This saying is trustworthy: "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work."

1 Timothy 3:1 CSB

The word here "overseer" is "episkope" which means to look on or over intently. Oversight that goes on to provide care and attention.

Somehow we've turned this into Pastor, Bishop, and created jobs and job descriptions that don't seem to have anything to do with Paul's letter to Timothy. 

What he does tell us is that those who take responsibility for others in the church, those who oversee, who care, it's good work. 

Important work.

And it's probably something we all do at different times and with different people. 

Paul then goes on to give some qualities that are important for overseers, but in a community of people following Jesus, we need someone "overseeing" us, someone who sees, knows, cares, loves us, and we can do the same for someone else.

See them, know them, love them, care for them. This is good and noble work we can all be part of that creates a thriving and flourishing community.

This is noble work.

#letters

#lettertoTimothy

#community 

#belonging 

#inthistogether