At Kingship Church we recognize the appointed role of the Overseeing Pastor as the shepherd over the local church body. The role of the Overseer is this: to tend to the church which does not belong to him but to the Lord Jesus through sacrificial servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28). In this manner, the Overseeing Pastor is responsible for the care, well being, and sanctification of the church. This responsibility is expressed through their duties of administering the teaching of God’s word, protecting from false teachings, equipping others for ministry, and praying over the church body (1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:9, Ephesians 4:11, James 5:14).
Likewise, as it is necessary for accountability over the church body, the Overseeing Pastor is responsible for the administration of the sacraments; the overseeing pastor has the final say in who can present the Lord’s Supper and over who can partake and perform baptisms (1 Corinthians 11:20-34, Matthew 28:18-20). The role of the Overseeing Pastor is reserved for those who uphold the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
Biblical Reflection:
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” // Matthew 20:25-28
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. // 1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. // Titus 1:5-9
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