Letters to the Body of Elders (BOE) - Change in Letterhead

by Oubliette 17 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Oubliette

  Within the last few hours, two separate posters, WatchTower87 and pixel, independently posted news of a April 22nd, 2014 letter to the BOE regarding a change in how elders are to be appointed and deleted:

  • BOE - PDF - CONFIDENTIAL 2014-04-22 Adjustment in process for appointing elders and minis

  • Letter to BOE: Adjustment in process for appointing elders and ministerial servants

  What I found very interesting is the letterhead and the signature. They are both from "The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses" and NOT from "The Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses."

  This is the first time I've seen this. When did this change? In a way, it doesn't surprise me considering how much more prominenty the GB features themselves of late. But it does seem interesting: more focus is on them and less on Jesus Christ and Christianity.

  Here is a direct link to download the letter:

  http://www.mediafire.com/view/scgt9m91y774a2q/BOE_April_22,_2014_Elder_appointments_deletions-E.pdf
• 

  baltar447

  Interesting. I'm not aware of any legal changes. That's strange. I do recall thinking back when they restructured the corporations that it was a way to protect assests. And I was still a believer lol. Of course then I thought that might make it harder for the guv'ment to shut them down or something.
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  Poztate

  Looks like another self promotion job.

  We are just the most important people in all the universe.
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  stuckinarut2

  I just dont understand it.

  The co would only consider appointing or deleting someone based on the recomendations of the body of elders anyway?

  Then the branch would be asked, just to make sure that they dont have a file with "confidential past sins / records" of that bro on file...

  SO, in theory, this means that it would be possible for any brown-noser to be appointed if he moves somewhere and sucks up to the new BOE and CO, and the "safety" shield of the bethel branch cant do anything about it??

  I dont get it.....
• 

  A.proclaimer

  That's very interesting, the new heading. It does give them a more authorities sense. Maybe it's to get their name out there. To me, it looks like they're harboring more control. Cut out the DO, less people to get through. Now the Governing Body is closer to viewing over the elders. We'll just have to wait and see what happens next. The clearer reason could show up later.
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  stuckinarut2

  The more I think of it, I actually like the fact that they have removed the word "christian" from the name of the 'corporation'...

  It shows the "cult-like" condition even more......

  Maybe its just a little step further to helping JW people see that they worship the GB not christ or god....????
• 

  cultBgone

  I always thought it was obnoxious that they called themselves the christian congregation in the first place...they were just trying to say "hey, we're not a cult!"

  Guess they changed their mind. They are a cult.
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  NeonMadman

  My guess would be that the letter is from the Governing Body rather than the CCJW because the GB up to now has been the agency that appointed elders and MS. Therefore, the change should come from them and not from the legal corporation. Elders and MS, after all, are spiritual positions in their view, not corporate positions.
• 

  prologos

  for them to be involved/ responsable/controlling the appointment and implementing the change they must have a control structure in place, and COs might hve been trained for all that.

  did not in Austarlia they denied in court there was a F&D slave? a Governing body? a group of 8 that live in & with a vow of poverty? with no property?

  unlike the Christian congregations and its serving corporate entities?
• 

  breakfast of champions

  Yes it is unique, but no, it is not the first time that letters with Governing Body letterhead have been distributed.

  The last letter (I know of) that had GB letterhead was the one dissolving all book studies.