Having not lived through the 70's and the 80's, it might not be in the memories of many who were JWs later. The essence of the situation was that people who were not baptized but regularly associated and went in the field service were dealt with like baptized JWs when the committed acts such as fornication, adultery, smoking, etc. A judicial committee met with them and if unrepentant, it was announced to the congregation and they were to be shunned just like DF'd people were. Part of the term "associate/association" was used, in the sense that the congregation was taking the action not the individual. The term Simplesally used, Disapproved Associate, is accurate, although JWs before 1988 freely used the term "disassociated" though incorrectly. As Eduardo pointed out, the WTS eventually realized that since they were not baptized, the congregation did not have the same authority over them and it was adapted to the procedure used now. This changed due to the legal ramifications of taken such actions.
In the Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry Book (1983) on pages 148,149 it says:
Nonbaptized Associates Who Are Wrongdoers
What of nonbaptized individuals who have been recognized as approved associates, have shared in the field service with the congregation or even have enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School, but who have now become involved in serious wrongdoing? They should be deal with in a way similar to that of baptized Witnesses with the exception that, not being members of the congregation, they could not be formally expelled therefrom. It may be that they do not fully understand the Bible's standards and kind counsel may help them to make straight paths for their feet.
If a nonbaptized wrongdoer is still unrepentant after a judicial committee has met with him and tried to help him, then it becomes necessary to inform the congegation. A brief announcement is made that the person is no longer recognized as an approved associate. (1 Cor. 15:33) The congregation will then view the wrongdoer as they would view one who has been disfellowshipped. No field service reports would be accepted from such a person.
In 1988 this all changed to the process most of you have mentioned. But a footnote in the article indicates that this was not always the case .
w88
11/15 p. 19 Helping Others to Worship God
How will Witnesses thereafter view the person? Well, at an earlier point he was an ?unbeliever? attending meetings. Then he both wanted to be and qualified to be a publisher of the good news. This is no longer the case, so he again is a person of the world. The Bible does not require that Witnesses avoid speaking with him, for he is not disfellowshipped
FootnotePreviously, unbaptized ones who unrepentantly sinned were completely avoided. While, as adjusted above, this is not required, the counsel at 1 Corinthians 15:33 should still be observed.
Some other procedures and adjustments from the 1988 Watchtower. The reason this article was prepared was to correct the previous procedures. After this those who had been unbaptized yet treated as DF'd people, could once again talk to their family and friends. The following are some more statements from the same article.
A person who has qualified as an unbaptized publisher of the good news has moved in the direction of becoming a ?man of goodwill.? (Luke 2:14) Although he is not dedicated and baptized, now he can report his witnessing activity along with the millions of active ones earth wide who are "publishing the word of God." (Acts 13:5; 17:3; 26:22, 23) An announcement that he is a new unbaptized publisher can be made to the congregation.
And we saw from the Bible that if a baptized wrongdoer is unrepentant, the congregation may need to expel him and thereafter avoid any fellowship with him. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 2 John 9-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12) What steps, though, can be taken if an unbaptized publisher seriously errs or sins?
Would it not, then, be even more fitting that mercy be shown to an erring unbaptized person who demonstrates repentance? (Acts 3:19) Yes, for his spiritual foundation is not as solid, and his experience in Christian living is more limited. He may not have learned God?s thinking on some matters. He has not gone through the series of prebaptism Bible discussions with elders, and he has not submitted to the serious step of water immersion. (this is where the legal thinking comes in) Moreover, Jesus said that "everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him." (Luke 12:48) So, much is expected of baptized ones who, along with increased knowledge and blessings, have special accountability.?James 4:17; Luke 15:1-7; 1 Corinthians 13:11.
Consistent with Paul?s advice, spiritually qualified brothers want to assist any unbaptized publisher who takes a false step before being aware of it. (Compare Galatians 6:1.) The elders could ask two of their number (perhaps those who earlier met with him) to try to readjust him if he wants to be helped. They would do so, not out of a desire to reprove with severity, but in a merciful way and in a spirit of mildness. (Psalm 130:3) In most cases, Scriptural exhortation and practical suggestions will suffice to produce repentance and put him on the right path.
The two elders will provide directions appropriate to the unbaptized wrongdoer?s situation. In some cases, they may arrange that for a time the erring one not be in the Theocratic Ministry School or be allowed to comment at meetings. Or they may instruct him not to share in the public ministry with the congregation until he has made more spiritual progress. Then they can tell him that he may again participate in the field ministry. If the wrongdoing did not bring notoriety and did not pose a danger to the cleanness of the flock, it is not necessary to alert the congregation by any announcement.
What, though, if the two elders find that the person is genuinely repentant, but the wrong is widely known? Or what if the wrongdoing becomes widely known later? In either case, they can inform the Congregation Service Committee, who will arrange for a simple announcement, as follows: "A matter involving . . . has been handled, and he [she] continues to serve as an unbaptized publisher with the congregation." As in all such matters, the body of elders can determine whether it would be advisable at some future point to give a Scriptural talk with counsel about the sort of wrongdoing involved.
Occasionally, an unbaptized publisher who is a wrongdoer will not respond to loving assistance. Or an unbaptized publisher may determine that he does not want to continue progressing toward baptism, and he informs the elders that he does not want to be recognized as a publisher. What is to be done? Disfellowshipping action is not taken regarding such ones who actually have not become approved by God. (yet approved to go in the ministry!) The arrangement of disfellowshipping unrepentant wrongdoers applies to those ?called brothers,? to baptized ones. (This is being said because previous to 1988 the DFing arrangement was being applied to unbaptized ones)(1 Corinthians 5:11) Does this mean, though, that the wrongdoing is ignored? No.
The elders are responsible to ?shepherd the flock of God in their care.? (1 Peter 5:2) If two elders offering help determine that an unbaptized wrongdoer is unrepentant and unqualified to be a publisher, they will inform the individual.
The elders are responsible to ?shepherd the flock of God in their care.? (1 Peter 5:2) If two elders offering help determine that an unbaptized wrongdoer is unrepentant and unqualified to be a publisher, they will inform the individual.
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Footnote *** If the individual is dissatisfied with this conclusion, he may request (within seven days) to have the matter reviewed.
Or if some unbaptized one tells the elders that he no longer wishes to be recognized as a publisher, they will accept his decision. In either case, it is appropriate for the Congregation Service Committee to have a simple announcement made at an appropriate time, saying " . . . is no longer a publisher of the good news."
