6, 7. What positive influence can hardworking traveling overseers provide?

⁶ Like other elders in the Christian congregation, traveling overseers “work hard in speaking and teaching.” All such elders should “be reckoned worthy of double honor.” (1 Timothy 5:17) Their example can prove beneficial if, after ‘contemplating how their conduct turns out, we imitate their faith.’—Hebrews 13:7.

⁷ What effect have certain traveling elders had on others? “What a wonderful influence Brother P—— was in my life!” wrote one Witness of Jehovah. “He was a traveling overseer in Mexico from the year 1960 onward. As a child, I awaited his visits with expectation and joy. When I was ten years old, he told me, ‘You too are going to be a circuit overseer.’ During the difficult teenage years, I frequently sought him out because he always had words of wisdom to offer. He lived to shepherd the flock! Now that I am a circuit overseer, I always try to devote time to the young ones and to put theocratic goals before them as he did for me. Even in the final years of his life, despite problems with heart failure, Brother P—— always sought to offer an encouraging word. Just one day before his death in February 1995, he accompanied me to a special assembly day and put fine goals before a brother who is an architect. The brother immediately submitted an application to serve at Bethel.”

They Are Appreciated

8. Who are the “gifts in men” described in Ephesians chapter 4, and how do they benefit the congregation?

⁸ Traveling overseers and other elders favored with assignments of service by God’s undeserved kindness are called “gifts in men.” As Jehovah’s representative and Head of the congregation, Jesus has provided these spiritual men in order that we might be built up individually and attain to maturity. (Ephesians 4:8-15) Any gift deserves an expression of appreciation. Especially is this true of a gift that fortifies us to keep serving Jehovah. So, then, how can we display our appreciation for the work of traveling overseers? In what ways can we show that we ‘keep holding these men dear’?—Philippians 2:29.

9. In what ways can we show appreciation for traveling overseers?

⁹ When the circuit overseer’s visit is announced, we can start making plans to have a full share in the congregation’s activities for that week. Perhaps we can set aside extra time to support the field service arrangements during the visit. We may be able to serve as auxiliary pioneers during that month. Surely we will want to put the circuit overseer’s suggestions into practice in order to improve our ministry. Such a receptive spirit will benefit us and will reassure him that his visit is a useful one. Yes, traveling overseers visit the congregation to build us up, but they too need to be built up spiritually. There were times when Paul was in need of encouragement, and he often asked fellow Christians to pray for him. (Acts 28:15; Romans 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Colossians 4:2, 3; 1 Thessalonians 5:25) Present-day traveling overseers likewise need our prayers and encouragement.

10. How can we help to make a traveling overseer’s work a joy?

¹⁰ Have we told the circuit overseer and his wife how much we appreciate their visits? Do we thank him for the helpful counsel he gives us? Do we let him know when his field service suggestions increase our joy in the ministry? If we do, this will help to make his work a joy. (Hebrews 13:17) One circuit overseer in Spain particularly commented on how much he and his wife treasure the thank-you notes they have received after visiting congregations. “We keep these cards and read them when we are feeling low,” he says. “They are a source of real encouragement.”

11. Why should we let the circuit and district overseers’ wives know that they are loved and appreciated?

¹¹ The traveling overseer’s wife surely benefits from words of commendation. She has made great sacrifices to assist her husband in this field of service. These faithful sisters forgo the natural desire to have their own home and, in many cases, also that of having children. Jephthah’s daughter was one of Jehovah’s servants who willingly relinquished her opportunity to have a husband and a family because of a vow her father made. (Judges 11:30-39) How was her sacrifice viewed? Judges 11:40 states: “From year to year the daughters of Israel would go to give commendation to the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite, four days in the year.” How fine it is when we make a point of telling the circuit and district overseers’ wives that they are loved and appreciated!

“Do Not Forget Hospitality”

12, 13. (a) What Scriptural basis is there for being hospitable to traveling overseers and their wives? (b) Illustrate how such hospitality can be mutually beneficial.

¹² Showing hospitality is another way to display love and appreciation for those in the Christian traveling work. (Hebrews 13:2) The apostle John commended Gaius for extending hospitality to those visiting the congregation as traveling missionaries. John wrote: “Beloved one, you are doing a faithful work in whatever you do for the brothers, and strangers at that, who have borne witness to your love before the congregation. These you will please send on their way in a manner worthy of God. For it was in behalf of his name that they went forth, not taking anything from the people of the nations. We, therefore, are under obligation to receive such persons hospitably, that we may become fellow workers in the truth.” (3 John 5-8) Today, we can further the Kingdom-preaching activity by extending similar hospitality to traveling overseers and their wives. Of course, local elders should make sure that accommodations are satisfactory, but one district overseer said: “Our involvement with the brothers cannot be predicated on who can do something for us. We would not even want to give that impression. We must be willing to accept the hospitality of any of our brothers, rich or poor.”

¹³ Hospitality can be mutually beneficial. “In my family, we had the custom of inviting traveling overseers to stay with us,” recalls Jorge, a former circuit overseer now serving at Bethel. “I feel that these visits helped me more than I then realized. During my adolescence, I had spiritual problems. My mother was worried about this but did not know just how to help and therefore asked the circuit overseer to talk with me. At first I avoided him, since I was afraid of being criticized. But his friendly manner finally won me over. He invited me to have a meal with him one Monday, and I opened my heart because I felt sure that I was being understood. He listened carefully. His practical suggestions really worked, and I began to progress spiritually.”

14. Why should we be appreciative rather than critical of traveling elders?

¹⁴ A traveling overseer tries to be spiritually helpful to young and old alike. Surely, then, we should show our appreciation for his efforts. However, what if we were to criticize him because of his weak points or compare him unfavorably with others who have visited the congregation? Likely, this would be very disheartening. It was not encouraging for Paul to hear criticisms of his work. Apparently, some Corinthian Christians were making disparaging remarks about his appearance and speaking ability. He himself quoted such critics as saying: “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his presence in person is weak and his speech contemptible.” (2 Corinthians 10:10) Happily, though, traveling overseers usually hear words of loving appreciation.

15, 16. How are traveling overseers and their wives affected by the love and zeal displayed by their fellow believers?

¹⁵ One circuit overseer in Latin America trudges a whole day along muddy trails in order to visit his spiritual brothers and sisters living in a zone controlled by guerrillas. “It is touching to see the way the brothers show their appreciation for the visit,” he writes. “Even though I have to make a great effort to get there, facing many dangers and hardships, all of this is rewarded by the love and zeal the brothers show.”

¹⁶ A circuit overseer in Africa writes: “Because of the love the brothers showed us, we loved the territory of Tanzania so much! Brothers were ready to learn from us, and they were happy to have us in their homes.” There was a loving and happy relationship between the apostle Paul and the first-century Christian married couple Aquila and Prisca. In fact, Paul said of them: “Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their own necks for my soul, to whom not only I but also all the congregations of the nations render thanks.” (Romans 16:3, 4) Traveling overseers and their wives are thankful to have as their friends modern-day Aquilas and Priscas who go out of their way to show hospitality and provide companionship.

Grateful for Their Service

3. Why can traveling overseers be called “fine stewards”?

³ Writing to a traveling overseer and his wife, one Christian married couple said: “We would like to express our gratitude for all the time and love you have given to us. As a family, we have benefited greatly from all your encouragement and advice. We know that we have to continue growing spiritually, but with Jehovah’s help and with brothers and sisters like you, the growing pains are made easier.” Expressions like these are frequent because traveling overseers take a personal interest in fellow believers, just as a good steward cares well for a household’s needs. Some are outstanding speakers. Many excel in the preaching work, while others are known for their warmth and compassion. By cultivating and using such gifts in ministering to others, traveling overseers can rightly be called “fine stewards.”