Hello Everyone, I'm new to this forum, but a well known participant in the spanish forum. Following, are some extracts of the recently filtrated manual, Traveling Overseer Guidelines. As you already know, this book is only available in Spanish, but I translated some interesting paragraphs for those of you who want to know what it's all about... The rest of the chapters pretty much contain repeated information found in the Sheperding Book of the Elders. Enjoy your reading, :
Chapter 3: Circuit Assemblies and Special Day Assemblies
SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM
2. [...] It is the duty of the circuit overseer to ensure that all those participating in the demonstrations, interviews and the relating of experiences are exemplary and will not detract merit to the program. For example, if a brother is so obese that he will distract if he had a participation in the program, one would wisely decide whether or not to give him the assignment, even if he is spiritually qualified for [the assignment].
Chapter 10: Fees and Refunds
MONTHLY REIMBURSEMENT
11. The branch office gives a monthly reimbursement to the traveling overseer. If his wife accompanies him and is in the full-time service, she is also entitled to a monthly reimbursement and an annual bonus for her Personal Expense Account, as well as her husband. The same provision applies to those who have been approved as special pioneers of delicate health. If she is not in the full-time service and is an isolated publisher, normally, she will not receive the monthly reimbursement or hold a Personal Expense Account. The monthly reimbursement can be contributed in whole or in part to the worldwide work by reducing the requested amount in the form Monthly Report (S-301).
TAXES
26. Since traveling overseers are volunteers of a united theocratic system, it is important for them to comply with the secular laws that affect the system, particularly regarding the declaration of the income tax. In this regard, it is imperative that all traveling overseers, representing Jehovah's organization, conduct their affairs so that they remain blameless, giving "Caesar's things to Caesar" (Matt. 22:21; 1 Tim. 3:2).
Chapter 20: Recommendations for the appointment of elders and ministerial servants
BROTHERS WHO COMMITTED WRONGS IN THE PAST
19. Extreme caution should be taken when analyzing the possible recommendation for an elder or a ministerial servant of someone who sexually abused of minors. The brothers who are granted privileges of service in the congregation occupy a position of trust, and others consider them worthy of it. If anyone has participated in this kind of sexual immorality or has been disfellowshipped because of this sin, many years would need to pass before he would be recommended to have privileges, if he is ever recommended at all. Also, legal implications should be weighed, and the degree of notoriety, the scope of the misconduct, how many years have elapsed and how the brother is been seen now by the congregation and the by community, as well as by the victims. In all these cases, it must be fully reported to the branch office of the background of the person and all of the factors involved.
REMOVALS
34. Can an appointed man keep his privilege if he, his wife or his children are studying a higher education? Much depends on the circumstances and how they see him in the congregation. If such situation arises, the body of elders would analyze the following questions and biblical citations: Does his way of life demonstrate that he is seeking the Kingdom interests first? (Matt. 6:33.) Does he teach members of his family to seek the Kingdom interests first? Does he respect what the Faithful Slave Class has published about the dangers of higher education? (3 John 9.) Does his speech and conduct demonstrate that he is a spiritual man? (Ps. 1:2, 3; 1 Cor. 2:13-16.) How does the congregation see him? Why is he or his family seeking a higher education? Do they have theocratic goals? (Phil. 3:8.) Is higher education an obstacle to attend all meetings or to participate meaningfully in field service or other theocratic activities? Heavenly wisdom should guide the elders to properly and fairly evaluate these factors that could affect the privileges of service of an appointed brother (James 3:17, 1 Peter 5:3).
35. The disfellowshipped relatives have imposed a loyalty test for the spirituality of some brothers. For example, some have attended wedding receptions where disfellowshipped persons were present. This goes against the mandate of 1 Corinthians 5:11, of "quit mixing in the company" of such persons. If the host thinks in disobeying this clear mandate and invite persons who are disfellowshipped to the reception, he has the obligation of informing all guests that at the wedding reception, there will also be present a disfellowshipped person, so they can decide whether or not to attend. Others have attended weddings of a baptized person with an unbeliever or have given them financial assistance, thus giving their tacit consent of a union contrary to biblical principles, an unequal yoke (1 Cor. 7:39. If an elder or a ministerial servant reaches the point of raising serious reservations in the minds of others as to his judgment in these matters, he may no longer meet the requirements to be an appointed servant (1 Tim. 3:13).
Miscellaneous matters
APPENDIX G
ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED
3. Congregation elders should phone the Legal Department to seek guidance whenever they hear of any allegations that someone has abused an elderly person or a disabled person. Adult abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional, and include neglect or abandonment of the caregiver, self-neglect, forced labor and economic exploitation or any other kind of exploitation.
