My friend was a Jehovah's Witness, but was disfellowshipped for doing bad things?

Question

Is he supposed to wait for the elders to contact him, or is he supposed to contact them to try and get re-instated.

Witnesses only please. I Know they teach the truth, so any anti-JW postings will not be considered a valid answer.

Answer 1

I am deeply interested in this question's answer. I too, was dissfellowshipped. I know the Witnesses have the pure truth, but I do not know what to do to get re-instated.
I want to do what is right to repair my relationship with Jehovah, but I do not know how to do this.
Any witness elders, please help me, I am serious.

Answer 2

As a witness it is the responsibility of the person disfellowshipped to contact the elders who were on the judicial commitee to talk to them about steps to be reinstated. Elders are only obligated to talk to the person once a year to determine any kind of repentqance. A person who has been disfellowshipped should write a letter to the brothers and ask for reinstatement. Hope this helps. First though a prayer to Jehovah can only help that person to see what steps should be taken.

Answer 3

JW here. The best thing for your friend to do is to *show* that he wants to return to Jehovah's organization by attending as many meetings as his circumstances will allow, and by personal study. It's also important that his attitude reflect that of humbleness and, most importantly, sincere repentance. After a time, (in most cases it's around 6 months or so) it is appropriate that he write a letter requesting to meet with the judicial committee to discuss his returning to the congregation. He then can approach the elder of his choice, hand over the letter, and a specific meeting time will be arranged. That part is kind of like a progress report to see how well he's advancing in his efforts to return. After that, he'll just need to follow the direction that the elders advise him of. Above all, he needs to pray to Jehovah asking for forgiveness so that he can carry out these steps with a clean conscience. Hope this bit of information helps.

Rachel B

Answer 4

As a general rule the Elders try to keep in contact with disfellowshipped ones at least once or twice a year to see if they wish to come back. If your friend wishes to than he probably is already attending meetings. All he needs do is let the elders know he needs to talk and then take things from there.

Answer 5

--As an elder for over 25 years, the best thing to do is not to be overly concerned with the contact with the elders.
--Stay close to Jehovah through Christ in prayer & start your theocratic activity as best as your circumstance allows you to.

1. Studying the scriptures to rekindle the appreaciation of Jehovah's ways!
2. Developing once again Christ like attitudes of humility, love, joy all the fruitages that distinguish a Christian. (Gal. 5:21-23)
3. Meetings on a regular basis--AS best as possible!
4. Preaching informally!
5. Elders should and many do look for someone who is showing works that befit repentence!

(Acts 26:20) “. . .I went bringing the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance.”

(Acts 3:19-20) “19 “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get YOUR sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah 20 and that he may send forth the Christ appointed for YOU, Jesus,”

--If he was disfellowshipped in the congregation he wishes to attend and
IF the elders are really acting as true shepherds--they will approach him or IF NEED BE after a while he should approach the presider or one he feels comfortable with! FORMORALLY this should be done with a letter format!
--IF it is a different congregation that does not know him, THEN he should definitely introduce himself immediately to the presider or any other elder, and just to inform him of the situation USUALLY that is appreaciated! A letter would be good!
--The important thing is to show Jehovah we mean to want to fully worship him again!

--My wife and I have found in relationships with any other witness and their concern over us
--IT IS BEST to "hope in everything and expect nothing"--Many times elders discernment is blocked by their imperfections,(possible predjudice if they knew us before) even though maybe, not meant!

--THEREFORE it may take a longer period of time even if your friend feels sincerely he has done his best. THIS IS where the quality of "long-suffering"--comes to play with anyone or a committee who have authority over others , unfortunately!

Answer 6

Any disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses who wishes to be reinstated should write a letter to the body of elders where he lives, plainly requesting reinstatement.

Elders are encouraged to visit disfellowshipped persons living in the congregation's territory about once each year, but the primary responsibility is on the one seeking reinstatement.

Answer 7

They can contact the elders to ask what is required for their reinstatment, but will be contacted by them when a decision is made. In the meantime, tell them to pray and study, attend meetings if they can, and not lose faith or hope. Remember that Jehovah is love.

Answer 8

Your friend needs to give clear evidence of repentance, demonstrating over a reasonable period of time that he has changed his course and wants to have a good relationship with with Jehovah and his organization. Time is needed for proof of genuine repentance. As was mentioned, it is VITAL for him to attend meetings. In order to be reinstated, he will need to write a letter requesting reinstatement. From there, the elders will contact him and begin the process.

Answer 9

Generally the elders in a congregation will contact a disfellowshipped person every year or so to ascertain their feelings about reinstatement, but only IF THEY KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.

If your friend is serious about wanting to be reinstated, he should take the initiative and write a letter to the elders in the congregation in whose territory he lives, and ask to meet with them. At that meeting they will inform him of the steps needed for reinstatement.

Your friend should have already been attending meetings at a congregation for a period, as well as demonstrating interest in the meetings by studying for them in publications he can obtain, i.e., the WT. Most congregations have a weekly book study at the Kingdom Hall, and the interested person can attend the book study there.

Normally it will take a period after regular meeting attendance is established - several months or even a year, as well as demonstrating a level of "repentance" deemed appropriate to the wrongdoing for which he was disfellowshipped.

I am a former JW elder who left of my own volition and who does not wish to return. I think the Organization has devolved into the spirit of the Pharisees of Jesus' day who thought the organization and structure of the temple was more important that the spirit in one's heart. I have seen first hand much hypocrisy and even illegalities in the WT, and feel they should do as Daniel did and fall on their knees to beg forgiveness for the entire organization. I am sad that your friend wants back in, but if he does, then I wish him well and godspeed.

Answer 10

I was never disfellowshipped, but you should start going to meetings. of course it will be hard because no one can talk to you except the elders. pray to Jehovah and he will help you. tell the elders in the kingdom hall that you want to repent and want to come back. I am sure they will help you in any way they can. people on here will say nasty things that you should be glad to be away from Jehovah and Jesus. that we are a cult and brainwashed. they know nothing about us. remember Jehovah and Jesus Christ know your heart. you can give me thumbs down, but Jehovah and Jesus will help you. there was a couple in my kingdom hall that was disfellowshipped and they came to meetings and now they came back to Jehovah and Jesus Christ.