A Delicate Discussion
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1 Tim 5:17-19
We have Paul writing to Timothy
Understanding that the letter would be read aloud for all to hear
Levels the playing field and keeps no secrets; sets the expectations for all
After dealing with practical instructions for members at large, he turns back to dealing with elders
This is how Timothy should deal with them, how they would continue to deal with them after Timothy was gone
Thus, the pattern for us to follow…however we understand the current details of eldership
Some elected, some appointed, some ordained, some not
We have some background on this structure from the Jerusalem church
The Apostles serving in the role of elders; others becoming known as the first deacon board
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Are “deacons” by title really “elders” in practice
My understanding is that “elder” is inclusive of “pastor”
Not all elders need to be pastors
Some churches use the term “lay-elder”
Though all should be able to teach
Difference between teaching and preaching...
Not all elders have the skills to be pastors
Here he singles out those who labor in preaching and teaching for “double honor”
Explanation
Explanation
Elders are special
It may be that all elders (church leaders) recieved some sort of payment—stipend or salary
They’re worthy of honor, the pastors should get double...
Could mean “well taken care of”
Those who dedicate themselves to the regular work of teaching and preaching should be compensated adequately
The principle extends back to the OT and temple worship
The priests were dedicated to the service of the LORD at the temple
Their provision (at least when they were serving) came from the sacrifices/offerings of the worshipers
Good side-trip: the costliness of worship, need for giving
Paul, in 1 Cor. 9, notes much about these things—apparently Corinth had similar problems
Noting that Paul and Barnabas had surrendered their rights to salary—bi-vocational
He draws 3 pictures as illustration
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Echoes words of Jesus when sending the 72 out
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
Implication
Implication
The church was taking advantage of their elders
Not specified how badly
Likely that those who devoted all their time to teaching and preaching had little income from the outside…and less from the church
Those who did other administrative or service tasks served in obscurity; may or may not have had some income from the church
“income” may have been “in-kind” payment…e.g. meat, vegetables, grain…hard goods, services
Not that it’s a bad thing in and of itself
Application
Application
No one here will advocate every pastor having a luxury car or 2 or 3..., boat, RV and private jet; all at the expense of the church he serves
HOWEVER, it’s only right that a all elders should be honored
Those called to full-time ministry should be able to live to the standards of the rest of the church
Even if the lay-elders are not paid…respect and honor is due; some form of notice
Some scholars cast the net wide enough to include “deacons” the servants of the church in being paid with the pastor getting double the pay of the others
It would have been easy if Paul or Peter had laid this all out in a sample church constitution…but they did not; so we work within the system(s) that have evolved.
Broad misunderstanding of the work of a pastor
Bill’s bus driver/teacher/pastor plan; sounds good on paper
Some argue for following Paul’s pattern—”let him earn a living and still serve us”
A week in the life of a pastor: my week…I’m “part-time;” full-time job is to be retired
Figure 1 hour prep/1 minute of preaching…I preach about 25-27 minutes;
Teaching prep for a men’s class and prayer meeting each week (Associate has relieved some of that)
At church on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, deacon and trustee meetings
A pastors’ prayer meeting on most Tuesdays, regional pastors’ monthly meetings, denominational responsibilities
Not to mention a crisis here and there “
Pastor, I left my wedding ring on the kitchen table and I’m outtahere!”
“Pastor, I’m taking my husband to the ER, he’s drunk again....”
“Pastor, my husband got arrested for child porn....”
“Pastor, I have an anger issue...”
“Pastor, my husband and I are having problems...”
…all in a church of about 40 people
Those are the ones that actually talk about it...
I see the strain on others; I try to gently meddle; sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t
Paul, after after enumerating his life’s load says
And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
I don’t know how he carried the anxiety of all the churches…most of us only have one—and it’s plenty
We have people we love, people who give us joy, people who grieve us regularly, people who insult our integrity and intelligence, people who support us and people who take a shot at us at ever opportunity
…and the deacons/lay-elders shoulder a piece of that load “in their spare time”
Single largest thing a pastor must have is a heart for the Gospel
When an opportunity comes up…he presents the the Gospel
He looks for the chances to present the Gospel
Why??? Because he needs to set that example for the rest of the church
That’s part of his teaching/preaching and leadership duties
Our goal as pastors is to bring people to Jesus Christ
If your work life is a mess, come to the cross
If your kids/grandkids are a mess,
If your marriage is a mess,
If your health is mess
If your personal life is a mess
That’s when a pastor steps in with the message of the Gospel…where all of should be ready with the message of the Gospel