This topic is not about men living sinfully at the time of their appointment as elders. It is not about pedophile elders, although I've personally known three, two who were pedophiles at the time of their appointment by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
First of all a quick summary of what Jehovah's Witnesses are taught about the appointment of elders and ministerial servants:
Before the visit of the circuit overseer, the local elders meet to consider who, if any, among the local congregation they will recommend as elders or
ministerial servants. The meeting starts with a prayer asking for God's holy spirit to guide their deliberations. The scriptures dealing with the qualifications for these offices are read, usually 1 Peter 5:1-5, Titus 2:1-10 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13. These scriptual qualifications are said to be
the product of holy spirit, inspired by God like the rest of the Bible. At the meeting with the elders during the circuit overseer's visit, the local elders' recommendations are reviewed after a prayer asking for holy spirit. The finalized, agreed-upon recommendations are sent to the Society to be reviewed by the Governing Body (after prayer). Although, we later learned that a committee from the Service Department may have made the actual appointments, whatever was done was under the direction of the Gov-
erning Body. In due time, the appointments are received by the congregation body of elders. Before reading the appointment letter each prospective
appointee is asked privately if there is any reason why they cannot serve.
If not, there appointment is read at the congregation's service meeting.
Through the above process or something similar, elders(and ministerial servants)
are said to be appointed by holy spirit.
Now to my example.
In 1976 I was an elder in the very large Little Rock East Congregation. I was the Theocratic School Overseer and, by default the Congregation Secretary(no one else wanted that job). We had nine elders and recommended two more: George F. and Earl R. Both men seemed well qualified.
George, in his 30's was a married pioneer, articulate, reasonable, approachable. Earl was only 26, but mature beyond his years. He produced programs for Arkansas Public Television and had a small family.
The Society's appointment letter came back with a green check by Earl's name and
a brief explanation for non-appointment next to George's name. In the explanation the Society(I still use that term) stated that George was still somewhat young and had been baptised only a short time. In actuality, George was 7 or 8 years OLDER than Earl and baptised longer. It was an obvious error.
Now, what to do? The body of elders was not inclined to do anything, just leave the appointments as they were in spite of the obvious error. I learned that they were afraid the letter was sent back, Earl's appointment would be undone. He was the local man and like the majority, black. George, although liked, was a move-in and white.
This obvious injustice was upsetting to me. I did not approach the body of elders. I already sensed their inclination. As secretary, I approached the other two service committee members. They acquiesced to a letter being sent if I would write it. I drafted the letter and presented it to the body as simply an inquiry. No huge objections were voiced and the letter was sent.
Basically, the letter to the Society stated:
You appointed Earl R. You did not appoint George F., stating that he was somewhat young and had been baptised a relatively short time. May we point
out that Brother Earl R. is younger than Brother George F. has been baptised
a shorter period. Did you intend to appoint Brother F. and not Brother R.?
How should we proceed?
I was interested in how the Society would respond. Would they simply admit an error? What explanation would be given? As a true believer, I was interested in
their response.
In a few weeks a new appointment letter was received. There was absolutely no explanation. There simply a green check beside George F.'s name. Both men were appointed.
This whole episode rattled my theocratic cage, but not enough to more closely
scrutinize my religion.
As I look back, this was simply one of many signs I ignored that I was involved in a very
human operation. No holy spirit directed anything.
tms