THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 5, NUMBER 19, MAY 15, 2005

“IF ANY MAN ASPIRES TO THE OFFICE OF OVERSEER”

            Bible students will immediately recognize this statement from 1 Timothy 3:1.  Paul is about to set forth the qualifications for a man who could be appointed to the work of elder, or overseer, in a congregation of the Lord’s church.  Obviously, one of the qualifications is the aspiration to, or the desire for, the work.  Here at Northern Kentucky we are blessed with a number of young families, with men obviously working to qualify themselves to serve the Lord as elders at some time and their wives working to be the perfect compliment to them when the time comes.

            To be an elder in the Lord’s church is the most important function that a man can aspire to in this world.  It is to be uniquely responsible for the spiritual welfare of the people who make up the congregation.  The Hebrew writer wrote in Heb. 13:17, “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”    It is to uniquely follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, for elders are called upon to “shepherd” the flock.  Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:1-4, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising the oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

            So, when a man “aspires to the office of an elder”, or as the King James states it, “desires the office of a bishop” what is it that he desires, or aspires to?    He aspires to an incredible commitment of time, energy, and devotion.  If that is not truly his aspiration, than whatever he is aspiring to is not the scriptural office of an elder.

            A man who aspires to be an elder is aspiring to constant self-examination.  He aspires to a position in which he will have to honestly and repeatedly evaluate his work in the office in the light of God’s word.  In Titus 1:9, included in the set of qualifications put forth there, we read, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”  The man who desires the office of a bishop needs to know that he is going to continually have to ask himself, “Am I performing my God-given duties as a elder in a manner that God would be pleased with?”  He is going to have to constantly “look intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty” and honestly determine if what he sees is actually the kind of elder that God would have him to be.

            The man who aspires to be an elder is aspiring to a position where he will not only be continually looked at and examined by others, he actually has to invite that examination.  We have already looked at 1 Peter 5:1-4, but again we notice verse 3 specifically.  Peter wrote, “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”  The one who aspires to the office of an elder needs to know that he is desiring a position in which God expects him to say to those give to his charge, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.” 

            This so closely relates to the elder as a shepherd.  Remember Jesus’ words in John 10:4, about the shepherd?  He said, “When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”  That is the idea of being an example.  There is a wonderful little poem that everyone aspiring to be an elder should memorize.  It goes like this.

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day:
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.

And the best of all the elders are the ones who live their creeds,
For to see good put into action, is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it, if you let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the sermon you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.

For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give;
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

            By the way, this is also great advice for those who aspire to be preachers of the gospel.

            A man who aspires to be an elder in the Lord’s church must know that he aspires to a position that is without power and glory – as the world views power and glory.  He aspires to a position in which he must truly place all others ahead of and before himself.  Can you picture a greater responsibility on earth than being in position to stand before God and give an account for each individual member of the congregation?  The man who aspires to be an elder must realize that it will be the most important thing that he does.

            Is this meant to scare off you young men who are moving so surely toward qualifying yourselves?  No, absolutely not.  But know that it is no game and for the ones who perform faithfully, great will be their reward in heaven. 

                                                Greg Litmer