Here is the text of the letter:
February 2, 2014
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Re: Shepherding
Dear Brothers:
In imitation of Jesus, all elders need to cultivate a heartfelt desire to shepherd Jehovah’s
sheep. (John 21:15-17) We must love our brothers from the heart by feeding and shepherding
them willingly. (1 Pet. 5:2) The Shepherding textbook provides helpful suggestions on making
shepherding visits in the homes of the publishers. At this time, we are pleased to provide the following
additional comments that will assist you in fulfilling your responsibility as shepherds in
the congregation.As you know, we have specific arrangements to visit those who have been baptized for
one year, to invite inactive publishers to the Memorial, and to make annual visits to certain disfellowshipped
persons. Even so, we cannot view shepherding simply as a program that involves
making a “shepherding call” once a month. While the Shepherding textbook states that a group
overseer should arrange to periodically visit all in his group, there is no need for the body of elders
to keep a record of shepherding visits, including the date a visit was made, who made the
visit, and what was discussed. Nor is it necessary for one elder to make general shepherding call
assignments. Although well-intentioned, such programs can overly complicate matters.All elders, particularly group overseers, must strive to maintain regular, if at all possible
weekly, contact with the publishers. (Prov. 27:23) Regular interaction with the brothers and sisters
is very much needed and can be accomplished by meaningful visits before and after congregation
meetings, by working with them in the ministry, and by visiting or telephoning them at
other times. It includes contacting those who are sick, who are missing from the meetings, or
who are irregular in the ministry. Such personal interest springs from genuine friendship and
brotherly affection.—Rom. 12:10; 1 Thess. 2:7, 8.As spiritual shepherds, we strive to deepen our self-sacrificing love for the brothers and
sisters so that our concern is evident at all times. Without meddling into our brothers’ personal
affairs, we strive to be a positive influence in the lives of the sheep, helping them to be strong in
the faith.—Phil. 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 5:11.In view of the foregoing, each elder should make the following notation in the margin of
his Shepherding textbook. Next to chapter 2, paragraph 23, and chapter 4, paragraph 6, please
write: “See letter dated February 2, 2014, to all bodies of elders regarding shepherding.”We send our warm Christian love.
Your brothers,
Note the part I highlighted in yellow.
So now there is a Service Dept. mandate to all elders, especially group overseers, "take attendance" of the field service group at each meeting.
If someone is at the meeting, the elders are directed to speak to each one.
If someone misses a week of meetings, it will prompt a phone call.
So, if you are attempting to fade, you can expect a weekly phone call asking (in a "brotherly, loving" way) "So why weren't you out in service this week? Why weren't you at the meeting this week? What's going on? Do you need help? Are you 'spiritually weak'? Do you need a shepherding call? Don't move, I'm on my way over."
It's not hard to imagine how "faders" will now be quite prominent on elders' radar screens.