Day #220: I Timothy 3:1

Background:
Continuing his instructions on how the church should conduct itself, Paul turned to the crucial matter of leadership qualifications. He wanted to encourage respect for the congregation’s leaders, so he cited what was apparently a familiar maxim and commended it as a sound one. Two implications emerge: First it is valid to aspire to church leadership, and second, church leadership is a noble task. The term overseer (episkopos), sometimes translated “bishop,” is only one of several words used in the New Testament to describe church leaders. “Elders” (presbyteroi) is by far the most common. Other terms such as “rulers” (proistamenoi, Rom. 12:8; 1 Thes. 5:12), “leaders” (hēgoumenois, Heb. 13:17) and “pastors” (poimenas, Eph. 4:11) are also used. Though each of these terms may describe a different facet of leadership, they all seem to be used interchangeably in the New Testament to designate the same office. This office is different from that of deacons.

So What? (What will I do with what I read today?)

The Apostle Paul commends those who aspire to be elders. Paul is talking about ambition. Many believers cringe when they here that word, ambition. It makes us sound selfish and conceited. In fact Paul mentions ambition in another one of his letters.

Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Paul tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition. If your desire to eventually become an elder is for personal gain or recognition then you have it all wrong. Paul describes the role of an elder as a “noble task”. It is good to look to your elders, your pastors, and aspire to be like them because they are performing a noble task. Listen to what Hebrews says,

Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

The author of Hebrews tells us to imitate their faith. It is a good thing to aspire to become an elder because if any us want that, we have to grow and mature. Our relationship with Christ must flourish. If everyone in the church aspired to become an elder we would have a church hungry for growth. People immersed in the word, faithful in prayer and tithing. We would have people serving in children’s ministry, student ministry, men’s or women’s ministry. You name the ministry and people would be plugged into serve. Over the next couple of days we are going to define the roles and qualifications of elders and deacons but the challenge for all that read this blog today, if you aspire to be an elders are you willing to pay the price. To obey God’s Word. To faithfully read, pray, serve and tithe.

Make It Happen!
This is Pastor Matt. I will be writing the blog this week.