Pastors: Seek To Remain Occupied With These Things

151 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. (1 Tim 5:19,20) In context, we are likely talking about pastors here. This is a very delicate matter because pastors are bound to step on toes, and ruffle a few feathers as they preach, teach, and lead a congregation. This can lead to disgruntlement among the sheep. Of course, there is more than disgruntlement involved here. Obviously a pastor who is caught up in any kind of moral failure needs to be disciplined like any other member of the congregation. And in the matter of discipline in the Scriptures, at least two witnesses are always required, and the procedure of Matthew 18 is to be followed, with the goal of the restoration of a brother. . But the matter that I believe being addressed here is that of competency. It's the matter of “ruling well,” spoken of in v17. The first concern of ruling well, ought to be the matter of false teaching. Pastors who engage in false teaching must be dealt with, but again on the testimony of at least two witnesses. Once the witnesses bring the matter before the congregation, they are to rebuke him, (the word means to produce an overwhelming argument for the charges against the pastor. Elders (pastors) who face an accusation, (and the word means complaint) from two or more witnesses, and found to be sinning (and this word means missing the mark) need to be admonished in the presence of all. People all have different ideas about what a pastor should be, but remember all pastors are different. They have different styles, different temperaments but that should not be grounds for dismissal. It seems to me from what we studied so far in Timothy, a pastor is on the mark when he rightly preaches and teaches the doctrine of Christ, and when he spends time in reading the Word, praying, and ministering that Word to others. This should be sufficient, for this is what he is called to do. Pastors, ought to read this portion of Timothy and seek to remain occupied with these things, because they know that a congregation that follows these guidelines seriously expects their pastor to perform these duties. Congregations on the other hand need to stop putting extra expectations and workloads on their pastor. Rather, when necessary they need to function as a body, roll up their shirtsleeves and do their individual duties! Got a pastor who adheres to the doctrine of Christ and spends his time reading and applying the Word, and praying? .....Then you have a gem who has hit the mark God has set before him, a pastor who is worthy of double honor.