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Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses

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The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses[1] based in Brooklyn, New York. The body assumes responsibility for formulating policy and doctrines, producing material for publications and conventions, and administering its worldwide branch office staff.[2][3] The Governing Body is described as the representative and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (approximately 12,000 Jehovah's Witnesses who profess to be "anointed").[4][5][6][7][8] Members of the Governing Body say they are followers of Christ rather than religious leaders.[9]

Its size has varied, with as many as eighteen members from 1974 to 1980;[10] since December 2010 it has comprised seven members,[11] who each claim to be of the "anointed" class with a hope of heavenly life.[12][13] Its membership is unelected; existing members invite new members to join the body.[14]

History

Since its incorporation in 1884, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has been directed by a president and board of directors. Until January 1976, the president exercised complete control of doctrines, publications and activity of the Watch Tower Society and the religious denominations with which it was connected—the Bible Students and Jehovah's Witnesses.[15][16][17] When the Society's second president, J.F. Rutherford, encountered opposition from directors in 1917, he dismissed them; in 1925 he overruled the Watch Tower Society's editorial committee—selected by Charles Taze Russell to have editorial control of The Watch Tower after his death—when it opposed publication of an article that altered doctrines on Bible chronology related to 1914. In 1931, the editorial committee was dissolved.[18][19]

In 1943 The Watchtower described the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as the "legal governing body" of anointed Jehovah's Witnesses.[20] A year later, in an article opposing the democratic election of congregation elders, the magazine said the appointment of congregation servants was the duty of "a visible governing body under Jehovah God and his Christ."[21] For several years, the role and specific identity of the governing body remained otherwise undefined. A 1955 organizational handbook stated that "the visible governing body has been closely identified with the board of directors of this corporation."[22] Referring to events related to their 1957 convention, a 1959 publication said "the spiritual governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses watched the developments [then] the president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society [acted]."[23] The 1970 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses noted that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania was the organization used to plan the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses and provide them with "spiritual food", then declared: "So really the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the board of directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania."[24]

Frederick Franz at Watch Tower Society headquarters in Brooklyn.

On October 1, 1971, Watch Tower Society vice-president Frederick Franz addressed the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania corporation in Buckingham, Pennsylvania, stating that the legal corporation of the Watch Tower Society was an "agency" or "temporary instrument" used by the Governing Body on behalf of the "faithful and discreet slave".[25] Three weeks later, on October 20, four additional men joined the seven members of the Society's board of directors on what became known as a separate, expanded Governing Body.[26] The board of directors had until then met only sporadically, usually only to discuss the purchase of property or new equipment, leaving decisions concerning material to be published in Watch Tower Society publications to the president and vice-president, Nathan Knorr and Fred Franz.[25][27] The Watchtower of December 15, 1971 was the first to unambiguously capitalize the term "Governing Body of Jehovah's witnesses" as the defined group leading the religion, with a series of articles explaining its role and its relationship with the Watch Tower Society.[2][28]

The focus on the new concept of "theocratic" leadership was accompanied by statements that the structure was not actually new: The Watch Tower declared that "a governing body made its appearance" some time after the formation of Zion's Watch Tower Society in 1884,[29] though it had not been referred to as such at the time.[15] The article claimed that Watch Tower Society president Charles Taze Russell had been a member of the governing body.[29] The 1972 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses stated that following Rutherford's death in 1942 "one of the first things that the governing body decided upon was the inauguration of the Theocratic Ministry School" and added that the "governing body" had published millions of books and Bibles in the previous thirty years.[30] Raymond Franz has disputed those claims, stating that the actions of presidents Russell, Rutherford and Knorr in overriding and failing to consult with directors proved the Bible Students and Jehovah's Witnesses had been under a monarchical rule until 1976, leaving no decisions to any so-called "governing body".[31]

In 1972, a Question From Readers article in The Watchtower further reinforced the concept of the "Governing Body"; the magazine said the term referred to an agency that administers policy and provides organizational direction, guidance and regulation and was therefore "appropriate, fitting and Scriptural."[28][32] Organizational changes at the highest levels of the Watch Tower Society in 1976 significantly increased the powers and authority of the Governing Body.[33] The body has never had a legal corporate existence and operates through the Watch Tower Society and its board of directors.[34]

Reorganization

After its formal establishment in 1971, the Governing Body met regularly but, according to Raymond Franz, only briefly; Franz claims meetings were sometimes as short as seven minutes,[35] to make decisions about branch appointments and conduct that should be considered disfellowshipping offenses.[36][37] Franz claims that in 1971 and again in 1975, the Governing Body debated the extent of the authority it should be given.[38] The Governing Body voted in December 1975 to establish six operating committees to oversee the various administrative requirement of the organization's worldwide activities that formerly had been under the direction of the president; furthermore, each branch overseer was to be replaced by a branch committee of at least three members.[39] The change, which took effect on January 1, 1976, was described in the Watch Tower Society's 1993 history book, Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, as "one of the most significant organizational readjustments in the modern-day history of Jehovah's Witnesses."[40]

Headquarters purge

Raymond Franz claimed that in 1980, unease with doctrines surrounding the significance of 1914 surfaced within the Governing Body. In February of that year, three Governing Body members—aware that those who had been alive in 1914 were dying out despite the teaching that their generation would live to see Armageddon—proposed a doctrinal change to identify the "generation" who would see Armageddon as those who witnessed the 1957 launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik, which would be considered a 'sign in heaven'. The proposal, which would have extended the deadline for Armageddon by 43 years, failed to gain a majority vote.[41][42] Former Witnesses James Penton and Heather and Gary Botting claimed that internal dissatisfaction with official doctrines continued to grow, leading to a series of secret investigations and judicial hearings. As a result, the Governing Body led a purge of dissenting Brooklyn headquarters staff in April and May 1980.[43][44][45] Raymond Franz claimed he was forced to resign from the Governing Body, and he was later disfellowshipped from the religion.

The Watch Tower Society responded with a new, hardened attitude towards the treatment of expelled Witnesses.[43][44][46] In his 1997 study of the religion, Penton concluded that since Raymond Franz's expulsion in 1980, the Governing Body displayed an increased level of conservatism, sturdy resistance to changes of policy and doctrines, and an increased tendency to isolate dissidents within the organization by means of disfellowshipping.[47]

Helpers

The April 15, 1992 issue of The Watchtower carried an article entitled Jehovah’s Provision, the “Given Ones” which drew a parallel between ancient non-Israelites who had been assigned temple duties (the "Nethinim" and "sons of the servants of Solomon") and Witness elders in positions of responsibility immediately under the oversight of the Governing Body who did not profess to be "anointed".[48]

Both that issue of The Watchtower and the 1993 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses carried the same announcement:

In view of the tremendous increase worldwide, it seems appropriate at this time to provide the Governing Body with some additional assistance. Therefore it has been decided to invite several helpers, mainly from among the great crowd, to share in the meetings of each of the Governing Body Committees, that is, the Personnel, Publishing, Service, Teaching, and Writing Committees. Thus, the number attending the meetings of each of these committees will be increased to seven or eight. Under the direction of the Governing Body committee members, these assistants will take part in discussions and will carry out various assignments given them by the committee. This new arrangement goes into effect May 1, 1992. For many years now, the number of the remnant of anointed Witnesses has been decreasing, while the number of the great crowd has increased beyond our grandest expectations.[49][50]

Each of the seven newest Governing Body members served as a committee "helper" before being appointed to the Governing Body itself.[51][52][53] The appointment of helpers to the Governing Body committees was described in 2006 as "still another refinement."[54]

2000 and beyond

Don Adams, current president of the Watch Tower Society

Until 2000, the directors of the Watch Tower Society were members of the Governing Body. Since then, membership of the Governing Body has not been a requirement for directors of the various corporations used by Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Governing Body has delegated such responsibilities outside the body.[55] The current president of the Watch Tower Society, Don A. Adams, is not a member of the Governing Body. As of December 2010, the Governing Body comprises seven members.

Committees

The Governing Body functions by means of its six committees, which carry out various administrative functions.[56] Each committee is assisted by "helpers," who do not necessarily profess to be of the "anointed". Governing Body meetings are held weekly in closed session.[57] Until 1975, decisions of the body were required to be unanimous; according to Raymond Franz, a two-thirds majority of the full body has since been sufficient to allow proposals to be carried, regardless of the number present.[58][41]

  • The Personnel Committee arranges for volunteers to serve in the organization's headquarters and worldwide branch offices, which are each referred to as Bethel. It oversees arrangements for the personal and spiritual assistance of Bethel staff, as well as the selection and invitation of new Bethel members.
  • The Publishing Committee supervises the printing, publishing and shipping of literature, as well as legal matters involved in printing, such as obtaining property for printing facilities. It is responsible for overseeing factories, properties, and financial operations of corporations used by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
  • The Service Committee supervises the evangelical activity of Jehovah's Witnesses, which includes traveling overseers, pioneers, and the activities of congregation publishers. It oversees communication between the international headquarters, branch offices, and the congregations. It examines annual reports of preaching activity from the branches. It is responsible for inviting members to attend the Gilead school, the Bible School for Single Brothers,[59] and the Traveling Overseers’ School, and for assigning postgraduate students of these schools to their places of service.[60]
  • The Teaching Committee arranges congregation meetings, special assembly days, circuit assemblies, and district and international conventions as well as various schools for elders, ministerial servants, pioneers and missionaries, such as Gilead school. It supervises preparation of material to be used in teaching, and oversees the development of new audio and video programs.
  • The Writing Committee supervises the writing and translation of all material published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, including scripts for dramas and talk outlines. It responds to questions about scriptural, doctrinal, and moral issues, specific problems in the congregations, and the standing of members in congregations.
  • The Coordinator's Committee deals with emergencies, disaster relief and other matters, such as investigations. It comprises the coordinators, or a representative, from each of the other Governing Body committees and a secretary who is also a member of the Governing Body. It is responsible for the efficient operation of the other committees.

Representatives

Initially, the Governing Body directly appointed all congregation elders.[61] By 1975, the appointment of elders and ministerial servants was said to be "made directly by a governing body of spirit-anointed elders or by them through other elders representing this body."[62] In 2001, The Watchtower, stated:

Today, therefore, the Governing Body appoints qualified brothers at the branches to represent it in making appointments of elders and ministerial servants. Care is taken that those acting representatively on behalf of the Governing Body clearly understand and follow the Scriptural guidelines for making such appointments. ...[R]ecommendations for appointment of overseers and ministerial servants are submitted to a branch office... Certain appointments may be transmitted by a letter bearing an official stamp from a legal entity. Such a letter may be used to appoint more than one brother in the congregation.[63]

The Governing Body continues to directly appoint branch office committee members and traveling overseers,[64] and only such direct appointees are described as "representatives of the Governing Body."[65][66] The April 1, 2007 The Watchtower stated that "the vast majority of [congregation elders] are appointed by representatives of the Governing Body".[67]

Relationship with "faithful and discreet slave"

Main article: Faithful and discreet slave

The Governing Body describes itself as the representative[56][68] and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (the approximately 11,800 remaining anointed Jehovah's Witnesses) who are collectively said to be God's "prophet"[69] and "channel for new spiritual light".[70][71] The Governing Body is said to provide "spiritual food" for Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide on behalf of the "slave class".[72][73]

The Governing Body does not seek advice or approval from any anointed Witnesses other than high-ranking members at the Brooklyn headquarters when formulating policy and doctrines or approving material for publications and conventions. In 2009, The Watchtower indicated that the dissemination of "new spiritual light" is the responsibility of only "a limited number" of the "slave class", asking: "Are all these anointed ones throughout the earth part of a global network that is somehow involved in revealing new spiritual truths? No."[4] In 2010 the society explained that "deep truths" were discerned by "responsible representatives" of the "faithful and discreet slave class" at the religion's headquarters; those views are then considered by the entire Governing Body before it makes doctrinal decisions.[74] In August 2011, the Governing Body cast doubt on other members' claims of being anointed, stating that "A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling." The Governing Body also stated that "we have no way of knowing the exact number of anointed ones on earth; nor do we need to know", and that it "does not maintain a global network of anointed ones."[75]

The vast majority of Witnesses who profess to be anointed have no authority to contribute to the development or change of doctrines.[76][77][78] Anointed Witnesses are instructed to remain modest and avoid "wildly speculating about things that are still unclear," instead waiting for God to reveal his purposes[78] in The Watchtower.[79]

Criticism

According to Raymond Franz, there is a widespread perception among Witnesses that the anointed somehow transmit their thinking, scriptural research, and conclusions to Brooklyn, and gain the attention of the Governing Body. He claimed that some Witnesses also mistakenly believe that periodic surveys are taken, by which the Governing Body discover the views of the anointed worldwide.[8] He added that there is actually no mechanism in place to seek the views of anointed Witnesses, including those at the Brooklyn headquarters, and that letters from anointed Witnesses are given no more attention than those from anyone else, and Governing Body members make no attempt to contact other anointed Witnesses to discuss their views. Franz indicated that "other sheep" (non-anointed Witnesses) write most Witness publications. He described the Governing Body's self-description as spokesman for the "faithful and discreet slave class" as a means to divert attention from the small group's monopolisation of authority over the religion.[80]

Governing Body members

Jehovah's Witnesses began capitalizing Governing Body as a proper noun in 1971; The Watchtower that year announced "The present Governing Body comprises eleven anointed witnesses of Jehovah."[81] The original members of the 1971 Governing Body, all now deceased, are indicated in italics in the lists below.[82]

Current

As of December 2010, the following people are members of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses[12] (year appointed in parentheses):

  • Samuel Herd (1999)[83]
  • Geoffrey Jackson (2005)[84]
  • M. Stephen Lett (1999)[83]
  • Gerrit Lösch (1994)[85]
  • Anthony Morris (2005)[84]
  • Guy H. Pierce (1999)[83]
  • David H. Splane (1999)[83]

Deceased

The following individuals were members of the Governing Body until death (years active in parentheses, including years as Watch Tower Society directors, informally identified as the "governing body" prior to 1971):

Resigned

The following individuals resigned or were asked to step down from their positions in the body (years active in parentheses):

See also

References

  1. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 216. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  2. ^ a b "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower: 703. November 15, 1972.
  3. ^ "Our active leader today", The Watchtower, September 15, 2010, page 27, "They recognize, however, that Christ is using a small group of anointed Christian men as a Governing Body to lead and direct his disciples on earth."
  4. ^ a b "The faithful slave and its governing body", The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, pages 23-24.
  5. ^ 2011 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 51
  6. ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Watchtower Society. 1989. p. 195.
  7. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 153. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
  8. ^ a b Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 152–164. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
  9. ^ "Bearing Thorough Witness" About God's Kingdom. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 2009. p. 110.
  10. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 217. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  11. ^ As of September 2005, twelve members listed (See The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26)
    Schroeder died March 8, 2006. (See The Watchtower, September 15, 2006, page 31)
    Sydlik died April 18, 2006. (See The Watchtower, January 1, 2007, page 8)
    Barber died April 8, 2007. (See The Watchtower, October 15, 2007, page 31)
    Jaracz died June 9, 2010. (See The Watchtower, November 15, 2010, page 23)
    Barr died December 4, 2010. (See The Watchtower, May 15, 2011, page 6)
  12. ^ a b Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2007). Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. pp. 4, 6.
  13. ^ Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 178. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
  14. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 123. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
  15. ^ a b Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 58. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  16. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 186, footnote. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
  17. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 162–163, 214. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  18. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 61–62. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  19. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  20. ^ The Watchtower. July 15, 1943. page 216, paragraph 24. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ The Watchtower. November 1, 1944. page 328, paragraph 32. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ Qualified to be Ministers. Watch Tower Society. 1955. p. 381. cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, page 74
  23. ^ "Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses", The Watchtower, February 15, 1959, page 115, "So with intense interest the spiritual governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses watched the developments... Without delay the president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society closed a contract with the owners to use the Polo Grounds simultaneously with Yankee Stadium."
  24. ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Society. 1970. p. 65.
  25. ^ a b Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 57. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  26. ^ Franz, Raymond. Crisis of Conscience. p. 44. The seven directors at October 20 were Nathan Knorr, Fred Franz, Grant Suiter, Thomas Sullivan, Milton Henschel, Lyman Swingle and John Groh. The additional four to form the Governing Body were William Jackson, Leo Greenlees, George Gangas and Raymond Franz.
  27. ^ Testimony by Fred Franz, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh Transcript, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh, 1954, as cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, 2007, page 75-76.
  28. ^ a b "Theocratic Organization with Which to Move Forward Now; A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. December 15, 1971.
  29. ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 1972. pp. 254–257.
  30. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 78. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  31. ^ "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower: 703. November 15, 1972.
  32. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 44–110. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  33. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 228. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  34. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  35. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 46. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  36. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 215. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  37. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 81–105. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  38. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 80–107. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  39. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses–Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. pp. 108–109.
  40. ^ a b Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 218. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  41. ^ Franz, Raymond (1997). Crisis of Conscience. p. 262.
  42. ^ a b Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 117–123. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  43. ^ a b Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 158–165. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
  44. ^ a b "Witness Under Prosecution", Richard H. Ostling, Anne Constable, Time Magazine, February 22, 1982.
  45. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). "11-12". Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press.
  46. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 219, 297–302, 319. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  47. ^ "Jehovah’s Provision, the “Given Ones”", The Watchtower, April 15, 1992, pages 16-17
  48. ^ "Announcement", The Watchtower, April 15, 1992, page 31
  49. ^ "Organizing for Further Expansion", 1993 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 253-254
  50. ^ "Governing Body Addition", The Watchtower, November 1, 1994, page 29, "The new member is Gerrit Lösch. ... Lösch has served in the Executive Offices and as an assistant to the Service Committee."
  51. ^ "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, January 1, 2000, page 29, "The new members, all anointed Christians, are Samuel F. Herd; M. Stephen Lett; Guy H. Pierce; and David H. Splane. Samuel Herd ... was also serving as a helper to the Service Committee. Stephen Lett ... was a helper to the Teaching Committee. Guy Pierce ... had been serving as a helper to the Personnel Committee. David Splane ... had been a helper to the Writing Committee."
  52. ^ "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26, "Geoffrey W. Jackson and Anthony Morris III—would be added to the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. ... In April 2003, [Jackson] became part of the United States Bethel family and began to work in the Translation Services Department. Soon thereafter, Brother Jackson was made a helper to the Teaching Committee of the Governing Body ... 2002 [Morris] worked in the Service Department at Patterson and later as a helper to the Service Committee of the Governing Body."
  53. ^ "Walking in the Path of Increasing Light", The Watchtower, February 15, 2006, page 28
  54. ^ "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower: 29. 15 January 2001.
  55. ^ a b The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29
  56. ^ "How the Governing Body is Organized", The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29.
  57. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 85, 115. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  58. ^ "A History-Making Meeting", The Watchtower, Aug. 15, 2011, page 21.
  59. ^ "Schools That Teach Jehovah's Ways", 2012 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 13-17.
  60. ^ "A “Body of Elders” with Rotating Chairmanship", The Watchtower, November 15, 1971, pages 699,700, "how will the “body of elders” in each congregation be selected? The governing body through the Watch Tower Society will send out a letter asking the committee that now looks after each congregation’s activity to...prayerfully consider who within your congregation really meets the qualifications of an elder or overseer. ...Then recommendations will be made to the governing body. ...After the governing body receives recommendations from the congregation, then proper appointments will be made. The governing body will do the appointing of elders in every congregation and this information will be sent out by the governing body through the various offices of the Society throughout the world."
  61. ^ Hope Based on the Unfolding Purpose of God", The Watchtower, February 1, 1975, page 86
  62. ^ "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed", The Watchtower, January 15, 2001, page 15
  63. ^ "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed", The Watchtower, January 15, 2001, page 15, "In addition to appointing Branch Committee members, the Governing Body appoints Bethel elders and traveling overseers. However, they do commission responsible brothers to act for them in making certain other appointments."
  64. ^ "“Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear”", The Watchtower, October 1, 1988, page 18-19, "[The] traveling overseers sent forth by the Governing Body to preach the good news and help the congregations should be received hospitably and with respect. ...Elders, in particular, should show proper respect for these visiting representatives of the Governing Body. They are sent to the congregations because of their spiritual qualities and their experience, which is usually more extensive than that of many local elders." [emph added]
  65. ^ "Cooperating With the Governing Body Today", The Watchtower, March 15, 1990, pages 19-20, "Since February 1, 1976, each of the branches of the Watch Tower Society has had a Branch Committee made up of capable men appointed by the Governing Body. As representatives of the Governing Body for the country or countries under the supervision of their branch, these brothers must be faithful, loyal men. ...Branch Committees recommend mature, spiritual men to serve as circuit and district overseers. After being appointed directly by the Governing Body, they serve as traveling overseers. These brothers visit circuits and congregations in order to build them up spiritually and help them apply instructions received from the Governing Body." [emph added]
  66. ^ "Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds", The Watchtower, April 1, 2007, page 27
  67. ^ "Seek God's guidance in all things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 11.
  68. ^ "'They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them'". The Watchtower: 200. April 1, 1972. the modern-day "prophet," the spirit-begotten, anointed ones who are the nucleus of Jehovah's witnesses today
  69. ^ "The Things Revealed Belong to Us", The Watchtower, May 15, 1986, page 13.
  70. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 153. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
  71. ^ "The Watchtower and Awake!—Timely Journals of Truth". The Watchtower: 21. January 1, 1994.
  72. ^ "Building for an Eternal Future". The Watchtower: 25. January 1, 1986.
  73. ^ "The Spirit Searches into the Deep Things of God", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 23, "When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of 'the faithful and discreet slave' at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. The Governing Body as a whole considers adjusted explanations. What they learn, they publish for the benefit of all."
  74. ^ "Question From Readers", "The Watchtower", August 15, 2011, page 22
  75. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 211. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  76. ^ "The faithful slave and its governing body", The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, pages 23-24, "They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special insights beyond what even some experienced members of the "great crowd" may have. They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the 'other sheep' have. They do not expect special treatment; nor do they claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation."
  77. ^ a b "A Secret Christians Dare Not Keep!", The Watchtower, June 1, 1997, page 14.
  78. ^ "Insight That Jehovah Has Given", The Watchtower, March 15, 1989, page 22, "It is through the columns of The Watchtower that explanations of vital Scriptural truths have been provided for us by Jehovah’s 'faithful and discreet slave.' The Watchtower is the principal instrument used by the 'slave' class for dispensing spiritual food."
  79. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 163, 164. ISBN 0-914675-17-6. By its stress on a 'class' it also serves to robe the real authority structure with a shroud of anonymity, giving the appearance of a wide diversity of membership and globality that is 'not of whole cloth', simply not true. This fictional concept enables the real authority structure — the dozen or so members of the Governing Body — to ask for almost total obedience to their own directives without appearing as arrogant or self-serving ... By speaking of the 'faithful and discreet slave class', attention is diverted from the small power group as the true authority structure.
  80. ^ "A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation", The Watchtower, December 15, 1971, page 762
  81. ^ "The Governing Body", 1973 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 257, "The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses consists of eleven brothers, all anointed of God. They are as follows: Frederick W. Franz, Raymond V. Franz, George D. Gangas, Leo K. Greenlees, John O. Groh, Milton G. Henschel, William K. Jackson, Nathan H. Knorr, Grant Suiter, Thomas J. Sullivan and Lyman A. Swingle."
  82. ^ a b c d "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, January 1, 2000, page 29
  83. ^ a b "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26
  84. ^ "Governing Body Addition", The Watchtower, November 1, 1994, page 29
  85. ^ "Rejoicing Over "Victory With the Lamb", The Watchtower, October 15, 2007, page 31.
  86. ^ "Britain", 2000 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 130
  87. ^ "New Members of the Governing Body", The Watchtower, November 15, 1977, page 680
  88. ^ "We Were a Team", The Watchtower, April 1, 2001, page 24.
  89. ^ "He Humbly Served Jehovah", The Watchtower, June 15, 1996, page 32.
  90. ^ "A Joyful Perseverer in Good Work", The Watchtower, July 1, 1977, page 399.
  91. ^ "Service Assembly and Annual Meeting—Pittsburg", The Watchtower, November 1, 1944, page 334.
  92. ^ "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation", The Watchtower, January 15, 2001, page 28.
  93. ^ "His Deeds Follow Him", The Watchtower, December 1, 1994, page 31.
  94. ^ a b c d e f Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 273–336. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
  95. ^ "Gilead Sends Missionaries “to the Most Distant Part of the Earth”", The Watchtower, December 15, 1999, page 28, "Theodore Jaracz, a member of the Governing Body, who himself graduated with Gilead’s seventh class in 1946"
  96. ^ "Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses Enlarged", The Watchtower, January 15, 1975, page 60
  97. ^ Theodore Jaracz Memorial Service Brochure (1.4MB)
  98. ^ "Jehovah Has Dealt Rewardingly With Me", The Watchtower, October 1, 1984, page 21.
  99. ^ "A Staunch Fighter for the Truth", The Watchtower, September 15, 1988, page 31.
  100. ^ "His Delight Was in the Law of Jehovah", The Watchtower, September 15, 2006, page 31.
  101. ^ "Moving Ahead With God’s Organization", The Watchtower, September 1, 1983, page 13.
  102. ^ "He Ran for “The Prize of the Upward Call” and Won!", The Watchtower, September 15, 1974, page 554, "On October 31, 1932, he [Sullivan] was made a member of the board of directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania; he was also one of the eleven-member governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses."
  103. ^ "A Time of Testing (1914-1918)", Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, ©1993 Watch Tower, page 71, "Thomas (Bud) Sullivan, who later served as a member of the Governing Body, recalled: “It was my privilege to visit Brooklyn Bethel in the late summer of 1918 during the brothers’ incarceration."
  104. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses–Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 91.
  105. ^ "How Priceless Your Friendship, O God!", The Watchtower, June 1, 1985, page 27.
  106. ^ "Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses Enlarged", 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 60
  107. ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 1980. pp. 257–258.
  108. ^ "Announcements", Our Kingdom Ministry, August 1980, page 2, "Raymond Victor Franz is no longer a member of the Governing Body and of the Brooklyn Bethel family as of May 22, 1980."
  109. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 120. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
  110. ^ Beverley, James A. (1986). Crisis of Allegiance. Burlington, Ontario: Welch Publishing Company. p. 71. ISBN 0-920413-37-4.
  111. ^ 1986 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, ©Watch Tower, page 255
  112. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 322, 393. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
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