In january of 2019, elders in the congregations of jehovah s witnesses were issued a new version of their confidential handbook, shepherd the flock of god. The manual says they must follow the two witness rule. Therefore, paper records of all judicial matters should be in those files. Below are some excerpts of this updated version with my commentary. The body of elders can arrange other meetings any time that circumstances necessitate. Some things that hinder the appointment of elders 1. Elders manuals, branch manuals, and circuit overseer manuals. The secret watchtower elders manual dispel the darkness. The manual pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock tells local elders how to conduct closeddoor trials and other actions controlling the personal lives of jehovahs witnesses. Still they say the best place to keep it is at the kh. Shepherd the flock of god royal commission into institutional. Shepherd the flock of god has been designed as a handbook for elders to supply vital information that will help them care for congregation matters.
They are not to be viewed by anyone but themselves. Secret elders book in 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. Within minutes of the highly controlled release of the shepherd book it has been leaked onto the internet. Dec 22, 2017 this is the one the wt gave to a female. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses elder. Secret elders manual shepherd the flock of god ex jw. In january of 2019, elders in the congregations of jehovahs witnesses were issued a new version of their confidential handbook, shepherd the flock of god. A letter to all bodies of elders in the united states, february 15, 2002 stated that elders were not to prevent witnesses reporting child abuse to the police, which has been added to the 2010 elders manual. Leaked branch and elders manuals pull back the curtain of.
Less than 24 hours later, the manual was leaked and seemingly nonstop analysis and. Jehovahs witnesses rely on their governing body, the faithful and discreet slave, to provide them with food in due season through the literature of the watchtower bible and tract society watchtower, march 15, 1990, p. Instruction is also given if elders feel they should deliver a warning talk to the congregation. Watchtower child abuse paedophile policy and related court cases. On february 4, 2019, rumors of the release of a new elders manual, meant only for the eyes of the top leaders in each congregation of jehovahs witnesses jw, began to surface on ex jw forums across the internet. Generally speaking, the education level of elders does not go beyond high school or trade school.
These are the 8 most shocking and confounding things i found in the handbook for jehovahs witness elders, shepherd the flock of god. The 8 biggest shocks from the elders secret handbook. Both men are accused of violating laws by posting copies of a secret elders manual on the internet. As such, the training and directing of elders fall. The manual is revised only at general conference sessions. It is a private, internal document on how witnesses run their church. Jehovahs witnesses why are untrained elders given the. Do you think its right that jehovahs witness elders have a. The elders extend this spiritual assistance confidentially. Both men are accused of violating laws by posting copies of a secret elder s manual on the internet.
May 08, 2012 the rank and file are under the impression that jehovahs spirit will guide the actions of the elders to make honest and just decisions. Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial committee and disfellowship procedures. Its been nine years since the first shepherd the flock of god elders handbook came out, that was so top secret that nonelders were forbidden to read it, and sisters were not even allowed to touch it, and to this day, most jehovahs witnesses are not aware that the book even exists. On february 4, 2019, rumors of the release of a new elders manual, meant only for the eyes of the top leaders in each congregation of jehovahs witnesses jw, began to surface on exjw forums across the internet. In addition to their work in the congregation, most elders also have secular jobs and family responsibilities that require their time and attention. So many reports may not meet that criteria so, its likely most of the time elders wouldnt provide parents with the fact that they can choose to report to. Shepherd the flock of god in your care shepherd the flock of god in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly. In congregations that have few elders, qualified ministerial servants may be used as counselors for secondary schools. View or download secret jehovahs witness elder manuals, textbooks and handbooks, including the. Leaked branch and elders manuals pull back the curtain of inner.
Sometime before nero launched his persecution against christians in rome, the apostle peter wrote his first letter. Although this book covers most aspects of our work as elders, at times you may need to. What circumstances were christians facing when peter wrote his first letter. Jehovah s witnesses rely on their governing body, the faithful and discreet slave, to provide them with food in due season through the literature of the watchtower bible and tract society watchtower, march 15, 1990, p. More adventist churches around the world receive their primary pastoral leadership. It also gives the official descriptions of the elders role. Everyone associated with the congregation should know who the elders are, so they can benefit fully from their services. If there is a need to do so, the elders may obtain the inquirers name and phone number and inform him that their attorney will contact him. See letter dated march 16, 2015, to all bodies of elders regarding digital formats of this textbook. Consequently, we do not comment on whether elders are currently or have formerly met to assist any member of the congregation.
The seventhday adventist church manual provides important policies and procedures, especially for the local congregation. Just like your boss will have information you dont, so do the elders. Do you think its right that jehovahs witness elders have. It is strongly implied that if a jw does not confess to the elders any grave wrongdoing, he cannot be cleansed from his sin. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses elders. As overseers, they are responsible for everything that is related to the work of the church. In addi tion to the two meetings held in conjunction with the visits of the circuit overseer they should schedule another meeting about three months after each visit. Aug 23, 2010 secret elders book in 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. Shepherd the flock of god 2019 confidential handbook of.
This publication is divided into chapters, each pertaining to a particular aspect of your work. Church manual policy ba 60 05 on human relations which states. This makes it easier for those who seek the elders help to do so without worrying that what they say to the elders will be divulged later. Watchtower child abuse paedophile policy and related court. But this is not talking about going to the elders as a catholic would go to a priest for confession. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock.
Shepherd the flock of god thetruthofjehowaswittness. So many reports may not meet that criteria so, its likely most of the time elders wouldnt provide parents with the fact that they can choose to report to secular authorities. This book is for elders only, as made clear in letter to elders, august 23, 2010, which states. They have since been published under this category. If an elder is deleted for reasons other than moving to another congregation with a favorable recommendation, he should turn over this publication to the congregation service committee to be destroyed, and any electronic copies in his possession should be deleted. The governing body of jehovah s witnesses have authorised today the release of a 274 page fully revised and updated 2019 pdf version of their secret elders book shepherd the flock of god. Jw elders are untrained, and therefore unqualified, in many fields of learning, including law, psychology, medical field i. Leaked branch and elders manuals pull back the curtain. The manual says they need contact the legal department first. They want to keep the content of the book secret since it is essentially a manual of sins and consequences. The revised edition ofpay attention to yourselves and to all the flock is presented as a practical and convenient handbook for congregation elders and traveling overseers to use in caring for responsibilities as shepherds of the flock of god.
Feb 05, 2019 the jehovahs witnesses appear to have felt the mounting pressure to change their written policies on how to handle child abuse. Reading from elders secret handbook on polish public. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses. According to this text in shepherd book, page 84,85 woman in jw congregation are viewed as minor children, not entitled to hear information that are important for her marriage and family life and her life at all. The book mentions consulting other publications but says nothing about consulting the. View or download handbooks, manuals and textbooks used by elders of. Interesting changes in the 2019 shepherd the flock of god. In order to care for our individual spiritual needs, local elders may visit with us in our home or at the kingdom hall to offer help and comfort from the scriptures. These documents are meant to be kept secret by the elders. The manual is a combination of objective principles and suggestions for how to recruit and train elders. In 2010, the watchtower society released a new manual for use by elders in congregations of jehovahs witnesses. Helps both pastors and elders understand the biblical function of elders in the local. These documents once lived on the website, but when the founder, jason wynne, faced legal pressure from watch tower to remove them, he sent them all to faithleaks.
There are symptoms of comments around the jw elders manual that find to route at higher gifts and are instead 64bit to learn on first things, then joint very. Sometime before nero launched his persecution against christians in. Nov 14, 2010 in 2010, the watchtower society released a new manual for use by elders in congregations of jehovahs witnesses. List common hindrances in the ordination of elders and deacons that should be avoided. There is nothing illegal or unethical about anything the manual directs elders to do a practical guide for church leaders paperback october 5, 20. They are just part of the congregation just like the rest of the men who are not appointed as elders or ministerial servants. View or download handbooks, manuals and textbooks used by elders of jehovahs witnesses. In 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. The jehovahs witnesses appear to have felt the mounting pressure to change their written policies on how to handle child abuse. Jehovahs witnesses why are untrained elders given the power. If there are enough elders, they should be appointed to be congregation servant, assistant congregation servant, bible study servant, watchtower study servant and theocratic ministry school servant.
Jw elders look at them as a people of the second rank. This book is fascinating information if youre a jw or are interested in what they believe. To you, the wife of an elder poem written with the wives. Should i inform the eldershelp, advice, and answers to. In addition to their work in the congregation, most elders also have secular jobs and. A revised, softcover textbook entitled shepherd the flock of god l peter 5.
As appointed elders and christian overseers, you have been given the responsi. Where possible, they should also be the congregation book study. The instruction to appoint elders in every city titus 1. Secret elders manual shepherd the flock of god ex jw forum. Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial committee and disfellowship procedures in 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god. Merely not liking jws or disagreeing with their doctrines does not give anyone the right to do this.
Note that there are no instructions on what to do if the man says that yes, he has been. In january of 2019, elders in the congregations of jehovahs witnesses were issued a. Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial committee and disfellowship procedures in 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. It is true that the bible does encourage us to confess our sins to one another. Much like the pharisees added laws and regulations, the flock book is just a how to guide for elders.
The book is entitled shepherd the flock of god, and caused a bit of a stir on the internet, as many former jehovahs witnesses attempted to circulate. D printing and jw elders manual page ns are it compatible to trace people and chips yourself at site. Never suggest to anyone that they should not report an allegation of child abuse to the police or other authorities. This publication, shepherd the flock of god, is confidential. Merely not liking jw s or disagreeing with their doctrines does not give anyone the right to do this. Apr 10, 20 jw elders are untrained, and therefore unqualified, in many fields of learning, including law, psychology, medical field i. Elders need to be familiar with the manual and follow it. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock of.
Instructions re garding the school are found in the book benefit. Jehovahs witnesses instruction manual for elders, overseers. What are some disadvantages of a local church being organized with qualified elders and deacons. The scriptures are only understood and applied as viewed through the towers prism. But i offer it as something god was graciously pleased to bless in our church. The handbooks are mainly used for judicial matters. Normally the body of elders holds four meetings a year. The elders should then promptly telephone the legal department. Shepherd the flock of god 2019 confidential handbook.
I am not sure why the need to pick out especially women in this question. A large portion of the book is devoted to the procedure for judicial committees and disfellowshipping. Jul 26, 2018 i am not sure why the need to pick out especially women in this question. The current 2010 jw elders manual shepherd the flock of god, pages 71,72 states under the section evidence establishing wrongdoing that there must be two witnesses to a confession, and the confession must be clear and unambiguous. May 08, 2018 these are the 8 most shocking and confounding things i found in the handbook for jehovahs witness elders, shepherd the flock of god. What are some benefits of a local church being organized with qualified elders and deacons.
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