Actually, the R&F were provided with some more specific, but still general, information in 1977. The deficiency is this information is that which member of the GB was assigned to which committee is not listed. No names are given officially to preserve the illusion that men are not being elevated. But, of course, special ones such as Bethelites, COs, and DOs, have the unofficial scoop of who is assigned to what and who has the real power. Considering that publishers are encouraged to get to know who the elders are in their own congregation and what assignments they have, it is ridiculous to turn around and hide the duties and responsibilties of individual GB members:
*** w77 1/1 15-16 Serving with the Faithful "Slave" ***
17 What was involved in this reorganization? As always, Christ Jesus continued to be recognized as Head over the “slave” class, his congregation here on earth. (Eph. 1:22; 5:23) Under this one Head, the anointed members of the Governing Body serve as equals, with a chairman rotating alphabetically each year. Administrative responsibilities are divided among the Chairman’s Committee of three members (comprising the chairman for the current year, for the previous year and for the year to follow), and five permanent committees of from five to seven members, which oversee the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses world wide. Each of these five committees has a chairman rotating each year and a permanent coordinator or secretary.—Prov. 11:14.
18 The Writing Committee supervises the preparation of all publications; the Teaching Committee prepares materials for the various schools, meetings and assemblies arranged for God’s people; the Service Committee takes care of all matters related to Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making; the Publishing Committee handles all printing operations and business affairs; and the Personnel Committee watches over the interests of all persons serving in the Bethel homes and factories of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thus responsibilities are shared, as was done among “older men” in the first-century Christian congregation. Moreover, the organization is now well equipped to handle further expansion, as well as problems that may arise due to the worsening world crisis.—Acts 15:1, 2, 6-29; 1 Cor. 14:40.
19 On February 1, 1976, a similar arrangement was put into effect in all branch offices of the Watch Tower Society throughout the earth. No longer is there a branch overseer, but three or more experienced “older men” serve as a committee under the Governing Body in watching over the interests of Jehovah’s Witnesses in that area. In these committees, too, the chairman rotates each year, while one member serves continuously as coordinator.—Prov. 15:22."
and in the 1977 Yearbook:
*** yb77 258-9 The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses ***
Early in December 1975, the entire Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses met in Brooklyn, New York, for the purpose of considering recommendations relative to organization and procedure. Two different committees had for many months given consideration to organizational adjustments. And so, on December 4, 1975, the Governing Body unanimously accepted the recommendations, and on Friday, December 12, 1975, the chairman of the Governing Body read a letter to the Bethel family explaining the adjustments.
Letters were also sent to all branches throughout the world explaining the procedures and in the Watchtower magazine of February 1, 1976, there, was an article headed “Governing Body Adjustments,” which explained that, to facilitate its work, six committees of the Governing Body had been formed and that these six committees began functioning on January 1, 1976. Each committee has its chairman, who serves for a period of one year.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMITTEE: This committee is composed of the current chairman of the Governing Body, the previous chairman and the one next in line to be chairman. The current chairman serves as coordinator and expedites matters for the Governing Body. Reports on major emergencies, disasters or campaigns of persecution or any other urgent matters affecting Jehovah’s Witnesses come immediately to the Chairman’s Committee so that they can be taken up with the Governing Body.
WRITING COMMITTEE: This committee supervises the putting of spiritual food into written and recorded form for publication and distribution to Jehovah’s Witnesses and the public in general. Since it deals with the publications, it also supervises translation work done throughout the earth.
TEACHING COMMITTEE: This committee’s responsibility is to supervise schools and assemblies for the spiritual education of Jehovah’s people, also Bethel family instruction. Additionally, it supervises outlining the material to be used in teaching and takes oversight of radio and television programs and assembly programs.
SERVICE COMMITTEE: This committee supervises all areas of the evangelizing work, and has the responsibility of taking the lead in further developing these. The committee is interested in the activities of the congregations, circuit and district overseers, missionaries, Branch Committees and the periodic visits of the zone overseers.
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE: This committee supervises the printing, publishing and shipping of literature throughout the world. Therefore, it has responsibility for oversight of factories and properties owned and operated by the various corporations used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as financial operations, legal and business matters connected with publishing the good news of the Kingdom in all the earth.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: This committee has oversight of the arrangements made for personal and spiritual assistance to members of the Bethel families, and it is responsible for inviting new members to serve in the Bethel and Farm families around the world.
BRANCH COMMITTEES: In addition to the arrangement of supervising the work of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses through the six committees, it was arranged that each branch, effective February 1, 1976, have a committee responsible to work with the Governing Body to administer the organizational arrangements, and to keep the Governing Body informed of the progress of Kingdom work in the territory assigned to the branch. Such committee has a chairman who serves for one year. Depending on the size of the branch, the committee may have three members or as many as seven. Rotation of chairmanship of branch committees takes place each year on January 1."
and of course the "Nethinim" were added:
*** w95 5/15 23 Flashes of Light-Great and Small (Part 2) (ftn) ***
The Watchtower of April 15, 1992, announced that selected brothers mainly of the “other sheep” were being assigned to assist the Governing Body committees, corresponding to the Nethinim of Ezra’s day.—John 10:16; Ezra 2:58."
