Instructions for Overseers & Deacons:
Once again we get a profile of what it takes to be a good church leader. This passage mentions two church offices: overseers and elders.
Overseer: A position of top authority, one who is is charge and makes all final decisions for the local congregation. Overseers are also known as bishops or superintendents.
Elders: An older man with wisdom and experience. He is a spiritual leader who assists the shepherd/pastor.
There are two other church offices mentioned in the New Testament:
Shepherd: pastor. The man in charge of the spiritual training in a local congregation.
Stewart: the church treasurer.
All four of these terms can be used for a single individual in a small congregation, or for multiple offices in a large congregation. Traditionally, a congregation will have at least two leaders in a church who share responsibilities and accountability.
We have read these qualifications in other letters. To sum it up, a church leader must be an upstanding, mature member of the congregation who has shown a true understanding and practice of Scripture. He doesn't just have the words memorized, he lives them out in his life.
He must be the husband of only one wife (polygamy was common in the ancient world) and his children must be respectful and obedient. I love verse 5, "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?"
Basically, if you are going to lead a church (or any organization for that matter) your actions speak louder than your words. A good leader is an example for those he is leading. He doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk. Start working on being a good leader by walking the walk yourself.
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