vienne, yes, there’s a secret book for elders. But, in recent years, it has been leaked to the public each time it’s been updated. Recently, a new edition was leaked within days of its publication. Even though the book lays down Watchtower rules, nobody can count on the rules holding when you need for them to hold. Watchtower overrides its own rulebook whenever it finds overruling the book more advantageous to Watchtower.
https://www.docdroid.net/19OgOsb/2019-shepherd-the-flock-of-god-2019-edition-pdf
Shepherd the Flock of God, 2019
Introduction, page 8, #3.
“This publication is copyrighted and confidential. It is issued to each appointed elder. If an elder is deleted for reasons other than moving to another congregation with a favorable recommendation, he should turn over this publication to the Congregation Service Committee to be destroyed, and any electronic copies in his possession should be deleted.”