A member of the Jehovah's Witness church governing body has been summoned to appear before the child abuse royal commission after previously being excused on compassionate grounds.

New York-based Geoffrey Jackson is in Australia to visit a sick family member and the commission had previously been told he would not be able to give relevant information about how the church formed its policies around handling of sexual abuse complaints.

Commissioner Peter McClellan decided after hearing further evidence that Mr Jackson should be summoned.

Mr Jackson is expected to appear at a hearing in Sydney on Friday.