Pastoral Work Of Overseers

by Dorricott, J. | Category: General | Jul 1955

The word Pastor is equivalent to the word Shepherd. This is one of the beautiful titles of our Lord Jesus, and He is presented in the New Testament Scriptures as the Good, the Great, and the Chief Shepherd. (The word Poimenas, " shepherds," is translated "pastors" in Ephesians 4.11.) As the Good Shepherd He so loved His sheep as to lay down His life for them (John 10. 11); such was the depth of His love for us. Let us cherish in our hearts His love, for it is this which creates our love to Him, which should be the mainspring of all our actions in the pastoral care of the little flock. As the Great Shepherd He is seen in resurrection life and glory, having been brought again from the dead by the God of Peace, living in continuous activity, as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, to care, to keep, to guide His blood-bought sheep. Such is His heart of love that He longs for us to be eternally with Him. He is presented to us as the One who is coming back again for us as the Chief Shepherd. He is the One we must ever keep before us if we would be true and faithful under-shepherds. He being on High has left His sheep in the practical care of pastors, which gift

is seen in Ephesians 4.11. Pastors, then, are gifts of Christ, and the Holy Spirit distributes gifts on behalf of Christ (Hebrews 2.4, R.V. margin; 1 Corinthians 12.11). Therefore it was said by Paul at Miletus, when speaking to the elders of the Church in Ephesus

"Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the little flock in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed as shepherds, the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20.28, Newberry margin).

We would now draw attention to John 21. 13-~7, where we have the key which unlocks the secret of true shepherd work. The Lord Jesus, who was soon to return to the Father, was about to give a commission to one of His under-shepherds. So he says to Peter, "Lovest (agape) thou Me more than these? " (Peter had previously expressed his fidelity to the Lord more than all the other disciples). His heart's love is now put to the test and he answers, "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love (fondly love, Phileo) Thee." He saith unto Him, "Feed (give food to) My lambs." A second time He asks the same question, "Lovest (agape) thou Me?" Again Peter gives the same reply. Jesus answers, "Feed (shepherd) My sheep." The Lord asks the same question the third time, using the same word as Peter used in his replies, "Phileo (fondly lovest) thou Me ?

Peter was grieved that the Lord asked him three times the same question. But had not Peter denied Him thrice? and if he were to be a true shepherd, he must learn in humility these bitter reminders in order to have the needed grace to deal with others. Finally our Lord says to him, "Give food to My sheep."

It will be personal love for the Lord Jesus that will be the measure of care and love for the lambs and the sheep. It is not so much intellect that is needed in this feeding and tending as heart's love and care. In government and administration sanctified intellects are most useful, but even in this lies a danger unless it be accompanied with humility.

PASTORAL VISITATION.

There is always a danger that administration may occupy too much time relatively to pastoral care and visitation. The words of the Great Shepherd are pertinent; "This ye should have done, and not to have left the other undone." "An equal balance is His delight." We should minister to the needs of the sick ones, the widows, and the desolate, those that are in distress : this is "pure religion "indeed (James 1.18). Wisdom and discretion, and perhaps we may add common sense, are needed in visiting. It is comely to avoid futile talk, and to read a short portion from the Word of God, with a brief word of prayer. Such exercise leaves the visited one longing for another such experience. By spiritual discernment the overseer may be led, under God, to give wise counsel, of far-reaching value.

It is important to notice that the five words in 1 Timothy 3.1, "the office of a bishop," are from one Greek word Episcope, which is rightly translated "overseership" in Acts '1. 20, R.V.M. The right translation for "bishop" is overseer, and there is no justification for the use of the word "office," whether for overseers or deacons. The Holy Spirit describes the work as a "good work." The Greek word Episkope in two other places in the New Testament is translated " visitation

"Thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19.44).

"Glorify God in the time of thy visitation" (1 Peter 2.13).

These instances show the force and meaning of the word used.

The pastoral work of overseers is primarily in regard to the local church of God where their lot is cast, and it is needful to remember the words

"Mine own vineyard have I not kept" (Song of Songs 1.6),

lest the local responsibility be neglected. This is clearly shown by such scriptures as the following

"Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which

the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers" (Acts 20.28).

"How shall he take care of the church of God?" (1 Timothy 3.5).

"Tend the flock of God which is among you" (1 Peter 5.2).

It was a work which had to be done in their allotted portions, their local charges, and Hebrews 13.17 shows how solemn and serious is this local charge, for an account will have to be given to the Lord as to how this service is discharged (verse 16).

The next responsibility of overseers is to their fellow-overseers in the district, to come together, confer, according to the Word of God, and thus to maintain unity, harmony and fellowship. There is also the further responsibility to fellow-elders throughout the Community (the one elderhood), especially as they come together in conference, that all may learn together and act together in all that is legislated in the Word of God. It is not that overseers legislate, but they administer what has been laid down in the Word of God.

In concluding, we return to the earlier theme, that of pastoral care, that we may note how the Lord in John 21 gave the lambs the first place.

"Feed My lambs, says Christ the Shepherd, Place the food within their reach."

Pastors and teachers should indeed see to it in their ministry that there is always something for the lambs, if such are present. They need something easily understood, and they also need the personal care which a shepherd gives to the lambs of the flock.

Dorricott, J. | Jul 1955
General