3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Continuing from last week, I want to address some key parts of this passage further. I believe that once I’m done, it will give you a clear, concise, direct, unbiased answer to the age-old question, who can pastor or lead a church according to the Bible. Again, it’s not my opinion or what I feel; it’s in your Bible.
If you refer back to the very end of verse 2 it says apt to teach, not preach, not pray, not hoop, teach! Your ability to entertain is not connected to your ability to lead God’s church. To this point, the Apostle Paul’s preaching was so boring that it killed a young man. Read Acts 20:9.
Most if not all holiness or apostolic churches say they follow what is termed the five-fold ministry, Ephesians 4: 11; and he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; but if you look at the scripture carefully and closely, there are just four. The pastor is also a teacher. The two are not stated the way the first three are and I believe it was no accident but intended to be that way.
I preach and teach to empower not to entertain so that you can battle the issues of life. Emotions have their place in the pulpit but the saints need encouraging words that provoke to action (PTA). The five most important Es are Encourage, Edify, Educate, Empower and Engage in that order.
Verses 4-5 really nail home some vitally powerful points. Let’s look at them point by point.
One that rules his own house. In order for this to happen, one must be married and well, who rules the house typically or normally? I know there are some men that are hen-picked and don’t wear the pants but that’s not the norm. I know, it’s a hard pill to swallow but again, I didn’t write this, God did.
Having his children in subjection with all gravity. If your kids raise more hell in the neighborhood and in school (Bebe’s kids), then you can’t possibly think it’s ok for you to be preaching telling the saints what they should or should not be doing. 2 Timothy 2:6; the husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. You can’t teach what you aren’t doing because it gives the appearance of a hypocrite. Key point that is missed, you must have kids also.
For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? This one is self-explanatory and doesn’t need clarification.
Not a novice. Again, there should not be a need to clarify but when I see a 19-25-year-old elder or pastor in a church, I know there is a church that has not ran across this passage or feels that their need or desire for a church leader is greater than doing it God’s way. How can a 20 year old tell a 40-50 year old married brother in the church how to be a better man, husband, father, or any other subject in life? The older brother probably has kids his age. 1 Timothy 5:1; Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; how can you treat a person younger than you youngest kid as a father? If you go back to the very first qualification it says blameless. I stated this last week and its applicable here, “you can’t teach what you don’t know, and you can’t lead where you won’t go.”
The younger generation is expert mimickers and this has no place in the pulpit. You must be led by the Spirit of God and not the spirit of self.
When you haven’t lived long enough to have experiences that can be effective and beneficial to the flock, how then can you possibly think it’s appropriate to stand before grown, seasoned, wise saints and attempt to tell them what the Lord told you to tell them?
I feel so strong on this matter that I can’t with a good conscience sit and listen to one that is not in their 40s or older. In the past, I did but when you know better you’re supposed to do better. Remember, I’m talking about the leader or pastor of the church, not a minister.
I stand by what I say because I use the Bible to validate it.
It’s my desire to help us grow to the knowledge of what God expects from us and to warn or empower you through the scriptures what you should or should not accept according to the Bible.
