4 x 6 Plan | Read: Luke 4:1-13 & 1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” (1 Timothy 3:1)
My family really wasn’t a part of any faith community or body of believers growing up. So at the age of 12, I started attending a little country (and amazing) baptist church right beside my house. Because they were such amazing people, I learned so much about the gospel, who Jesus really was and a true love for the Bible. It goes without saying, without Myrtle Missionary Baptist Church, I have no clue where I would be today. Actually I do…probably prison.
However, depending on the denomination or group you are raised in or start attending (like I did), we can also take specific and often dogmatic views and start running with them ourselves. Since we’ve already read that arguing over trivial matters of the faith is not productive (please see What Is Theological Triage? for keeping the main thing the main thing), I think we can start thinking about the Biblical view and gospel role for men and women. I’m sure like myself, depending on how you were raised or taught will obvisouly determine some of your strong beliefs towards men and women’s roles in the local church.
The following article along with others has been challenging some of the verses that we may quickly read or even dismiss:
In his letters Paul lists sixteen desirable qualities (see 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Tit. 1:5-9). Pastors or overseers or elders should not be new converts, he says. Nor should they be money-grubbing alcoholics prone to fits of temper. Ideally, they should be good parents because leading a church is like leading a family. And apparently pastors should also be men – at least that’s the impression we get when we read things like this:
A church leader must be a man… (1 Timothy 3:2, NLT)
Only Paul never said this. Not ever.
Despite how his words may appear in your NLT or KJV, Paul never said, “If any man desires the office of a bishop.” He said, “If any one desires the office of a bishop” (1 Tim. 3:1). Since we are all one in Christ, any one may desire the office of pastor, regardless of gender.
You can read the rest of the article here. Depending on your background, some of you may be thinking of course that makes sense and is not a problem! Others are already struggling with what you’ve just read. That’s the beauty of all of us growing in the grace of the gospel. We are all always growing and learning!
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
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