Terminology Guide

assembly
See entry: circuit assembly.
Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
A large place of worship owned by Jehovah’s Witnesses that is used for periodic meetings attended by multiple congregations within a designated region. It can be referred to as an “Assembly Hall.”
Awake!
A magazine published and distributed by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Originally published in 1919 as The Golden Age, the title was changed to Consolation in 1937. Awake! was adopted as the title starting with the issue of August 22, 1946. The name Awake! was chosen to emphasize that readers should be aware of the significance of world events. It is one of the most widely circulated magazines in the world.
Bethel, Bethelite, Bethel Family
“Bethel” is a Hebrew term meaning “House of God.” It is the designation for facilities used by [[Jehovah’s Witnesses]] to direct and support their Bible-based spiritual activities in each country or region. Witnesses who serve at these complexes belong to a religious order and are known as “Bethelites.” They are unsalaried. Collectively, they are referred to as the “Bethel family” because, like a family, they live, worship, and work together at such facilities. The term “Bethelite” is not used as an honorific title.
Branch Committee
Whenever a branch office is established, a Branch Committee of three or more elders is appointed to look after the activities in the country or countries under the jurisdiction of that particular branch.
branch office
The local administrative center of a Branch Committee that is used to support and supervise the spiritual activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in one or more countries. It is sometimes shortened to “branch.”
brother
A male who is baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Lowercased when used in a general sense. Capitalized when used formally in conjunction with the surname of a male Witness (e.g., Brother Smith). It is not used as an honorific title. Similar usage as when addressing a female Witness (e.g., Sister Smith).
brotherhood
The worldwide association of Jehovah’s Witnesses (both males and females).—1 Peter 5:9.
circuit
A group of [[congregations]] of Jehovah’s Witnesses in a designated area.
circuit assembly.
A one-day meeting of multiple congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses held twice each year. Circuit assemblies are open to the public and are designed to encourage spirituality. The program includes suggestions to help attendees of all ages to benefit from the Bible’s advice. Small-scale enactments of everyday scenarios are presented to demonstrate how to apply Bible lessons. Often held in Assembly Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Can also be held in a rented facility or viewed online. Typically, sessions are scheduled on the weekend. All sessions are free of charge and no collections are taken.
circuit overseer
An experienced elder serving under the direction of the branch office who (along with his wife, if married) makes regular visits to each congregation within a circuit, usually twice each year. In addition to providing personal encouragement to those associating with each congregation, he provides encouragement and direction to the elders and ministerial servants. Circuit overseers conduct a specialized program of instruction for each congregation. The term is not used as an honorific title.
congregation
An organized group of Witnesses who regularly meet together for worship. A body of elders is designated to share the responsibility of conducting various programs of Bible instruction and providing spiritual guidance for the congregation as a group and on an individual basis. Congregation meetings are open to the public. They are free of charge and no collections are taken.
convention
See entries: international convention and regional convention.
elder
A spiritually mature male Witness appointed to teach and to provide pastoral care for the well-being of congregants. An elder must continue to meet the Scriptural qualifications as outlined at 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; James 3:17, 18; and 1 Peter 5:2. Elders are not paid ministers and are not employees of their respective congregation or any corporation associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most elders work secularly to support themselves and their families. The Witnesses do not have a clergy class or clergy-laity distinction. The term is not used as a title or an honorific.
field service
The Witnesses’ public ministry, following Jesus’ command to share the “good news of the Kingdom” with people “in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.”—Matthew 24:14; 28:19.
Gilead, Gilead School
Shortened form for the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, established in 1943 initially to train missionaries. Currently, a five-month specialized Bible-study course for Jehovah’s Witnesses invited to attend. Lowercase “school” when it is used alone.
Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses
A small group of elders appointed to care for the spiritual needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world. Often shortened to “Governing Body.” They are directly involved in the preparation of Bible-based publications. Although the Governing Body takes the lead in coordinating the Witnesses’ international activities, they regard only Jesus Christ as the Leader of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Governing Body’s offices are located at the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Warwick, New York, U.S.A.
international convention
A three-day meeting for worship and Bible instruction sponsored by Jehovah’s Witnesses that is held once every few years in predetermined host cities around the world. Witnesses from various countries are invited to attend as delegates. These conventions are open to the public and are intended to encourage spirituality while strengthening the global unity of Jehovah’s Witnesses. International conventions are typically held in rented facilities and scheduled Friday through Sunday. Events are free of charge and no collections are taken.
Jehovah
The personal name of the almighty God and Creator as revealed in the Scriptures. (Psalm 83:18) “Jehovah” is not used as a substitute term (e.g., “a Jehovah”) when referring to one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
A Christian religious group whose adherents worship Jehovah God and actively promote Bible education through various methods of evangelizing. The focus of their Bible educational work is to share the good news about God’s Kingdom or government. (Matthew 24:14) The name distinguishes them from other religions, referring not only to whom they represent but also the ministerial work they volunteer to do in God’s name. A person is not considered to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses until he obtains a reasonable understanding of basic Bible teachings, qualifies to participate in the public ministry in association with a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and is baptized in symbol of his personal dedication to Jehovah God. The first reference in an article should be the official full name, “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” An acceptable alternative is “the Witnesses.” When referring to an individual, use “a Witness” or “one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” “Jehovah’s Witness” without “one of” or “Jehovah Witness” is considered incorrect usage.—Isaiah 43:10.
Jesus Christ
The only-begotten Son of God. (John 3:16) Jehovah’s Witnesses view Jesus Christ as their Leader and strive to imitate his example and practice his teachings. Considered by the Witnesses to be the greatest man who ever lived, the foremost Witness of Jehovah, and the central figure by whom Jehovah God will accomplish the salvation of mankind.—Isaiah 9:6, 7; Revelation 1:5.
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
A local place of worship used by one or more congregations. Often referred to as a “Kingdom Hall.” Please avoid the use of the term “church.”
Memorial of Christ’s Death
The annual commemoration of Jesus Christ’s death. Also referred to as the Lord’s Evening Meal, the Lord’s Supper, the Last Supper, the Memorial, or the Memorial of Jesus’ death. Viewed by Jehovah’s Witnesses as the most important event of the year and the only religious ceremony that Christ specifically commanded his followers to observe.—Luke 22:19, 20.
midweek meeting
A weekly congregation meeting that is typically scheduled on a weeknight. Comprised of a three-part program entitled Our Christian Life and Ministry, the meeting is designed to help the Witnesses be more effective ministers of God. Like all meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, attendance in person or virtually is free of charge and no collections are taken.
ministerial servant
A spiritually mature male Witness appointed to assist elders with non-pastoral tasks. To serve as a ministerial servant, he must continue to meet the Scriptural qualifications listed at 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12, 13 and Titus 2:6-8. Ministerial servants care for important organizational and support functions in a congregation. A ministerial servant is not paid for his services and is not an employee of his respective congregation or any corporation associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most ministerial servants work secularly to support themselves and their families. Some ministerial servants may, in time, qualify to serve as elders. The term is not used as an honorific title.
missionary
A baptized Witness who is assigned by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses to various areas around the world. Missionaries are willing to leave their homes and perhaps move to a foreign land to help spread the good news of the Kingdom.—Matthew 24:14.
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
The full title of the Hebrew Scriptures (“Old Testament”) and the Greek Scriptures (“New Testament”) translated and published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. It can be referred to as the New World Translation.
pioneer
The designation used for a baptized Witness who endeavors to devote a specified number of hours in the public ministry. Most often used as an abbreviation for “regular pioneer,” someone who devotes 600 hours each year (50 hours each month). At times, used to abbreviate “auxiliary pioneer,” someone devoting 15 or 30 hours for one month or for a consecutive number of months. Pioneers are not paid for their public ministry and are not employees of their respective congregation or any corporation associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most pioneers work secularly to support themselves. The term is not used as an honorific title.
preaching
See entry: field service.
Public Meeting
A weekly congregation meeting, typically held on the weekend, during which a 30-minute Bible discourse designed for the general public is presented. This is usually followed by the Watchtower Study, which is a one-hour question-and-answer discussion of a Bible-based topic using an article in the study edition of The Watchtower. Like all meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, attendance in person or virtually is free of charge and no collections are taken.
publisher
One who participates in the public ministry in association with a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Qualifications include understanding and believing basic Bible teachings as well as living in harmony with God’s principles. Publishers are not paid for engaging in the ministry and are not employees of their respective congregation or any corporation associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. The term is not used as an honorific title.
regional convention
An annual three-day meeting of multiple congregations within a specified region, designed to encourage spirituality. It is open to the public. The program includes suggestions to help attendees of all ages to benefit from the Bible’s advice. Enactments of everyday scenarios and of Bible accounts are presented, demonstrating how to apply Bible principles. Conventions are often held in large rented venues, such as arenas, stadiums, and convention centers. Smaller regional conventions may also be held in nearby Assembly Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Typically, in-person sessions are scheduled Friday through Sunday. In recent years, recordings have been made available online. Like all meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, attendance is free of charge and no collections are taken.
sister
A female who is baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Lowercased when used in a general sense. Capitalized when used formally in conjunction with the surname of a female Witness (e.g., Sister Smith). It is not used as an honorific title. Similar usage as when addressing a male Witness (e.g., Brother Smith).
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom
The full title of the principal magazine published and distributed by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also referred to as The Watchtower. The name stems from the idea of keeping on the watch for the outworking of God’s purposes. (Matthew 24:42) The public edition of The Watchtower is offered to interested persons, free of charge. A study edition of The Watchtower is used for weekly question-and-answer discussions in congregations worldwide. The Watchtower has been published continuously since 1879. It is one of the most widely circulated magazines in the world.