theocratic problems
i wanted to write this because i have really been trying to work on this lately and i'm a little confused. There is this brother in our hall who recently got reproved. I used to be really good friends with him up until around the time of the reproval. I know what he did and i don't want to be around him anymore. I know that's wrong because he repented for his sins, but is it okay for me not to be by him because it makes me uncomfortable?
also another thing i was reminded of while reading someone else's journal. what about those brothers you see coming to the meetings because you know their parents make them? i have been trying to help this one young brother being more focused and have some friends in the truth with all the young people in my congregation. but i don't know how to say it. Sometimes i feel like i am wasting effort then he shows he appreciates it but doesn't really make any progress. He's 17 now and i know he'll stop coming once he gets out of high school, should i keep trying or let him make his own decision?
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With the brother who has been reproved... yeah, it can be unsettling. Don't know if you are in my congregation, but we have a brother in that situation that it's the same thing with me, pretty close with him, then this happened. I try to look at it as he repented and he needs us now, or else he may lapse back into his wrongdoing. But I try to upbuild him the best I can... more later
It's later so here's more.... with the brother who's reproved... I spoke with one of the elders in our cong about association with the one who was reproved. It was likened to someone who is reinstated, they need us and need to encouragement. Logical. In your situation, you may want to touch base with your local elders about how you feel and may want to have a heart to heart talk with the reproved brother, maybe letting him know that you need to take a little time to deal with your feelings. But touch base with the elders first to run it past them. About the 17 year old, again run it past the elders first, but I would again communicate wholeheartedly with him. Tell him you enjoy his company and want to encourage him to do more for Jehovah and help build a relationship with him. Try to help him to see all the good things Jehovah has done for him personally and maybe see where his mind is. But if doesn't want the truth right now, keep the lines of communication open and deal with him accordingly... there is a brothe rin my old congregation that was in that situation and stayed away for a year or two. He was all set to sign up for the Army when a ministerial servant happened to see him and they spoke... ended up studying together and the young fellow is baptized and doing pretty well.. hope this all helps!!!
yeah, its hard to do. But bottom line, you have to trust the elders decision. If they reproved him, you HAVE to back that, becuase they are under the direction of Jehovah. It WILL be hard, but think about that person as well. They are probably trying HARD to do what is right in jehovahs eyes, the LAST thing they need is people that they know and love giving them the cold shoulder... just something to think about.
Exactly, Mike... this brother COULD have been disfellowshipped but showed heartfelt repentance. He is not disfellowshipped and we cannot treat him as such!
been there, seen that... basically dropping being friends with him is lame, i couldnt do that, maybe if he a casual friend i guess but i stick by my friends thru some of their hard times. If he indeed chooses to stop going to meetings then i can see stopping association with him, and eventually he will realize he wants to come back cause the world is pointles (may take years, trust me i have seen the amazing happen and someone start to come back) or they will just stay out there and you can just hope they will come back :/
I don't think you should give anyone in the congregation a cold shoulder, but I really recommend that you do speak to the elders in your hall about how you feel, also keep aware you don't have to brush them away, but perhaps engage in more spiritual things than recreational matters, that goes too for the brother you are trying to help. Remember one can help people, but don't neglect yourself, because that can be bad*(we all need constant encouragement, even those who appear strong*).Individuals need to make the truth their own, most of the time alone, so it can have an everlasting effect not temporary.
well,i think those are some good suggestions,but also of course pray to Jehovah about it and talk to the elders about it, and i hope that this helps.
why dont you tell us what he did, so we know what your dealing with?
hahahahahaha! i can see tim typing this and sending, and laughing to himself... lol
Unfortunately it looks like apple hasn't been on since he posted this to see what was written... does anyone know who apple is anyway?
well dave, apple probably is someone elses name that they just wrote the story under so that they could check with their other name and nobody would see who it was. Which was a good idea on their part, i might add...
can any tell now that it was mike?
it wasnt me dude... i dont have anyone in my hall like that, ask funky
I was thinking that anyway... thanks Mikey...