Overseers And Their Work (4)(continued)

by J. Rodgers, Toronto | Category: Overseers And Their Work (continued) | Oct 1979

We have looked at the teaching of Scripture in respect to overseers, viewing such within a local church with corresponding local responsibilities. We have considered district oversight: that such is not a separate body, but is composed of all the overseers of the local churches within the given district or province. Finally there is the oversight of the whole Fellowship, which is composed of all overseers in all the churches.

We believe it to be according to the mind of the Lord to keep matters within the smallest circle possible; local matters being dealt with in the local assembly, etc. If difficulties arise which cannot be resolved in the circle in which they exist then there should be recourse to the next larger circle of overseers for counsel and help. In the case of local matters this next court of appeal would be the district. With this in view there should be a periodic gathering together of overseers of the district to review matters particularly applicable to their own geographical area.

In the local oversight there will be those who through reason of the gift God has given them are leaders amongst their brethren. They will

generally be men who have a wider experience than others, combined with spiritual discernment, and are therefore able to profitably counsel their brethren in local matters. This same principle will also apply at district level and in the wider sphere of the Fellowship. Our scriptural warrant for this is in Galatians 2:9 and Acts 15:22. These leaders labour amongst, not over, their brethren. They are not an executive body. But it is essential that they meet together in consultation to preserve unity in leadership. They act on behalf of their brethren, but the latter are not arbitrarily bound to accept what is placed before them by their leaders, although it may and should weigh heavily with them in reaching their decisions. The final court of appeal, however, in all matters affecting The Fellowship, is the conference of overseers previously referred to.

In examining 1 Timothy 3 with regard to overseers it will be noticed that the instructions given in respect to the character, qualities and recognition of these seem to blend into guidance for the recognition of deacons. A short word relative to deacons may therefore now be appropriate. The word deacon (Gr. diakonos) appears in the text of Scripture, but the same Greek word is often rendered servant or minister. It is used of both brethren and sisters (for the latter see Rom. 16:1). In this broad sense it refers to the ministering in either temporal or spiritual things. There are three groups or classes of persons named in Philippians 1:1; saints, bishops and deacons. Most within a church of God serve in some aspect of church activities; but the deacons mentioned in Philippians 1 do not embrace all who serve, in any and every capacity, within the assembly. Earlier reference was made to 1 Timothy 3, in which the qualifications of an overseer are presented in detail. As previously indicated, in this passage the Holy Spirit, through the pen of the apostle Paul, proceeds to outline the standards required of a deacon. Through this portion of Scripture we are taught that a deacon is a man of spiritual stature. One who is "holding the mystery of the faith" (verse 9), and gains great boldness in the faith" (verse 13). Not all who minister are necessarily recognized as deacons according to verse 10: "let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons". This outline, together with the special qualifications of a deacon being akin to that of an overseer, indicates that those thus referred to comprise a special body of men, men who are able to handle the word of God. Thus we acknowledge them as fitted of God to be ministers or deacons of the word, comprising that group of men spoken of in Philippians 1. There is no scriptural indication of a wider circle of deacons than those in a local church. We therefore conclude that recognition and addition to the circle of deacons is a local responsibility which rests upon the overseers who have the burden of local administration. It has been suggested that overseers deal with people and deacons deal with things within the local assembly sphere. In a broad sense this may be correct. However, in view of its being established that overseers are appointed to rule in assembly life it follows that they also share in the things of the assembly. For this reason it is imperative that overseers and deacons meet together to consider assembly arrangements and matters governing the general welfare of the saints. Having established that those who are recognized as deacons are of the high order outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and are closely associated with overseers, we conclude that it is to this body of men we should look for those whom the Spirit is fitting for oversight.

In conclusion, it is evident that much in the teaching regarding elders in Israel, the holy nation of the past, has an application to churches of God, the holy nation in the present age. The appointment of overseers is of divine origin; they must possess maturity, experience and wisdom rather than years; and they serve in various circles with varying degrees of responsibility.

This evidence of continuity of principles substantiates the claim that rule is necessary in all ages, confirming the doctrine to which we subscribe in Churches of God.

J. Rodgers, Toronto | Oct 1979
Overseers And Their Work (continued)