Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom (book), “Chapter 15: Development of the Organization Structure”, 1993, pp. 204-235, p. 210 (1881/1884); p. 218 ('strictly theocratic'); p. 229 (1896, 1909, 1914); pp. 234-235 (1971-1976 committees)

Primary JW publication Verified

Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom (book), “Chapter 15: Development of the Organization Structure”

1993 · pp.204-235 · p. 210 (1881/1884); p. 218 ('strictly theocratic'); p. 229 (1896, 1909, 1914); pp. 234-235 (1971-1976 committees) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

“Jehovah’s organization is in no wise democratic. Jehovah is supreme, and his government or organization is strictly theocratic. [p. 218] … Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society … legally registered “December 15, 1884” [p. 210]; name changed to “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society” in 1896; “Peoples Pulpit Association” formed 1909; “International Bible Students Association” incorporated in London on June 30, 1914 [p. 229]”

Official organisational history including the 6 September 1971 decision to rotate the Governing Body chairmanship and the December 1975 creation of six Governing Body committees.

Official source (opens in new tab)

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened the official jw.org page; page numbers taken from the page's own markers as reported. Quotations of dates are short extracts, some paraphrased in the quoteContext.

Corroborated by. src-jworg-2026-0000-faq-watchtower-society

Notes. Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society formed 1881; incorporated 1884.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-jv-1993-0000-development-organization-structure