Moments in the life of a Pastor

Walking with God

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6. Vices and Virtues – Part 2

Titus 1:5-9

“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.”

Now when it comes to the “Biblical Expectations Of An Elder” I often hear people say, “What is it that Elders do anyway?” Among other responsibilities, the Bible lists six primary tasks.

Model Christian maturity. 1 Peter 5:3: “Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Leaders need to live it, its more than just talking truth it’s about walking truth out. More things are caught than taught. When doing a jigsaw puzzle it is always helpful to have a picture of what it is supposed to look like. Elders can provide that picture as they faithfully walk out the Christian life.   

Shepherd the sheep. 1 Peter 5:2: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…” One of the dangers of pastoring is that instead of shepherding the sheep we can become consumed with trying to get the sheep to take care of us. 

Feed the flock. 1 Timothy 5:17: “The Elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” You can’t teach what you have not learned. Today we have a lot of leaders who are trying to teach truth that they are not willing to walk out. Feeding means leading them to green pastures and still waters. God’s people need a meal not a snack. We can only feed others from a place of fullness, how well are you feeding on God’s word. Malnourished servants make lousy shepherds. Sheep also need time to digest what they have been fed. Are you providing space for silence and solitude or is it all just face paced ministry?

Refute the rebellious. Titus 1:9: “…Encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” This is one of the tougher parts of the task and it requires being tough minded but tender hearted. You don’t need to go looking for conflict but don’t be afraid of it when it comes your way. We are called to pastor people not be people pleasers. 

Manage church matters. 1 Timothy 3:5: “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?” Pray for your Elders this can be a time consuming thing.

Intercede for the ill. James 5:14: “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” When we are ill it is a great comfort to have people who love us and are willing to come and pray with us. Elders are not mind readers, if you are sick you need to let them know. Notice scripture tells us that the one who is sick or their family should call the Elders.


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56 Feeding or Fleecing the Flock? – Part 3

1 Peter 5:1-5

“And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t Lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

3.         Heed

This isn’t just telling people what to do its showing them. Great leaders model the message, which means we have to practice what we preach. If I can’t live it then how can I lead people in it? The word “example” here is very descriptive because it means “to strike, to leave a mark or an imprint.” And it’s in the present tense, meaning it involves everyday practice. When we see a good example it leaves a mark on us. This idea of molding the message brings us back to the time we spend with the Savior, we will model what has molded us. When you are modeled by the Master you will start to model the Master.

Now Peter reminds us that leadership is not just about our actions but also our attitudes as he gives us  three negative attitudes to avoid. Please note that I’m going to present them positively. Pastoring is a:

  • Delight, not a duty.

We’re told to serve willingly not grudgingly. Do you see ministry as something you get to do or have to do? God doesn’t want you to give grudgingly, He loves a cheerful giver not a constipated one. When it comes to ministry many people take on a martyr mentality, and they end up making ministry an absolute misery.  Instead of serve with a smile they scowl and sour their service. I’m not saying that ministry will be a bed of roses and you will always be happy but you don’t need to hobble around like you have a case of holy hemorrhoids.  We are called to be willing watchmen not whining watchmen                                                                                                                    

  • Make it about Ministry, not money.

A pastor shouldn’t be in ministry for money. While it’s perfectly acceptable for a pastor to receive compensation according to 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Peter exhorts elders to serve “eagerly.” The word “eager” means to have a righteous restlessness, an urgent desire to serve, to be filled with zeal. Don’t make it about what you get make it about what you give. Don’t be a Prosperity preacher be a passionate preacher, prosperity preachers are preoccupied with personal profit, passionate preachers pursue God not gain. That doesn’t mean that God’s plan is for preachers to be poor, but I don’t think his plan involves living in a multi-million dollar mansion. Prosperity preachers get preoccupied with build their kingdoms instead of the Kings. Jesus told us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” In HIS name not my name. Its not about Giles its about Jesus. Too many preachers are creating followers of self not the Savior. Passionate preachers live to please the Lord, prosperity preachers end up becoming people pleasers. My job isn’t to please you it’s to pastor you and sometimes that may not be pleasant for either of us. Pastors you are called to model the message not manage the money.

  • Loving, not lording over.

This is a call to care, which means that we need to lead people in love not lord it over them. Parents let me give you some practical advice, don’t lord it live it. Lording Leaders tend to tell where loving leaders seek to show. More things are caught than taught. Are you lording or lovingly leading?