In 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. Elders in the congregations of jehovahs witnesses are provided with a book of instructions on how to handle certain matters within the congregation, especially judicial matters, meaning sins that may warrant their counsel. If you have any needs, your elder will be available to assist you. Elders are to shepherd the flock of god, not under. If a man is considering becoming an elder himself, or if he is currently serving as an elder and considering his affirmation of. The governing body of jehovahs 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. Yes, elders find joy in giving their wives loving care. The book mentions consulting other publications but says nothing about consulting the. Shepherd the flock of god 2019 confidential handbook of. In order to help elders fulfill this task, witmer recommends a comprehensive framework for shepherding and provides help in getting it started. Elders manuals, branch manuals, and circuit overseer manuals. Witmer also rightly explains that plural eldership provides a natural means of developing new churches, with elders and members who live in the. Others among gods servants worldwide also are thankful for the continuing support and care they receive from those who shepherd the flock of god. 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.
Normally the body of elders holds four meetings a year. Elders are told to keep this information under lock and key. A few have taken the position that the word elders in the new testament was simply a reference to the older men of the congregation. Shepherd the flock of god 2019 confidential handbook. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses elder. Rules in the 2010 publication for elders, shepherd the flock of god 1 peter 5. When the body of elders discusses a matter, christ by means of the holy spirit can influence any elder to make an expression that contributes to a wise decision, one that may not have been reached if the elders had been consulted individually. The elders devote time to those in need of special attention.
Therefore i exhort the elders among you as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of christ and a partaker also of. I found it not simply informative but devotional, helpful to me as a pastor in my love for jesus and, by extension, his church. This article is part of the 10 things you should know series 1. Elders will also seek to have faceface contact with their groups. Aug 23, 2010 secret elders book in 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. This is all the apostate lore that the minions fear. Both the old and new testaments repeatedly employ the metaphor of shepherding to describe the spiritual leadership of gods people. I believe this is the first book ive read by jeramie rinne and i found his writing to be clear, informed, and mixed with just the right amount of lightheartedness. Yes, the elders do much good once they hear the ailing sheeps concerns and pray with him. Jan 23, 2006 according to the new testament, elders are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church. See also pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock. This book is as much a workbook as it is a textbook. Those responsibilities put elders at the core of the work of the new testament church.
Feb 05, 2019 the jehovahs witnesses appear to have felt the mounting pressure to change their written policies on how to handle child abuse. This is the perfect kind of book to use for college or grad school in. Below are some excerpts of this updated version with my commentary. This book also instructs them on the appointment of new elders, what to do in case of a natural disaster, and so on. Shepherding gods flock helps pastors work through the practicalities of their shepherding role. View or download handbooks, manuals and textbooks used by elders of jehovahs witnesses. Aug 30, 2018 it will become required reading for all new elders for sure. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses. In this concise and lucid book, church elders, jeramie rinne has done both. Youve probably heard of the 1040 window, the term referring to those countries that fall between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator and have historically presented the greatest challenges to christian missions. Shepherd the flock of god thetruthofjehowaswittness. Elders who unselfishly shepherd the flock of god are a source of spiritual refreshment to jehovahs people. This is a great overview of shepherding in the bible and throughout church history with applications for the church today. Misunderstandings about elders some people do not understand that the word elder as used in the new testament is a metaphor.
They are not to be viewed by anyone but themselves. As an elder in a local church i am always on the look out for books that will help me and my team better serve our congregation. Form the shepherding team biblical eldership resources. These documents are meant to be kept secret by the elders. For example, new elders could be paired up with experienced elders to learn how to visit the sick or. Jehovahs witness new shepherd the flock of god book for elders. Interesting changes in the 2019 shepherd the flock of god. Apr 22, 2015 when benjamin merkle and thomas schreiners book, shepherding gods flock. What tasks that pastors or elders do constitute shepherding. 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. It would also be a good book to give to men who are training to be leaders in the church.
New secret elders book leaked to the internet kim mikey. It is a quick read and largely based on scripture not many other works are referenced. Since this is a serious biblical command, we had better understand it well. This book is for elders only, as made clear in letter to elders, august 23, 2010, which states.
This publication is divided into chapters, each pertaining to a particular aspect of your work. It will become required reading for all new elders for sure. This is the perfect kind of book to use for college or grad school in teaching this subject. I found this book so helpful that im asking all of our elders and pastoral interns to read it. This secret rule book is off limits, and elders must not divulge its contents to anyone, even close family members.
The handbooks are mainly used for judicial matters. A large portion of the book is devoted to the procedure for judicial committees and disfellowshipping. See letter dated october 7, 2010, to all bodies of elders regarding spiral binding of this textbook. Elder shepherding groups covenant presbyterian church. The elders read a suggested book related to being an elder or shepherding the church, with discussion on issues raised in the book. He says on page 2 of this book, the simple thesis of this book is, the fundamental responsibility of church leaders is to shepherd gods flock. This book was an honest and biblical introduction to what an elder is and what an elder does, applicable to every christian. The handbook shepherd the flock of god deals with the structure, organization, and rules of the jehovahs witnesses. Achieving effective shepherding in your church, by timothy witmer. Since the release of the new shepherding textbook, several elders have asked about the. There is no objection if an elder personally spi ral binds or laminates his own textbook or does so for other elders. At the same time, i have been looking for a book that would serve church members by encapsulating what to expect from their elders.
Subtle change in revised new world translation duration. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses elders. Shepherd the flock of god secret elders book reddit. The specific books can be generally agreed upon or each elder in turns determining the book to be selected. Spiral binding of shepherding textbook uear brothers. Description church elders how to shepherd gods people like jesus. The function and role of an elder is well summarized by alexander strauch in his book biblical eldership.
The recurring theme that of the pastor as shepherd aims to demonstrate what the biblical notion of church leadership looks like. Elders that require a printed copy of the shepherd book item number 5436 or the mnemonic sfl will be sent a copy wrapped to ensure confidentiality and delivered to the coordinator of the body of elders. New secret elders book leaked to the internet youtube. According to the new testament, elders are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church. Apr 08, 2015 new secret elders book leaked to the internet kim mikey. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock of. This information was sent to elders after the release of the book.
Each chapter is numbered, and each paragraph within the chapter is also numbered. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock. Biblical leadership in the new testament and beyond is a collection of essays intended to take a step back and to consider what the scriptures teach about leadership. Written to the new elder who asks the question after. The body of elders can arrange other meetings any time that circumstances necessitate. View or download secret jehovahs witness elder manuals, textbooks and. Offering practical guidance for new elders and helping church members better understand and support their spiritual leaders, this succinct volume will encourage elders to. Jehovahs witness elder community as the shepherd book was printed april 2020.
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. What moves elders to shepherd the flock of god willingly. This would be a great book for current elders or pastors to go through together. After all, the word pastor comes from the latin word meaning shepherd. When benjamin merkle and thomas schreiners book, shepherding gods flock. Shepherd the flock of god in your care watchtower online. Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial committee and disfellowship procedures. The secretive nature of this book and protective measures that are to be taken is carefully detailed in writing when new elders receive their copy. You know in the new system were gonna need people like that in order to rebuild the world after armageddon. The jehovahs witnesses appear to have felt the mounting pressure to change their written policies on how to handle child abuse.
Third, we are starting a new element to the sunday morning congregational prayer by an elder. Jehovahs witness new shepherd the flock of god book for elders was released earlier this year. See letter dated march 16, 2015, to all bodies of elders regarding digital formats of this textbook. It is excellent in its treatment of the related biblical passages. Shepherd the flock of god watchtower online library. Our goal is for two membersfamilies of the esg of the elder for that day to be included in the congregational prayer. Mar 05, 2015 as an elder in a local church i am always on the look out for books that will help me and my team better serve our congregation.
Since the release of the new shepherding textbook, several elders have asked about the possibility of having their textbook spiral bound. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock of god. Since the release of the new shepherding textbook, several elders have asked about the possibility of having their textbook spiral bound if he has another baptized brother who is not an elder do the work for him, the elder must watch while the work is being done. From start to finish shepherding gods flock is a short considering the issues covered but packed book on the nature of baptist polity. They are truly gifts in men, a blessing to the congregation. Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial. You will note in chapter 5, paragraph 9, of the shepherding textbook that a change in ter. Their duties include making shepherding calls on fellow believers. Witmer divides his book into three sections that answer the questions why, what, and how. Shepherd the flock of god by watch tower bible and tract society. Moore gives valuable insights for pastors, but he intersperses penetrating discussion questions throughout his teaching.
Published 2010 by watchtower bible and tract society of new york inc. Shepherd the flock of god 2019 confidential handbook of jehovahs witness elders 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. New world translation of the holy scripturesawith references. You know in the new system were gonna need people like that in order to rebuild the world. Jeramie rinne proves its possible to write both comprehensively and concisely about the office and ministry of church elders. Digital revisions of the shepherd book will be released every six months. Within minutes of the highly controlled release of the shepherd book it has been leaked onto the internet. Understandably, elders cannot afford to allow themselves to be consumed with business details, public relations, minor financial matters, and other particulars of the dayto.