Principles for Pastoral Relations
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
I've got to be honest, I've never preached from this passage because those who have taken the time to get to know me know that the last thing in the world I want is to draw attention to myself. I am being completely honest in that respect but tonight is one of those times when God has led me to a passage that has some principles for pastoral relations. There are obviously more than these three but that is all the time that I have tonight because I know that like me you want to all those good things the Lydia WAC has cooked up for us tonight. The first thing that I want to deal with to set the stage for this message is the word "...elder..." The ordinary sense of Greek - presbuteros is for "older man." There is evidence that this is what Paul had in mind here. I am going to simply take for granted that he means older experienced pastors/ministers. In the Middle East there is certainly a tradition that affords the older men a degree of consideration and this would only be intensified in the church. Paul writes:
1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
This brings me to the first admonition that Paul (the elder) would share with this young minister:
I. The Elders Respect
a. His merits
1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
How many of you know how difficult it is today to find a man who is Biblically qualified to be an elder who teaches and preaches the Word? All you have to do is to look around at the churches who cannot find a pastor because of the shortage of qualified men. If you have a man of God who meets these qualifications then thank God because they do not "grow on trees," contrary to popular belief.
b. His management
To rule well is literally, "preside well," with wisdom, ability, and loving faithfulness, over the flock assigned to them.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Do you how long it takes for a minister to learn to "do church?" It takes years before you can know how to lead a church and oversee its activities, to insure that all things are "...done decently and in order..." If you church's ministry is well run it is not an accident. It happens because of the right leadership. Be thankful for it!
c. His ministry
The word labor refers to those who faithfully discharge the duty of preaching (the word) and the doctrine (teaching).
Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
II. The Elders Remuneration
a. The authority
Notice that Paul begins this section with a reference to the Scripture. For you and I there can be no higher authority than the Bible and it says that those who are taught should be a blessing to those who teach.
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
b. The affirmation
Twice Jesus himself uses this same metaphor to indicate that those who rule well and labor in the word and doctrine should be compensated and yet you will find that quite often the minister compensation becomes a "bone of contention" in the local church. Some say that he is paid too much and others too little but in either case the teaching of Scripture is clear.
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
One of the things that stood out in my mind was driving through the country side and watching the yokes of oxen plowing the fields. Every single ox that I saw had a wire muzzle and was not allowed to take even a bite of blade of grass while they labored.
It should also be noted that Paul dealt with some of these same issues with the church at Corinth. There were some in the church who criticized him for receiving offerings for his support from other churches so at Corinth he choose to support himself by making tents. Nowhere does he give up that right.
1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Finally: We come to the touchiest part of what Paul has to say dealing with the treatment of elders.
III. The Elders Rebuke
a. The prohibition
I want to share something with you that I have heard all of my Christian life. Be careful what you do or say against the Lord's anointed. Where does that principle come from you ask? It comes from a narrative about David and King Saul. Let's read it.
1 Samuel 24:1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. 8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.
b. The procedure
My understanding of the second half of verse 19 is that if there is a legitimate charge against an elder it should never be made without 2-3 reliable witnesses and Matthew 18 gives us a framework for this situation.
Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Conclusion: Let's review what we've learned about Principles for Pastoral Relations:
1. Those elders who minister in the word should be shown the greatest amount of respect possible. You say, but I don't care for his personality or I don't like his style of preaching or I'm not comfortable with his leadership style. Don't matter, he deserves respect.
2. The elders who rules well and preaches and teaches the word should be fairly compensated. Back in another time it would be with eggs and a chicken but we don't live in that time and the electric company don't take eggs and chickens!
3. Be ever so careful what you say about the Lord's anointed. Loose talk or unwarranted and unjustified criticism has serious consequences. The Lord has a long memory!
