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Part of a series on
Jehovah's Witnesses
Overview Organizational structure Governing Body Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society Corporations History Bible Student movement Leadership dispute Splinter groups Doctrinal development Unfulfilled predictions Demographics By country
Beliefs Practices God's name 144,000 Salvation Eschatology Faithful and discreet slave Memorial of Jesus' Death Blood Discipline Hymns (Hymnal) Literature The Watchtower Awake! New World Translation Bibliography Places Kingdom Hall Gilead School
People Watch Tower presidents W. H. Conley C. T. Russell J. F. Rutherford N. H. Knorr F. W. Franz M. G. Henschel D. A. Adams R. L. Ciranko Formative influences William Miller Henry Grew G. W. Stetson George Storrs N. H. Barbour J. N. Darby Notable former members R. V. Franz O. R. Moyle Notable scholars George Chryssides James Penton Zoe Knox
Criticism Handling child sex abuse Unfulfilled predictions
Opposition Persecution in Nazi Germany Supreme Court cases by country
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The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses, based in the denomination's Warwick, New York, headquarters. The body formulates doctrines, oversees the production of written material for publications and conventions, and administers the denomination's worldwide operations. Official publications refer to members of the Governing Body as followers of Christ rather than religious leaders.

Its size has varied, from seven (2010–2012, 2014–2018) to eighteen (1974–1975, 1977–1979) members. New members of the Governing Body are selected by existing members.

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 activities of the Watch Tower Society and the religious denominations with which it was connected—the Bible Students and Jehovah's Witnesses. 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 when it opposed publication of an article about disputed doctrines regarding the year 1914. In 1931, the editorial committee was dissolved.

In 1943, The Watchtower described the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as the "legal governing body" of anointed Jehovah's Witnesses. A year later, in an article opposing the democratic election of congregation elders, the magazine said the appointment of such ones was the duty of "a visible governing body under Jehovah God and his Christ". 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."

Referring to events related to their 1957 convention, a 1959 publication said "the spiritual governing body of Jehovah's witnesses watched the developments the president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society ." 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."

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". 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.

The board of directors had until then met only sporadically, usually to discuss the purchase of property or new equipment, leaving decisions about Watch Tower Society literature to the president and vice-president, Nathan Knorr and Fred Franz. 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 denomination, with a series of articles explaining its role and its relationship with the Watch Tower Society.

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, though it had not been referred to as such at the time. The article stated that Watch Tower Society president Charles Taze Russell had been a member of the governing body.

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. However, Raymond Franz, former member of the Governing Body, stated in his 1983 expose Crisis of Conscience 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 "governing body".

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". Organizational changes at the highest levels of the Watch Tower Society in 1976 significantly increased the powers and authority of the Governing Body. The body has never had a legal corporate existence and operates through the Watch Tower Society and its board of directors.

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, to make decisions about branch appointments and conduct that should be considered disfellowshipping offenses. Franz claims that in 1971 and again in 1975, the Governing Body debated the extent of the authority it should be given.

The Governing Body voted in December 1975 to establish six operating committees to oversee the various administrative requirements of the organization's worldwide activities that formerly had been under the direction of the president. Each branch overseer was replaced by a branch committee of at least three members. 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".

Headquarters purge

In 1980, dissent arose among members of the Governing Body regarding the significance of 1914 in Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrines. According to former Witnesses James Penton and Heather and Gary Botting, internal dissatisfaction with official doctrines continued to grow, leading to a series of secret investigations and judicial hearings. Consequently, dissenting members were expelled from the Brooklyn headquarters staff in the same year. Raymond Franz claimed he was forced to resign from the Governing Body, and he was later disfellowshipped from the group.

The Watch Tower Society responded to the dissent with a more severe attitude regarding the treatment of expelled Witnesses. In his 1997 study of the denomination, 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.

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".

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.

Each of the current Governing Body members served as a committee "helper" before being appointed to the Governing Body itself. The appointment of helpers to the Governing Body committees was described in 2006 as "still another refinement".

2000 and beyond

Until 2000, the directors and officers of the Watch Tower Society were members of the Governing Body. Since then, members of the ecclesiastical Governing Body have not served as directors of any of the various corporations used by Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Governing Body has delegated such administrative responsibilities to other members of the group.

Committees

The Governing Body functions by means of its six committees, which carry out various administrative functions. Each committee is assisted by "helpers", who do not necessarily profess to be "anointed". Governing Body meetings are held weekly in closed session. According to Raymond Franz, decisions of the body were required to be unanimous until 1975, after which a two-thirds majority of the full body was required, regardless of the number present.

• The Personnel Committee arranges for volunteers to serve in the organization's headquarters and worldwide branch offices, which are each referred to as Bethel (from a Hebrew term meaning house of God). 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, and the Traveling Overseers' School, and for assigning graduates of these schools to their places of service.
• The Teaching Committee arranges congregation meetings, circuit assemblies, and regional 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. 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." In 2001, The Watchtower, stated that recommendations for such appointments were submitted to branch offices. As of September 2014, circuit overseers appoint elders and ministerial servants after discussion with congregation elders, without consulting with the branch office.

The Governing Body continues to directly appoint branch office committee members and traveling overseers, and only such direct appointees are described as "representatives of the Governing Body".

Relationship with "faithful and discreet slave"

The Governing Body is said to provide "spiritual food" for Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide. Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (Jehovah's Witnesses who profess to be anointed) who are collectively said to be God's "prophet" and "channel for new spiritual light". The Governing Body does not consult with the other anointed Witnesses whom it was said to represent when formulating policy and doctrines or approving material for publications and conventions; the authority of the Governing Body was presumed to be analogous to that of the older men of Jerusalem in cases such as the first-century circumcision issue.

The majority of Witnesses who profess to be anointed have no authority to contribute to the development or change of doctrines. 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 in The Watchtower.

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." In 2010 the society said that "deep truths" were discerned by "responsible representatives" of the "faithful and discreet slave class" at the group's headquarters, and then considered by the entire Governing Body before making doctrinal decisions.

In August 2011, the Governing Body 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". At the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Society, the "faithful and discreet slave" was redefined as referring to the Governing Body only and the terms are now synonymous.

Governing Body members

Current

The following people are members of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses (year of appointment in parentheses):

• Kenneth Eugene Cook, Jr. (2018)
• Gage Fleegle (2023)
• Samuel Frederick Herd (1999)
• Geoffrey William Jackson (2005)
• Jody Jedele (2024)
• Mark Stephen Lett (1999)
• Gerrit Lösch (1994)
• Douglas Mark Sanderson (2012)
• Jacob Rumph (2024)
• David Howard Splane (1999)
• Jeffrey Winder (2023)

List of members

Prior to 1971, various Watch Tower Society directors were informally identified as members of the "governing body". Watch Tower publications began capitalizing Governing Body as a proper noun in 1971; The Watchtower announced that the "present Governing Body comprises eleven anointed witnesses of Jehovah" the same year. All members served until their deaths unless specified.

1. Director 1932–1973.
2. Director 1965–fl. 1973.
3. Director 1940–1977, vice-president 1940/1941–1942, president 1942–1977.
4. Director 1938–1983, secretary–treasurer 1947–1983.
5. Director 1944–1992, vice-president 1945–1977, president 1977–1992.
6. Director 1945–2000, secretary-treasurer 1983/1984–2000.
7. Director 1947–2000, vice-president ?–1992, president 1992–2000.
8. Resigned, disfellowshipped in 1981.
9. Director 1973–?.
10. Resigned.
11. Announced 28 November 1974.
12. Resigned.
13. Announced 7 September 1977. Appointed to succeed Fekel, Knorr and Groh.
14. Director fl. 1982.
15. Announced 2 October 1999.
16. Announced 22 February 2023. Left the Governing Body in unclear circumstances.
17. Announced 24 January 2018.
18. Announced 18 January 2023.
19. Announced 5 October 2024.

Timeline

See also

• Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses

References

1. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 297. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. Since 1975, the Governing Body has been the supreme ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses.
2. ^ "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower. November 15, 1972. p. 703.
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. "Bearing Thorough Witness" About God's Kingdom. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 2009. p. 110.
5. As of September 2005, twelve members listed (See '"New Members of the Governing Body". The Watchtower. March 15, 2006. p. 26.)
   Schroeder died March 8, 2006. (See "His Delight Was in the Law of Jehovah". The Watchtower. September 15, 2006. p. 31.)
   Sydlik died April 18, 2006. (See "A Man Who Loved Life and People". The Watchtower. January 1, 2007. p. 8.)
   Barber died April 8, 2007. (See "Rejoicing Over "Victory With the Lamb"". The Watchtower. October 15, 2007. p. 31.)
   Jaracz died June 9, 2010. (See "Rejoicing Over "Victory With the Lamb"". The Watchtower. October 15, 2007. p. 23.)
   Barr died December 4, 2010. (See ""A Wonderful Overseer and a Dear Friend"". The Watchtower. May 15, 2011. p. 6.)
   Mark Sanderson appointed in September 2012 "A New Member of the Governing Body". The Watchtower. July 15, 2013. p. 26.
6. ^ "Guy H. Pierce, Member of the Governing Body, Dies at 79". Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. March 20, 2014.
7. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 217. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
8. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2007). Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. pp. 4, 6.
9. Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 178. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
10. Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 123. ISBN 978-0-914675-17-4.
11. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 58. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
12. Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 186, footnote. ISBN 978-0-914675-17-4.
13. 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.
14. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 61–62. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
15. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
16. "Kingdom Sign of the Servants". The Watchtower. Watch Tower Society. July 15, 1943. p. 216.
17. "Theocratic Organization in Action". The Watchtower. November 1, 1944. p. 328.
18. Qualified to be Ministers. Watch Tower Society. 1955. p. 381. cited by Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, page 74
19. "Divine Will International Assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses". The Watchtower. February 15, 1959. p. 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.
20. Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Society. 1970. p. 65.
21. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 57. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
22. Franz, Raymond. Crisis of Conscience. p. 31, 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.
23. 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.
24. ^ "Theocratic Organization with Which to Move Forward Now;A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. December 15, 1971. pp. 749–756.
25. Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 1972. pp. 254–257.
26. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
27. "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower: 703. November 15, 1972.
28. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 44–110. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
29. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 228. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
30. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
31. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 46. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
32. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 215. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
33. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 81–105. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
34. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 80–107. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
35. Jehovah's Witnesses–Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. pp. 108–109.
36. ^ Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 117–123. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
37. ^ Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 158–165. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
38. ^ Ostling, Richard H. & Constable, Anne (February 22, 1982). "Witness Under Prosecution". Time.
39. Franz, Raymond (2007). "11-12". Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press.
40. 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.
41. "Jehovah's Provision, the "Given Ones"". The Watchtower. April 15, 1992. pp. 16–17.
42. "Announcement". The Watchtower. April 15, 1992. p. 31.
43. 1993 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. pp. 253–254.
44. "Governing Body Addition". The Watchtower. November 1, 1994. p. 29. The new member is Gerrit Lösch. ... Lösch has served in the Executive Offices and as an assistant to the Service Committee
45. "New Members of the Governing Body". The Watchtower. January 1, 2000. p. 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.
46. "New Members of the Governing Body". The Watchtower. January 1, 2000. p. 26. Geoffrey W. Jackson and Anthony Morris III—would be added to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. ... In April 2003, 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 worked in the Service Department at Patterson and later as a helper to the Service Committee of the Governing Body.
47. "Walking in the Path of Increasing Light". The Watchtower. February 15, 2006. p. 28.
48. "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. January 15, 2001. p. 29.
49. ^ "How the Governing Body Is Organized". The Watchtower. May 15, 2008. p. 29.
50. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 218. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
51. Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 85, 115. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
52. "A History-Making Meeting". The Watchtower. August 15, 2011. p. 21.
53. 2012 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. pp. 13–17.
54. "Theocratic Schools-Evidence of Jehovah's Love". The Watchtower. September 15, 2012. pp. 13–17.
55. "A "Body of Elders" with Rotating Chairmanship". The Watchtower. November 15, 1971. p. 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.
56. "Hope Based on the Unfolding Purpose of God". The Watchtower. February 1, 1975. p. 86.
57. "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed". The Watchtower. January 15, 2001. p. 15.
58. ^ "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower. November 15, 2014. pp. 28–30.
59. "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed". The Watchtower. January 15, 2001. p. 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.
60. "Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear". The Watchtower. October 1, 1988. pp. 18–19. 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.
61. "Cooperating With the Governing Body Today". The Watchtower. March 15, 1990. pp. 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.
62. "The Watchtower and Awake!—Timely Journals of Truth". The Watchtower. January 1, 1994. p. 21.
63. "Building for an Eternal Future". The Watchtower. January 1, 1986. p. 25.
64. Gov. Body as "Faithful & Discreet Slave" is explained in 8 minute clip. "2012 Annual Meeting Program". Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
65. "Seek God's guidance in all things". The Watchtower. April 15, 2008. p. 11.
66. "'They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them'". The Watchtower. April 1, 1972. p. 200. the modern-day "prophet," the spirit-begotten, anointed ones who are the nucleus of Jehovah's witnesses today
67. "The Things Revealed Belong to Us", The Watchtower, May 15, 1986, page 13.
68. Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-914675-17-4.
69. ^ "The Faithful Steward and Its Governing Body". The Watchtower. June 15, 2009. p. 24.
70. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 211. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
71. "The Faithful Steward and Its Governing Body". The Watchtower. June 15, 2009. pp. 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.
72. ^ "A Secret Christians Dare Not Keep!". The Watchtower. June 1, 1997. p. 14.
73. "Insight That Jehovah Has Given". The Watchtower. March 15, 1989. p. 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.
74. "The Spirit Searches into the Deep Things of God". The Watchtower. July 15, 2010. p. 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.
75. "Question From Readers". The Watchtower. August 15, 2011. p. 22.
76. "Annual Meeting Report". Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
77. "What Is the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses?". Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
78. ^ "Kenneth Cook Appointed to the Governing Body". Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
79. "COOK, KENNETH E. JR". Watchtower Online Library. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
80. "Jun kʼakʼakʼ kichiʼil ri Molaj Ukʼwäy Bʼey". Ri Chajinel (in Kaqchikel). January 2019. p. 31.
81. ^ "BREAKING NEWS Two New Members of the Governing Body". Watch Tower Society. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
82. ^ "New Members of the Governing Body". The Watchtower. January 1, 2000. p. 29.
83. ^ "Mbeni fini membre ti Bebungbi". Tour di Ba Ndo (in Sango). January 2019. p. 31.
84. ^ "New Members of the Governing Body". The Watchtower. March 15, 2006. p. 26.
85. ^ "BREAKING NEWS Two New Members of the Governing Body". Watch Tower Society. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
86. ^ "Governing Body Addition". The Watchtower. November 1, 1994. p. 26.
87. ^ "A New Member of the Governing Body". The Watchtower. July 15, 2013. p. 26.
88. ^ "A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. December 15, 1971. p. 762.
89. 1973 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. p. 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.
90. ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 273–336. ISBN 978-0-914675-23-5.
91. "He Ran for "The Prize of the Upward Call" and Won!". The Watchtower. September 15, 1974. p. 554. On October 31, 1932, he 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.
92. Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. p. 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.
93. 1979 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. p. 97.
94. "A Man of Single Purpose". The Watchtower. March 15, 1975. p. 190.
95. Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. p. 91. On June 10, 1940, he became the vice-president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (Pennsylvania corporation).
96. "Firm to the End". The Watchtower. July 15, 1977. p. 441.
97. 1939 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. p. 195. The corporation, the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, pursuant to its charter and by-laws, and the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, held its annual meeting at Pittsburgh, North Side, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the first day of October, A.D. 1938, at which annual meeting a Board of Directors was elected as follows, to wit: J. F. Rutherford, C. A. Wise, W. E. Van Amburgh, H. H. Riemer, T. J. Sullivan, Wm. P. Heath, Jr., and Grant Suiter, to hold office for a period of three years, or until their successors are duly elected.
98. "A Loyal Fighter Passes On". The Watchtower. February 1, 1984. p. 9.
99. "Service Assembly and Annual Meeting—Pittsburgh". The Watchtower. November 1, 1944. p. 334.
100. "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. January 15, 2001. p. 28.
101. "Rewarded With "the Crown of Life"". The Watchtower. March 15, 1993. pp. 31–32.
102. Jehovah's Witnesses–Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 91.
103. "He "Endured to the End"". The Watchtower. July 1, 2001. p. 31.
104. "He Loved Kindness". The Watchtower. August 15, 2003. p. 31.
105. Franz, Raymond (2004). Crisis of Conscience (4th ed.). Commentary Press. p. 31. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
106. "Announcements". Our Kingdom Ministry. August 1980. p. 2. Raymond Victor Franz is no longer a member of the Governing Body and of the Brooklyn Bethel family as of May 22, 1980.
107. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 120. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
108. Beverley, James A. (1986). Crisis of Allegiance. Burlington, Ontario: Welch Publishing Company. p. 71. ISBN 0-920413-37-4.
109. "'A Very, Very Devoted Man'". The Watchtower. February 15, 1982. p. 31.
110. 1986 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. p. 255.
111. Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 322, 393. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
112. "His Deeds Follow Him". The Watchtower. December 1, 1994. p. 31.
113. "Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses Enlarged". The Watchtower. January 15, 1975. p. 60.
114. "A Joyful Perseverer in Good Work". The Watchtower. July 1, 1977. p. 399.
115. Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 1980. pp. 257–258.
116. "He Humbly Served Jehovah". The Watchtower. June 15, 1996. p. 32.
117. "We Were a Team". The Watchtower. April 1, 2001. p. 24.
118. "Jehovah Has Dealt Rewardingly With Me". The Watchtower. October 1, 1984. p. 21.
119. ""Jehovah Has Been Very Good to Me!"". The Watchtower. May 1, 2001. p. 21.
120. "His Delight Was in the Law of Jehovah". The Watchtower. September 15, 2006. p. 31.
121. "A Man Who Loved Life and People". The Watchtower. January 1, 2007. p. 8.
122. "'The Things He Did Have Gone Right With Him'". The Watchtower. November 15, 2010. p. 23.
123. Theodore Jaracz Memorial Service Brochure Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (1.4MB)
124. 1978 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. p. 259.
125. "A Staunch Fighter for the Truth". The Watchtower. September 15, 1988. p. 31.
126. "Rejoicing Over "Victory With the Lamb"". The Watchtower. October 15, 2007. p. 31.
127. ""A Wonderful Overseer and a Dear Friend"". The Watchtower. May 15, 2011. p. 6.
128. "He 'Knew the Way'". The Watchtower. December 15, 2014. p. 3.
129. "Announcement". Watch Tower Society. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

• Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Governing assemblies of religious organizations