Regarding Elder's and Ministerial Servants

The Governing Body says that all Elder's and Ministerial Servants are actually appointed by holy spirit working through them. Ultimately, they are the ones who decide who becomes Elder's and Ministerial Servants after the Circuit Overseers decide they are spiritual enough. Is this the way the Bible says it should be?

Question #1: Who Should Make Appointments in the Congregation?-Titus 1:5

"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct the things that were defective and might make appointments of older men in city after city, as I gave you orders."

Who is supposed to make appointments? "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you...might make appointments of older men in city after city." If Titus was the equivalent of our Circuit Overseers then it is obviously their job to make appointments, not the Governing Body.

Question #2: Are appointments actually made by holy spirit?-Acts 20:28

"Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God."

Yes, the Bible indicates that holy spirit does in fact appointed qualified men to positions of authority in the congregation of God. However, how can we be sure today if the men appointed were appointed in the power of the holy spirit or the power of the Governing Body? It all goes back to who is supposed to be the physical servant of God that the holy spirit works through. Obviously, the Bible does not agree with the idea that Elders and Ministerial Servants are appointed by the Governing Body. How can the holy spirit work through men who are blatantly going against the Holy Bible and taking responsibility that does not belong to them?

Question #3: What are the Qualifications for Elders?-1 Tim. 3:2-7; Tit. 1:6-9

"The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a lover of money, a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having children in subjection with all seriousness; (if indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of God’s congregation?) not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up [with pride] and fall into the judgment passed upon the Devil. Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from people on the outside, in order that he might not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil."

"If there is any man free from accusation, a husband of one wife, having believing children that were not under a charge of debauchery nor unruly. For an overseer must be free from accusation as God’s steward, not self-willed, not prone to wrath, not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, not greedy of dishonest gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sound in mind, righteous, loyal, self-controlled, holding firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching, that he may be able both to exhort by the teaching that is healthful and to reprove those who contradict."

There are numerous qualifications that a Christian man needs to have to be considered eligible for appointments. However, the Governing Body goes beyond these listed qualifications and adds more. How can we expect the holy spirit to assist in this if we are not following the spirit-inspired Word of God?-2 Peter 1:21

Question #4: "What are the Qualifications for Ministerial Servants?"-2 Tim. 3:8-10, 12

"Ministerial servants should likewise be serious, not double-tongued, not giving themselves to a lot of wine, not greedy of dishonest gain, holding the sacred secret of the faith with a clean conscience. Also, let these be tested as to fitness first, then let them serve as ministers, as they are free from accusation...Let ministerial servants be husbands of one wife, presiding in a fine manner over children and their own households."

Unfortunately, I was held back from being appointed for a long time because of things not on this list. The Elders in my hall were always complimenting me on my knowledge of the Scriptures (or knowledge of Watchtower Teachings) and could never give me a good reason why I was being held back. At first I let it bother me but then realized that being ministerial servant or elder was just not that important.

The point of this is that the Governing Body and Circuit Overseers are not following true "Biblical Theocratic Order." They bypass Bible teachings for what is better for them. Is this brother active enough in the field ministry, Do people look up to this brother, etc. Jehovah cannot bless this and the holy spirit, I am willing to bet, will not work through it because it is not the arrangement given us from the Scriptures.

We all can hope that one day we, as imperfect humans, can have true freedom in Christ to follow the Bible and Jehovah's preferred way. Yes, may the day come soon when we can "be as free people" in "our freedom which we have in union with Christ Jesus" to follow the Lord and our God the way they approve without fear of being expelled "from the synagogue", or congregation of God.-2 Pet. 2:16; Gal. 2:4; John 16:2

With Sincere Christian Love and Affection,
Brother Ebed Abodah

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