Posted by Friend [Friend] on March 29, 1999 at 08:32:49 {OgnjR4Br/gApi4Rsf.wAMWvBao8LWLRQ.}:
In Reply to: Re: Elder's manual posted by Harold on March 28, 1999 at 21:56:39:
Harold
Could anyone tell me what is the reason that the WTS doesn't want anyone but elders to know the contents of the elder's manual?
Content of the book Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock (ks91) is essentially a gathering together of various information found throughout WTS publications. As far as contents go, I don�t know of any major pieces of information in the ks91 not found elsewhere in publications available to JW publishers. In fact, for the most part, greater detail on topics covered in the ks91 textbook can be found in publications like The Watchtower, Our Kingdom Ministry and Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry.
The only example of a similar secular publication I can think of is an internal Risk Management Manual produced by and for business establishments where those same establishments also have published personnel policies. In the case of JWs, the ks91 textbook serves the role of the Risk Management Manual and publications available to individual publishers serve as published personnel policies.
Basically the ks91 textbook is part of a training school called Kingdom Ministry School for Elders. Getting a copy is part of the training associated with that school. Fundamentally the ks91 textbook is a risk management manual. It�s an instruction manual addressing how to apply policies and handle claims, changes and problems. Litigatory issues encourage dissemination of such a focused manual only among those trained to use it�in this case, JW elders (managers in this context). From a legal perspective congregation elders are those who are duly charged and trained for exercising WTS policy.
Given the litigious nature of society these days, it�s hard for me to understand why people chaff at the existence of such a manual as I�ve described. Any organization today has a legitimate right to protect itself under the law. In my opinion, the ks91 textbook is such an attempt. It provides concise and needed directions to elders, and serves as a Risk Management Manual. Combined, the nature of the book and its availability serve as tangible evidence that the WTS makes genuine effort at training its mangers (elders), something of value in the world of litigation.
Friend