Last year, Christianity Today Magazine published an article entitled:
Watchtower Society Corporate Shakeup
Jehovah's Witnesses organization changing structure.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/004/12.25.html
WTBTS formed three new corporations last fall. One, Kingdom Support Services Inc., will focus on the everyday needs of individual congregations. Another, the Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, will interact with full-time workers, who take a vow of poverty. The third, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, will oversee religious matters.
This article mentions a "vow of poverty" for full time workers. Regarding this, there was a quote from Raymond Franz:
Raymond Franz, a former member of the Governing Body who left the movement in 1979 and wrote a book, Crisis of Conscience, criticizing the WTBTS leadership, said the move is designed to deal with the advancing age of Governing Body members.Franz added that in Germany, the government ordered the Witnesses to provide severance pay to staff members. "Now when people apply [to join the staff], they sign a vow of poverty, which frees [the WTBTS] from having to treat the person as an employee," he said.
Have any of you had to sign this "Vow of poverty?" Is it still being used? Does it only apply to Bethel workers?
Also, the article mentioned three corporations that were added:
Kingdom Support Services Inc., will focus on the everyday needs of individual congregations
Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, will interact with full-time workers, who take a vow of poverty
Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, will oversee religious matters
Is there more information on these corporations? Was this only a political move to avoid legal action or are they acting corporations?
Wick
(of the curious class)