What is Jehovah's Witness social organisation?

Answer 1

All in the congregations are "brothers and sisters." There is no paid clergy. All are volunteers. Those who are appointed as "elders" who take the lead in the congregation. These must meet scriptural qualifications as outlined in 1 Timotyhy 3:1-7. Each congregation has a body of elders that could consist of 3 or 4, right on up to 12 or 13 elders, depending on the size of the congregation and how many there are in the congregation that qualify. If a congregation has a shortage of elders, there may be requests made throughout the region for qualified ones to come to help where there is a need.

The elders are assisted by "ministerial servants." There are ususally several minsterial servants in the congregation as well. Often the ministerial servants are regarded as elders in training.

Our congregations are grouped into circuits of about 20-25 congregations. They are served by a traveling elder nown as a Circuit Overseer. He visits each congregation in his circuit for a week long visit twice a year. His concern is keeping the organization in unity. He encourages and upbuilds the brotherhood, and gives special talks. He also works directly with the elders to help with any issues taht may need resolving. The Circuit Overseer's visit is something taht we all look forward to.

Circuits are grouped into districts. A district will consist of several circuits, and it will be looked after by a District Overseer. The District Overseer works in a way similar as the Circuit Overseer, but on a district level.

All are volunteers who do not receive a salary for their services. This allows the entire organization runs very efficiently and concentrate all it's resources on publishing the good news of God's Kingdom.

Several districts will be grouped under a branch office that will be looked after by a Zone Overseer. A branch office may have a territory assigned to it that will be a country, or several countries.

The branch offices report to the Governing Body, which oversees that worldwide activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Governing Body is a group of qualified elders at the world headquarters.

I have to add the following because I do not think the question referred to the hierarchy formation of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The above given answer is correct, however, let me add that there is no FORMAL social organization (programs, activities, secular education, financial help, shelter and the likes) provided by either the head quarters or by each congregation, to be given to their children, teenagers, parents, elderly, etc. Only in extreme emergencies like earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. the H.Q. will send help from the donations given by all the brothers around the world. These funds are placed in a world wide fund account maintained at finantial institutions chosen by the H.Q.

I am not completely sure what is meant by social structure, because we do not have any divisions, either socially or otherwise.If you are referring to the leadership structure, then I can answer your question.First, no one who takes the lead in the organization assumes any title of superiority such as "Father, Reverend, Pastor," or otherwise. Nobody wears any special garb that distiguishes them from anyone else. All in the congregation who take the lead are called "brothers, "just like everyone else. In fact, those who take the lead are considered servants to the congregation. Rather than it being a position of leadership, it is a position of servitude.In the congregation, there is a body of spiritually qualified men called "elders." The number of these will vary by congregation depending on the size of the congregation and how many there are who meet the qualifications of an elder as outlined in the scriptures at 1 Timothy chapter 3. These work together as one body to watch out for the spiritual interests of the congregation. They are assisted by ministerial servants. Ministerial servants must likewise qualifiy by the standards set forth in the scriptures. In fact, ministerial servants must meet the same standards as elders, except they are not neccessarily used to teach. Often ministerial servants are considered to be elders in training.The congregation elders work under the direction of the Governing Body, which is the body of elders that oversee the worldwide activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. They use servants called Circuit Overseers, District Overseers, and Zone Overseers, some of which travel between congregations, circuits, districts, and branches. By using these appointed overseers, the Governing Body can direct the affairs of the worldwide brotherhood of over 100,000 congregation in over 230 countries and provinces, and the entire organization of over 7 million Jehovah's Witnesses stays in unity.We believe that the Governing Body is directed by Jesus Christ, whom The Bible calls the 'head of the congregation.'(Colossians 1:18)