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NASB | 1 Timothy 3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task. |
Bible Question:
My pastor is born again and Spirit filled I believe. We have had several discussions in the last 4 years about leadership in the church and what Elders jobs are and also deacons, however I am very involved in our church and do not see our leaders "doing" very much at all. When it comes to working with the outreaches, cleaning the church, handing out fliers or tracts, feeding the hungry or anything else that my pastor has explained to me that they should be doing they are always on "vacation"-"had to work in their yards"-"or couldnt get away from their families" or they show up just as we laymen are getting finished with everything. I have been very involved in ministry since 1989, leading bible studies, food ministries, clothing ministries, doing much of the secretarial work in each church that I have attended (my husband has been transfered through his work a couple of times, thus the moves). The questions that I have are this. 1. How does a pastor evaluate who should be an elder or deacon? And what specifically are their jobs? (Please answer in detail) 2.And where in the bible does it say specifically that women cannot be pastors of a church and preach the Gospel? Both my Sr. Pastor and Associate Pastor rattle off a scripture or two that I have checked out rather thouroughly and I don't see it. Maybe it is written between the lines. |
Bible Answer: 1 Tim 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. Dear D'Mom, Welcome to the Forum! I don't think the question should be "can." Of course they can. Many women are as spiritually mature as any male pastor. But the question should be OUGHT women to be pastor's. I understand your frustration that the male pastors and elders aren't doing their jobs, when you believe that you or other women can do it better. And maybe you could. We see this in other areas of life besides the church. But what are the issues here? God's glory for one. God cannot be glorified unless God's work is done God's way. If we take matters into our own hands some temporal good may be done, but will God be glorified when we're doing God's work OUR way? The other issue is the church itself. What is it? Is it a social action center, an activity center? Is it a "worship center.?" Is it any kind of a "center?" One thing for sure, the church is not a human institution and should not be run like one, although, no doubt, there are similarities. Yes, the church is the place wherein believers should be edified and built up in the faith, but the church is more than a self-improvement center or evangelism, soul-winning workshop. It is the body of Christ, the fullness of him who fills all things. It is the pillar and support of the truth.(Eph 1:23, 1 Tim. 3:15) Ought we not then live according to the truth? Third, how should we deal with pastors/elders who are not doing their job, which is basically to take care of the flock? How can we rebuke, encourage, admonish or remove them? That depends on how your church government is structured. In my denomination, there are higher church courts to which we can appeal concerning a wayward pastor, and elders can be dealt with locally. All believers, including women should be "tellers" of the Gospel, although we're not all called to be "preachers." (Rom 10) The Scripture does not give a very detailed job description of elder and deacon, so God has given us a good bit of freedom there, but here are a few general responsiblities: Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. 1 Pet 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 1 Pet 5:2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 1 Pet 5:3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And then of course there are the qualifications of elder(overseer) and deacon given in 1 Tim 3, and Titus. Forgive my ramblings, Peace, Lionstrong |