Who pastors the pastor?

Today’s devotional offering from Donald Fortner falls short as a devotional for me. I am not an elder, nor a deacon, nor a deaconess, and I’m not involved in church leadership. Furthermore, there are many interpretations of these descriptions. Some use them to put pastors on a pedestal. Others use them to downgrade the role of women.

From listening to many church leaders, I’ve learned that the passages about their qualifications are a head’s up for the rest of us. Being in leadership, as the saying goes, makes one’s backside totally vulnerable to being kicked. However, few pastors tell their people about the many angry phone calls, emails, and threats they receive. As  the Bible says, average Joe-Christian must be respectful and encourage them in the work they do.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:1–13)

Two things come from this description as God’s reminders to me. The first is direction on how to pray for church leaders. At the top of the list is asking God to help them live and serve without doing anything that deserves criticism. They will be criticized anyway, so I also need to pray for God’s wisdom when falsely accused.

I also need to pray for the attitude of pastors and leaders toward women and for a strong relationship with their wives. Too many pastors fall to temptation in this area. I should pray for their children too, and for the pastor’s role in his home, and that he does not neglect it while taking care of his church family.

The passage has several godly attitudes and leadership responsibilities. I put them on my prayer list as well as others that are hinted at, such as humility and the ability to be friends with those outside the church. I also pray that church leaders keep short accounts with God.

The second thing that comes from this passage is supported by many other passages. When asked to speak to the wives of church leaders about the role of women, I was startled in my Bible study preparation. God showed me that women are to have almost identical characteristics as male church leaders. While their venue might be different, both men and women are to manage their responsibilities well at home, be godly without greed, addictions, vices, etc., and to be in loving submission to the needs of those around them.

For those reasons, when I read this passage directed to elders, deacons, and church overseers, I can see that it is not just for them. I must apply it to my own life as well because I need power of Christ in my life just as much as church leaders need Him. All of us represent the Lord Jesus Christ to those around us, and all of us need the prayers and encouragement from one another, just as God’s Word describes.

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Jesus, I know my role is not as prominent in the church and community as that of the leaders in our church. But I also know that if I neglect praying for them and supporting them, I can be a cancer to their spiritual health. If I am negative in any way about what they do and how they do it, that cancer can spread and bring them down. Help me to be what You want me to be so that I can encourage and pray for our pastor and church leaders. Help them also to be all that You want them to be.

Respecting Leaders (May 8, internet down)

Centuries ago when Saul was still king, David had been anointed to take his place. Saul knew it and went on a mission to kill David. However, David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) and refused to retaliate. On one occasion, he and his men were hiding in a cave when Saul and his men came into the cave. David had opportunity to strike the king down, but did not. He later said to Saul:

“Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’” (1 Samuel 24:11)

Fortner rightly connects this to an opposite attitude in today’s people. Instead of honoring those in positions of leadership as David did, God’s people are far too quick to pull them down, either verbally or literally, and with a great deal of disrespect, forgetting that it is God’s prerogative to put up leaders and remove leaders. The Lord may do that using public opinion, yet we need to tread carefully.

This is not to say leaders should be allowed to go against godly principles in their role. God’s Word says, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach . . . .” (1 Timothy 3:1-2)

Leadership in the church is vital. God’s Word contains many reminders of what God expects of His pastors and shepherds. Yet in those reminders, others are also exhorted about submission to them in humility and with respect:

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:1-5)

Right from the beginning of being a Christian, I was puzzled that church meetings were conducted according to a political book called “Roberts Rules of Order.” Even though we live in a democratic country, it seemed to me that the church is in a theocracy, not a democracy. We are to do things in submission to the will of God, not by ‘majority rules’ or by ‘voting’ on issues.

This way of thinking too easily leads to electing officials by popular opinion rather than seeking the will of God, with the reverse also being true — godly and sincere pastors are sometimes put out of churches for the same reason — human opinion. Those who do this need to think twice. As today’s devotional says, true pastors are not hirelings to be seated and unseated by men. God says, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm.’ (1 Chronicles 16:22)

The Bible puts lofty standards on pastors, yet it also explains congregational responsibilities. Calling a pastor is an important decision, not to take lightly. They are to be treated as servants of the Most High God. Furthermore, we are not to bicker with one another about their value. Our role is lofty also. We are expected by God to put ourselves under the pastoral rule of that man. The Bible says:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,  and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

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Jesus, I am thankful for the many godly leaders You have allowed me to experience and learn from. I’m glad for the desire to respect and encourage them. You gave me leadership positions with youth and women in the church and shown me a small part of the grave responsibility of church leaders. While we are all part of the same Body and equal in Your sight, leaders are in a special position and anointed by You. I must always remember this is Your will and give myself wholeheartedly to it.