Sorry if this has been discussed before...
For a few days now, this question has been going through my mind. What was the date the Governing Body took the sole role of the Faithful and Discreet Slave and how close was it to the end of the Mayan Calendar in December of 2012? I looked it up on jwfactes.com and sure enough, checkout the date on this article:
"“The faithful and discreet slave” was appointed over Jesus’ domestics in 1919. That slave is the small, composite group of anointed brothers serving at world headquarters during Christ’s presence who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. When this group work together as the Governing Body, they act as “the faithful and discreet slave.”" jw.org 10th Nov 2012
Just a coincidence? Maybe, I don't think so myself...