A good friend who is now deceased told me the idea was once floated around Bethel circles that were all Witnesses to accept the wine and bread that quite a few problems would go away. To name one or two, the increase of partakers would become a non-issue and who is available for GB appointment would not be captive to whether a man took the bread and wine at last year's memorial.
My recollection is the idea was rained on because it was considered too radical of a change. But things have changed quite a bit since then. It would not surprise me one bit for Watchtower to begin teaching that it would be appropriate for the "great crowd" to do the wine and bread out of respect for Jesus' sacrifice, and that the "annointed" would do the bread and wine for that reason and as recognition of their being "born again." Should this happen I can easily see Watchtower explaining that what the act represents depends on the faith of the individual and not what others read into it. I am sure Watchtower would, at the same time, caution Witnesses not to pry into each person's choice.
I know there are lots of problems with such a change but, as I understand, it has been discussed in previous years, and nothing is beyond Watchtower's preference. If Watchtower decides it wants to make a specific change, it will find a way to rationalize it. Always has. Always will. And, why not? Most everyone else on the planet does the same thing depending on the subject or circumstance. The latter tend to do this in personal ways, though, and not in ways that affect millions upon millions.
Marvin Shilmer
