God, Family, Vocation

# 92 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 3:4a, “ 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (1 Tim 3:4a) Next on the list of qualifications for pastors is he must be one who rules his house well. So far we have seen qualifications necessary for the pastor as related to his personal life. In addition to his aptitude to teach, he must have his personal life together on the fronts previously mentioned. Now, if married, or in charge of a family, he must exhibit the qualities of leadership in that home. The idea of ruling here is that of exercising rank. It is to preside over those under his authority. It comes from a word that means “to guard.” So a pastor is one who has shown that he is able to preside or guard his family or household unit well. The first mark of a good leader in the kingdom of God is in the area of service. Jesus spelled it out for us in Mt 20:25-28, “ But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." This trait is not necessarily easily observed. You and I don't know what goes on behind the closed doors of the pastor's house. (and wiring the parsonage is not a good idea!) So this characteristic is only determined by the testimony of family members and whatever can be observed in public. Is there obvious love and respect shown toward the husband/father/pastor? Have you often caught the pastor in the act of loving service to his wife and children? You know, it is worth saying here, that because this is a qualification mentioned for a pastor, it is important to make sure he has his priorities in order, and they are God, family, then vocation. The demands of shepherding a congregation can infringe on that order and therefore the order needs to be guarded by the pastor and respected by the congregation.