Message to those in Bethel service desk lurking on here.
The reinstatement process needs to be made easier.
Its too long and too difficult and the elders have too much power.
An easy solution to stem the bleeding and have a little blood transfusion (excuse the illustration) is to have it easy for someone to return. All they need to say is that they are sorry and that is enough, don’t have elder’s decided if they are really sorry or not.
This same new light should apply before someone is announced as disfellowshiped, if they say they are sorry that is enough. Don’t give power to elders to decide if they are genuine or not.
I remember stories of Elders where power went to their head and asked different ones to jump through hoops to show they were really sorry. Giving up jobs, moving to other areas or travelling far to old congregations for several months sitting at the back not being allowed to talk to anyone. This was a power trip for the elders. This madness needs to stop.
One sister I know was so finding it hard being shunned by family and friends she said I will do whatever it takes to be reinstated. She had to travel a long way after work to this other congregation where she was dissed. Even then it took about a year of sitting at the back not talking to anyone and feeling shame and made to feel dirty and unvalued.
No wonder there is such a high case of suicide. No wonder the recent changes in the Elders book not to diss someone if they may be suicidal.
Next change should be so simple, if they say they are sorry that is enough. Either before or after dissed. This should stem the bleeding and put a bit of blood back in.