Thomas had always been a model Jehovah’s Witness. Born and raised in the faith, he was well-known in his congregation in the Midlands, UK, not just for his presence at Kingdom Hall meetings, but for his role as both a pioneer and a ministerial servant. From a young age, Thomas immersed himself in the activities of the congregation, spending long hours each month in the door-to-door ministry, offering Bible studies, and assisting the elders with congregation matters. His commitment to the work of Jehovah was evident to everyone who knew him.Thomas’ life was built around his responsibilities within the organization. As a pioneer, he had committed to 50 hours a month in field service, a schedule he kept to meticulously, never missing a chance to fulfill his role. His hard work didn’t go unnoticed, and he was respected within the congregation. However, his life was about to take a turn he never expected, one that would reveal just how conditional the love of his congregation could be.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything.
In his early 40s, Thomas was diagnosed with a progressive neurological disorder. At first, the symptoms were mild—a little fatigue, some muscle weakness—but over time, his condition worsened. It became harder for him to walk long distances, and the fatigue became overwhelming. As his mobility decreased, so too did his ability to participate in the field service that had once been the cornerstone of his life.At first, he tried to push through the pain, continuing to pioneer as much as he could. But eventually, his body couldn’t keep up. Walking from door to door became impossible, and he found himself increasingly housebound. As someone who had always derived his sense of purpose from his role in the congregation, the physical limitations were devastating. But what hurt even more was the reaction of those he had once thought of as his spiritual family.
Feeling the Congregation Slip Away
In the beginning, Thomas assumed his brothers and sisters would support him in his time of need. After all, the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize love, care, and kindness, especially toward those in difficult circumstances. But as his health deteriorated and he was no longer able to participate fully in ministry, he began to notice a change in the way people treated him. At first, it was subtle—missed phone calls, fewer invites to group outings, and less engagement during meetings. Thomas tried to ignore it, telling himself that people were just busy or preoccupied. But over time, it became clear that something was wrong. The friends who had once been at his side, encouraging him in the ministry, seemed to drift away. No one offered to accompany him to medical appointments, and few checked in to see how he was managing. Even his once-close relationships with the elders began to cool.Despite his increasing isolation, Thomas tried to stay positive. He believed that if he could no longer serve in the ways he once had, perhaps there were other ways he could contribute. He offered to help with administrative tasks for the congregation, like organizing literature or assisting with events that didn’t require physical labor. But these offers were mostly met with indifference. Over time, he felt himself becoming invisible to those who had once been his community.
The Pain of Misunderstanding
As Thomas struggled with his growing sense of isolation, he began to feel as though he was being subtly judged. He overheard conversations that made him uncomfortable—comments about how some in the congregation weren’t “pulling their weight” or weren’t “as zealous as they used to be.” Though no one said these things directly to him, Thomas couldn’t help but feel that they were aimed at him. The guilt was overwhelming. He had always been taught that Jehovah loved those who put His kingdom first, and now that he was unable to do so in the same way, he began to wonder if he had fallen out of favor—not just with his congregation, but with God Himself.Thomas went to the elders for help, hoping for understanding and guidance. He shared his struggles with them, explaining that his disability made it impossible for him to participate in ministry the way he once had. He expressed his desire to remain active in the congregation, even if it meant serving in a different capacity. But instead of the compassion he had hoped for, Thomas was met with coldness and detachment. The elders didn’t offer encouragement or support. Instead, they seemed more concerned with his decreasing visibility in the ministry, questioning his commitment rather than offering solutions.
The Decision to Disassociate
After months of feeling isolated, misunderstood, and judged, Thomas made the heart-wrenching decision to disassociate from the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The isolation had become unbearable. He no longer felt the love and brotherhood that had once drawn him to the faith. Instead, he felt like a burden, an outsider in a community that valued activity over compassion. For Thomas, the decision to disassociate was not taken lightly—it was a matter of survival. He knew he could not continue in a place where he felt so unloved and unwanted.He expected the process to be painful, but what happened next shocked him. Rather than approach him with concern or love, the elders disfellowshipped him immediately, without any reason other than his decision to step away. It felt like a final betrayal. Instead of offering to help him through his spiritual and physical struggles, the organization that claimed to be guided by love and mercy had cast him out entirely.
The Aftermath of Disfellowshipping
Thomas was devastated. The disfellowshipping meant that not only was he no longer a part of the congregation, but his family, friends, and everyone he had ever known in the organization were now required to shun him completely. Calls and messages stopped. Those who had once been his closest companions no longer acknowledged him. The isolation became absolute.The emotional toll was immense. Thomas had spent his life dedicated to a faith that had now discarded him. The sense of betrayal cut deep, as he realized that the love and community he had once believed in was conditional, dependent on his ability to meet the organization’s standards of service. His physical disability had not only robbed him of his mobility but had cost him his entire support system.
Finding a New Path
In the months that followed, Thomas struggled to come to terms with his new reality. The pain of losing his spiritual family was overwhelming, but he also felt a sense of liberation. He no longer had to carry the weight of guilt and judgment that had been placed on him by the organization. Slowly, he began to rebuild his life, seeking out support groups for those who had left high-control religions and finding solace in new friendships.Today, Thomas is still adjusting to his new life outside the Jehovah’s Witnesses. While the scars of his experience remain, he has found strength in knowing that his worth is not tied to his ability to serve an organization that ultimately abandoned him. His journey has been difficult, but it has also taught him the true meaning of compassion and unconditional love—values he now seeks to build his life around.