Mr. D's Notes on I Timothy
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
Copyright 2000

CHAPTER 16

I do not know who the person is that produced this, but I like their humor. It came to me on the internet.

"So Long, Pastor."

"You Know It's Over When:

"When the flood of dinner invitations is reduced to a trickle and the menus switch from sirloin to burgers, you know the honeymoon between you and your congregation is over.

"In the beginning you reign from your pedestal, feeling invincible. The first tremors are so subtle that you ask, "Did I imagine that?"

"Then the pedestal begins to rock as enthusiastic handshakes and vigorous pats on the back are replaced by cordial smiles and forced praise for the "fine" sermon you preached. You tip-toe, you dance, you flail your arms, but eventually you topple. And the worst part is, you never saw it coming-just like the last time.

"See if you have overlooked these warning signs of a disgruntled congregation:

• You return from vacation to find the visiting preacher's name on your mailbox.
• Your church is about to split, and neither group wants you.
• Shut-ins pull the window shades and pretend they aren't home when you come for a visit.
• Mom moves her membership letter to another church.
• You're told God is calling you to the mission field-now.
• You're cast as the donkey in the Christmas cantata.
• Your wife moves her membership letter to another church.
• The trustees have been marching around your house the last six days praying and carrying
lanterns.
• Your secretary starts sending out your resume.
• The congregation forces the members of the pulpit committee to wear sackcloth and make a public apology.
• Church members start referring to you in the past tense.
• Your "love offering" is a two-for-one coupon at Ponderosa.
• You show up at the church on Monday morning to discover the locks have been changed."

Jackie Macgirvin Ministries Today

Having covered the desire and the ruling of the house previously, lets move into the first seven verses of chapter three.

Verse one: This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

A true saying: Truth. If you say what is true people will know what is going on. If you say part of truth and leave out part people won't know what is going on.

I used to work with a man that would ask a question based on part of the information then wait for an answer. Then when you've said yes, he gives you more information.

He asked me if I could go to a meeting in another state. I began asking questions because I knew him. Come to find out the TWO day meeting required me to go the night before, which also required me to pay for three nights in a motel and meals - not quite what a simple "Can you go to a meeting" means.

Don't do that to people! I've seen husbands and wives do it, I've seen parents and children do it, and I've seen pastors and church people do it. USE THE TRUTH!

Some might wonder, so if we are being so Biblical in our churches, why don't we have bishops? (The office of a bishop is a good work.) The NASB uses the term
overseer which is the same as the elder of the church.

It is the Greek word "episkopos". It has the idea of taking the lead and care of the sheep.

In the New Testament times the churches had elders - Plural. It is assumed that one was in overall charge, but a plurality of leadership and decision making.

As I view the Scriptures, the elder is the highest office of church leadership. The pastor is an elder if you have a hired pastor and he qualifies. The spiritual leadership of the church is in the elders. It is the elders that should set the direction of the churches spiritual activities including worship, fellowship, prayer, and evangelism.

Some churches call the pastor elder and the deacons are the board of the church. Some have the elder as pastor, the deacons as spiritual leaders under the elder, and a trustee board to care for the material items of the church.

As we discuss elders, I am in my mind speaking of the pastor and board. Then the deacon board is the part of church leadership that cares for the material end of things. Don't confuse this with paid staff preachers being elder boards. Some teach that the elders are paid staffers only - no laymen. There is absolutely no indication in the Word that all elders are to be paid officers.

I used to give my theology students a listing of the occurrences of deacon and elder in the New Testament and ask them to define the offices. They always defined the elders as the spiritual leaders and the deacons as the material leaders. They always saw the pastor as part of the elders.

If second year Bible College students can see this, why haven't the pastors and teachers of past ages been able to grasp the concept?

It is not relevant what you call the spiritual/material leaders as long as you see a distinction. I personally believe that the Bible sets forth the elders as the spiritual and the deacons as the material ministers of the church, but if you want to call them something else I don't see that it is a large problem. Just be sure you have two groups caring for these areas of the church.

Paul mentions the desire of a good work in one verse and uses six verses to show the spiritual qualifications for the work.

How would you describe the man that "desires the office of bishop?" What does the term desire communicate to you?

Desire = literal "to stretch oneself out after" Something you labor and sacrifice for. Similar to the desire you have for that new car or house.

Matthew Henry mentions, "If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love of Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office."

I suspect that this is the basis of the thought of calling and ordaining to the pastorate. It should be something that really wells up from within to bring the person to take active steps to become the overseer of a congregation. In the New Testament context, that would have been within his own congregation rather than the thought of seeking approval of other pastors as ordination is today.

It would seem that this thought would eliminate most church government ideas where the men are nominated from the floor, or nominations in any manner. The desire would indicate to me that the man really wants to have this ministry and lets others know of that desire.

It would require that those in charge be knowledgeable of this desire as well. As they see the desire then they should evaluate the possibilities of this man taking on the position.

I was contacted by a junior in high school recently that was interested in ministry. It took several notes back and forth to assist him, but finally I was able to put him in contact with some mission boards that could use him and help him in planning toward mission work.

The point - he is a junior in high school with a desire from God to serve in the church.

Someone needs to tuck him under their wing and disciple him - train him - nurture him in things of the Lord.

I encouraged him to talk to his pastor. I suspect the mission boards will assist him greatly also.

Evaluation should be made on the basis of what we will be seeing as far as qualification and the qualities of the man should be viewed as well.

The qualifications seem to require more than just a "yes" when asked to take the position. The evaluation should include not only the man's desire, but he should be honest and open as to his qualifications in all of these areas before he takes the position.

He should also be open to the input of the leadership as to the needs of his life. They may see some failings that he needs to work on.

This whole idea is shown very nicely in relation to the workmen of the tabernacle in Ex. 36:2, "And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:"

I would even suggest if you have a man that has none of these qualifications in his life, that the elders should start training him. Make him a workman for the deacons, begin to study and disciple, if he can keep confidences include him in some board meetings so that he can learn. This should be a gold mine for the elders. Train and cultivate that "desire" into an elder. As he matures, you will have a new leader.

I received a very sad commentary on the church recently. One of the major mission boards is launching a new program aimed at helping local churches understand their need to be training leaders and raising up missionaries. They then will assist in helping the church set into motion leadership training.

Pretty sad that the church has to be told of its responsibilities and have to be trained in how to accomplish them!
There are fifteen to seventeen qualifications depending on the listings.

Verse two: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Just a side note before we begin the list, we might submit that all of the terms in this listing are masculine. The term overseer and all adjectives are in the masculine, which would be one proof that women are not in view when it comes to the office of elder. The husband of one wife also tends to exclude women from the office.

A bishop must be “blameless." What type of man are we talking about when we ask for blameless elders?

1. blameless: "above reproach" NASB. Kent suggests "irreproachable."

Literally "not to be laid hold of" - not justly open to censure or criticism. Many pastors are beset by nasty rumors. A 50-year-old bald, overweight, and not very good-looking pastor resigned his church in Nebraska many years ago to start a new church elsewhere. The rumor was that he left because of a girlfriend up in the sand hills.

No matter the honest and uprightness of a man, there will be detractors that attempt to bring downfall. Those rumors however, when compared to his character should fall by the wayside. I asked a number of people if they had heard this story. All that knew the pastor laughed at the ridiculousness of the story.

Blameless should be not only in the church but with the lost as well. This may require some talking with neighbors and co-workers to find out how the man is viewed by the lost people that he associates with. This can be done by mail or in person. It should be a good indicator of the persons’ true spiritual walk.

Some have suggested that this means that the person must have had a blameless life from childhood. I asked one of these people if that meant that a converted drunk could not become an elder. He replied that this would be true.

To those I submit Gen. 5:21-22 which tells that Enoch did not walk with God until he had his first son. This man was translated because of his walk with the Lord. "And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:"

We might suggest the apostle Paul as well - a murderer that became an apostle. I doubt that blameless means blameless for the entire life before the office.

He should have a very good testimony in the community. Someone that is respected. Someone that isn't in trouble or behind on his bills.

2. husband of one wife: The experts say that this literally is a "one woman type man." Now just what that means is left way out in left field most of the time.

Let's consider some of the interpretations that have been suggested.

a. Married to the church (Roman Catholic). The Roman church believes that the priests and nuns are actually married to Christ. In fact it is my understanding that part of their vows include a wedding of sorts.

b. Prohibition of polygamy. This was held till 325 A.D. and is very much a part of the thought of the text.

c. One wife at a time, which to some allows for divorced and remarried elders.

The problem with allowing for divorced/remarried elders is the real question of whether they ruled their house well if the marriage was dissolved legally.

d. Prohibition of unmarried overseers: This isn't a valid interpretation, though it is wise in many cases. It will eliminate rumors, trouble and possibilities of trouble. If there is a real desire on the part of a single man then steps should be taken to see if protections could be taken to avoid the problems mentioned.

e. Prohibition of divorced overseers. There is some discussion on this thought, and I think most conservative people hold to this being a prohibition of the divorcee due as well as the fact that he has not ruled his house well if he has failed in his marriage.

f. Prohibition of widowed elders remarrying: Some in the past have accepted this interpretation. A pastor in Texas had been quite successful in the pastorate, but when the Lord took his wife home, the pastor immediately resigned from the church. When he remarried, he reentered the pastorate.

Paul elsewhere indicates it is okay for the widower to remarry, but this is a general stipulation and some would reject it in relation to the holding of an office.

I Tim 4:3 mentions that some of the false teachers were suggesting celibacy as something to be desired. "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."

Paul mentions that these are doctrines of devils.

A "one woman man" is the idea of this phrase. That is one for life at a time. If his first mate dies and he remarries he would be eligible - in my mind. I would also feel a widower would be free to serve, either single or remarried.

3. vigilant: Literally "unmixed with wine, wineless" according to Hiebert One that is an ABSTAINER.

Vine mentions that it has the idea of self-controlled. This would be in contrast to the thought of not controlled as one that is drunk. (The term is used in I Tim 3:11 and Titus 2:2 as sober.)

The elder should be someone that is on the serious side about what he is doing. He should be in proper control at all times.

One that is of this nature will be open to see problems arising, to see trouble as well as see good things coming and good things to do.

Vinzant in his word studies mentions, "to be sober with reference to drink, and, in a metaphorical sense, to be sober and wary; cool and unimpassioned."

In my first year of Bible college I went to talk to the acting president of the school. His office was always a mess. His office was a long narrow room with the door in the middle of the wall. He called to me to come in. I opened the door to a floor covered with stacks of papers and magazines. He told me that there was a path to the chair at the end of his office so I carefully negotiated my way to it. He was behind his desk which also was covered with stacks of who knows what. The floor from one end of the office to the other was covered with paper - except for this little path in and through the piles.

This was not an orderly man until that day when he evidently was attempting orderliness. I might add, that he was not a leader. He made no attempt to make himself a leader - he was a teacher.

Women can be a witness just by keeping their houses orderly. The home atmosphere reflects the home attitude. There are homes I have gone into that were the opposite of this and it is totally uncomfortable to be there.

4. sober: "prudent" is the word the NASB translators chose. It has the thought of fully rational or well balanced. This word also is translated “discreet.” Being careful how your mind, mouth and actions run might be the line of thought.

Vine mentions that this is a sound mind or self-controlled mind.

An elder with a messed up thought pattern will be leaving himself and his church open to problems. If he is constantly thinking of money or women, there will be an improper balance in most of what he does.

The elder is to be stable in mind. He is not easily swayed by error or false doctrine.

5. "of good behavior": Respectable is another translation of the word. An elder that can't keep his hands off the women is taboo.

We were in a church where one of the men was always hugging, patting women on the back and generally being touchy. Some of the women felt uncomfortable with the way he was. Some of the husbands also felt uncomfortable.

No matter how honest and innocent this man was, it would not have been fitting for him to be an elder.

Respectable. Do nothing to bring anything but respect. He must have a proper lifestyle before his fellow believers and the world.

6. "given to hospitality": One that is willing to share his home with people.

In the New Testament there was a great need of this in the church. Visiting Christians would not want to stay in taverns and inns with all the brawling and drinking, so they would turn to the believers for housing.

Kent mentions that this might even spread to the thought of hospitality to the widows and orphans as needed in hard times. This could as well be a prime ministry of the church to her people.

Be friendly. A pastor in Colorado was called to pastor a small town church. The man viewed himself as a preacher and a preacher only. He was not called to visit or anything else - only preaching. He wouldn't even go to coffee with the church people. The church floundered after he and a couple other oddballs had finished with it.

In another small church one couple had been in the church seven years and had never been in the pastor's home. Pastors ought to have a desire to know their people and to share their homes with them.

Many pastors will not even offer to house and feed missionaries that are coming for meetings. I had only a handful of pastors offer housing when I was on the road.

The elders home should be open as much as possible to church members, visitors and the unsaved as well.

One pastor of a church where we had visited a time or two came running out after church to catch us before we drove away and invited us to dinner on a certain night. We were excited until we arrived and found that it was a demonstration dinner for cookware. We had to sit through the sales pitch and endure the atmosphere which we would not have chosen.

7. "apt to teach": An elder should be willing and wanting to teach within his assembly, if there is time in his schedule. This is not only in Sunday School, but in Bible studies, pulpit, etc.

This is the only skill in the list. Preaching is not required, only teaching. This includes desire and ability. Note: The pastor teacher is not required to be a preacher. Only a teacher and shepherd.

It is not required that he keep his audience's attention. I've seen excellent teachers - skill and content - with sleepers and non-listeners.

Effectiveness would be seen in the thought. Most likely the gift of teaching is quite evident. If a person desires the office, then they should be known for their ability to teach before hand. If a person cannot teach, don't write them off, train them and see if the gift of teaching becomes evident.

Some in recent day try to redefine this to mean “teachable.” A man that will allow others to teach him and help him is the thought. The thought is not in the text, though the idea is not a bad one for the elder!

For the most part he should have little to be taught in the spiritual realm He should know it and practice it.

Verse 3: "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;"

8. "Not given to wine": "not addicted to wine" is the translation of the NASB.

He should refrain from alcoholic beverages. Drinking is not acceptable to the Lord, the church or the world.

We have always taken a strong view toward drink of any kind. This is partly due to the reason that I was very close to alcoholism as a young man. I also see drinking as a very poor testimony to anyone that might know of it.

I have explained our position to saved and lost alike. The lost agree with me and many saved disagree.

Even within my own home, I have no desire to even have alcohol in the house, and I would trust that this would be your view as well in light of our society’s overindulgence. We must be apart from the world in our appearance and life.

I spoke with a pastor in Nebraska that had confronted a church member whose house some teenagers had stolen liquor from, about his involvement with alcohol. The teens were in an accident because of the drink and the attitude of the member was, "Pastor, you get lost! What I do in my own home is my business and not yours!"

9. "No striker": This seems to denote a person that is quick-tempered and who will strike out when angered. Not given to acts of physical violence. The word is derived from a word meaning to flatten.

Not taken to the fists to settle disputes. He should be able to settle things peaceably and quietly.

I was in a service one evening when the pastor finished his service with, "Does anyone have anything to say or add?" One of the women of the church challenged him slightly on one of his points. She did not push the subject but one of the board members did push it. He pushed it until he was on his feet and he and the pastor were arguing, somewhat heatedly. They did not come to blows over it, but the appearance was not much better than blows! They were red-faced and hollering while shaking their fingers at one another.

In our society there is the thought that the elder should not be a striker with words. Words can be just as devastating as blows from a fist.

The elder should control his temper and actions as well as his tongue.

10. "but gentle": This is included in the list in the New American Standard Bible but not in the King James Version.

These two (no striker/but gentle) hint that the outward demeanor or appearance at all times should be on the meek side and not of the aggressive nature.

The elder should have his demeanor under control at all times. This requires that he be walking with the Lord at all times which will normally require a daily - early morning quiet time and some periodic adjustments throughout the day to his spiritual life.

As I view these standards I'm reminded of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22-23

CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT CONTROLLED BY SELF
_____________________________________________________

LOVE HATE, DISLIKE
JOY SORROW, DEPRESSION, BEING DOWN
PEACE TROUBLE, CONCERN, DOUBT
LONG SUFFERING IMPATIENT
GENTLENESS ROUGHNESS, HARSHNESS
GOODNESS BADNESS, EVIL
FAITH WORRY, DOUBT, CONCERN
MEEKNESS OUTWARD, OPINIONATED, PROUD
SELF CONTROL LOSS OF CONTROL

Which side do we tend to live on? The key is I Jo. 1:9 - confess and give the Holy Spirit control of your life. (also Eph. 5:18-21 - being filled/controlled by the Holy Spirit)

11. "not greedy of filthy lucre": There is a companion text you might want to read along with this thought I Pet. 5:1-3

Kent quotes Calvin, "He who wishes to become rich also wishes to become rich soon." THE PASTORAL EPISTLES; Homer A. Kent, Jr., Th.D.; Moody Press; Chicago; 1958; P 133.

The church should watch for their pastor. They need not make him rich, yet they should watch for his welfare if they are going to have a full time pastor. I have seen some pastors and their families struggling to make ends meet while their church members were living in luxury.

The pastor should also look to the welfare of their congregation. If they see that the church is struggling, then maybe a part time job would be the answer. If a church is unable to meet the bills he can minister to the folks by working. I have also seen congregations unable to do anything for the work the church is supposed to be involved in, because their pastor’s salary was so high.

Don't let money control your life because it will ultimately control your church as well.

“Greedy” has the idea of really desiring the money. Spending time trying to figure out ways of getting money.

The term “filthy lucre” is up for some discussion. Just what does it mean? Is it dirty money, or is it the idea that the greed for money is filthy, or is all money filthy.

The thought of money being filthy has some real possibilities, because it tends to pollute so many people. Actually the term filthy is left out of some translations.

The elder ought not be in the ministry for money nor indeed be in love with money. A well-balanced budget will help keep this problem away from the pastor.

I recently heard of a pastor that took a church and for several years kept hitting on the board for raises. Several a year, until the board had to ask the man to leave.

Just an observation, the pastor that is willing to work outside the church is probably one that desires to shepherd.

Someone told me of a church in Nebraska which had two pastors receiving $77,000 a year. The church was growing but the church did not want to build at the moment. Due to the church’s attendance the leaders were considering two services. The pastors refused to do two services on Sunday morning because they wanted their way. This was not logical and it was putting the church in a bind - if they decided to go ahead and build before they felt they were able.

12. "patient": Wait for the Lord in all things. Don't get in a hurry. If you don't have peace with a decision, then don't make it. If you don't know what to do, wait. If the work isn't progressing - wait. If a problem arises deal patiently - many problems go away.

Showing patience with all people including the membership!

this means the nasties
this means the meanys
this means the gimmies
this means the sickies
this means the problemies
this means the normalies

Again this is going to take the quiet time and adjustments of the spiritual life that we mentioned earlier.

13. "not a brawler": Not quarrelsome in nature - not looking for arguments. You'll find enough without looking. This probably extends to the thought that he is willing to give up his rights in a problem. Not to say you allow wrong, but if 99% want you to wear a suit on Wed. night - why not - why make problems.

This is not easy for us in our self-centered, my rights society, but the Lord asks this of His church leaders and we should ask the same of our church leaders.

14. "not covetous": (This one is not in the NASB.) Don't desire anything including:

money
things
other churches
other pastor’s attendance numbers
buildings
education
etc.

Being content with what God has given you and not your neighbor. Someone said, "It would be easier to do with less if we didn't see others with more." God is quite capable of giving you what He wants you to have.

Verse 4: "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;"

15. One that ruleth well his own house = (having his children in subjection with all gravity ("dignity" NASB)

He achieves obedience of his children in this way. Stands as head - runs it as head. Chain of authority with him at the top.

The man should be able to control his children. If his children aren't saved and turn out bad it is not a disqualification in this area unless he has neglected the family's training. He should be able however to control the children. Their salvation is up to God, and their life's decisions are theirs.

The father can only teach, guide and exhort. Vine mentions, "to stand before, hence to lead, attend to" This indicates care and diligence.

By the way, can you think of a better place to check your elders out? Check with his wife and kids. Watching the kids around dad and mom will tell you if the home is proper. The kids can tell you if he is patient - a brawler etc.

This is why it is good for a church to invite a prospective pastor for a week or so when candidating.

Verse 5: "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"

This verse shows the why of verse four.

The term “house” may imply, as well as controlling the family as the context speaks of, but also the material things. Many preachers today are deadbeats. This ought not to be so.

Right today I can brag on my kids - they turned out great. Tomorrow I hope to be able to say that. They make decisions and may make poor ones - we don't know.

There is a real truth included in this qualification that the marriage and marital relationship ought to be proper as well.

Verse six: "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."

16. "Not a novice": Not a new convert might be a good line of thought. There is also the possibility of someone that has been a believer for a long time, but has never studied or been taught. The thought of maturity in the spiritual life is the key.

"lest being lifted up with pride" The novice will quite often fall into pride when given leadership responsibilities. The office requires spiritual maturity.

Paul appointed elders on his return trip through towns usually, thus I would say this spiritual maturity was with reference to those around the elder. He might not have to be very mature in Christ if the people were new converts and very immature.

A man I worked for made his college graduate son manager of the company. Proud was the young man and over confident was he. He ran the company into the ground in a few months.

I would repeat the thought that if you have a novice that desires the office - begin training.

The elder should be mature and knowledgeable enough in the word to "teach" those that he would shepherd.

Many automatically view a young person as not mature enough to pastor a church. This may or may not be so.

I have seen some young men straight out of college that have more sense and wisdom and maturity than many older men that I have seen in the pastorate. Judge the man on his maturity and not on his age. This is what Paul tells Timothy in 4:12 where he says, "Let no man despise thy youth...."

"condemnation of the devil": This may mean that the immature elder would be condemned (not eternally as the Devil is, but reward wise) as the devil was condemned eternally when he fell into pride

I think that I can truthfully say that I have met very few pastors that come across as being proud. Some may be underneath but on the surface I see very few.

I see some that are arrogant. What is the difference between arrogance and pride? I see pride as being super happy with who and what you are. I would see arrogance as being super happy with who and what you think you are and letting everyone else know who and what you think you are. I have met some of these.

Verse seven: "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

17. good report to non Christians (my paraphrase)

There was a pastor in Nebraska that didn't spend much time around my father, but my father held high regard for the man. He would ask how the pastor was doing when I had visited with him. The pastor had visited my dad in the hospital a few times, but they had no clear deep relationship.

Other pastors (many, I fear) in business dealings are very blunt, bold and blusterous. They expect super deals and super service. These do not have good report with non Christians.

A young man in one of the churches we attended was a body and fender man struggling to make a living. The pastor brought his car in for a paint job. The job was finished and the pastor came in and picked up the car. As he left without paying or offering to pay, he said thanks for the paint job.

The young man never grew spiritually to my knowledge. This was, in part, his own fault, but also, in part, to the obnoxiousness of the pastor.

Why is this trait important? Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Sounds like the devil is out to trap him.

To be the man that does not really have the good report with the world is to be in the middle of the snare of the devil. There will be little which that person can do in the community or even the church.

We recently heard of a man that pastored in a small town where the townspeople had the rule of no soft drinks in the school auditorium - even during sporting events. He thought that was a dumb rule and entered the auditorium with a coke. The public was not impressed with his freedom to drink coke! The man was not able to minister to the town folks and it left a black mark against the church that hired him.

I would like to break here for a comment or two about the elder’s wife.

Why are there no qualifications for the elder's wife? The elder's wives do not have qualifications nor do the deacon's wives.

There is discussion as to whether the deaconess is the deacon's wife, a woman deacon, or an office held by other women. Some prefer the wife idea. Others prefer this to e an office. I must admit I see both possibilities, but lean toward it being an office or ministry. If the deacon’s wife were to have qualifications why wouldn't the elder’s wife would be my line of thought.

No matter your belief on the subject, have deaconesses or the equivalent of them doing the work. You may have women functioning in these areas and this is fine - wives would also work well. THE POINT! Have women functioning in the work of the deaconess so that those ministries are being cared for.

There is also the thought that the elder is to rule his house well and if this is done the wife will probably be of the caliber needed.

There are five qualifications in Titus that are not listed here and I would like to cover them briefly. Titus 1.5ff

a. "not self-willed" which indicates a man that is willing to give in a conflict. He is willing to bow to what is right. This is not only with men, but must be a part of the man's spiritual life. He must be willing to bend for the Lord.

b. "not soon angry" indicates that anger may be around but it takes an awful lot to bring it to the surface.

Patience must be long and when it is worn out there may be anger, but even if there is anger it is controlled and it does not lash out.

c. "a lover of good men" shows that the elder should be an enjoyer of those that walk with the Lord. If you have a man that doesn't enjoy the company of godly men - wonder if he will be a good leader of godly men.

We sat under a pastor for several years that failed miserably here. He had godly men that desired fellowship with him yet he shunned them and often drove them away. His fellowship was with men outside the church that were far from his own belief system.

The church suffered greatly due to the effects of the outsiders on the pastor.

Many pastors miss this one because they can't handle someone else in the limelight.

This means to love even when there are some faults around! The elder should gather around himself some good men to train and to fellowship with.

d. "just" means just what it says. Just is the God we serve and just must be the elder or elders that we have serving in the church. Just in all of your dealings be they with saved, lost, nasty, cheaters, etc.

e. "holy" is the idea of set apart for God's use. The man of God must be set aside for the Lord's use and must have a life fitting that thought. I can't imagine trying to attend a church where the pastor was known to be in sin.

It is illogical for any pastor to feel that he can continue on in his office and be living in sin. Holy to some is relative. I need to be with the unsaved so I can reach them, is their thought. I will run with them and work with them till they are saved. Maybe - maybe not.

Women. If you had a muddy mucky pair of Levi pants to get clean would you put them in water, then dump in a lot of clean clothes and stir them up? Will the clean make the dirty clean? Never.

Yes, we must reach and have contact with the lost, but we don't have to get down into their sin and position to do it.

There is one other phrase in Titus - one that is of importance. Verse 9 states, "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught...."

This means that the church determines if what he holds is proper. Not only what he holds, but what he has been taught. There is a difference. A man might hold what you hold but have been taught other things that might crop up in his later life and ministry.

A pastor in Nebraska had been taught in a school that held other than proper doctrine. He seemed straight as possible when he was hired as pastor.

He was influenced by some other pastors that he knew and as he pastored and studied some of his wrong doctrine surfaced and began to make sense to him and it filtered into his preaching and over a few years he had led the entire church from a position of fundamental, dispensational Christianity to a non-dispensational position and out of the fellowship of churches that the church had been in.

Don't just check what he believes, but check what he has been taught. If he comes from a questionable seminary then the questionable may well surface someday. Don't take a chance!

Realize seminaries change. Just because your old pastor was from that school doesn't mean the current graduates will be like him.

I trust as you walk through life, you have opportunity to sit under the ministry of men of this caliber. This is the desire of God's plan and heart. He desires that His people be taught of Him that they might worship Him and know Him.

Another poem from my favorite poet.

When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendour out --
God knows what He's about!

Anonymous 

It is God's men we must seek - not those that are prepared by man.