Jehovah Witnesses, how many of you have read "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to all the Flock"?

Question

This is not a question to ignite controversy. So please do not respond as if you are being attacked. I'm just curious.

The Governing Body of Jehovah Witnesses and Society leaders, have all received an elders' manual entitled: Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock.

Why is it, the majority of witnesses I've spoken to have never heard of this publication when I ask them about it? Would it be an issue to offer this manual to any witness who would like to read it, even if they are not an Elder or other congregational leader? Or is it available to all witnesses?

Without having access to the guidelines these gentlemen are following, how would prospective and current members know if one has strayed from what is appropriate within their organization? Were U.S. citizens not privy to the guidelines our President must follow, I can't imagine the consequences.

There is also another book provided only to the Governing Body. Does anyone know the name of that one? I'm not certain, so don't quote me, but I don't think Elders even have access to it.

A friend of mine is no longer a witness and has all the cd's offered, as she was a witness for 30 years. We could not find any by this name. Where should she look, as it's possible we've overlooked something, if in fact you do have it on cd? Thanks

My last question was in response to Adam, or anyone who has the answer.

Answer 1

That is a top secret book that only the Jehovah's Witness Elders have copies of.I have tried to get a copy from the local JW's,but they won't give it.
Update:There has been a rumor of one,but I haven't never seen it.

Answer 2

There is nothing secretive about any of the books you mentioned. It is called "organization."
Those who devote themselves to full time ministry also receive "a book". It is called "illuminators". This can only be received by those who after their first year of full time ministry attend a special training school to help them be better teachers. It is a privilege that is EARNED, it is not a right. All of the information contained in the book can be found in the publications provided by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the references are just combined so that those who attend will be prepared for the discussions which will take place at the school.
As far as the "Pay Attention" book you spoke of, all elders receive one of these. It is a privilege, not a right to have one of these books as well. It teaches them how to be good "shepherds". They take this very seriously, because this is an appointment, they have to work hard to become elders in the congregation. They do this willingly, just as 1 Peter 5:1-3 describes. Shepherding “the flock of God” as an elder is an exacting work. The high standards to be met in order to qualify for such a privilege are clearly set out at 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. Not just any brother can serve in this capacity, because only spiritual men can properly shoulder this responsibility. They are men who are willing to do good for others, they usually do so wholeheartedly, exerting themselves and going out of their way to serve the interests of those in the congregation. A willing elder gives freely of his time and energies. They are not paid. They have full time jobs and families. Inorder to take care of their responsiblities, they need to be trained. All of the information they receive is the same that we receive. There are even regular study articles in the Watchtower magazine that will highlight how an elder is supposed to "shepherd the flock." No secrets. We all know about it.
Jehovah's Witnesses are very organized people. If there were no instructions, there would be chaos.
Wouldn't you want the person who was taking care of you to be trained?

Answer 3

I just wanted to say two things.
First her name is "Adam's rib" not "Adam".
Get it? Adam's rib=women. lol
Secondly I've been reading a lot of these topics and this the first time I have ever heard Achtung refer to personal experiences.
I can't remember him ever using the word "I'.
Although it makes sense that the elders would have books telling them how to fulfill there jobs that don't pertain to others.

Answer 4

One of the favorite tactics of anti-Witnesses is pretending that Jehovah's Witnesses is some kind of secret organization that keeps its members in the dark about important things.

That is simply not true.

Every Jehovah's Witness can acquire robust tools to research the tiniest details of his religion's belief system, and his organization's history. Significant organizational changes are communicated to congregations (not just elders) by means of regular announcements in "Our Kingdom Ministry" (an internal newsletter for all Witnesses under a particular branch office) and letters to the congregations.

But a typical Witness understands and accepts that his congregation elders may receive direction that plainly and truly has little connection with doctrinal matters, but only with practical matters. Such matters may be confidential, but only because they have no real effect on worship or Christian life.

For example, everyone among Jehovah's Witnesses well-understands what the bible teaches about serious sin and disfellowshipping: an unrepentant sinner disqualifies himself from continued spiritual association. Imagine a hypothetical situation in which the branch office writes a letter to the bodies of elders and instructs them that the mail service in their country has become less expeditious and so a person who is disfellowshipping now has ten days instead of the previous seven to appeal. The hypothetical matter is likely to be kept confidential since the adjustment applies only in that particular country, and only applies to persons about to be disfellowshipped. Is this change a doctrinal one, or a practical one?


When I first became interested in learning about the Witnesses, apostate former Jehovah's Witnesses ominously 'dangled' what they claimed was:
1. "the secret elders book" (entitled, "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock")
2. "the secret Bethelite booklet" (entitled "Dwelling Together in Unity"); and
3. "the secret branch office book" (entitled "Branch Organization")

While I had no way to verify the authenticity of the electronic copies I was given, at the time I had (and continue to have) no real reason to doubt that the copies I read were authentic.

The books were dry and boring.

The "secret Bethelite booklet" was almost painful to read, since its main thrust was on hygiene and being conscientious in the work assignment. It was a combination of a 'new employee manual' and 'dormitory rules' and 'health handout' from school.

The "secret branch office book" had smaller-size pages and just discussed about the different committees that would function in a branch office and what each would be responsible for, and on what kind of schedules they should do different things.

About half of the "secret elders book" counseled the elder himself (urging him to be Christlike in his personality, his habits, his family life, etc); there was nothing there that hasn't been in a thousand Watchtower magazines. Maybe half the rest is on counseling congregation members who have problems; none of it was very specific and literally every sentence had one or two Scriptures. Approximately the last quarter of the book is on the mechanics of committees, assemblies, and conventions, and working with traveling overseers and branch offices.

I remember all of these publications as being plainly labeled for its specific audience. As I gained respect for Jehovah's Witnesses, I also began to respect their wishes and so I no longer have copies of these publications. I would encourage others to also respect the wishes of the copyright holders.

Incidentally, apostate former Witnesses have worked to squander whatever credibility they might otherwise have had, by spreading the most outrageous slander and preposterous innuendo against anything and everything associated with Jehovah's Witnesses. At this point it seems only a matter of time before an anti-Witness creates apocryphal copies of these publications that actual *DO* contain troubling information, if the enemies of Jehovah's Witnesses have not already done so.

Answer 5

I will ask a friend about this rumored book. It doesn't seem surprising their might be books made specificly for sheperds. Just as there are books made for Doctors, that are not distributed to everyone, Sheperds have the same basic job. Helping to maintain health.

Answer 6

I think you would be curious yourself to know the internal architecture of things, it is being even diffcult for J.W's to analyse the privacy matters of governing body.

because its secert. But it would be known in appropriate time

example:

jesus arrived in 1914 and became the king, but many people belive today jesus will come and they would see them. But the annoited ones have the legal to know that" - mathew 24:45-47

But after years it is reavealed for J.W's that jesus came in 1914.