As the Head, Jesus is “over all things” to His body. From this perspective, He is the Overseer of the Church. As the interface for the Headship of Jesus, the elders are responsible for watching over the well-being of the people and seeing that they are properly cared for.

In order to fulfill their responsibilities, Jesus invests the elders with certain authority. This authority is not exercised by lording it over people, however, but through serving in love. Like Jesus, oversight authority is never exercised harshly or forcibly, but lovingly and for the benefit and blessing of the ones being overseen.

How did Jesus qualify to be raised up to the throne of heaven where He could sit as the Head and exercise authority over all things to the Church? Philippians 2:7-9 tells us that it was because He “made Himself of no reputation,” taking on “the form of a bondservant,” and humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” that “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” It is important that we recognize that Jesus qualified to oversee our lives by laying down His life. This means that humility and giving in love are prerequisites of headship.

Paul, whose own life was modeled after the life of Jesus, wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” One of the responsibilities of oversight is providing an example to the ones who are being overseen. Peter instructed the elders to “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 (1 Peter 5:2-3). As the transparent interface for the Headship of Jesus, elders must provide the local assembly with an accurate and consistent example of what it means to be truly a spiritual person.

Overseers watch over the growth and life activities of the assembly. But they don’t do this passively or reactively. In other words, when something is not right, they step forward and deal with it. Elders are to be strong and courageous leaders, challenging their assemblies to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age. They must declare the truth boldly, pull down strongholds, and strip away excuses for spiritual failure; yet they must always do so with gentleness, patience and kindness, not brute force. This is what headship oversight and authority is all about!

The above passage is an excerpt from the article entitled "God's Plan for Oversight in the Glorious Church" ©2001 by David A. Huston and Jim McKinley and used by permission only.

Click HERE to read the article in its entirety.

Contact Information: Raymond Landis, Overseeing Pastor Apostolic Light Fellowship, Inc. PO Box 311 Saint Albans, Vermont 05478 (802) 527-3734 Office (802) 370-4117 Cell Send a message

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