Helping Inactive Ones

[DoubtingThomas]

The following article from Our Kingdom Ministry for February 2007 was considered at tonight's Service Meeting at congregations in the USA Branch. In my congregation we had many positive comments from different ones. Some of these comments including that it would not be proper to make any remark to an inactive person who might come to a meeting such as "We haven't seen you in awhile", or "Where have you been?". These comments would make an inactive person returning to a meeting after a lengthy absence feel uncomfortable. Instead we should just be warm and friendly and let them know that we are glad to see them again. The comments from all the brothers and sisters in my congregation for this meeting part were very loving and kind and sympathetic for one's who may have drifted away for various reasons, but now wants to return going to meetings again.

So I was thinking that if there are any reading this, who may be inactive but considering returning to meetings, this may be good time to do so. Because after considering this article the brothers and sisters should be more receptive to welcoming back an inactive person, without being judgmental or harsh or critical or nosey about why the person may have become inactive. It was brought out at my meeting tonight the many different reasons one may have become inactive (health, drifting away, being stumbled, persecution, etc.). But the bottom line is this: Don't judge another that wants to return back to the meetings, just greet them with open and loving arms.

6 As the Bible clearly shows, only those who run the course to the finish will receive salvation. (Matt. 24:13) Therefore, take note of those who may have stumbled or drifted away. If we patiently reflect Jehovah's love by demonstrating sincere interest in such ones, we may experience the joy of seeing them resume their sacred service alongside us.—Luke 15: 4-10.

[eyes&ears]

Thanks DT for the headsup.

I have TMS tonight. Should prove to be interesting. It's a mixed bag to me. It's a wonderful thing that this is happening, but also sad that inactive ones are treated like this in the first place and that infornation has to be given out to mold the thoughts and behavior of others in how to to treat another human being. This to me is sad. Sometimes it seems like they create negative situations and then down the road, they want to correct these situations so they print out something like it is a wonderful revelation and pass it on like GOOD NEWS. :icon_rolleyes: .

This is what I mean by a struggle within the different departments that write up the information that is given to us for food.

However, it is good that someone sees the need to correct the way individuals are being treated. They do things like this from time to time. Not to mention that meeting attendance is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down. HMMMMMMMMMMMMM. So I would imagine they have to try something.

Guilty conscience hmmmmm. Just being a little SARCASTIC SMARTY PANTS. I just wonder about the motive of these goings on sometimes. My My My. Hope they get the reults they are looking for.

HOLD ON TIGHT AS WE REMEMBER 1JN 4:8. May we also keep everyone in prayer. So many inside are confused and so many that have left are lost. Hopefully if they return they will STAY.


Just my penny's worth.

Love to you all

E & E

[Jeshurun]

I once tried to return to meetings after being inactive for 16 years, and I had never been disfellowshipped, but the P.O. treated me like I had leprosy. I was expecting some kind of prodigal son greeting, and it broke my heart, and made me seriously start thinking about whether these elders were really reflecting Jehovah's spirit. For people like myself, who at the time I was truly brainwashed into believing that the WT was Jehovah's mouthpiece, it is a gigantic stumbling block. Makes you think that Jehovah is a cold, cruel, heartless God who only wants zombies who can walk the walk and talk the talk, and not have their own opinion about anything.

I'm speaking of elders here, not the congregation in general, they were always wonderful.

From there I tried other congregations and kept getting similar greetings, although not nearly as bad. They just don't understand that they are playing around with people's souls. It left me thinking that the only place I could be treated in a way anywhere near the way God would treat me would be to go to some church in Christendom, but of course, that was never an option either. So I twisted in the wind for all those years, until I found e-Watchman, which lifted the entire veil of lies and made me realize that Jehovah is everything and more than I ever could have imagined. It was a new lease on life, and one that can never be taken away again.

[Kenneth]

Hi Jeshurun

Sorry to here that you feel the way you do about meetings and the way you were treated, however I don't think that all congregation are alike. I had some difficulties with elders when I first came into the truth as I don't think I met with their approval. Eventually I moved congregation (this wasn't due to the elders but circumstances' as I don't believe in running away for the situation) and made good progress. There are many in the congregation who are unhappy with the way things are run but continue to endure despite the difficulties. My advice is go back to the meeting and don't worry about the reception the elders give you, if they have a problem then the problem is theirs. Many the brother/sister will welcome you with open arms. Some of the times though we have to make the effort ourselves, remember what the poet Emerson wrote: "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

Kenneth

[Jeshurun]

Thanks Kenneth

I continue to feel to this day that Jehovah's people are like no other people on earth, and everyone always made me feel welcome. However I just saw a different spirit with many elders, it wasn't in the same realm as everyone else. Now I believe that it comes from the corporate mentality engrained in the elders through their training. It's evident that their focus goes from being a good shepherd to being a company man. Society rules first, and Jehovah second. The reason I don't go back now is because I know too much and I think it would be impossible for me to pull it off, although I would really like to be there, in spite of the false teachings. I also don't know how long it would be before I got into trouble with all the issues going on. I give everyone else who can do it all the credit in the world, they're more long-suffering than me. Maybe it's something I can work on.

Lou