Let me begin by stating that I have no insider information, this is merely my observation. I believe that some time ago in Watchtower Land, somebody at HQ posed these questions (probably an outside consultant because I don't think the GB is this hip):
What would happen if we cut in half the average age of the responsible brothers in the organization? What if the average age of an elder was under 30 instead of 60 and real standouts would be appointed in their early 20's? What if circuit overseers were in their early 30's instead of 70's? What if the RBC was no longer a good ole boy's club but instead composed of a bunch of hardworking young singles and couples (now the LDC)?
And I think the answer was:
1. It would help them to win back the young people because young people would be running the show
2. Their costs (for Bethelites and anyone else in special full time service) would go down because of lower medical expense
3. They would have more control (you can't teach an old dog new tricks but a young puppy will do anything you tell him to)
I don't know how much resistance this met when it was first hashed out but to my thinking the idea won out. Has anyone else noticed the shift toward youth in the organization in the past two or three years? It has been pronounced and is no accident but a well thought out, albeit last ditch effort, toward long term survival of the organization.