so are the COs members of the "Order of Special Full-Time Servants" appointed by WT?
So how are elders going to be appointed again from now on?
by toto555 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Balaamsass2
Pin the tail on the C.O. It is an updated version of the "green handshake". MS get blindfolded, turned round and round...whoever can pin the most $100 bills on the CO's ass get appointed!!!
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stuckinarut2
I actually dropped the comment to our COBE:
" we'll it's good that the co gets to appoint and remove ones now. It mans that the society is shielded from any responsibility in case the brother turns bad. It just shows how wise jehovah is in organising his people on earth "
He was nodding wisely and agreeing with everything I said...probably not realising I was being sarcastic!
Idiot....
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RubaDub
From a practical standpoint, has much really changed? I never heard in the past of the CO sending in a recommendation to the Society and it not being approved. I mean, the Society doesn't know the person. It is just a name, isn't it?
Now that I think about it, the one area that could possibly provide some shield to the Socitey would be on re-appointments, especially where someone had done some really bad stuff "some number of years ago" and the CO feels enough time has passed. The Society could take the stand that they were not involved in the appointment. However, from a legal standpoint ,I'm not sure how much that really distances them from the appointment since all the parties are still a part of the same chain.
Rub a Dub
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blondie
The GB no longer directly appoints elders. Since 2001 (first time I became aware of this)
Evidently I slept through this in 1975..
*** w75 2/1 p. 86 par. 23 Hope Based on the Unfolding Purpose of God ***
Hence, today appointments of elders and ministerial servants are made directly by a governing body of spirit-anointed elders or by them through other elders representing this body.
*** w01 1/15 pp. 15-16 pars. 16-18 Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed ***
Paul told his coworker Titus: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct the things that were defective and might make appointments of older men in city after city, as I gave you orders.” (Titus 1:5) Paul then outlined the qualifications that Titus was to look for in men who would qualify for such appointments. Today, therefore, the Governing Body appoints qualified brothers at the branches to represent it in making appointments of elders and ministerial servants. Care is taken that those acting representatively on behalf of the Governing Body clearly understand and follow the Scriptural guidelines for making such appointments. Hence, it is under the direction of the Governing Body that qualified men are appointed to serve in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.
17 When recommendations for appointment of overseers and ministerial servants are submitted to a branch office of the Watch Tower Society, experienced men rely on God’s spirit for guidance in making the appointments. These men feel a sense of accountability, realizing that they must not lay their hands hastily upon any man, lest they share in his sins.—1 Timothy 5:22.
18 Certain appointments may be transmitted by a letter bearing an official stamp from a legal entity. Such a letter may be used to appoint more than one brother in the congregation.
But they say they still directly appoint: (no holy spirit?)
*** w01 1/15 pp. 14-15 par. 15 Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed ***
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses directly appoints all members of Branch Committees. When deciding who can assume such a weighty responsibility, the Governing Body has in mind Jesus’ statement: “Everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.” (Luke 12:48) In addition to appointing Branch Committee members, the Governing Body appoints Bethel elders and traveling overseers.However, they do commission responsible brothers to act for them in making certain other appointments. There is Scriptural precedent also for this.