you ever been involved at any time in the past with child sex ual molestation?” If the brother answers no to the questions, the circuit overseer should provide the elders with a signed appointmentletter that includes the brother’s name in the list of those appointedduring the visit. (See 17:36; Appendix E.) The circuit overseer shouldinform the Service Department of the appointment using the Notification of Appointment or Deletion (S-2) form.

  The CO is told specifically not to ask a brother transferring from one congregation to another and being considered for reappointment the question of child abuse.
  

  It would be rare to appoint as an elder a brother who is in his early twenties.

  This means that it is common for elders in their mid an late twenties to be considered for appointment. Why they call them Elders is misleading. However they qualify it with this statement
  

  If they have acquired a fine standing in the congregation and have the respect and appreciation of their brothers for their diligent, faithful service, they may already be viewed as spiritually older men.

  Sorry for the next quote, as it is long, but I thought there might be some who are particularly interested in this without having to go through the whole document
  

  THOSE WITH A RECORD OF PAST MISCONDUCT
  
  12. The circuit overseer needs to check with the elders about any past reproofs or disfellowshippings of those being recommended for appointment. If a brother who was reproved during the last three years or reinstated during the last five years is being recommended, the circuit overseer should give careful consideration to the following: (1) whether an announcement was made to the congregation (in the case of a reproof) and the degree of notoriety involved, (2) when the last restriction was removed, and (3) whether the brother has regained the respect of the congregation.
  13. Circuit overseers need to be careful about reappointing brothers too soon after their being removed as elders or ministerial servants because of wrongdoing. A quick reappointment under those circumstances tends to minimize the seriousness of the wrongdoing in the eyes of the wrongdoer and may be disturbing to those who remember his bad course. (1 Tim. 5:22) Brothers removed for wrongdoing have to live down the reproach they brought on themselves and the congregation before they can be reappointed. This involves building up a convincing record of righteousness that serves to counterbalance the effect of the past wrong. Depending on the gravityof the wrongdoing, this might take five, ten, or more years. In cases of great scandal, a brother might not live the reproach down sufficiently in his lifetime so as to qualify as an elder or a ministerial servant.—Titus 1:6, 7.
  14. A brother who enters into an adulterous marriage would not qualify to serve as an elder or a ministerial servant at least until the death or remarriage of his former mate, if ever. Neither wouldhe qualify to serve as an auxiliary or regular pioneer or be assigned to help with the literature, accounts, magazines, attendants, or similar assignments. Thus, if a brother was divorced in the past, the cicumstances surrounding the divorce must always be reviewed. How long ago did it occur? Was it before or after his baptism? Was it a Scriptural divorce? Who committed the adultery? What responsibility did the brother have for the breakup of his marriage? Who initiated the divorce, and did the spouse agree to the divorce? (w00 12/15pp. 28-29) Did he remarry? If so, when? Are love and devotion evident within his new marriage? Does he have the full respect of the congregation?

  They are very specific with this.

  Some have had their spirituality tested with regard to disfellowshipped relatives. For example, some have attended wedding receptions where disfellowshipped persons were present. Doing so goes contrary to the direction at 1 Corinthians 5:11 to “stop keeping company” with such ones. If the host is going to violate this clearly stated direction and invite a disfellowshipped person to a reception, he has an obligation to inform all the wedding guests that a disfellowshipped person will be in attendance so that they can decide whether to attend. Others have attended the wedding of a baptized individual who is marrying an unbeliever or have provided financial assistance to such ones, thus giving their implied support to an unscriptural, unequal yoking. (1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14) If an elder or a ministerial servant displays poor judgment in these areas to a degree that it raises serious questions in the minds of others, he may be Scripturally disqualified from serving.—1 Tim. 3:13.

  On a positive note, if you’re not an Elder then it is up to the individual to decide whether they will attend a wedding where a dfd one is in attendance.

  In harmony with the inspired counsel at Titus 2:3-5, it may be that the circuit overseer’s wife could help single sisters, depending on the circumstances. Of course, he would not want to encourage her to place herself in a situation with a sister who is experiencing complex problems that would drain his wife’s time and energies.—See 23:4.

  Of course not, that would just be extending oneself too much.

  This is a short review up to chapter 19
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  jaydee

  wifibandit

  this is excellent

  thank you

  
  
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  jookbeard

  wonder who the disgruntled CO is?