No - I have to say I would not have predicted any of these changes - was really shocked when they discontinued the home book study arrangement and combined it with the Theocratic School night.
The changes in the 1935 closing for anointed ones was forced by the fact none of the GB qualified anymore. Think the generation gap thing had to happen too because of the expired time - average guy just doesn't live to be 100 years old. Though their explanation really a poor one and doesn't satisfy anybody I fear.
I'm not much of a prognosticator but if I were to try and speculate on what changes might be down the road - it wouldn't surprise me if they went to just one magazine per month for both the Awake and WT next. Great cost savings idea. And they seem to be looking at those items. And at least for the US maybe they will go to all computer transmission - no more printing costs - just have everybody print off their own copy at home for the meetings. Now that would be a brilliant idea.
One change you left off your list but which we also would never have predicted - leaving Brooklyn and moving all to Walkill and Patterson - upper state New York.
Changes I'd like to see but which will NEVER happen - just come out and admit they were wrong about 1914 and the 2520 year stuff. That they would at least say "we don't know" instead of doing what they are currently doing. Another change that needs to happen is STOP the DF'ing, etc. etc. - life would go so much better for them if they would get over that stuff - if someone doesn't think another is "decent" association they won't associate - that is 2nd nature. People are judgmental by nature - no need to encourage that trait. And I doubt it would cause the place to go any wilder than it currently is if they stopped the practice. And then another thing that would greatly benefit them would be to stop the time slips - time reporting in total - it's all a sham anyway and Jehovah is able to figure out the score without the help of our paperwork. LOL. And then open up the partaking of the emblems to everyone - no need for anyone to know who thinks he's going to heaven and who thinks he is staying on earth. What difference does it make? Now those would be some great changes but we'll NEVER see them. And one I feel very strongly about - report sexual molestation cases to the authorities pronto and if a registered offender comes into the congregation put it on the bulletin board for all to see. They do that in my apartment building - and we have one in my Bible Study Class - and he let us all know the facts right up front. The Senior Center will not allow him to be a leader or substitute leader for the group because of this. But we need to stop shielding these people from the results of their sins. We can be kind, forgiving, and all that good stuff without making it possible for a repeat offense.
Oh and I do expect that the previously talked about change - to eventually drop all CO's is going to happen. Getting the local PO's to do the job has to be an attractive alternative to that arrangement from a monetary standpoint.
And I wouldn't be surprised to see an age limit get placed on Bethel workers - to save themselves the expenses of taking care of the elderly. Not that I think this is a good idea mind you, but it wouldn't surprise me a bit if they take this organizational move. Seems like they already have done a bit of culling and weeding out of the sickly ones in the staff already but I wouldn't be surprised to see them make it mandatory release if you get sick - period. That kind of changes I think will happen.