From the manual for elders of Jehovah's Witnesses
"Pay Attention To Yourselves and to All the Flock"
UNIT 5 (c) -- Part 1 of 3

# Handling Cases of
Wrongdoing With Wisdom
and Mercy

When man rebelled in Eden, Jehovah took prompt action
(Gen. 3:8-19, 23, 24) Today, elders must handle cases of
wrongdoing and thus safeguard the spiritual environment of
the congregation. Hence, they should be well-informed with
regard to the application of Bible laws and principles.

When you as elders are assigned to care for a judicial
problem, it is beneficial to take the necessary time to do
research in the Bible, the Society's publications, and any
special letters from the Society that may contain information
applicable to the particular case. Prayerful consideration of
such information would be appropriate before the committee
initiates the hearing itself.

## Before Forming a Judicial Committee

A person who becomes a witness to a serious sin should
encourage the wrongdoer to report the matter to the elders.

  He may encourage the wrongdoer to seek help from the
  elders and confess; and if the wrongdoer does not do
  so, the witness will then inform the elders. (w85 11/85 pp. 19-21)
    If there is no response from the accused, two elders
    should attempt to discuss the matter with him. If he
    denies wrongdoing, so that it is only one brother's
    word against another's, leave the matter in Jehovah's
    hands. (1 Tim. 5:19, 24, 25)
  However, having the witness confront the accused alone
  may not be advisable in all cases.
    For example:
      When the witness is party to wrongdoing, such as
      in cases of fornication or adultery.

118

  When the witness is a victim of the wrongdoer as in
  cases of incest or rape.

  When the witness is extremely timid.

In such cases, or when other extenuating circumstances
exist, two elders may discuss the matter with the ac-
cused, or an elder may accompany the witness to dis-
cuss the matter with the accused.

Of course, if it is determined that a judicial committee
should be formed, the witness may need to testify at
the hearing if the accused denies wrongdoing.

If there is another witness to the same type of sin on the
part of the accused, this would be basis for forming a
judicial committee. (See Unit 5 (b), page 111.)

## Judicial Committee Hearing Procedure

### After opening with prayer, the chairman states the rea-
son for the meeting.

  He may offer a Scriptural point at the outset, such as from
  Proverbs 28:13 or James 5:14, 15.

  Elders, by expressing the desire to be helpful, can do
  much to put the accused at ease. (w89 9/15 pp. 19-20)

  The chairman invites the accused to make a personal
  statement.

### Present the witnesses one at a time unless the wrongdoer
confesses.

  If the accused does not admit guilt, he should be informed
  as to the source of the charge(s) made against him.
  Accusers should be willing to assume their responsibi-
  lity, as was required in Israel. (Deut. 17:6, 7; 19:16-21)
  The accused may also present witnesses whose testimony
  would have a bearing on the case.

  The witnesses should not be present for the entire hearing,
  since they do not need to hear details and testimony that
  do not affect them.

  However, witnesses to the wrongdoing should be pres-
  ent if it becomes necessary to continue the reproof of
  the accused "before all onlookers." (1 Tim. 5:20)

119

### The committee probes with pertinent questions in an
effort to establish facts and ascertain the attitude of the
accused.

  Is there sufficient evidence to establish by two witnesses
  or otherwise that the person is clearly guilty of serious
  wrongdoing? (Unit 5 (b) p. 111) Isolate specific offenses
  and available evidence.

  While it is not appropriate to make extraordinary efforts
  or to prolong the case unnecessarily, skillful use of God's
  Word may reach the person's heart and bring him to
  repentance.

### Elders should be quick to listen but slow to indicate a
preference or a leaning one way or the other.

  Wait until you have heard all the facts before reaching
  conclusions and making decisions. (Prov. 18:13)

  If guilt is established, use God's Word to reprove the
  wrongdoer, showing the wrongness of the sin and of the
  steps that may have led to it.

    You may need to do so in front of the witnesses of the
    sin ("onlookers") who have testified.

### After Scriptural discussion and after all evidence has
been presented, dismiss the accused and any witnesses,
and carefully review evidence and the attitude of the
accused.

  If the accusation, or charge, has been proved true, is the
  wrongdoer repentant? If repentance is manifest, how was
  it demonstrated? (Unit 5 (b) pp. 112-15)

  Depending on whether guilt is established and repentance
  shown, determine what action, if any, needs to he taken.

  In complex cases, defer making a decision if you are not
  sure of the Bible's direction and the Society's counsel.

    However, do not unduly prolong making a deci-
    sion, as this can have a detrimental effect on the
    accused and the congregation.

    Seek Jehovah's wisdom through prayer.

120 "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock"

  If the wrongdoer is guilty of gross sin but gives evidence
  of godly repentance, even as recently as at the hearing, the
  judicial reproof given by the committee may suffice;
  disfellowshipping may not be necessary. (2 Tim. 4:1, 2;
  Titus 1:9; w83 1/1 pp. 30-1)

  Some wrongdoers have gone so far into a practice of sin
  or have been so persistently deceptive that it may be
  difficult to accept a claim of repentance. (1 Cor. 5:
  3-5, 13)

    If the person is guilty of a serious sin such as those listed in Unit 5 (a), pages 92-6, and is unrepentant,
    having a truly bad heart, and/or is determined to
    pursue a God-dishonoring course, he must be disfellow-
    shipped, expelled.

### When the decision is made, inform the individual of it
orally.

  If disfellowshipping is necessary, proceed as outlined un-
  der the next heading.

  If disfellowshipping is not necessary, yet the accused is
  guilty of gross sin, see "Matters Regarding Judicial Re-
  proof," pages 123-4.

## If the Decision Is to Disfellowship

### Tell the guilty person the Scriptural reason(s) for the
action.

Inform the wrongdoer that he may appeal in writing
within seven days if he feels a serious error in judgment
has occurred. (om p. 147; km 1/80 p. 4)

  Outline steps necessary for future reinstatement.

  Be positive, assuring him that forgiveness is possible if he
  truly repents; the person may be in a distressed state of
  mind.

### If an appeal is lodged within the allotted time, no an-
nouncement is made pending the outcome of the appeal.

  In the meantime the accused person will be restricted

UNIT 5 (c) - 121

  from commenting and praying at meetings or enjoying
  special privileges of service. (om pp. 147-8 )

  If the accused lodges an appeal but then deliberately fails
  to appear for the appeal hearing, the disfellowshipping
  action should be announced after reasonable efforts to
  contact the individual have been made either in person or
  by telephone.

### If an appeal is not made within seven days, announce
the disfellowshipping.

  Allow the seven-day appeal period to elapse even if the
  person states he does not wish to appeal.

  The presiding overseer should check the announcement to
  make sure that it conforms to the guidelines outlined by
  the Society.

  An elder, perhaps the chairman of the judicial committee,
  should read the announcement.

  Disfellowshipping takes effect when the announcement is
  made to the congregation.

### Using the forms provided by the Society, the branch
office should be notified of the person's name, the Scrip-
tural reason for the disfellowshipping, and the date of
the action. ( S-77 and S-79 forms )

  A brief review of the evidence that was presented should
  also be given.

  A similar report is made when a person disassociates
  himself from the organization. ( S-77 and S-79 forms )

  A written summary of the case should be prepared by the
  committee and put in a sealed envelope to be placed in the
  congregation file.

### If a disfellowshipped individual moves to a different
area, no announcement of his disfellowshipped status
should be made from the platform of the new congrega-
tion.

  Publishers can be advised individually if they are inadvert-
  ently having association with such a one.

122 - "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock "

## Matters Regarding Judicial Reproof

### Reproof involves establishing wrongdoing and convinc-
ing the wrongdoer of the error.

  Thus, administering judicial reproof includes more than
  just making a decision or announcing it. (w77 11/15
  pp. 691-2)

  The aim is to help the person stop doing what is bad and
  establish himself as a practicer of what is good.

    Help him to understand how there may have been
    related sins, which were less serious, that led to his
    serious deflection from Jehovah's law.

### Some wrongdoers may need to be judicially reproved
with severity to bring them to repentance. (Titus 1:13)

At times it is appropriate to administer judicial reproof
"before all onlookers." ( 1 Tim. 5:20)

  Be sure to adhere to Scriptural and organizational guide-
  lines when this is done. (w81 9/1 pp. 24, 26)

    The "onlookers" may be those present as witnesses at the
    committee hearing or those who know of the sin.

      If there are good reasons for it, an announcement of
      judicial reproof may be made to the congregation.
      (w88 11/15 p. 18; w81 9/1 pp. 26-7)

        The degree or seriousness of the sin is not the
        determining factor for an announcement regarding
        reproof.

        In cases where sin is widely known or will no doubt
        become known, an announcement may be needed
        to safeguard the reputation of the congregation.

        The committee may have specific reasons why the
        congregation needs to be somewhat on guard con-
        cerning the repentant wrongdoer. Perhaps he had
        been counseled several times concerning steps lead-
        ing to the same wrongdoing.

    In some cases the elders may feel it is necessary to warn the
    congregation about the type of conduct practiced.

      If so and if no announcement is made, a talk may be

    UNIT 5 (c) - 123

      given at any time outlining clearly what the Scriptures
      have to say on the subject.

        If an announcement regarding judicial reproof is
        made, a few weeks after the announcement such a
        talk may he given.

      Nothing should be said that would connect anyone
      with the type of sin being discussed. Rather, cover
      Scriptural principles outlining the seriousness of such
      sinful conduct and how to avoid it.

  ### In all cases of judicial reproof, restrictions will be im-
  posed.

    If the wrongdoer is an elder, a ministerial servant, or a
    pioneer, he should be removed. (w77 11/15 pp. 697-8)

    It is important that the judicial committee monitor the
    spiritual progress of a person who has been judicially
    restricted; appropriate counsel and spiritual encourage-
    ment should he given periodically. (w81 9/1 p. 27; km
    3/75 p. 4)

    Restrictions should he removed in due course as warranted
    by the individual's observed spiritual recovery.

    If a brother who has recently been judicially reproved
    moves to another congregation, it is necessary to inform
    the elders of that congregation about any restrictions that
    may be in effect.

      This will enable the elders in his new congregation to
      continue supervising the restoration of his privileges
      and help him toward full spiritual recovery.

      No announcement of such previous judicial reproof is
      made in the new congregation. (km 3/75 p. 4)

  End of Part 1 (part 1 of 3) of UNIT 5 (c)

  [part 2] [part 3]