Day 291

Jeremiah 31:27–32:44; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 25:20-22

IN OUR READING from the pastoral letter of 1 Timothy today, Paul offered a template for church leadership that has been used ever since. Many Christian denominations have their own process of discernment for ordination, but the guidelines outlined in 1 Timothy are nearly always part of this process. These guidelines include moral and temperamental characteristics that are necessary to successfully care for God’s people.

Paul mentioned two offices of leadership in 1 Timothy: pastor and deacon. In most cases, these are each functions of ministry that a person is ordained and commissioned to perform.

The office of pastor —also called priest, presbyter, bishop, or overseer —is certainly one of the most worthy callings in the church. However, it is also a very complex and difficult job, requiring a certain mix of gifts to perform with honor, because a pastor must watch over and care for the spiritual needs of the community before God.

According to 1 Timothy 3:2-7, the following criteria are essential for a pastor:

• “A church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach.”
• “He must be faithful to his wife.”
• “He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.”
• “He must enjoy having guests in his home.”
• “He must be able to teach.”
• “He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent.”
• “He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.”
• “He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.”
• “A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.”
• “People outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.”

The office of deacon was established to care for the earthbound well-being of the congregation and the functions of community life. Deacons were commissioned to assist the pastor in this regard.

According to 1 Timothy 3:8-13, those called to function in Christ’s church as a deacon must have these essential qualifications:

• “Deacons must be well respected and have integrity.”
• “They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.”
• “They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.”
• “Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.”
• “Their wives must be respected and must not slander others.”
• “They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.”
• “A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.”
• “Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.”

If you’ve ever felt God’s calling toward ordained ministry, the discernment process begins long before you ever say it out loud. Look over the criteria, and examine your own life —it will certainly be examined as you go through the process.

If you’ve ever wondered why the ordination process works the way it does in your church or denomination, 1 Timothy 3 is one of the reasons. These criteria are what you should expect from your spiritual leaders.

Whether or not you aspire to ordained church leadership, pray for your pastors and deacons today. They must live what they teach. It is no easier for them than it is for you. But they carry the additional mantle of serving you. Ordination does not elevate a person above anyone; rather, it lowers them. As Jesus modeled, ordained leaders are the servants of God’s people.

MEDITATION:

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.