How Social Media Impacts Holiday Spending

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Impact of Amazon - An Infographic

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What In The World Is An Overseer?

What in the world is an Overseer?

Is it Biblical?
What is an Overseer in the Bible?

What does "overseer" mean?

Is it the same as a Bishop?

What do you oversee?

Since 2006, when I was appointed General Overseer of the Children & Youth area of Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, by Bishop Paul S. Morton, I have lost count on how many times I’ve gotten these questions.

While most people asked out of genuine desire to know, some people that have asked were asking with a hint of sarcasm, and further, some others asked because they are just overwhelmed with all of the titles that are floating around the body of Christ (I feel ya’ll!!!).


My normal answer had been to simply respond to everyone, “a big title that only means a lot of work.” And then I realized that many people really didn’t know and wanted to know. So I did a little research and have answered most of the questions I’ve gotten below. Hopefully this will clear it up for everyone.


Let me say before you read also – I ain’t trying to be deep! I just wanted to provide some foundation for the answers to the question. Enjoy!


What Is an Overseer?


According to the Houghton-Mifflin dictionary, an Overseer (NOUN):
1. One who keeps watch over and directs the work of others, especially laborers.
2. A supervisor or superintendent.


Is it biblical?


Old & New Testament church and ministry leaders are continually referenced by various titles in scripture. When you search them, you find Elders, Prophets, Bishops, and also Overseers among other titles. The title Overseer is specifically referenced in Genesis 39: 4; 1 Chronicles 9: 29; 2 Chronicles 2: 18; and 2 Chronicles 34:17. Each title emphasizes a different aspect of the same person’s function ("elder" emphasizes spiritual maturity, "shepherd" emphasizes the feeding and care role of the leader, and "overseer" emphasizes the guardian role of the leader.


What is an "overseer" in the Bible (1Titus 3:1)? From episkope (1984), the basis for the English word "episcopal." Epi in this instance means "over, upon" and skopos means "to look, see, watchman" (basis for "scope, optic"). Thus, one who oversees something.


In Homers Iliad, the episkopos was the guard of the city, the protector of the people. Classical Greek used episkopos in reference to the gods as protectors and guardians of truth. Episkopos was also a title for an administrator in the Greek legal system (Henderson, 1 Timothy).


Thus, the root concept of episkopos is "overseer, guardian"; one who keeps watch over the needs of people. Thayer defines it as "an overseer, one charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done are done rightly."


It refers to a definite function or a fixed office within a group, i.e., that of "superintendent, guardian".


In greater detail, The Greek word translated overseer is episkopos and it means bishop or “the one who has oversight.”


The English word bishop is actually used in the KJV of Philippians 1:1…


“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”


Another Greek word translated sometimes as overseer but more often as elder is presbuteros. Elders were to be appointed in every local church…


Acts 14:23 “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”


The term elder is used to describe the degree of spiritual maturity that an individual possesses while the term bishop is used to describe the role that an individual plays in the structure of the church. So an elder is not an “office”; it is a descriptive term for an individual who holds the office of bishop or overseer.


Both terms - episkopos (overseer/bishop) and presbuteros (elder) are used in reference to the same individuals in I Peter 5:1-4...


”To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”


A third word associated with church leadership is the Greek word poimen. It is translated into English as pastor and shepherd. Notice that the passage in I Peter 5:1-4 (above) is addressed to “the elders” (presbuteros) and instructs them to “be shepherds (poimen) of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers (episkopos).”


So the terms overseer, bishop, elder, pastor and shepherd all refer to different aspects of the same individual – the one who oversees (administers, oversight, etc.). They do not refer to different offices within the church leadership structure, but primarily refer to the work.


The overseer, bishop, elder, pastor, shepherd is responsible for…
1. Preaching and teaching in the church.


1 Tim. 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.


2. Keeping watch over the church.


Acts 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own Blood.”


3. Managing the church.

I Timothy 3:1 & 4-5 “If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task…He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?”


4. Leading the church.


Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”


5. Preparing believers to serve the church.

Ephesians 4:11-13 “It was he who gave some to be…pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.“


6. Accounting to God for the church.


Heb. 13:17 “They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.”


The major qualifications for those who serve as overseers are found in


I Tim. 3:1-7…“Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. “


Is wanting to be an overseer actually one of the requirements for being one? Though there is nothing inappropriate about having a desire to be an overseer, such a desire is not a requirement. Paul is here making a statement of fact, not laying down a prerequisite. Many people may be hesitant to take on the responsibility of the office (I was!), but would be willing do so anyway because the church (or an apostolic worker) asked it of them. However, an individual should not have to be pressured into being an elder (1Peter 5:2).


I also want to say that you should not seek ANY office for the title, glamour, name recognition, public perception, or even the thought of being a “celebrity”. I can tell you now having worked in ministry for at least two decades that there are NO celebrities in the Kingdom without a great price. When individuals are anointed to do something, to others what they are doing looks easy. But trust me – the price that they’ve paid is enormous. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER seek a position unless God opens the door!


What adjective does 1Timothy 3:1 use to describe the ministry of overseer? As a noble "task" or "work" (NASV). From ergon (2041), "work, employment, labor." Serving as an overseer is hard work, a labor of love. It also is not an "office’ to be filled. Despite how some English versions render this verse, there is no underlying Greek word for "office."


Is it the same as a Bishop?


Yes and No. The answer is more of a question of organizational structure and job description than Biblical understanding. The bottom line from scripture is that a Bishop or an Overseer is one who administers something. In some organizations, an Overseer has the responsibilities of a Bishop and others they do not. This does not take away from the scriptural definition of the area of Bishop and/or Overseer.


A Bishop is literally consecrated office in the church as one who generally oversees churches, organizations, and the like.


In our fellowship, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, our Presiding Bishop and Bishop’s Council has delineated the responsibilities of a Bishop and an Overseer. So in our case, I am not a Bishop.


What do you oversee?


In 2006, I was appointed by Bishop Paul S. Morton as General Overseer of the Children & Youth Division for our fellowship (FGBCF).


I oversee this area. I am responsible for the coordination, administration, and oversight of the children and youth ministries of Full Gospel, as well as the International Conference, special programs, projects, and initiatives. This covers ages 5-11 (children) and ages 12-18 (youth) for our fellowship, as well as, our Children and Youth Pastors, Youth Leaders and, Youth Ministry Workers.


I do serve at the discretion of our Presiding Bishop and Bishop’s Council. It is my mandate to fulfill the vision of the organization through my area – which is “to change a generation”.

Interestingly enough, in 2011, my gift of administration and 'overseeing' also made room for me and I was hired as the Chief of Staff and Director of Church Operations for Fellowship Church of Chicago where Pastor Charles Jenkins is our Pastor.  So, I continue to oversee the work of God's kingdom in multiple areas.

I hope that helps...

Prayer Call - Scriptures References

Tonight, I was led to have a Prayer Call after President Obama announced that bin Laden had been captured, killed, and was in possession.

I'm still waiting on the total number of people.  But here are the scriptures I referenced on the call:

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. Philippians 4: 6



Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Colossians 4: 2


I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands. 1 Timothy 2: 8


Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Ephesians 6:18


“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”. Matthew 18: 19-20 (NKJV)

Power Of Salvation - Inspirational Thought

The other day I read a thought about salvation and wanted to share it with you.

"In the Bible, the word salvation has three distinct tenses - past, present, and future.  At conversion, we are saved from the penalty of sin.  At present, day by day, we are being saved from the power of sin.  And one day in the future, we will be saved from the presence of sin."

That's a powerful truth about salvation that should encourage us, strengthen us, and solidify our faith in the power of salvation and what God has enabled us to capture through our submission to His plan for our lives.  Thank God for Jesus!

Be Inspired!

Bible Video - Corny, But Good!

This is video is corny, but I love it! Enjoy.

Should Christians Get Tattoos?

I recently had an opportunity to review a great explanation to this current and relevant cultural question.  Enjoy!