Let me introduce you to a term used in the Roman Catholic Church you may not be familiar with: Governing Body
In the Roman Catholic Church the word "Magisterium" refers to the teaching authority of the church. This authority is understood to be embodied in the episcopacy, which is the aggregation of the current bishops of the Church, led by the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), who has authority over the bishops, individually and as a body, as well as over each and every Catholic directly. According to Catholic doctrine, the Magisterium is able to teach or interpret the truths of the Faith, and it does so either non-infallibly or infallibly (see chart below).
"The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him."
Now, a term you are already familiar with:
The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the supreme ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses [ 1 ] based in Brooklyn, New York that assumes responsibility for formulating policy and doctrines, producing material for publications and conventions, administering its worldwide branch office staff and directing the activities of all members of the religion. [ 2 ] The Governing Body is described as the representative and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (the approximately 10,800 remaining "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses), although in practice it seeks neither advice nor approval from any "anointed" Witnesses other than high-ranking members at Brooklyn Bethel when formulating policy and doctrines or when producing material for publications and conventions.
For all practical purposes, these separate entities function the same.
The more authority vested in the leadership, the less necessity to prove through reference material (scripture).
The Roman Catholic Church took early christianity in its squabbles, differences of opinion, varied doctrines, disputes and welded them into a unity by doing away with the source of dispute: SCRIPTURE.
When Authority replaced scriptural disputes there vanished a platform of controversy.
Catholic Authority (magisterium) represented it this way : What is bound on earth (by the Church) is bound in heaven (God approves.)
In Watchtowerland, the critics can only assail policies and doctrines by resorting to scriptural interpretations. However, by replacing the authority of Governing Body magisterium (Jehovah's only channel of communication) for bible teaching, the platform for dispute is set aside.
Members can be excommunicated (disfellowshipped) for disputing this authority. Loyalty to Jehovah or bible "truth" is set aside in favor of mere obedience to pronouncement from Governing Body writings.
The Catholic Church survives through every scandal because it is the "true church" with magisterium.
The strategy of Watchtowerland is identical. Loyalty to mother supercedes all else.
"Whom shall we go away to?" becomes the reply when the authority is challenged.
If there is only one authoritative channel to God it doesn't matter what policies are wrong, are changed, are dropped altogether.
What is bound on earth will be bound in heaven.
Nice touch.