The Office of Pastor (final part)

I Timothy 3:1-7

John Newton's mother died when he was just seven years old. His father, a ship captain remarried, but religion was not important to his father or his step-mother. When he was a young man, Newton fell in love with a young woman named Mary. While on his way to visit her one day, a gang kidnapped him and forced him into labor on a ship. Newton would spend many years on the sea, eventually finding himself working on a slave ship. During a brutal storm one night, Newton, fearing death, called out to God. This began his journey of obedience and change. It was a process of experiencing God's mercy and grace over time that turned the drunken, blasphemous, partier, into the pastor and a man who would fight for the abolishment of slavery in Britain.

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”This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

I Timothy 3:1-7

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In verse 6, Paul tells Timothy that a a bishop must "not [be] a novice". The word translated novice comes from two Greek words that mean "a new sprout". Paul is saying that a pastor should not be a new convert to the faith. There needs to be maturity and growth in the faith. I have seen people do just that. They make a profession of faith, then announce their "call to preach", then after some time they are no where to be seen.

Paul said, "lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil". The word translated "condemnation" is the word from which we get our word "crime". The devil's crime was pride. He wanted to be equal with God (Isaiah 14:12-14). Even a mature Christian who God calls into leadership positions will be tempted with pride. The difference is the ability to interpret scriptures, recognize the temptation, and willingness to rely on God to overcome that temptation. This is learned from experience and a maturing relationship with God. I had been saved for 22 years when I took my first church as pastor. I had been preaching for 10 years. Pride almost cost me everything my very first year in ministry. It ended up being a very humbling experience, but one that I have very few fond memories of.

Finally, verse seven speaks of the pastor's reputation in the community. There was a pastor of a church I am familiar with that openly attempted to pay a bribe in a city counsel meeting. He called it a "donation", but it was clearly being made (and with the promise of more) if a vote went his way. Other people I know lumped all preachers into the same category with him. Our reputation among the lost matters. We represent Christ to the world, so when we do the wrong thing, that is how they view Jesus. If they hate us for the Gospel, good. On the other hand, we must remember what Peter said, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters" (I Peter 4:15).

John Newton was a successful pastor because he matured in his faith after his salvation. The more he matured, the more he appreciated and was humbled by God's mercy and grace. He wanted others to know this same grace. So, he preached the gospel, was active in his community, and wrote hymns; the most famous of which we know as "Amazing Grace".

God, we thank You for Your Amazing Grace. It indeed saves a wretch like me, but it also called me into service. For those of us that You have called into the ministry, may we represent You well. May we not dishonor the office of pastor, but live lives that draw people to You through our words and actions.