View source for Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses

{{Short description|Hierarchical structure of Christian denomination}}
{{Primary sources|date=June 2024}}

{{Jehovah's Witnesses}}
[[Jehovah's Witnesses]] are organized hierarchically,<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Cobb v. Brede |court=California Superior Court, San Mateo County|date=February 22, 2012|quote=I am general counsel for the National Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses out of Brooklyn, New York. ... We are a hierarchical religion structured just like the Catholic Church}}</ref> and are led by the [[Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses]] from the [[Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|Watch Tower Society]]'s headquarters in [[Warwick, New York]]. The Governing Body, along with other "helpers", is organized into six committees responsible for various administrative functions within the global Witness community, including publication, assembly programs, and evangelizing activity.<ref name=pentongov>{{cite book| last = Penton| first = M. James| title = Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1997| pages = 211–252| isbn = 0-8020-7973-3}}</ref>

The Governing Body and its committees supervise the operations of nearly one hundred ''branch offices'' worldwide. Each branch office oversees the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in a particular country or region and may include facilities for the publication and distribution of Watch Tower Society literature. Directly appointed by the Governing Body, branch committees supervise administrative functions for congregations in their jurisdiction. Congregations are further organized into ''circuits'' of about twenty congregations each. The Governing Body directly appoints ''circuit overseers'' as its representatives to supervise activities within circuits. ''Headquarters representatives'' visit groups of branch offices to provide instruction and report the branch's activities to the Governing Body.

Each congregation is served by a group of locally recommended male ''elders'' and ''ministerial servants'', appointed by the circuit overseer. Elders take responsibility for congregational governance, pastoral work, setting meeting times, selecting speakers, conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and forming ''[[Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline#Judicial committee|committees]]'' to investigate and decide disciplinary action in cases where members are believed to have committed [[Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline#Discipline involving "serious sin"|serious sins]]. Ministerial servants fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings.<ref name=pentongov />

==Governing Body==
{{Main|Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses}}
The organization is directed by the [[Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses|Governing Body]]&mdash;an all-male group that varies in size, but since October 2024 has had eleven members,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/governing-body/ |title=What Is the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses? |website=Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania}}</ref>&mdash;based in the Watchtower Society's [[Warwick, New York]] headquarters. Each of the Governing Body members claims to be of the "[[144000 (number)#Jehovah's Witnesses|anointed]] class" with a hope of heavenly life (whereas most Jehovah's Witnesses hope to be resurrected in an earthly paradise).<ref>{{cite book|title=2007 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|author=Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|pages=4, 6|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/302007001}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Botting| first = Heather & Gary| title = The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1984 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/orwellianworldof0000bott/page/178 178]| url =https://archive.org/details/orwellianworldof0000bott| url-access = registration| isbn = 0-8020-6545-7}}</ref> There are no elections for membership; new members are selected by the existing body.<ref>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| title = In Search of Christian Freedom| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| pages = 123| isbn = 978-0-914675-17-4}}</ref> Each of its members serves as chairman, with the position rotating among members alphabetically each year.<ref>{{cite book|title=Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|year=1975|page=250|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/301975006}}</ref>

Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=April 15, 2008|page=11|title=Seek God's guidance in all things|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008283}}</ref> and "spokesman"<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=May 15, 2008|page=29|title=How the Governing Body Is Organized|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008367}}</ref> of God's "[[faithful and discreet slave]] class" (approximately 11,000 Jehovah's Witnesses who in 2010 professed to be "anointed"),<ref>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| title = In Search of Christian Freedom| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| pages = 153| isbn = 978-0-914675-17-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=2011 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|page=31|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/302011018}}</ref> providing "spiritual food" for Witnesses worldwide on behalf of the "faithful and discreet slave class". In practice, it sought neither advice nor approval from other "anointed" Witnesses when formulating policies and doctrines, or when producing material for publications and conventions.<ref>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| title = In Search of Christian Freedom| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| pages = 154–164| isbn = 978-0-914675-17-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=June 15, 2009|page=24|title=The faithful steward and its governing body|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009443}}</ref> At the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Society, the "faithful and discreet slave" was re-defined as referring to the Governing Body only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jw.org/en/news/events-activities/annual-meeting-report-2012|title=Annual Meeting Report|website=Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania}}</ref>

From 1944, Watch Tower publications had made occasional references to a ''governing body'',<ref>''The Watchtower'', November 1, 1944, as cited by Raymond Franz, ''Crisis of Conscience'', p.74 footnote.</ref> identifying it with the board of directors of the [[Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite book|title=1970 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|page=65|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/301970000}}</ref> In October 1971, four additional men joined the seven members of the society's board of directors on what became known as a separate, expanded Governing Body. The Governing Body was then for the first time formally defined, indicating that it provided Jehovah's Witnesses with direction, guidance, and regulation.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=15 December 1971|page=755|title=A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1971923}} Article discusses formal definition of Governing Body, and makes first use of capitalized term.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|title=Questions From Readers|date=November 15, 1972|page=703|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1972847}}</ref> All doctrinal and publishing decisions continued to be made by or were subject to, the approval of the society's president.<ref>{{cite book|title=Crisis of Conscience|url=https://archive.org/details/crisisofconscien00raym|url-access=registration|author=Franz, Raymond|publisher=Commentary Press, Third edition, Second printing|year=2000|pages=[https://archive.org/details/crisisofconscien00raym/page/42 42–108]|chapter=3-4|isbn=0-914675-23-0}}</ref> Organizational changes at the highest levels of the Watchtower Society in 1976 significantly increased the powers and authority of the Governing Body and reduced those of the Watch Tower Society president.<ref>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| author-link = Raymond Franz| title = Crisis of Conscience| url = https://archive.org/details/crisisofconscien00raym| url-access = registration| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| pages = [https://archive.org/details/crisisofconscien00raym/page/44 44–110]| isbn = 978-0-914675-23-5}}</ref>

The Governing Body directs [[Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses#Committees|six committees]] comprising its members along with [[Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses#Helpers|its "helpers"]]. The six committees are responsible for various administrative functions including personnel, publishing, evangelizing activity, school, and [[Jehovah's Witnesses practices#Assemblies and conventions|assembly programs]], writing, and coordination.<ref name=pentongov /> The Governing Body directly appoints all headquarters representatives, and circuit overseers, collectively referred to as "traveling overseers", and also appoints branch office committee members.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=January 15, 2001|pages=14–15|title=Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2001049}}</ref> Only branch committee members and traveling overseers are referred to as "representatives of the Governing Body".

In the last decade, the Governing Body has reiterated its overall oversight role but has delegated other Witnesses, typically branch committee members, to serve as corporate executives and directors of Watch Tower and other incorporated entities.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=July 1, 2002|page=17|title=Jehovah's Glory Shines on His People|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002483}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=January 2002|page=7|title=New Corporations Formed|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202002009}}</ref>
{{see also|Corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses}}

==Branch offices==
[[Image:Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (world headquarters).jpg|thumb|right|Former headquarters of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in Brooklyn, New York]]
Jehovah's Witnesses operate 87 branch offices worldwide,<ref>{{Cite book|title = 2018 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher = Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|year = 2018|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102018986}}</ref> under the oversight of ''headquarters representatives'' who visit each of their assigned branches every few years, auditing operations, counseling branch committee members, department heads, and missionaries, and reporting back to the Governing Body.<ref>1978 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses p. 20</ref><ref>"Declaring the Good News Without Letup", ''Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom'', page 101.</ref> Each branch office is referred to as [[Bethel]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=1 August 1997|page=9|title=Serving Loyally With Jehovah's Organization|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1997563}}</ref> The United States branch office, spread across three [[New York State]] locations with a staff of more than 5000,<ref>{{cite book|title=2003 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|page=24|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/302003002|quote=In all, the United States Bethel family numbers 5,465.}}</ref> also serves as the international headquarters.

Branch offices, operated by Witness volunteers known as ''Bethel families'', produce and distribute Bible-based literature and communicate with congregations within their jurisdiction.<ref>''Jehovah’s Witnesses—Unitedly Doing God’s Will Worldwide'', p. 25-27</ref> Full-time staff at branch offices take a vow of poverty and are members of a [[Religious order#Jehovah's Witnesses|religious order]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=December 15, 1993|page=13|title=Trust in Jehovah!|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1993922}}</ref> Each branch is overseen by a committee of three or more elders, which is appointed by the Governing Body. A Service Department in each branch corresponds with congregations and supervises the work of traveling overseers. Branch offices may also have departments responsible for printing, translation, and legal representation.

Each branch office appoints various committees in its jurisdiction's communities, with local elders as members. Committees may include:
* ''[[Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions#Hospital Liaison Committees|Hospital Liaison Committee]]''
* ''[[Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions#Patient Visitation Groups|Patient Visitation Group]]''
* ''[[Kingdom Hall#Regional Building Committee|Regional Building Committee]]''
* ''Assembly Hall Committee''
* ''District Convention Committee''<ref>"Positions of Responsibility in the Organization", ''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', ©2005 Watch Tower, page 45</ref>
* ''[[Kingdom Hall#Disaster relief|Disaster Relief Committee]]''<ref>{{cite book|title=God Is Not Partial|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|date=2009|page=79|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102009052|quote=Branch Committees quickly organize the formation of relief committees to look after our brothers who may be affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.}}</ref>

==Traveling overseers==
Jehovah's Witnesses use the term ''traveling overseer'' to refer to headquarters representatives and circuit overseers, all of whom are elders. All traveling overseers are directly appointed by the Governing Body.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|title=Cooperating With the Governing Body Today|date=15 March 1990|page=20|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1990204}}</ref><ref>''African American Religious Cultures: A-R'' by Stephen C. Finley, Torin Alexander, Greenwood Publishing, ABC-CLIO, 2009, page 201</ref> A branch may appoint qualified local elders as "substitute" circuit overseers. Additional training is provided at their ''School for Traveling Overseers'', and ongoing pastoral care and instruction are provided to them by senior branch office representatives. In 1995, Witnesses reported that 4374 traveling overseers cared for 78,620 congregations, an average of about 18 congregations each.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—1996 Yearbook Report|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|date=1996|page=9|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/301996001|quote=4,374 care for assignments that require them to travel from one assembly to another in an assigned district or from one congregation to another in a circuit}}</ref>

The majority of traveling overseers are ''circuit overseers''; they oversee circuits of about twenty congregations, performing twice-yearly week-long visits with each.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=November 15, 1996|page=10|title=Traveling Overseers—Gifts in Men|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1996843}}</ref><ref name="Jehovah page 223">{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|page=223|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101993018}}</ref> During his visit, the circuit overseer delivers talks to the congregation and meets with the elders, ministerial servants, and pioneers. He is responsible for appointing new elders and ministerial servants, based on recommendations by elders.<ref name=w14Nov>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|pages=28–30|title=Questions From Readers|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014847}}</ref> He typically works with various members of the congregation in the house-to-house preaching work, and may also conduct personal Bible studies and pastoral calls.

Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed to "participate in a joyful interchange of encouragement" with traveling overseers,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 2007|page=8|title=An Interchange of Encouragement for All|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202007368}}</ref> and to render them "double honor", a biblical term<ref>(1 Timothy 5:17-18, [[New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures|NWT]]) "Let the older men who preside in a fine way be reckoned worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching. 18 For the scripture says: “You must not muzzle a bull when it threshes out the grain”".</ref> they believe includes cooperation and hospitality.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=January 15, 1987|page=29|title=The "Divine Peace" District Convention—Just What We Needed!|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1987048|quote=[T]raveling overseers...are, indeed, worthy of double honor because of their many duties. These include giving talks, helping out with problems, training brothers in witnessing, and visiting the physically or spiritually sick. Truly, all traveling overseers deserve our full cooperation and Lydialike hospitality.}}
</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Insight on the Scriptures Vol. 1|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|date=1988|page=1136|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002065|quote=Elders who worked hard in teaching were to be given “double honor,” which evidently included material aid. (1Ti 5:17, 18)}}</ref> Traveling overseers are generally members of a [[Religious order#Jehovah's Witnesses|religious order]] who have taken a vow of poverty; they are provided with vehicles, healthcare, and lodging, and their basic expenses are reimbursed by the congregations they visit.<ref>"Traveling Overseers—Fellow Workers in the Truth", ''Doing God's Will'', ©1986 Watch Tower, page 21</ref>

==Congregations==
Congregations are usually based on geographical area or language spoken and may have as few as ten or as many as two hundred members.<ref>''Jehovah's Witnesses in the Twentieth Century'', page 25</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=1983 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|page=118|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/301983003}}</ref><ref name="km_nov_2002">It is recommended but not required that members attend the congregation of the territory in which they reside. See {{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=November 2002|page=7|title=What are the advantages of attending the congregation that holds the territory where we live?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202002409}}</ref> Congregations meet for religious services at [[Kingdom Hall]]s, which may be shared by two or more congregations. If a small group of Witnesses is isolated by geography or language, it may have some or all of its meetings at a different time and place to the rest of the congregation, under the supervision of that congregation's body of elders. If a group intends to become a new congregation, the area's circuit overseer submits an application to the branch office.<ref>"Methods of Preaching the Good News", ''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', ©2005 Watch Tower, page 106-107</ref>

Each congregation is assigned a ''territory''; members are requested to attend the congregation of the territory in which they reside.<ref name="km_nov_2002" /> Members also meet in smaller "field service groups", often at private homes, prior to engaging in organized door-to-door preaching. Each field service group has an appointed "group overseer" (an elder) or "group servant" (a ministerial servant).<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 2008|page=1|title=New Congregation Meeting Schedule|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202008368}}</ref> Witnesses are instructed to devote as much time as possible to [[evangelism|preaching activities]] ("witnessing" or "field service") and to provide a monthly report to their congregation confirming their preaching activity.<ref>{{cite book| first1=Heather|last1=Botting|author1-link =Heather Botting |first2=Gary|last2=Botting|author2-link=Gary Botting | title = The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1984| pages = [https://archive.org/details/orwellianworldof0000bott/page/52 52]| url =https://archive.org/details/orwellianworldof0000bott| url-access=registration| isbn = 0-8020-2537-4}}</ref> For many years, these reports included the number of hours spent preaching, along with the amount of literature placed and the number of Bible studies conducted.<ref name=holdenminister>{{Harvnb|Holden|2002|pp=71–76}}.</ref> As of November 2023, most members are only required to report that they engaged in any preaching activity during the month as well as the number of Bible studies conducted; members who have agreed to a specific hour requirement&mdash;for example, ''pioneers''&mdash;still report the number of hours.<ref>{{cite web |title=News |url=https://www.jw.org/en/news/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008193423/https://www.jw.org/en/news/ |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |publisher=Watch Tower Society}}</ref> Jehovah's Witnesses consider all baptized Witnesses to be [[Minister (Christianity)|ministers]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=October 10, 1962|page=626|title=Is Every Witness a Minister?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1962762}}</ref> Participants in organized preaching activities are referred to as ''publishers''.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=September 1, 1965|page=533|title=True Worship Means Action|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1965644}}</ref> Only individuals who are approved and active as publishers are officially counted as members.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=February 2002|page=5|title=Preach the Word of God Fully|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202002044#h=19}}</ref>

Congregations are governed by local ''elders'',<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=January 1, 1972|page=9|title=Who Is Wise and Understanding Among You?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1972001}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=November 15, 1974|page=630|title=How Are Jehovah's Witnesses Different?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1974764}}</ref> who are assisted by ''ministerial servants''. Elders and ministerial servants are appointed in each congregation to handle various religious and administrative duties. Only male members may serve in the capacity of elder or ministerial servant. In smaller congregations, one man may handle multiple positions until another qualified candidate is available. Baptized female members may perform some of their duties only if a baptized male is unavailable; female Witnesses leading in prayer or teaching are required to wear a [[Christian headcovering#Jehovah's Witnesses|head covering]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=July 15, 2002|page=27|title=Questions From Readers|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002526|quote=While sharing in certain congregation activities, Christian women may need to wear a head covering. At a midweek meeting for field service, for example, there may only be Christian sisters present, no baptized males. There may be other occasions when no baptized males are present at a congregation meeting. If a sister has to handle duties usually performed by a brother at a congregationally arranged meeting or meeting for field service, she should wear a head covering.}}</ref>

===Elders===
Each congregation has a body of [[Elder (Christianity)|elders]], who are responsible for congregational governance, pastoral work, selecting speakers and conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating committees to investigate and decide [[Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline|disciplinary action]] for cases that are seen to breach scriptural laws.

There are no secular educational requirements for elders; however, training programs are offered for elders within the organization. Elders are considered "overseers" based on the biblical Greek term, ''[[Elder (Christianity)#episkopos|ἐπίσκοπος]]'' (''episkopos'', typically translated "[[bishop]]"). Prospective elders are recommended from among ministerial servants and former elders by the local elder body for appointment by the circuit overseer.

Particular roles within the body of elders include:

*''Congregation Secretary'': maintains congregation records, reports congregation activity to the branch office, advises the congregation about [[Jehovah's Witnesses practices#Assemblies and conventions|conventions and assemblies]], and oversees those handling accounts.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 1998|page=7|title=Overseers Taking the Lead—The Secretary|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201998364|quote=As a member of the Congregation Service Committee, he cares for the congregation’s communications and important records. ... He directly oversees those handling accounts and subscriptions as well as all convention-related matters.}}</ref>
*''Coordinator of the Body of Elders'': chairs elders' meetings, assigns duties and speakers for most congregation meetings, and cares for certain financial matters.
*''Group Overseers'': oversees groups for public preaching and [[pastoral care]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=June 2004|page=4|title=The Congregation Book Study—Why We Need It|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202004206}}</ref>
*''Life and Ministry Meeting Overseer'': ensures that the Life and Ministry Meeting is handled according to the instructions set by the Watch Tower Society and schedules student assignments.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Watch Tower Society|url=https://www.jw.org/en/library/jw-meeting-workbook/Instructions-for-Our-Christian-Life-and-Ministry-Meeting/Instructions-for-Our-Christian-Life-and-Ministry-Meeting/#link20|title=Instructions for Our Christian Life and Ministry Meeting|quote=An elder selected by the body of elders will serve as the Life and Ministry Meeting overseer.}}</ref>
*''Watchtower Study Conductor'': leads the weekly study of ''[[The Watchtower]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=December 1998|page=8|title=Overseers Taking the Lead—The Watchtower Study Conductor|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201998445}}</ref>
*''Operating Committee Members'': responsible for the care of the building and property of Kingdom Halls that are shared by two or more congregations.
*''Public Talk Coordinator'': schedules speakers and talks for public meetings and coordinates traveling speakers from his congregation.
*''Service Overseer'': organizes matters related to public preaching, and oversees those handling [[Jehovah's Witnesses publications|Witness literature]] and territories.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=September 1998|page=3|title=Overseers Taking the Lead—The Service Overseer|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201998323}}</ref>
*''Auxilary Counselor'': Gives private counsel (if needed) to elders and ministerial servants on any part they may give on stage. His goal is help them improve as teachers.

===Ministerial servants===
Ministerial servants, equivalent to [[deacon]]s, are appointed to assist the elders with routine work, including the supply of literature to the congregation, and accounts, maintaining the Kingdom Hall, and operating audiovisual equipment. They also present various parts at the meetings. Ministerial servants are appointed in a similar manner to elders.<ref name=pentongov />

The following roles are normally filled by ministerial servants:

*''Accounts Servant'': collects donations from contribution boxes after each meeting, deposits money, and pays bills.
*''Audio/Video Support Coordinator'':<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=September 1, 2000|page=26|title=My Heart Overflows With Gratitude|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1997647}}</ref> coordinates and schedules others to run microphones, handle the stage and podium, and operate audio/video equipment. Also ensures that the meeting is broadcast via Zoom or other service for the benefit of any who cannot attend in person.
*''Literature Servant'': distributes literature, and handles requests for special items, or yearly items for use by congregation members. May place special request orders for publishers in their own Kingdom Hall.
*''Cleaning Coordinator'': Oversees and schedules regular cleaning of the Kingdom Hall.
*''Territory Servant'': distributes territory maps for preaching and keeps records of all territories within the congregation's area.
*''Attendant/Security Servant'': greets visitors, seats latecomers, takes a count of attendance, and is responsible for climate control of the Kingdom Hall and parking lot security.
*''Christian Life and Ministry Assistant'': in larger congregation, appointed to help the Christian Life and Ministry Overseer. His duties can include sending out reminders for those who have parts, finding replacements for parts, handing out assignment slips. May also help with scheduling and as a Secondary School Counselor for student parts.
*''Group Servant'': assumes the role of Group Overseer when a sufficient number of elders is not available, under the supervision of the body of elders.

===Baptized publishers===
Baptized publishers are members who have been publicly [[baptism|baptized]] following [[Jehovah's Witnesses practices#Conversion|conversion to the faith]]. Jehovah's Witnesses do not practice infant baptism,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=15 March 1986|page=4&ndash;7|title=Should Babies Be Baptized?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1986201}}</ref> and previous baptisms performed by other denominations are not considered valid.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=July 1, 1956|page=406|title=Why One Must Be Baptized|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1956484}}</ref> Prior to baptism, they are required to respond to a series of questions to assess their suitability and to make a personal dedication to serve God.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=April 1, 2002|page=13|title=Why Be Baptized?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002243}}</ref> Baptisms are typically performed at [[Jehovah's Witnesses practices#Assemblies and conventions|assemblies and conventions]]. From the moment of baptism, the organization officially considers the person to be a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, and an ordained minister.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=January 15, 2001|page=12|title=Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2001049|quote=At their baptism, new disciples are ordained as ministers of Jehovah God. Who ordains them? ...Jehovah God himself!}}</ref>

Regular publishers do not have a specific quota of hours for preaching each month, but publishers are requested to "set goals such as reaching [the] national average of hours for publishers".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=November 1987|page=2|title=Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201987405}}</ref> Publishers are typically required to report at least one hour per month to be counted as a 'regular publisher'. Generally, only whole hours are reported and partial hours are carried over to the next month,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=September 1988|page=3|title=Report Field Service Accurately|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201988328}}</ref> though publishers limited by advanced age or serious health conditions may be allowed to report fifteen-minute increments.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 2014|page=1|title=Seize Your Opportunities to Spread the Kingdom Message!|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202014363}}</ref>

Publishers who fail to report for one month are termed "irregular"<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=December 1987|page=7|title=Helping Irregular Publishers|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201987447}}</ref> and those who do not report for six consecutive months are called "inactive".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 1982|page=1|title=Keep the Word of Jehovah Moving Speedily|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201982361}}</ref> The terms ''irregular'' and ''inactive'' are used to identify members in need of 'spiritual assistance' from congregation elders; those who are habitually 'irregular' or 'inactive' are usually restricted from serving in any special capacity. Yearly reports of congregation activity are compiled and published by the Watch Tower Society.

Baptized publishers considered to be exemplary may serve in various special preaching capacities:

*''{{visible anchor|Auxiliary Pioneers}}'': make a commitment of 15 or 30 hours of preaching activities for a given month. This can be performed on a per-month or ongoing basis.<ref name="hours">{{cite web|url=https://www.jw.org/en/resources-for-journalists/terminology-guide/|title=Terminology Guide|access-date=October 11, 2023|publisher=Watch Tower Society}}</ref>
*''{{visible anchor|Regular Pioneers}}'': make a commitment of 50 hours of preaching activity each month, totaling 600 hours for the year.<ref name="hours" /> For congregation elders to recommend the appointment of a regular pioneer, a publisher must be baptized for at least six months and be considered an exemplary member of the congregation. Members who have been [[Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline#Reproof|reproved]] or [[Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline#Reinstatement|reinstated]] in the last year may not serve as regular pioneers.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=August 1986|page=6|title=Continued Increase Calls for Simplification of Procedures|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201986285|quote=A full year must have passed from the time a judicial reproof was given or since reinstatement following disfellowshipping before one could be considered for auxiliary or regular pioneer service. Furthermore, a person who is currently under any restrictions by a judicial committee would not qualify for such pioneer service privileges until all restrictions are removed.}}</ref>
*''{{visible anchor|Special Pioneers}}'': assigned by a branch to perform a special activity, such as preaching in remote areas, which may require at least 130 hours per month. Special pioneers receive a stipend for basic living expenses.
*''{{visible anchor|Missionaries}}'': sent to foreign countries to preach. They spend at least 130 hours per month in preaching. Before assignment to a location, missionaries may receive training at [[Gilead School]]. [[Missionary#Jehovah's Witnesses missionaries|Missionaries]] receive a stipend for basic living expenses.

====Children====
When accompanied by adults, children of baptized Witnesses may participate in organized preaching without formally qualifying. However, only those recognized as publishers are counted in the denomination's official membership statistics.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 1992|page=7|title=To what extent may young children of Christian parents share in the field ministry before they are recognized as unbaptized publishers?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201992369|quote="Witness parents can decide to what extent a child can share in giving a witness as they work together. Children who are not yet recognized as unbaptized publishers should not make calls on their own or accompany other children in field service."}}</ref> Children of Witness parents may be asked to participate in demonstrations at congregation meetings and assemblies or as models and actors in materials published by the Watch Tower Society.<ref>"Meetings that Incite to Love and Fine Works", ''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', ©2005 Watch Tower, page 66</ref>

===Unbaptized publishers===
''Unbaptized publishers'' are persons who are not yet baptized, but who have requested and been granted approval to join in the congregation's formal ministry. They must demonstrate a basic knowledge of Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrines to the elders, state their desire to be a Jehovah's Witness and conform to the organization's moral standards.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=December 1, 1989|page=31|title=Questions From Readers|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1989889}}</ref> To qualify as an unbaptized publisher, an individual must already be "an active associate of Jehovah's Witnesses", regularly attending congregation meetings.<ref name="Jehovah's Will page 81">"Ministers of the Good News", ''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', ©2005 Watch Tower, page 81</ref>

Prior to 1988, unbaptized publishers were referred to as "approved associates", "unbaptized associates" or "regularly associating".<ref>"Subheading: Approved Associates", ''Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry'', ©1983 Watch Tower, pages 97-100</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 1975|page=8|title=Question Box|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201975371|quote=Rather, the persons referred to as "regularly associating" are those who have made some progress in the way of truth and who have been attending meetings regularly over a period of time.}}</ref> The terms were discontinued on the basis that meeting attendance on its own does not constitute approval of or commitment to the faith.<ref name="Jehovah's Will page 81"/><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=November 15, 1988|page=17|title=Helping Others to Worship God|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1988845|quote=Previously, an unbaptized person who qualified to share in the field ministry was termed an "approved associate." However, "unbaptized publisher" is a more accurate designation}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=February 15, 1989|page=29|title=Questions From Readers|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1989128}}</ref>

===Students===
The term ''Bible student'', sometimes informally referred to as a "Bible study",<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=November 1, 1992|page=26|title=See What Jehovah Has Done for Us!|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1992806}}</ref> is generally used by Witnesses to refer to an individual who takes part in their religious study program. The purpose of the Bible study program is for the student to become baptized as a Jehovah's Witness.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=April 2006|page=3|title=Conduct Progressive Doorstep and Telephone Bible Studies|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202006125}}</ref>

Students usually have their study with the same Witness for the duration of the study program, often being the member who first encounters them while preaching. Interested individuals initially contacted by a member of the opposite sex are typically assigned a study conductor of their own gender.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=May 1997|page=2|title=Question Box|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201997166}}</ref> A student typically meets with his or her study conductor once each week at the student's home or other suitable location, or via [[videotelephony|videoconferencing]]. The study program involves consideration of a Bible-based publication that addresses Jehovah's Witnesses' core beliefs.<ref name="What Does The Bible Really Teach">{{cite book|title=What Does The Bible Really Teach?|date=2005|page=7|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005130}}</ref>

Each paragraph is read aloud by the conductor or student, and the student answers pre-printed questions from the material in the paragraph. Students are encouraged to look up cited scriptures in the Bible and include them in their responses.<ref name="What Does The Bible Really Teach"/> Each Bible study is typically conducted with an individual or family,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/what-is-a-bible-study |title=FAQ: What Is a Bible Study |website=Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses |publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jw-media.org/aboutjw/article43.htm#person |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717012057/http://www.jw-media.org/aboutjw/article43.htm |archive-date=2012-07-17 |title=Our Ministry: Person-to-person ministry |website=Official media website of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|quote=If a Witness finds someone who is interested in learning more about the Bible, further discussions can be arranged, or an appointment for a weekly home Bible study can be made.}}</ref> though in some cases many people may take part.<ref>{{cite book|title=2008 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|page=231|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/302008006}}</ref> Students are invited to attend and even comment at congregation meetings.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=October 1986|page=7|title=Make Effective Use of New Brochure|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201986367}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=April 1997|pages=3–4|title=Directing Students to the Organization Behind Our Name|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/201997123}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=January 15, 2008|page=11|title=Pay Attention to Your "Art of Teaching"|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008043}}</ref> Students may also attend reading-improvement or literacy classes in congregations where these additional courses are held.<ref>"Chapter 7 Meetings that 'Incite to Love and Fine Works'", ''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', ©2005 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, subheading "Theocratic Ministry School", page 68</ref><ref>"Guidelines for School Overseers", Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education, ©2002 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, page 282</ref><ref>
{{cite book|title=Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|date=2002|page=21|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102001055}}</ref>

===Associates===
Individuals who attend meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses but are not involved in preaching are occasionally referred to in Watch Tower Society publications as "associates" or as being "associated with the congregation".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Our Kingdom Ministry|date=February 2007|page=8|title=Do Not Forget Those Who Are Inactive|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202007048}}</ref><ref>
{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=November 1, 2006|page=20|title=Unitedly Building to Praise God|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2006808}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Awake!|date=May 8, 1986|page=24|title=Are You Ready to Attend?|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101986329}}</ref> Attendance figures for Witness events include "Jehovah's Witnesses and associates";<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jw-media.org/geo/20000624.htm | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100615003354/http://www.jw-media.org/geo/20000624.htm | archive-date = June 15, 2010|title=Press release June 24, 2010 |website=Official media website of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=July 15, 2001|page=25|title=Blessings Are for the Righteous One|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2001526|quote=In the year 2000, over 14 million ''attended the Memorial'' of Jesus’ death [as commemorated by Jehovah's Witnesses]}}</ref> such statistics may be cited for comparison of Witness numbers with membership figures of other denominations,<ref>"Note about JW adherent/member/publisher statistics", ''Adherents.com'', {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19991002050242/http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_jw.html Retrieved 2010-08-12]}}, "[Their own] standard for being counted as a "member" means the Jehovah's Witness statistics are perhaps the most conservative figures presented by any religious group. A more realistic measure of how many "adherents" the group has can probably be obtained by looking at their Memorial attendance figures. These figures are simply the count of people at their yearly communion meeting. Attendance at a yearly meeting may not seem like a high standard for being counted as an adherent, but it is actually the standard used by groups such as Anglicans to issue estimates of "active" membership."</ref><ref>Only about half the number who self-identified as Jehovah's Witnesses in independent demographic studies are considered "active" by the faith itself. See [http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1101.asp The Association of Religion Data Archives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025161245/https://www.thearda.com/denoms/D_1101.asp |date=2020-10-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Religious Affiliation: Diverse and Dynamic | publisher=Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life |date=February 2008 | pages=9, 30|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2008/02/01/u-s-religious-landscape-survey-religious-affiliation/}}</ref> but only those sharing in their ministry are counted by Jehovah's Witnesses when reporting their official statistics.

Unbaptized individuals who attend meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses are not subject to congregation discipline, though elders may privately warn members of the congregation about individuals considered to constitute "an unusual threat to the flock."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=November 15, 1988|page=19|title=Helping Others to Worship God|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1988845}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs]]
* [[Jehovah's Witnesses practices]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.jw.org Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses]
* [http://wol.jw.org Watchtower Online Library], searchable editions of most current Jehovah's Witnesses publications
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/witnesses/structure/structure.shtml BBC: Jehovah's Witnesses - Structure]

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[[Category:Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses| ]]