Four Ways to Desire Being an Overseer

by Perry Hall

So much, and I'd say too much, weight is placed on whether a man desires to serve as an elder. I'd say "too much" because it is too often used for a man to disqualify himself - "I don't desire it." Could it be that we need to better - and by better, I mean more spiritually - understand what it means to desire?

Let's use I Peter 5, which says something similar. Here, it reads that a man is to shepherd "not under compulsion, but willingly" (I Peter 5:2). This is in the context of Peter serving as both an apostle and elder who has witnessed the sufferings of Christ and is a partaker of the glories to come (I Peter 5:1). We can see that desiring to serve in any capacity is a willingness to allow ourselves to be deeply involved spiritually with Christ's incarnation of suffering and ascension to glory. This isn't a desire to possess authority but to be possessed by Christ's example. Desire is inherently tied to Jesus. All believers must be willing to desire to suffer with Jesus even though none desire the suffering itself. Understand the difference?

• Desire to participate in the shepherding of Jesus (I Peter 5:4), including his suffering and glory (I Peter 5:1,4).

From a practical perspective, here are three more ways for a man to "desire" shepherding as an overseer:

• Desire it as a young man because this is God's plan and serves out of submission.
• Desire it as an older man because there is a need and he serves out of need.
• Desire it as an older man because God blesses him as "qualified" and he serves out of gratitude.

To be like Christ, willing to suffer and be a partaker of coming glory; to obey God's plan; fill a need among God's people; and grateful for God's blessings. These are four wonderful ways to desire to be a pastoring elder overseeing God's people. Desire to desire such a deep connection to God, Jesus's incarnation, and His people.