by Doug Mason 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
In a recent Post, I asked for help with a "JW" organization chart I am trying to create.
My greatest problem was with understanding the relationships at the "upper level" of the organization. I have addressed this in some detail in my latest iteration and believe I am getting closer.
My picture is at:
http://au.geocities.com/doug_mason1940/org_chart.pdf
I would appreciate any corrections and any omissions.
Doug
Doug
It's a great chart. Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm glad you eliminated Jehovah and Christ Jesus over the Governing Body that appears in the Society's version.
What about inserting the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" in brackets besides the Governing Body. Afterall, the GB is the FDS in reality. Oh yes they are! It comes down to that and not the scattered remaining annointed throughout the earth.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
I couldn't give specifics, but if I'm not mistaken, the HLC's have their own mini hierarchy
"What about inserting the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" in brackets besides the Governing Body. After all, the GB is the FDS in reality"
Not according to the May 1 2007 Watchtower.
Members of the FDS do not have any special "insights" and they don't have more "holy spirit" than the "other sheep" class. But they are under the direction of the GB. So I count three classes now. The "other sheep", the "FDS" and above all the GB.
So they would need to be inserted somewhere below the GB.
One needs a program to keep score.
Not according to the May 1 2007 Watchtower.
Members of the FDS do not have any special "insights" and they don't have more "holy spirit" than the "other sheep" class. But they are under the direction of the GB. So I count three classes now. The "other sheep", the "FDS" and above all the GB.
Pardon me bob1999, but they never once used the term "Faithful and Discreet Slave" in that article that you are referring to. They use the word "annointed" only.
Do you see the direction that this is going? The next new light will be that the GB is the FDS that is dispensing food at the proper time. And get this, most of the JWs will swallow that whole because they all know that the scattered remaining annointed has absolutely no input what-so-ever in doctrine or organizational issues.
So yes, the GB is the FDS. You heard it first on JWD.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
"So yes, the GB is the FDS. You heard it first on JWD."
I wouldn't put it past them. Interesting.
You might consider putting the HLC under the branch supervision. They are chosen by the branch and are answerable to it.
There is not one team for each congregation. In fact most congregations do not even have have one member, though
the elders know where they can be contacted. At least one of the HLC is contactable 24/7.
I appreciate the feedback on my updated Organization Chart.
I created the “lower” part of the diagram from information kindly provided by JWD posters. I created the “upper” part of the diagram from “Branch Organization" Manual, (revision of February 2003). The Manual was signed off by the GB.
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I did not put the term “FDS” together with “Governing Body”. I don’t believe that the GB sees the terms as equivalent. Their diagram in The Watchtower of December 15, 1971, page 749, depicts the GB as a small portion of the FDS. (If you want a copy of their 1971 picture, ask.)
In the “Branch Organization“ Manual, the GB is said to “act as representatives of the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ class”. So the GB represents that Class. They are not identical.
I have not found anything in the Manual that shows the GB obtains information directly from the FDS, nor any method being used. So I could not extend the chart above the GB.
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I am certain HLCs fits into some organizational structure. They could not be allowed to float freely. I would hazard a guess that they have a direct line of communication to legal expertise at “Head Office”, but I am only guessing. I would appreciate any factual information.
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I had hoped there might be some comment about the “Worldwide Order” group. The description of the “Worldwide Order” in the Manual indicates they produced it. This would not be surprising, given their purpose.
I would appreciate any comments or information about the “Worldwide Order”. Are people very familiar with them? Are they comfortable with their role?
The following words come from the Manual. Towards the end of their words, it becomes clear that “Worldwide Order” either produced the Manual or that they supplied the words about themselves.
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Doug
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39. LEGAL ENTITIES AND THE WORLDWIDE ORDER: Branch Committee members should have a clear understanding of the relationship among the Governing Body, Branch Committee, the legal entities used by branches, and the Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah’s Witnesses (“Worldwide Order”). …
42. Members of the Worldwide Order serve at all branches and provide the personnel needed to operate the various functions carried on by the legal entities the branches use. (See 2003 Yearbook, page 30.) For this reason, it is important for Branch Committees to understand what the Worldwide Order is and the relationship between it and the legal entities branches may use.
43. The Worldwide Order is an unincorporated association made up of all those in special full-time service throughout the world. Members of the Worldwide Order are baptized ministers in special full-time service who perform whatever assignment they receive from the Worldwide Order. Each member of the Worldwide Order signs a Vow of Obedience and Poverty (“Vow”), which is a voluntary commitment made by each member. The Worldwide Order sees to it that each member of the Order receives basic necessities, regardless of the member’s assignment or the legal entity through which the member serves.
44. The Worldwide Order provides ministers for the legal entity or entities used by the branches to carry out the spiritual activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Members of the Worldwide Order are not compensated and do not receive inkind benefits for any services they perform for a legal entity. The support a member receives is based on the member’s commitment to the Order stated in the Vow and is not related to any service performed or the nature of any assignment. Members of the Worldwide Order receive food, shelter, and other basic necessities.
Regardless of the nature of their privilege of service, all receive modest, yet appropriate support. In view of the foregoing, the activities of any legal entity used by the Branch Committee are not to be viewed or regulated as a “commercial” enterprise or as involving an employer/employee relationship between any legal entity and members of the Worldwide Order.
45. At times authorities attempt to categorize the endeavors of those in special full-time service as secular “work.” As Christians, we do have a “work” commissioned to us. (John 4:34; 5:17; Acts 13:2; 1 Cor. 15:58; 16:10; 2 Tim. 4:5) However, members of the Worldwide Order are motivated, not by pecuniary gain, but rather to accomplish the will of Jehovah and Jesus Christ in helping all to “attain to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9) Even so, in keeping with Jesus’ admonition, Branch Committee members and those who serve under their oversight need to exercise caution when asked to describe the nature of our activities. (Matt. 10:16) While we do engage in “work,” even as Jesus and his first century disciples did, we are certainly not secularly employed or motivated.
I think that it could be mentioned in the chart that the GB acts as a supreme judicial and legislative council. The GB makes decisions in matters of doctrine, practice, and decides which matters are disfellowshipping offenses.
