Corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses

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A number of corporations are in use by Jehovah's Witnesses. They publish literature and perform other operational and administrative functions, representing the interests of the religious organization. "The Society" has been used as a collective term for these corporations.

The oldest and most prominent of their corporation names, "Watch Tower Society", has also been used synonymously with the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, even in their own literature.^[1] Particularly since 2000, Jehovah's Witnesses have maintained a distinction between their corporations and their religious organization.^[2]^[3] The primary corporations are operated by Governing Body "helpers" who implement its decisions.^[4]

^ Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace". Watch Tower Society. 1986. pp. 26–27. OCLC 15485620. That momentous date [that is, 1914] had been pointed forward to since 1876 by those who became associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. ... In all the warring nations [during World War I], the dedicated Christians who were associated with the Watch Tower Society came under tremendous pressure to abandon their resolve to keep free from bloodguilt.
^ "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. 15 January 2001. p. 29.
^ Isaiah's Prophecy—Light for All Mankind. Vol. 2. Watch Tower Society. 2001. p. 317.
^ ""Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear"". The Watchtower. October 15, 2015. p. 3. These helpers, from among the "other sheep," provide valuable support to the Governing Body. ... They attend the weekly meeting of the committee to which they are assigned, providing background information and offering suggestions. The Governing Body members make the final decisions, but the helpers implement the committee's direction and carry out whatever assignments they are given. The helpers accompany Governing Body members to special and international conventions. They may also be assigned to visit branch offices as headquarters representatives.

[1] Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace". Watch Tower Society. 1986. pp. 26–27. OCLC 15485620. That momentous date [that is, 1914] had been pointed forward to since 1876 by those who became associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. ... In all the warring nations [during World War I], the dedicated Christians who were associated with the Watch Tower Society came under tremendous pressure to abandon their resolve to keep free from bloodguilt.

[GB2001-2] "How the Governing Body Differs From a Legal Corporation". The Watchtower. 15 January 2001. p. 29.

[3] Isaiah's Prophecy—Light for All Mankind. Vol. 2. Watch Tower Society. 2001. p. 317.

[helpers-4] ""Keep Holding Men of That Sort Dear"". The Watchtower. October 15, 2015. p. 3. These helpers, from among the "other sheep," provide valuable support to the Governing Body. ... They attend the weekly meeting of the committee to which they are assigned, providing background information and offering suggestions. The Governing Body members make the final decisions, but the helpers implement the committee's direction and carry out whatever assignments they are given. The helpers accompany Governing Body members to special and international conventions. They may also be assigned to visit branch offices as headquarters representatives.

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