Jehovahs Witnesses - Shepherd the Flock of God (sfl-E-202010)

(1 Pet. 5:2, 3) Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers,* not under compulsion, but willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; not lording it over those who are Gods inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.

Or carefully watching over it.

(1 Cor. 1:10) Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.

(1 Pet. 5:2) Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers,* not under compulsion, but willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly;

Or carefully watching over it.

(John 10:11) I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his life in behalf of the sheep.

(Eph. 5:1) Therefore, become imitators of God, as beloved children,

(1 Pet. 2:21) In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.

(1 Pet. 2:25) For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.*

Or lives.

(1 Pet. 5:4) And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

(2 Cor. 1:24) Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.

Jehovah has appointed Jesus Christ as head of the Christian congregation. () Your accepting Jesus as head of the congregation promotes cooperation and unity on the body. You demonstrate submission to Christs headship when you do the following:

1. (1) Seek to understand and apply Bible laws and principles..

2. (2) Obey direction from the faithful and discreet slave and from overseers appointed to take the lead, such as those at the branch office and the circuit overseer..

3. (3) Listen carefully to the expressions of fellow elders..

4. (4) Deal in a kind and loving manner with each individual in the congregation, including fellow elders. Do not impose personal viewpoints or arbitrary rules on others..

5. (5) Open and close all meetings of the body of elders with prayer. Pray again if a discussion of the body of elders seems to falter..

The responsibilities of the body of elders include the following:

1. (1) Making recommendations for the appointment and deletion of elders and ministerial servants..

2. (2) Deciding the number of field service groups and who will serve as group overseers and assistants..

3. (3) Deciding the subjects of local needs parts and who should present them..

4. (4) Deciding who should serve as the secretary, the service overseer, the Watchtower Study conductor, and the Life and Ministry Meeting overseer. Deciding who, if anyone, should assist or substitute for these brothers or the coordinator of the body of elders in their assignments.See Chapters 3-6 and .

5. (5) Deciding who should serve as the auxiliary counselor and, if needed, the counselors for auxiliary classes.See .

6. (6) If the Kingdom Hall is used by only one congregation, deciding who should serve as the maintenance coordinator. If the Kingdom Hall is used by multiple congregations, selecting a brother or brothers to serve on the Kingdom Hall Operating Committee..

7. (7) Deciding who should serve as the accounts servant, the literature servant, the territory servant, the cleaning coordinator, the public talk coordinator, and any brothers who assist them.

8. (8) Deciding who will receive additional privileges and responsibilities, such as reading at the Watchtower Study, reading at or conducting the Congregation Bible Study, serving as chairman for the midweek meeting or weekend meeting, handling nonstudent assignments at the midweek meeting, serving as an attendant, passing microphones, offering public prayer, conducting meetings for field service, and so forth.

9. (9) Deciding who is approved to deliver public talks in the local congregation and who is approved to give public talks in other congregations. Deciding whether a ministerial servant should deliver his first public talk by means of a symposium..

10. (10) Assigning two elders to investigate accusations of serious wrongdoing, determining whether serious wrongdoing requires a judicial committee, and choosing who will serve on the committee, including who will serve as chairman. (.