Overseeing the Flock

1. Overseeing the Flock The Heart of Divine Discipline Royce P. Bell 2002-0728 MV Church, SB (Appoint Art Maddox)

2. 1 Peter 5:1-5 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you,exercising oversight not undercompulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;

3. ...and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. ~ 1 Peter 5:1-5 ~

4. Overseeing the Flock: What? • Obligation to exercise oversight • The word (Gr. exousia, authority) is never applied to overseers, but it is inherent in the scope of their obligation of oversight • Accountability for exercising over-sight in a shepherdic fashion • Not under compulsion, nor Lords... • As watchful examples who lead the flock

5. Exercise Oversight: How? • Directly, Personally • By exemplary life and personal, moral influence • Certain specific obligations of oversight cannot be delegated: • Able to teach, exhort, refute • “call for the elders of the church” (James 5:14)

6. Delegation • Provisioning ministry of the word, cf. Acts 6:2, “it is not desirable …to neglect the word” • Relation of preacher to elders, and elders to preacher is a tenuous one, for each is a Divine “check” against abuse in the other, cf. 1 Timothy 5: 19:21, “do not receive…rebuke…maintain without bias…do not share in the sins of others” • Appointing qualified teachers • Surrendering “micromanagement” to deacons • Expecting obedient submission in others

7. “Passing the torch…” • By careful attention to exemplary oversight, so that younger men will see the benefit of service • By pro-active molding of the several qualifications in those with desire and capability • Some do not have the desire --- must they serve? • Others do not have the mental, emotional, or spiritual ability --- should they serve? • By regular introduction of new, qualified men who will join in oversight obligations

8. Oversight in the Qualifications • 1 Timothy 3:1-7 • Several spiritual qualifications, including temperance, prudence, respectability, gentleness • Several practical qualifications: • Not a money-lover • Good manager of family, children • An established, mature saint • Good reputation outside the church

9. Titus 1:5-9 • Similar/equivalent spiritual qualifications, such as not reproachable, not self-willed or quickly angered, lover of good, sensible, just, devout • Similar/equivalent practical qualifications: • Believing children…not relation to “keeping child-ren under control with all dignity…” • The design of the qualification is to SEE the ability of the man to exercise moral influence (1) in the home,(2) in the church • Holding the faithful word, able to exhort in the word and refute false teachers

10. Duties of the Overseen 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (text, vr. 5) • Self-submission to those in oversight • Mutual humility (among both over-seers and the overseen)

11. This is a Special Day • Of acknowledging the spiritual and personal qualifications of one who desires to serve • Of continuing our history of faithfulness, even as we chart new territory andfresh ideas • Of “passing the torch” • Of insuring our future