Overseers - Watching Over the Sheep

The third word we have studied referring to elders is “overseer” or “bishop”. Because of the connotation given this word by other religious groups, “overseer” is probably the most misunderstood and misinterpreted word or concept dealing with elders. The verb form of the word can mean “to look upon, observe, examine, to visit, or to care for”.

Instead of hearing this word as one which brings to mind a master or dictator, the scriptures emphasize that the overseer is one who “watches over” the flock in the same manner that a shepherd watches over his sheep in order to protect them. In fact, in I Peter 5, the apostle Peter writes, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers…not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Paul tells the Ephesian elders that they are to “Keep watch…over all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” ( Acts 20:28). And the reason? Because “savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.” This is the reason an elder is to be “able to teach” and to “refute those who oppose sound doctrine”.

Overseers should be able to give spiritual direction and spiritual vision to a church. Their task deals with working with the congregation and with individuals within that congregation to bring about spiritual strength (protection) and spiritual growth (maturity).