Organizational Structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Congregations

Congregations

Congregations are usually based on geographical area or language spoken, and may have as few as ten or as many as two hundred members. In cities with more than one congregation, a city overseer may be appointed by the branch to take care of issues that affect congregations citywide; his responsibilities are limited, as the branch office usually deals directly with each congregation. Congregations meet for religious services at Kingdom Halls, which may be shared by two or more congregations. If a small group of Witnesses is isolated by geography or language, it may have some or all of its meetings at a different time and place to the rest of the congregation, under the supervision of that congregation's body of elders. Branch offices record and recognize geographically isolated and foreign-language groups. If a group intends to become a new congregation, the area's circuit overseer submits an application to the branch office.

Each congregation is assigned a territory; members are requested to attend the congregation of the territory in which they reside. Members also meet in smaller "field service groups", often at private homes, prior to engaging in organized door-to-door preaching. Each field service group has an appointed "group overseer" (an elder) or "group servant" (a ministerial servant). Witnesses are instructed to devote as much time as possible to preaching activities ("witnessing" or "field service"), and to provide a monthly report to their congregation summarizing their preaching activity. Jehovah's Witnesses consider all baptized Witnesses to be ministers. Participants in organized preaching activity are referred to as publishers. The Watchtower Society only counts as members those who are approved and active as publishers.

Congregations are governed by local elders, who are assisted by ministerial servants. Elders and ministerial servants are appointed in each congregation for handling various religious and administrative duties. Only male members may serve in the capacity of elder or ministerial servant. In smaller congregations, one man may handle multiple positions until another qualified candidate is available. Baptized female members may perform some of their duties only if a baptized male is unavailable; female Witnesses leading in prayer or teaching are required to wear a head covering.