Overseer

‘Overseer’ is the Greek term episkopos, which means literally ‘to look over’. In the New Testament, the terms used for local church leadership (overseer, elder, leader, shepherd, pastor-teacher) are used interchangeably, although each emphasises a different aspect of the role (see Acts 20:28). The requirements for these senior leaders are laid out in Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7. They are not skill based but character based (the only exception is that overseers are required to have a teaching gift), with a strong emphasis on their reputation within the family and with outsiders. Overseers are responsible for directing the affairs of the church, ruling over it, teaching it, caring for their people and for protecting them (1 Peter 5:2-5, Acts 20:28-31). (See Deacon, Elder)