Qualifications for Overseers
“Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (1 Timothy 3:1-3).
Not everybody was set to be a an overseer in church. Watching over the flock, caring for people and families, feeding the poor and disfranchised, protecting the weak, and leading a mission to a foreign country isn’t a job for everyone. In fact, the Lord is pretty clear about it all throughout scripture. The book of Timothy is a good one to read about the criteria for leadership in the church. Remember: “There will arise false teachers who will seek to lead many astray” as we learn in the book of acts.
It is our job to keep our eyes open to our church’s overseers. If they only care for themselves or are men of little integrity, if they seek riches for self gain or ignore those in need while leading the church, or are failing to watch over children of God’s faith development, be aware. Remember: “…and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:11).
Keep the faith brethren. Always keep your eyes wide opened even at church. God be with you.