In Pastor Russell's era, the loosely federated ecclesias who shared Russell's religious assertions were all about readying themselves as "Brides" and thus, the work was character building and promotion of END TIMES signaling.
Under Judge Rutherford, the federation of ecclesias became unified under a monolithic and tyrannical monarchy disguised as Theocracy.
The work consisted--NOT of preaching salvation--but of exonerating the brand name JEHOVAH and racking up Supreme Court wins as defenders of Free Speech and the Free practice of conscience. Rutherford, of course, would never allow a person of conscience within 5 miles of his throne.
Next, under Nathan Homer Knorr and his oracle, Fred Franz, the work was about organizing into a Corporate replica of normal religion and pumping up the volume on statistical conquests, placements, hours spent witnessing, attendance at Memorials, languages translated, etc.
After Knorr died, post apocalyptic 1975 ass-reaming--the Org turned into a nasty Inquisition-minded litmus test for Puritanical slavery, compliance, and mindless worship of the Golden Calf of JW.ORG.
Whatever they "used to be" is no more. It is only an after-image and not a reality.
The organization is a lean, mean litigious machine squeezing its assets for cash and placing its jackboots on the necks of every member as they choke out their oaths of Loyalty and "Sir, Yes sir--may I please have another?"
The Legal problems won't pull down the Tower, but one thing might.
The escape of all their young people.
The only patch they can sew on that torn garment is "child baptism."