The Watchtower (study edition), “Help for Those Who Are Removed From the Congregation (Study Article 35)”
“In the past, we would not greet such a person. Here again, each Christian needs to use his Bible-trained conscience in this matter. Some may feel comfortable with greeting or welcoming the person to the meeting. However, we would not have an extended conversation or socialize with the individual.”
Par. 14 also says Christians may decide 'whether to invite a person who was removed from the congregation … to attend a congregation meeting'. Footnote b: 'We will no longer refer to such ones as being disfellowshipped. In harmony with Paul's words recorded at 1 Corinthians 5:13, we will now refer to them as being removed from the congregation.'
Official source (opens in new tab)
Provenance and verification note for The Watchtower (study edition), Help for Those Who Are Removed From the Congregation (Study Article 35)
Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org; wording, paragraph and pages confirmed from page markers.
Corroborated by. src-gbu-2024-0315-update2-greeting, src-idx-beliefs-clarified
Notes. The 'Beliefs Clarified' index cites this article for the terminology change.
Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-2024-0800-study35-removed