Offering practical guidance for new elders and helping church members better understand and support their spiritual leaders, this succinct volume will encourage elders to. I found it not simply informative but devotional, helpful to me as a. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock of god. Witmer also rightly explains that plural eldership provides a natural means of developing new churches, with elders and members who live in the. While working with the shepherding team, we recommend that you, as the pastor, launch a significant teaching series for congregation about the new testament church as seen in the book of acts and the epistles especially 1 timothy and titus. This book is as much a workbook as it is a textbook. Shepherd the flock of god secret elders book reddit. If a man is considering becoming an elder himself, or if he is currently serving as an elder and considering his affirmation of. In order to help elders fulfill this task, witmer recommends a comprehensive framework for shepherding and provides help in getting it started. New world translation of the holy scripturesawith references. Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial committee and disfellowship procedures. Third, we are starting a new element to the sunday morning congregational prayer by an elder. 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. Form the shepherding team biblical eldership resources.
This article is part of the 10 things you should know series 1. 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. At the same time, i have been looking for a book that would serve church members by encapsulating what to expect from their elders. 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. The book is primarily written for the new or impending elder, but would also benefit those who seek a basic understanding of the role of elders in the local church. It is a quick read and largely based on scripture not many other works are referenced. Rules in the 2010 publication for elders, shepherd the flock of god 1 peter 5. Subtle change in revised new world translation duration. Description church elders how to shepherd gods people like jesus. Biblical leadership in the new testament and beyond. Below are some excerpts of this updated version with my commentary.
This is the perfect kind of book to use for college or grad school in teaching this subject. Jehovahs witness new shepherd the flock of god book for elders was released earlier this year. 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. Elders are told to keep this information under lock and key. Jeramie rinne proves its possible to write both comprehensively and concisely about the office and ministry of church elders. This is the perfect kind of book to use for college or grad school in. View or download handbooks, manuals and textbooks used by elders of jehovahs witnesses. Feb 05, 2019 the jehovahs witnesses appear to have felt the mounting pressure to change their written policies on how to handle child abuse. Since the release of the new shepherding textbook, several elders have asked about the. This book is for elders only, as made clear in letter to elders, august 23, 2010, which states. Within minutes of the highly controlled release of the shepherd book it has been leaked onto the internet. Normally the body of elders holds four meetings a year.
You will note in chapter 5, paragraph 9, of the shepherding textbook that a change in ter. What moves elders to shepherd the flock of god willingly. They are truly gifts in men, a blessing to the congregation. The body of elders can arrange other meetings any time that circumstances necessitate. Sep, 2019 elders will also seek to have faceface contact with their groups. 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. 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. The handbooks are mainly used for judicial matters. Elders are to shepherd the flock of god, not under. The specific books can be generally agreed upon or each elder in turns determining the book to be selected. 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.
This is all the apostate lore that the minions fear. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock. A large portion of the book is devoted to the procedure for judicial committees and disfellowshipping. For example, new elders could be paired up with experienced elders to learn how to visit the sick or. Elders who unselfishly shepherd the flock of god are a source of spiritual refreshment to jehovahs people. This secret rule book is off limits, and elders must not divulge its contents to anyone, even close family members. 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. Interesting changes in the 2019 shepherd the flock of god. Shepherd the flock of god in your care watchtower online. 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. Jan 23, 2006 according to the new testament, elders are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church.
See letter dated march 16, 2015, to all bodies of elders regarding digital formats of this textbook. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses elders. I found it not simply informative but devotional, helpful to me as a pastor in my love for jesus and, by extension, his church. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses elder. It will become required reading for all new elders for sure. Aug 23, 2010 secret elders book in 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. Elders will also seek to have faceface contact with their groups. Both the old and new testaments repeatedly employ the metaphor of shepherding to describe the spiritual leadership of gods people. Our goal is for two membersfamilies of the esg of the elder for that day to be included in the congregational prayer. After all, the word pastor comes from the latin word meaning shepherd.
This would be a great book for current elders or pastors to go through together. Shepherd the flock of god watchtower online library. The elders read a suggested book related to being an elder or shepherding the church, with discussion on issues raised in the book. They are not to be viewed by anyone but themselves. When benjamin merkle and thomas schreiners book, shepherding gods flock. New secret elders book leaked to the internet kim mikey. The jehovahs witnesses appear to have felt the mounting pressure to change their written policies on how to handle child abuse. 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. From start to finish shepherding gods flock is a short considering the issues covered but packed book on the nature of baptist polity.
Shepherd the flock of god 2019 confidential handbook. Apr 08, 2015 new secret elders book leaked to the internet kim mikey. Published 2010 by watchtower bible and tract society of new york inc. The recurring theme that of the pastor as shepherd aims to demonstrate what the biblical notion of church leadership looks like. Spiral binding of shepherding textbook uear brothers. Each chapter is numbered, and each paragraph within the chapter is also numbered. Digital revisions of the shepherd book will be released every six months. 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. It is excellent in its treatment of the related biblical passages. 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. This book also instructs them on the appointment of new elders, what to do in case of a natural disaster, and so on. If you have any needs, your elder will be available to assist you.
Elder shepherding groups covenant presbyterian church. Shepherding gods flock helps pastors work through the practicalities of their shepherding role. This publication is divided into chapters, each pertaining to a particular aspect of your work. Yes, elders find joy in giving their wives loving care. 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. He writes this book is intended to provide a concise, biblical job description for elders. The 8 biggest shocks from the elders secret handbook. See letter dated october 7, 2010, to all bodies of elders regarding spiral binding of this textbook. Secret elders book in 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. 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.
Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial. In 2010, a new elders book shepherd the flock of god was released. Since the release of the new shepherding textbook, several elders have asked about the possibility of having their textbook spiral bound. This book was an honest and biblical introduction to what an elder is and what an elder does, applicable to every christian. Therefore i exhort the elders among you as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of christ and a partaker also of. The function and role of an elder is well summarized by alexander strauch in his book biblical eldership. Jw elders book shepherd the flock of god explains judicial committee and disfellowship procedures in 2010, a new elder s book shepherd the flock of god was released. 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. Jehovahs witness elder community as the shepherd book was printed april 2020. There is no objection if an elder personally spi ral binds or laminates his own textbook or does so for other elders.
You know in the new system were gonna need people like that in order to rebuild the world. Aug 30, 2018 it will become required reading for all new elders for sure. Those responsibilities put elders at the core of the work of the new testament church. Since this is a serious biblical command, we had better understand it well. Others among gods servants worldwide also are thankful for the continuing support and care they receive from those who shepherd the flock of god. New secret elders book leaked to the internet youtube. The handbook shepherd the flock of god deals with the structure, organization, and rules of the jehovahs witnesses. These documents are meant to be kept secret by the elders. Shepherd the flock of god secret jehovahs witnesses. The elders devote time to those in need of special attention. In this conversational book, pastor jeramie rinne sets forth an easytounderstand job description for elders drawn from the bibles teaching on church leadership. View or download secret jehovahs witness elder manuals, textbooks and. Shepherd the flock of god by watch tower bible and tract society.
Understandably, elders cannot afford to allow themselves to be consumed with business details, public relations, minor financial matters, and other particulars of the dayto. This information was sent to elders after the release of the book. 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. 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. 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.
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. Jehovahs witness new shepherd the flock of god book for elders. Secret elders book leak 2019 version shepherd the flock of. According to the new testament, elders are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church. I found this book so helpful that im asking all of our elders and pastoral interns to read it.
See also pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock. Written to the new elder who asks the question after. A shepherd the flock of goda has been designed as a handbook for elders to supply vital information that will help them care for congregation matters. Apr 22, 2015 when benjamin merkle and thomas schreiners book, shepherding gods flock. Moore gives valuable insights for pastors, but he intersperses penetrating discussion questions throughout his teaching. It would also be a good book to give to men who are training to be leaders in the church. In this concise and lucid book, church elders, jeramie rinne has done both. Elders manuals, branch manuals, and circuit overseer manuals. Shepherd the flock of god 2019 confidential handbook of. Yes, the elders do much good once they hear the ailing sheeps concerns and pray with him. Their duties include making shepherding calls on fellow believers.
Achieving effective shepherding in your church, by timothy witmer. Shepherd the flock of god thetruthofjehowaswittness. The book mentions consulting other publications but says nothing about consulting the. What tasks that pastors or elders do constitute shepherding. You know in the new system were gonna need people like that in order to rebuild the world after armageddon. Witmer divides his book into three sections that answer the questions why, what, and how.
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