Cheryl Schatz

Martin,
In 1 Timothy 3:1 “anyone” can aspire to the work of an overseer. Anyone means anyone.

Why is there no mention of a Gentile overseer? Why is there no mention of a slave having the work of an overseer? Does the fact that the scriptures have no mention of these kinds of overseers mean that they are not part of the “anyone” from verse 1?

The fact is that unless God specifically forbids a person or a group from having a certain place in the body of Christ, then we should understand that God gifts and all are allowed to excel at their gift even Gentiles, slaves and women!

An overseer is to protect the body of Christ from error and will identify and expose the wolves. Apologetics is a ministry that does this kind of work and apologists can be looked on as a global overseer protecting the entire church, not just one small local body. There are not very many women apologists. I am not sure why. Perhaps because women are not often encouraged to protect the flock this way. I am an apologist and I have met very few women doing this kind of work but the work we do is certainly blessed by God just as the work of the defense of the faith by men is also blessed.