Elders – 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Churches get weird about pastors/elders, especially when they misbehave.  It is because we have fostered a culture of pastors/elders as “priests” rather than normal believers who have a leadership role.  We put them on pedestals, we expect them to be perfect, we don’t want them to be transparent about their failings, and we don’t do well at holding them accountable.  We have failed to be biblical about leadership in the church.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.  (1 Timothy 5:17-25 ESV)

In this family of God there is a leadership structure and how they lead and how we follow is part of how we care for one another.

Should elders/pastors/overseers receive payment for what they do or should it be strictly voluntary?  Paul says elders who rule well should be considered not only worthy of honor (respect) but of double honor (remuneration).  If you want someone who leads well and teaches well to be able to be most effective it may require that what time they spend earning their living be covered by the family instead so they can meet the spiritual needs of the family.  Just as you don’t put a muzzle on an ox as he treads the grain but allow him to eat of the grain as payment for his labor, so the elder deserves his wages (a statement of Jesus, Luke 10:7, here called Scripture).

But what if an elder/pastor has a charge of mismanagement or poor leadership against him?  There must be sufficient evidence.  Leaders are always the focus of criticism.  They must not be exempt from evaluation, but we cannot do it without proper protocol.  If there is sufficient evidence then they should be publicly rebuked so that everyone sees that leaders don’t get special passes on wrongdoing and so that the heavenly “court” of God and His angels may be satisfied.

Timothy is to maintain these family rules without bias.  To head poor leadership off at the pass he must not lay hands on (ordain) leaders too hastily. There needs to be time to make a good judgment, to see if sins become apparent and good works become conspicuous.  Though some may criticize Timothy for not being spare enough in his behavior (the false teachers seemed to be teaching asceticism, depriving oneself of good things in order to become more holy), he is to feel free to drink a little wine for his health.  He is not subject to ascetic lifestyle requirements by the false teachers or any in the congregation who would so limit him.