Follow the Leader

1 Timothy 3-Part 1
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Timothy 3:1


LET IT GLOW

I recall a game we used to play as children during recess. We would line up behind a leader, doing whatever she did and going wherever she went. Whether it was hopping, taking baby steps, giant steps, or running, we all did just as she did. Our actions immitated her actions. So it is with a church-members are to follow qualified leaders as they set the example.

There are two scriptural leaders of the church: the bishop (episkopos in Greek), the pastor or overseer today, and the deacon (diakonos in Greek). The overseer, the pastor or preacher of the gospel, is to live by the gospel (1 Cor.9:14). This is his calling. The deacon serves in the church but does not make his living by this service. It is proper to have standards of conduct for leaders in a local church.  (Liberty Bible Commentary)

"The type of man who belongs in the ministry is one who outwardly pursues it because he is driven by a strong internal desire," states MacArthur Bible Commentary.

A pastor is a shepherd who leads and cares for the flock of God. It was good for a growing believer to aspire the office of bishop, but the best way to achieve it was to develop Christian character and meet the following requirements. Paul gave 16 qualifications for a man to meet if he expected to serve as a pastor.
(Wiersbe, Be Faithful)

Desiring the office of a pastor is a good thing. A man desires a good work, as Paul put it.
Desire means to stretch one's self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something. (Thayer's Lexicon)

God places this desire in a man's heart as He calls him into the ministry. Otherwise, if this is not so, the man will only serve in a selfish realm.


LET IT GROW

Please don't sit with this list evaluating your pastor with a fine-tooth comb. That is not the purpose of this lesson. If God requires such character of our pastor, doesn't he require the same of the congregation?

Paul gives 16 qualifications or preconditions for a pastor:

1. Blameless (above reproach, well-thought-of)
2. Husband of one wife (a man which isn't divorced, he's committed to his wife)
3. Vigilant (temperate, sober, clear-headed, watchful, cool and collected)
4. Sober (disciplined, serious about spiritual matters, self-controlled)
5. Good behavior (orderly, respectable, accessible)
6. Hospitable (loves people)
7. Able to teach (knows what he talks about)
8. Not given to wine (not a drinker of alcohol, drunkenness)
9. No striker (not violent but acts calmly and gently, not pushy, not quarrelsome, not thin-skinned)
10. Not greedy for money (not money-hungry)
11. Patient (gentle, gracious, not hold a grudge)
12. Not quarrelsome (peacemaker, not troublemaker, reluctant to fight)
13. Not covetous (loves God and people, not things or money)
14. Manages his family well (directs, takes care of family, family leader)
15. Not a novice (not a young Christian, new believer, lest he be puffed up with pride, be mature)
16. Has a good testimony outside the church (has a good reputation with unsaved in business, outsiders think well of him)

[Resources: NIV, The Message, Be Faithful, by Warren Wiersbe, Liberty Bible Commentary,
                   MacArthur Bible Commentary]

"No pastor ever feels that he is all he ought to be, and his people need to pray for him constantly. It isn't easy to serve as a pastor, but it is much easier if your character is all God wants it to be," states Wiersbe.

Remember, as a plant grows, it matures; so do people; both take time. Also, people make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.


LET IT GO

Strive to have good character qualities.

Encourage and pray for my pastor and others in the ministry.

Be a good follower.

If there are problems, take them to the Lord first, praying for the situation and people.