What is Legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses?

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A number of corporations are in use by Jehovah's Witnesses. They deal with legal issues and represent the interests of the religious organization.

Contents

1 Main corporations

1.1 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
1.2 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
1.3 International Bible Students Association

2 Other corporations

2.1
2.2 Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses
2.3 Kingdom Support Services, Inc.

3 See also:
4 External links

Main corporations

Note: Watch Tower in Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is two words, while Watchtower in Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York is one word.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1881, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania remains the main legal entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses and holds copyrights to most literature published by Jehovah's Witnesses. It is also known as:

Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
Watchtower Society

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Founded in 1909 when the headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses moved to Brooklyn, the New York incorporation is a not-for-profit that publishes most of the literature distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses, including The Watchtower in 153 languages. It also acts as a legal representative and agent for Jehovah's Witnesses. It is also known as:

People's Pulpit Association (1909-1939)
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc. (1939- 1956)
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc (WTB&TS) (since 1956).

International Bible Students Association

Founded in 1914 in London, England, the International Bible Students Association was the first legal corporation representing Jehovah's Witnesses in Europe.

Other corporations

According to the "Our Kingdom Ministry" (brochure distributed by Watchtower only to active Jehovah's Witnesses) of January 2002, page 7, the Governing Body has approved the formation of the following:

Incorporated 2000
President William L. Van De Wall
Vice Presidents Charles I. Woody, Leon Weaver, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer William H. Nonkes
Directors Harold K. Jackson, Merton V. Campbell, Stanley F. Weigel
Purpose: to specialize in matters dealing with the appointment of elders and ministerial servants, and other "spiritual" congregational matters.

Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses

Incorporated 2000
President Patrick J. LaFranca
Vice Presidents Peter D. Molchan, Ralph E. Walls
Secretary/Treasurer Joseph D. Mercante
Directors Marvin G. Smalley, Kenneth J. Pulcifer, Eugene D. Rosam, Jr.
Purpose: giving particular attention to those in special full-time service: Bethel volunteers, missionaries, traveling overseers, special pioneers; and assembly halls.

Kingdom Support Services, Inc.

Incorporated 2000
President Harold L. Corkern
Vice Presidents Alan D. Janzen, Robert L. Butler
Secretary/Treasurer Alexander W. Reinmueller
Directors James F. Mantz, Jr., Thomas Kalimeris, Alan G. Browning
Purpose: to deal with construction of Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls, other engineering needs, and vehicles

:Note: These are in addition to the Pennsylvania and New York corporations.

Aside from all of these, many other legal entities are used throughout the world to further the interests of Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, [Wachtturm-Gesellschaft, Selters/Taunus] to produce literature using the German branch office (which supplies a large portion of the world) or Jehovas vittnen - Bibelsällskapet Vakttornet to promote the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Sweden.

External links

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