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
