The Overseer

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof… — 1 Peter 5:2

I meet weekly with some of the men of our church as we are studying The Spiritual Leader by Dr. Paul Chappell.   Last week we discussed Dr. Chappell’s comments on 1 Peter 5:2 regarding the Pastor’s responsibility to “oversee” God’s flock.  Peter says “taking the oversight thereof.”  Paul affirmed this to the elders of the church at Ephesus: “Take heed… to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you OVERSEERS…” (Acts 20:28). The pastor/shepherd is to keep a watchful eye over each and every sheep.

Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Dr. Chappell comments on this verse: “A wise shepherd will know the sheep. Someone has wisely said, ‘Shepherds smell like sheep.’ Nothing can replace the time you spend with your church family… Immerse yourself in their lives and know what they are going through.”

It is difficult to take “the oversight” when some sheep are “out-of-sight.” The shepherd is left wondering where they are or why they are missing.  They rarely, if ever, confide with their shepherd the trials and battles they are facing.

If you are a pastor reading this and you have a shepherd’s heart, you understand exactly what I’m saying.  If you are a sheep under a pastor’s oversight, let him know  what you are going through so he can help and pray for you.  He cares.