What steps, though, can be taken if an unbaptized publisher seriously errs or sins?

12. (a) Why is merciful help also available for unbaptized publishers who sin? (b) How can the principle at Luke 12:48 relate to accountability for wrongdoing?

¹² Jude urged that mercy be shown to anointed Christians who had developed doubts or had fallen into sins of the flesh, provided they were repentant. (Jude 22, 23; see also 2 Corinthians 7:10.) Would it not, then, be even more fitting that mercy be shown to an erring unbaptized person who demonstrates repentance? (Acts 3:19) Yes, for his spiritual foundation is not as solid, and his experience in Christian living is more limited. He may not have learned God’s thinking on some matters. He has not gone through the series of prebaptism Bible discussions with elders, and he has not submitted to the serious step of water immersion. Moreover, Jesus said that “everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him.” (Luke 12:48) So, much is expected of baptized ones who, along with increased knowledge and blessings, have special accountability.​—James 4:17; Luke 15:1-7; 1 Corinthians 13:11.

13. If an unbaptized publisher errs, what will the elders do to help?

¹³ Consistent with Paul’s advice, spiritually qualified brothers want to assist any unbaptized publisher who takes a false step before being aware of it. (Compare Galatians 6:1.) The elders could ask two of their number (perhaps those who earlier met with him) to try to readjust him if he wants to be helped. They would do so, not out of a desire to reprove with severity, but in a merciful way and in a spirit of mildness. (Psalm 130:3) In most cases, Scriptural exhortation and practical suggestions will suffice to produce repentance and put him on the right path.

14, 15. (a) What may be done if the wrongdoer is genuinely repentant? (b) What limited clarifying comment might be made in some cases?

¹⁴ The two elders will provide directions appropriate to the unbaptized wrongdoer’s situation. In some cases, they may arrange that for a time the erring one not be in the Theocratic Ministry School or be allowed to comment at meetings. Or they may instruct him not to share in the public ministry with the congregation until he has made more spiritual progress. Then they can tell him that he may again participate in the field ministry. If the wrongdoing did not bring notoriety and did not pose a danger to the cleanness of the flock, it is not necessary to alert the congregation by any announcement.

¹⁵ What, though, if the two elders find that the person is genuinely repentant, but the wrong is widely known? Or what if the wrongdoing becomes widely known later? In either case, they can inform the Congregation Service Committee, who will arrange for a simple announcement, as follows: “A matter involving . . . has been handled, and he [she] continues to serve as an unbaptized publisher with the congregation.” As in all such matters, the body of elders can determine whether it would be advisable at some future point to give a Scriptural talk with counsel about the sort of wrongdoing involved.

16, 17. (a) What two situations might be the basis for a different announcement? (b) What is the nature of this announcement?

¹⁶ Occasionally, an unbaptized publisher who is a wrongdoer will not respond to loving assistance. Or an unbaptized publisher may determine that he does not want to continue progressing toward baptism, and he informs the elders that he does not want to be recognized as a publisher. What is to be done? Disfellowshipping action is not taken regarding such ones who actually have not become approved by God. The arrangement of disfellowshipping unrepentant wrongdoers applies to those ‘called brothers,’ to baptized ones. (1 Corinthians 5:11) Does this mean, though, that the wrongdoing is ignored? No.

¹⁷ The elders are responsible to ‘shepherd the flock of God in their care.’ (1 Peter 5:2) If two elders offering help determine that an unbaptized wrongdoer is unrepentant and unqualified to be a publisher, they will inform the individual.d Or if some unbaptized one tells the elders that he no longer wishes to be recognized as a publisher, they will accept his decision. In either case, it is appropriate for the Congregation Service Committee to have a simple announcement made at an appropriate time, saying “ . . . is no longer a publisher of the good news.”

18. (a) After such an announcement, what will Christians bear in mind in personally deciding how to act? (b) Is it necessary completely to avoid unbaptized ones guilty of wrongdoing in the past?

¹⁸ How will Witnesses thereafter view the person? Well, at an earlier point he was an ‘unbeliever’ attending meetings. Then he both wanted to be and qualified to be a publisher of the good news. This is no longer the case, so he again is a person of the world. The Bible does not require that Witnesses avoid speaking with him, for he is not disfellowshipped.e Still, Christians will exercise caution with regard to such a person of the world who is not worshiping Jehovah, even as Israelites did regarding uncircumcised alien settlers. This caution helps to protect the congregation from any “little leaven,” or corrupting element. (1 Corinthians 5:6) If at some later time he expresses a genuine desire for a Bible study to be held with him, and this seems in order to the elders, perhaps it will help him come to appreciate again what a privilege it is to worship Jehovah with His people.​—Psalm 100.

19. How can the elders privately provide further aid in some cases?

¹⁹ If the elders see that a certain person of this sort is an unusual threat to the flock, they can privately warn those endangered. For example, the former publisher may be a youth who has given in to drunkenness or immorality. Despite the announcement that he is no longer an unbaptized publisher, he might attempt to socialize with youths in the congregation. In that situation, the elders would speak privately to the parents of the endangered ones, and maybe to those youths also. (Hebrews 12:15, 16; Acts 20:28-30) In the rare case of a person who is disruptive or violently dangerous, he can be told that he is not welcome at the meetings and that any attempt to enter will be considered trespassing.

Helping Minors to Worship God

20. Christian parents provide what help for their children, and with what result?

²⁰ The Bible gives parents the responsibility to instruct their children in the way of divine truth. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 31:12, 13) Thus, Jehovah’s Witnesses have long encouraged Christian families to have a weekly Bible study. Christian parents should encourage their little ones to progress toward dedication and baptism and so gain God’s approval. (Proverbs 4:1-7) We see in the congregations the delightful result​—hundreds of thousands of exemplary young ones who love Jehovah and want to worship him forever.

21-23. (a) Primarily, how is a minor’s wrongdoing handled? (b) What role do congregation elders play in such situations?

²¹ Christian parents also have the primary responsibility to discipline and reprove their children, imposing whatever restrictions or loving punishments they deem necessary. (Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:8, 9; Proverbs 3:11, 12; 22:15) If, though, a minor child who has been associating as an unbaptized publisher becomes involved in serious wrongdoing, it is of concern to the elders who are ‘watching over the souls’ of the flock.​—Hebrews 13:17.

²² Basically, such wrongdoing should be cared for as outlined earlier in this article. Two elders can be assigned to look into the matter. They might, for example, first discuss with the parents (or parent) what has occurred, what the child’s attitude is, and what corrective steps have been taken. (Compare Deuteronomy 21:18-21.) If the Christian parents have the situation in hand, the elders can simply check with them from time to time to offer helpful counsel, suggestions, and loving encouragement.

²³ Sometimes, though, the discussion with the parents shows that it would be best for the elders to meet with the wayward minor and the parents. Bearing in mind the limitations and inclinations of youths, the overseers will endeavor to instruct the young, unbaptized publisher with mildness. (2 Timothy 2:22-26) In some cases, it may be clear that he no longer qualifies to be a publisher and that an appropriate announcement should be made.

24. (a) Even if a minor has shared in serious wrongdoing, what is it appropriate for parents to do, and how may they accomplish this? (b) How would this apply to a minor who has been disfellowshipped?

²⁴ Thereafter, what would parents do in behalf of their erring minor child? They are still responsible for their child, though he is disqualified as an unbaptized publisher or even if he is disfellowshipped because of wrongdoing after baptism. Just as they will continue to provide him with food, clothing, and shelter, they need to instruct and discipline him in line with God’s Word. (Proverbs 6:20-22; 29:17) Loving parents may thus arrange to have a home Bible study with him, even if he is disfellowshipped.f Maybe he will derive the most corrective benefit from their studying with him alone. Or they may decide that he can continue to share in the family study arrangement. Though he has gone astray, they want to see him return to Jehovah, as did the prodigal son in Jesus’ illustration.​—Luke 15:11-24.