@recovery...
You say...
For the record I have been a pioneer for many years. And there is no "secret information" given to pioneers or elders. It can all be found in various WT publications.
This is not strictly true. I've not looked at the Pioneer book for some time but I would hazard a guess that pretty much everything in there could be gleaned from other WT publications. I would also agree that much of the info in the Shepherd book can be got together from other WT publications. There are however a number of aspects of the Flock book, along with letters, that are not detailed in other publications. Are you aware, for example, of the line to be taken with any elder, MS or pioneer that attends a wedding of someone "marrying out of the lord", especially if that one has been inactive for many years. You can research this in the WT lib and never come to the conclusion that is reached in the Flock book. Why? Because it's only in the Flock book and is not represented, even in a watered down form, in the publications (let alone the Bible).
Another example.. try and find out what the current stance on what happens if you accept a blood transfusion is... You won't find it in the organisation book under disassociation or disfellowshipping.
The Flock book and the letters elders outline many procedural, legalistic and organisational "what ifs" that are never detailed in the other publications. More and more it's about trying to define a process for every situation and not about the simple application of love. There are many situations that can arise where you would never be able to come to the same conclusion as an elder because only the elder has access to the WT line on the matter.
Of course, the elders are the ones faced with trying to sort a myriad of complex issues that arise and it would seem a bit pointless to swamp everyone with the paperwork but frankly most of the paperwork would disappear if elders could shepherd with love instead of trying to work out what rule to apply.