With loving concern Paul admonished the body of elders from Ephesus: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.”​—Acts 20:28.

35. Though Christian overseers have much work to do, how is their experience in accord with what is recorded at Acts 20:35?

³⁵ It is absolutely necessary for all the overseers to keep awake and to work hard on behalf of everyone in the congregation, and they are glad to do so.

Today, when there are congregations scattered throughout the earth, it is the older men in those congregations who, after giving the matter prayerful consideration, make recommendations to the governing body at headquarters as to others who measure up to the Scriptural qualifications, sending such recommendations to the branch office of the Watch Tower Society. The governing body then makes the appointments. But this is not done according to some standard that they have set up. It is done in accord with what is set out in God’s inspired Word, so it can truthfully be said to these elders or overseers: “The holy spirit has appointed you overseers.”​—Acts 20:28.