I remember when a GB member spoke at a circuit assembly, how the Society would not pick him up for the airport unless he was dressed in a suit. I found it a strange thing to say, because I believed him in charge. But he was not.
Of course, this is common knowledge, but I’m mostly typing this to make sense of it:
There are, in reality, two Governing Bodies.
Obviously, we know of the Governing Body, currently eight men who govern Watchtower Theology.
Then there is the Board of Directors, about 7 men.
Wikipedia lists the following:
- Don Alden Adams, director since 2000, president since 2000
- Danny L. Bland, director since 2000
- William F. Malenfant, director since 2000, vice-president since 2000
- Robert W. Wallen, director since 2000, vice-president since 2000
- Philip D. Wilcox, director since 2000
- John N. Wischuk, director since 2000
There have always been a Board of Directors since Russell, and they evolved into the original Governing Body. Then, of course, in 2000, the Board of Directors and the Governing Body became two distinct, non-overlapping entities.
The current Board of Directors are said to be Administrative, not Theological, in nature. In some ways, it sounds like it harkens back to the Knorr-Franz era, where Knorr handled the administrative tasks, and left Theology to Freddie.
Therefore, the Board of Directors can decide, for instance, that the Governing Body dress up when they travel. So the Board of Directors could be said to be in charge and I suppose dismiss them entirely if they so chose. Of course, I do not have a head for ‘business’, and there might be more to it.
If anyone can fill in the gaps of my knowledge here, by all means, do so! Thank you!
