A eleição foi encerrada por completo em 1938 e, em 1971, o título de ancião foi restabelecido, com um corpo de anciãos em cada congregação nomeado pelo Corpo Governante; os próprios relatos da organização datam esse último passo de 1971 num lugar e de 1972 em outro.

“There was the question of who should serve as elders and deacons in the congregations. To get away from the hierarchical structure prevalent in Christendom, it was concluded that these should be elected democratically by the vote of the members of each congregation. But increasing light contained in The Watchtower of September 1 and of October 15, 1932, showed that the Scriptures do not provide for elective elders.”

“From the 1870’s to 1932, elders and deacons were voted into office by members of the congregation. In 1932 the elective elders were replaced with a service committee elected by the congregation to assist an appointed service director. During 1938, arrangements were made for the theocratic appointment of all servants in the congregation.”