Unbaptised publishers

by Mikejw 3 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Mikejw

  If a child grows up in a congregation to JW parents, they can go in the ministry even if they get to teenagers and they still haven’t become an unbaptised publisher they can still go on the ministry

  If someone comes into the truth at an older age, they’re not allowed to go on the ministry until they are an unbaptised publisher only then can they put their first report in

  what if the child grows into his late teens and he still hasn’t become an unbaptised publisher? What if he just continues coming to meetings going on the ministry but never becomes an unbaptised publisher? Is he allowed to go on the ministry on his own?

  What kind of pressure would he be put on to become an unbaptised publisher?
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  HiddlesWife

  For one thing, back in the day when ANTMO was a GB Member, he gave a few talks instructing Dub parents to do this➡ If their tweenie or mainly teenage children do not get baptized, they SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THEIR DRIVERS' LICENSES, AT ALL! He said the above statement for it to be some sort of MANTRA, turning it to be a decision for the parents to make. I felt that this "man" was trying to INFLUENCE these adults to hold AN IMPORTANT ASPECT in a young person's life HOSTAGE---just because he or she doesn't want to become A CONVERT of a FRAUDULENT/HEINOUS BELIEF SYSTEM!

  END OF RANT [until next time].
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  dropoffyourkeylee

  I seem to remember (someone correct me if I am wrong) that they first began to use a term 'approved associate', which lasted maybe a year or two, then that designation was replaced by 'unbaptized publisher'.

  I think it came about because of the inherent ambiguity of the WT definition of 'who is a member'. First they say a member is someone who is baptized, then they would say a JW is someone who reports time, ie; a publisher. The two designations do not always jive, so they had to come up with an 'unbaptized publisher' designation. Part of their strategy to keep one step ahead of the draft board in the case of young men facing selective service, in my opinion.
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  blondie

  mikejw, "what if the child grows into his late teens and he still hasn’t become an unbaptised publisher? What if he just continues coming to meetings going on the ministry but never becomes an unbaptised publisher? Is he allowed to go on the ministry on his own?" I do believe an unbaptized publisher is a person who has been studying for some time, has stopped doing things that could lead to being "removed" if baptized, and in the past turned in time on his first time slip. That is no longer done, but they still have to say they did put some time in that month. At one time the WTS described it as being engaged but not yet married. The expectation is not for long engagements, but to marry within a "reasonable" time (not 5 to ten years). Actually, the WTS does not tell someone they can't preach, even as a restriction when taken off reproof (reinstated jw or one reproved privately). They can say you can't be in the ministry school, but can't take away the preaching aspect. (shows what the WTS values more). Will there pressure, yes, but not in writing, just "encouragement" often. Will emphasize you can't be used in the congregation for mikes, sound, attendants, etc., (Ministerial servant duties) and definitely not an elder.