COMMENTARY

I PRACTICED ON MY OWN KIDS!

An overseer must be one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?).- I Timothy 3:2a, 4-5.

There are some guiding implications found within this passage.

1. Oversight is a legitimate function within the church of God.
2. Overseers are men.  (Or was that merely cultural?)
3. There is a “taking fatherly care” quality to how an overseer rules.
4. Fruit of righteous oversight includes submission and reverence.

Peter chimes in:

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. – I Peter 5:2-3.

More guiding implications:

1. Oversight is a shepherding function.
2. Oversight is a voluntary service.
3. Oversight is to be rightly motivated.
4. Oversight is a trust.
5. Oversight is effectual through our example.

Perhaps the above reflections may be helpful.  We are living in a time when some are dismissing all leadership/oversight as illegitimate and invalid, while others are over-emphasizing the role and function of leadership, wrongly elevating some to lofty platforms that resemble worldly order.

It is essential that we find the balance.  We can begin by understanding the difference between obedience (outward actions) and submission (inward attitudes).  Right attitudes will eventually produce right actions.  However, right actions may never produce right attitudes. 

Those who lord it over others often bear the fruit of obedience among their subjects through behavior modification (not to be confused with the fruit of repentance).  But there is a terrible lack in lives conformed but not converted.

We reproduce after kind.  Those who are graced and entrusted with oversight responsibilities should be careful examples to the flock, beginning with submissive hearts and attitudes.