it seems that while th e news is just making its way to the CoNGS now this happend in November
If ONLY the BROOKLY BRAINTRUST could have figured out a way to inform them sooner......
like a magazine or company publication!
Watchtower Reorganizes for Legal Advantages
In a move that is more likely to attract attention for legal reasons than anything else, the Watchtower has made a massive reorganization of its corporate leadership. While this does not seem to affect current responsibilities such as their actual daily work, it clearly is meant to provide isolation of guilt to as few entities as possible in the litigious days ahead for the Watchtower organization. Here is their press release.
Here are a few notes from the Annual Meeting held yesterday:
Yeartext for 2001: Colossians 4:12: "Stand complete and with firm
conviction in all the will of God."
Talk by Dan Sydlik: The Board of Directors and Officers of the Society's
Legal Corporation were all anointed, since it was closely associated with
the Governing Body. (The lone exception was Hayden Covington) However, as
pointed out in 1971, the Governing Body preceded the WTBTS of
Pennsylvania, since it was established at Pentecost. The Governing Body
is not appointed by any man, and cannot be voted into office. The GB does
not have officers (President, Vice President, etc.), only a
chairman, who rotates.
Is there any scriptural reason why the officers of the WTBTS of
Pennsylvania have to be anointed? Not really. There are about 100 other
legal entities associated with the WTBTS of Pennsylvania, whose officers
are not anointed. They are legal instruments, under the direction of the
GB, designed to make Jehovah's name known worldwide. However, they are
not necessary to carry on the work, as has been demonstrated in many
lands where the work has been banned.
Members of the other sheep are called on help with the work, enabling the
GB to focus exclusively on spiritual matters.
Talk by Ted Jaracz: Began by discussing how congregation elders and
ministerial servants are not elected, rather the qualifications are set
out in the scriptures. Holy spirit, in various ways, plays a vital role
in theocratic appointments. Theocratic appointments at all levels are
made directly or indirectly by the GB. No legal entity controls such
appointments.
Talk by Jack Barr: Members of the Governing Body resigned from the WTBTS
and members of the other sheep were nominated and elected to fill their
slots. Thirty or more names were read quickly for various corporations.
Don Adams is now president of the WTBTS of Pennsylvania.
Brother Barr also mentioned that three new corporations were being
formed.
The Governing Body will continue to direct these legal entities.
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Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 20:56:26 -0400
I wanted to share some announcements with you that were made at the
Annual Meeting today. (sent by a Bethelite)
The Governing Body has decided that the positions of President, Vice
President, Secretary/Treasurer, etc. in the legal corporations (e.g.,
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.; Watchtower
Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., etc.) do not have to be filled
by anointed brothers. Therefore, all of the brothers that were currently
holding these positions, all of whom were on the Governing Body, have
resigned. Brothers of the other sheep have replaced them. Therefore,
brother Don Adams is now the president of the Watch Tower Society.
Quite a lengthy discussion was given as to the reason this was decided
and why it's OK. Essentially, it boils down to the fact that this allows
the Governing Body to step back and deal primarily with spiritual
matters, while these brothers of the other sheep handle day-to-day
business operations of the legal corporations.
In addition, three new corporations have been formed:
1) Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, which will supervise
matters of a religious and educational nature. This includes organizing
the preaching work, holding conventions, etc. The directors and officers
of this corporation are primarily brothers who work closely with the
Service department in Patterson. Brother William Van de Wall is the
president of this corporation.
2) Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, which cares for matters
pertaining to those in Special Full-Time service, including Bethelites,
Special Pioneers, Traveling Overseers, etc. Brother Patrick LaFranca is
the president of this corporation.
3) Kingdom Support Services, Inc., which handles design & engineering of
buildings and holds titles to vehicles used by the Society.
The attendance for the annual meeting was 13,082, the largest ever.
Additionally, the year text for 2001 will be: "Stand complete and with
firm conviction in all the will of God" - Col 4:12
___________
what a group!
