BENEFITING THOSE APPOINTED TO RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS

14, 15. (a) What shows that Paul took an interest in elders and ministerial servants? (b) What important matters can be discussed with the traveling overseer, and how can elders use time with him wisely?

¹⁴ In the first century Paul took a special interest in elders and ministerial servants. (Phil. 1:1) He outlined their qualifications at 1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12, 13 and Titus 1:5-9 and gave them much fine counsel. Likewise, traveling overseers today benefit the responsible brothers in the congregation by providing specific counsel and assistance.

¹⁵ At their meeting with the elders, traveling overseers have given encouraging suggestions and advice. Their background in handling congregational responsibility, along with the experience gained in serving scores of congregations, enables them to offer practical observations and counsel on various aspects of the evangelizing and disciple-making work, on shepherding activity and on improving meetings. However, if time is consumed on incidental matters at this meeting, elders will miss the benefits of discussing these more important matters that affect the congregation. Hence, local elders should prepare an agenda tailored for the coming visit, providing opportunity to cover what would be most vital to the spiritual well-being and progress of the congregation.​—Prov. 21:5; Phil. 1:9-11.

17. How may elders handling serious problems benefit from the visit?

¹⁷ Elders may also find the traveling overseer’s observation and counsel to be very helpful in dealing with serious problems. (Prov. 13:10) They may have experienced some difficulty in handling a recent case of wrongdoing or a case that is pending. The visitor’s Scriptural counsel may aid them to weigh matters carefully before making a decision.​—Prov. 15:22.

18, 19. (a) What problems among elders may occasionally develop due to human imperfections? (b) In such event, how may the traveling overseer help?

¹⁸ Due to human imperfections, elders or ministerial servants may occasionally have some problems among themselves. (Jas. 3:2) There may have been some unnecessary faultfinding or misunderstandings. One of the elders may have failed to keep a confidence, resulting in hurt feelings and an undermining of respect for him and other elders. (Prov. 25:9) Possibly pride has unbalanced someone to the point that he takes himself too seriously and becomes unreasonable. (Rom. 12:3) What if these or similar difficulties have disrupted cooperation, and local responsible brothers have been unable to resolve matters?

¹⁹ The elders should take the traveling overseer into their confidence, seeking his assistance to restore harmony in their dealings with one another. (Eph. 4:1-3) He may be able to aid them in reasoning things out on the basis of God’s Word. (Prov. 20:3) By thus endeavoring to resolve matters promptly and peacefully, the elders may show their appreciation of this provision to talk things over with a visiting older brother in the Lord and let God’s Word set things straight.​—2 Tim. 3:16.

COUNSELOR IN CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATIONS

21, 22. (a) Why is it a serious responsibility to recommend elders and ministerial servants? (b) How are elders benefited in having the traveling overseer sit in as a counselor when they consider recommendations?

²¹ Bodies of elders have endeavored to fulfill their responsibility properly in recommending new elders and ministerial servants, or in initiating the removal of those already appointed. Weighing the qualifications of a man for congregational responsibility is a serious matter. Emphasizing this are the apostle Paul’s words at 1 Timothy 5:22: “Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others; preserve yourself chaste.”

²² Hence, another way in which the traveling overseer benefits the congregation is by sitting in with the local body of elders to consider recommendations. It is essential that each recommended individual measure up to the Scriptural qualifications. (1 Tim. 3:1-10, 12; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4) For instance, is he truly a spiritual man? Is he exemplary in ‘bearing much fruit and proving himself Jesus’ disciple’? (John 15:8) In his role as counselor, the visiting overseer can assist elders faced with such questions, doing so objectively. This provides the elders opportunity to benefit from his counsel and observations. Similarly, he may bring up questions to clarify matters in his own mind. Such discussion should be aimed toward making a balanced determination as to whether individuals really qualify for responsibility.