Stewart (or whoever his researchers are) should write a book about JWs, I'm amazed at how they have been able to cut through the 'spin'.
For example, the way they pulled apart the claims that elders are 'fellow workers' and 'servants', equal to the r&f, the investigators showed:
they are shepherds, not sheep, so they arent equal, they lead
they are claimed to be appointed by Holy Spirit (they had 40 references for this) which statement clearly places them above the publishers as 'closer to god'
they 'take the lead', so they are leaders then?
ultimately they have the authority to form jcs, impose sanctions and decide the spiritual future of the members.
so of course there is no hierarchy is there, everyone is equal? Lol