In the early 1990's (if I remember correct either 1991 or 1992) there were talks at the district conventions entitled "The Faithful and Discreet Slave" and "The Faithful and Discreet Slave (FDS) and its Governing Body (GB)". It was a series of talks that covered the issue FDS through nearly 2000 years of history. As usual, these talks became articles (study-articles) in the WT 6-8 months after they were held at the conventions.
The talk i remember best was "The FDS and its GB". The emphasis was on how close the ties there have been between the FDS and the GB through the centuries - especially in the first century and from the late 19th century onwards. There was then - in the early 1990's absolutely no possibility to imagine a FDS without a GB. To the opposite: The GB was to be considered the most vital, most important part of the FDS - although only stated between the lines.
Things that I have heard and read in the past months have made me think: Long-time elders, two CO's and a DO (I only know his point of view by quote) have explained to me (and my father, who quoted the DO for me) that they can imagine a FDS without a GB. AND: They even can imagine a FDS that consists of both anointed and non-anointed. BECAUSE: This is the way things are going to develop anyway. The FDS could very well consist of non-anointed ONLY within a few years.
Now that one made me think. Is there something I have missed?! Is there a WT-article they have read that I have not read/seen yet. Hmmm… I don’t think so. There must be something else!
A couple of letters I have received from our branch office lately – on private questions reg. doctrinal issues - use a language and expressions (or: I can’t find some common expressions…) that seem very interesting to me: The lack of the words “The Governing Body” both stand-alone and in connection with the FDS is so obvious, that it made me wonder: Is there a hidden agenda (or an open agenda maybe, that I’ve not been aware of) that – very slowly of course - introduces a new class, a new group “to take the lead” so to speak?. The “new” FDS – now consisting of those who have worked close together with anointed (and still do so) who made up the “former” GB, but belong to “the other sheep”. A group of men that is no longer called a GB, but is an invisible group in the background to make the decisions, a group to be the FDS – but in a new shape? New light?! Is there going to be a Faithful and Discreet Slave WITHOUT a Governing Body?! New light?!
Any comments?
cecil