Representatives of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses

[The Librarian]

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Initially, the Governing Body directly appointed all congregation elders.[57] By 1975, the appointment of elders and ministerial servants was said to be "made directly by a governing body of spirit-anointed elders or by them through other elders representing this body."[58] In 2001, The Watchtower, stated:
 

• Today, therefore, the Governing Body appoints qualified brothers at the branches to represent it in making appointments of elders and ministerial servants. Care is taken that those acting representatively on behalf of the Governing Body clearly understand and follow the Scriptural guidelines for making such appointments. ...[R]ecommendations for appointment of overseers and ministerial servants are submitted to a branch office... Certain appointments may be transmitted by a letter bearing an official stamp from a legal entity. Such a letter may be used to appoint more than one brother in the congregation.[59]

The Governing Body continues to directly appoint branch office committee members and traveling overseers,[60] and only such direct appointees are described as "representatives of the Governing Body."[61][62] The April 1, 2007 The Watchtower stated that "the vast majority of [congregation elders] are appointed by representatives of the Governing Body".[63]