Originally
these “helpers” were of the great crowd, not anointed jw males. But later some were anointed with a
possibility of being GB if their training worked out. None of the GB have ever been non-anointed
male jws so far. Except for Hayden Covington
(see below)
*** w01 1/15 p. 28 How the Governing Body
Differs From a Legal Corporation ***
ANNUAL meetings of the Watch Tower Bible and
Tract Society of Pennsylvania have been held since January of 1885. When the ingathering of anointed Christians
was underway in the late 19th century, the directors and officers of this
corporation had the heavenly hope. In fact, this has almost always been the
case.
There was one
exception. In 1940, Hayden C. Covington—then the Society’s legal counsel
and one of the “other sheep,” with the earthly hope—was elected a director of
the Society. (John 10:16) He served as the Society’s vice
president from 1942 to 1945. At
that time, Brother Covington stepped aside as a director to comply with what
then seemed to be Jehovah’s will—that all directors and officers of the
Pennsylvania corporation be anointed Christians. Lyman A. Swingle replaced
Hayden C. Covington on the board of directors,
and Frederick W. Franz was elected vice president.
Why did
Jehovah’s servants believe that all the directors and officers of the Watch
Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania should be anointed Christians? Because at the time, the board of directors
and officers of the Pennsylvania corporation were closely identified with the
Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which has always been made up entirely
of spirit-anointed men.
*** w09 9/1 p. 29 How to Be a Successful
Missionary ***
“Do Not Be a Taker of Faces” was the theme
developed by Robert Ciranko,
a helper to the Writing Committee of the Governing Body.
*** w06 2/15 p. 28 par. 11 Walking in the
Path of Increasing Light ***
The year 1992 saw still another refinement,
one that is comparable to what happened after the Israelites and others
returned from exile in Babylon. Back at that time, there were not a sufficient
number of Levites to care for temple service. So non-Israelite Nethinim were
given more to do in helping the Levites. Accordingly, to assist the faithful
and discreet slave class in caring for its increasing earthly interests, in 1992 some of the “other sheep” received added service
responsibilities. They were appointed as helpers to the Governing Body
committees.—John 10:16.
*** w06 3/15 p. 26 New Members of the
Governing Body ***
ON Wednesday morning, August 24, 2005,
the United States and Canada Bethel families, connected by video, heard an
exciting announcement. Effective September 1, 2005, two new
members—Geoffrey W. Jackson and Anthony Morris III—would be added to the
Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Brother Jackson started pioneering in
February 1971 in Tasmania, the island state of Australia. In
June 1974, he married Jeanette (Jenny). Shortly thereafter, they were
appointed to serve as special pioneers. From 1979 to 2003, they served as
missionaries in Tuvalu, Samoa, and Fiji—island nations in the South Pacific.
While in the islands, Brother and Sister Jackson also contributed much to the
work of translating Bible literature. Beginning in 1992, Brother Jackson served
on the Branch Committee in Samoa, and from 1996, on the Branch Committee in
Fiji. In April 2003, he and
Jenny became part of the United States Bethel family and began to work in the
Translation Services Department. Soon thereafter, Brother Jackson was made a
helper to the Teaching Committee of the Governing Body.
*** w99 6/1 p. 24 Rejoice in Jehovah and Be
Joyful ***
First to speak was William Malenfant,
a graduate of the 34th class of Gilead, now serving as a helper to the Teaching Committee of the
Governing Body
*** w97 6/1 p. 29 Graduating Students of the
Word of God ***
After the chairman’s opening remarks, Ralph Walls, a helper of the Personnel
Committee of the Governing Body, gave the first short talk with
practical advice for the new missionaries.
*** w95 7/1 p. 22 par. 9 Dwellers Together in
a Restored “Land” ***
hundreds of thousands each year, there is an
ever-growing need for oversight. At one time this was handled exclusively by
anointed Christians. Now,
oversight of most congregations, as well as circuits, districts, and branches,
has of necessity been entrusted
to the other sheep. In 1992 a few of these were given the privilege of attending meetings of committees
of the Governing Body and serving as nonvoting helpers.
Still, the other sheep remain loyal to their anointed fellow Christians and
feel privileged to support them as Jehovah’s faithful and discreet
slave.—Matthew 25:34-40.
*** w92 4/15 p. 31 Announcement ***
Assistance for Governing Body Committees
The members of the Governing Body of
Jehovah’s Witnesses, at present 12 in number, continue to serve faithfully in
their assignments. They are always thankful to the loyal members of the
increasing “great crowd” for their zealous support. (Revelation 7:9, 15) In view of the tremendous increase worldwide,
it seems appropriate at this time to provide the Governing Body with some
additional assistance. Therefore it has been decided to invite several helpers, mainly from among the
great crowd, to share in the meetings of each of the Governing Body
Committees, that is, the Personnel, Publishing, Service, Teaching, and Writing
Committees. Thus, the number attending the meetings of each of
these committees will be increased to seven or eight. Under the direction of
the Governing Body committee members, these assistants will take part in discussions and will carry out
various assignments given them by the committee. This new arrangement
goes into effect May 1, 1992.
For many years now, the number of the remnant
of anointed Witnesses has been decreasing, while the number of the great crowd
has increased beyond our grandest expectations. (Isaiah 60:22) How we thank
Jehovah for this marvelous expansion! When the new name, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
was gratefully accepted in 1931, the peak number of Kingdom publishers was
39,372, most of whom professed to be anointed brothers of Christ. (Isaiah
43:10-12; Hebrews 2:11) Sixty years later, in 1991, the worldwide peak of
publishers was 4,278,820, of whom only 8,850 professed to be of the anointed
remnant. As anticipated in the light of the Scriptures, the “great crowd” now
outnumber the remnant of the “little flock” by more than 480 to 1. (Luke
12:32; Revelation 7:4-9) In caring for the expanding Kingdom interests, the
remnant surely need and appreciate the cooperation and support of the great
crowd.
As explained in this issue of The
Watchtower, there is a group serving with spiritual Israel today that is
comparable to the Nethinim and the sons of the servants of Solomon who returned
from Babylonian exile with the Jewish remnant; those non-Israelites even
outnumbered the returning Levites. (Ezra 2:40-58; 8:15-20) “Given ones” from
among today’s great crowd are mature Christian men who have had considerable
experience as a result of caring for oversight in branches, in the traveling
work, and among the 66,000 congregations now established throughout the earth.
Recently, Kingdom Ministry Schools were held
worldwide for the instruction of overseers and their assisting ministerial
servants. In the United States alone, 59,420 overseers attended. These “older
men” were thus equipped to fulfill their responsibilities more
effectively.—1 Peter 5:1-3; compare Ephesians 4:8, 11.
At the Brooklyn headquarters of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, some “given ones” have served for a great many years. These include
mature overseers from the great crowd who have gained a wealth of ability and
experience. Thus, the Governing
Body has selected a few of such overseers to assist in the meetings of the
Governing Body’s committees. These are not necessarily the men with the longest
record of service. Rather, they are mature, experienced men with qualifications
that fit them for giving assistance in particular fields.
Their being assigned to
work with a committee does not give them a special status. As Jesus said
concerning his disciples, “all you are brothers.” (Matthew 23:8) However, much
will be entrusted to these men, and consequently “much will be demanded” of
them.—Luke 12:48.
We rejoice in the forward march of Jehovah’s
organization today. Over the past ten years, there has been almost a
100 percent increase in the number of those ministering in the field, in
line with the prophecy concerning the Greater David, Jesus Christ: “Of the
increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7, King
James Version) In the same way that the Nethinim worked alongside the
priests in repairing the walls of Jerusalem, so today the prophecy concerning
Jehovah’s organization is being fulfilled: “And foreigners will actually build
your walls.” (Isaiah 60:10; Nehemiah 3:22, 26) The modern-day Nethinim are
to be commended for the zeal that they show in building up true worship,
assisting “the priests of Jehovah” in whatever work or service may be assigned
in Jehovah’s worldwide organization.—Isaiah 61:5, 6.
*** jv chap. 15 p. 235 Development of the
Organization Structure ***
In 1992, further assistance was provided for
the Governing Body when a number
of helpers, mainly from
among the great crowd, were assigned to share in the meetings and work
of the Writing, Teaching, Service, Publishing, and Personnel committees.
