The latest issue of The Watchtower likens each congregation to being a "town" with these words:
We also receive much personal assistance through Christian elders in our town-like congregations. Issue of May 15, page 28
It then refers to Ephesians 4:11-13 which speaks of Christ giving some as apostles, some as evangelisers, some as shepherds and teachers etc.
There could be a contradiction here for on the one hand the WTS is portraying the congregations as independently governed units and on the other hand it claims that there was a central governing body 'ruling' over all congregations in the first century.
We can well appreciate that towns have local administrations making their own laws and regulations. In the above quote the WTS is likening such towns to the present-day congregations. Interesting.
Is further shedding of central authority in the wind?
Cheers,
Ozzie
"If our hopes for peace are placed in the hands of imperfect people, they are bound to evaporate."
- Ron Hutchcraft Surviving the Storms of Stress
