“A
bishop then must be…able to teach” (1 Timothy
3:2 NKJV)
Many of
the character qualities found in the pastor’s requirements are likewise listed
in the deacon’s description. The ability
to teach is a notable exception.
Both
pastors and deacons are expected to lead the flock in its mission and be
willing to bleed for the flock in their ministry, but only the pastor is
expected to feed the flock with his message.
It is part of what sets him apart from other church leaders. If he cannot effectively communicate the Word
of God, he will be unfruitful in the work of God.
The kind
of teaching required is not just giving information from Scripture, but getting
transformation by Scripture. Such truth
must master the teacher so that he is an incarnation of the Word. The truth must further be mastered by the
teacher so there can be accurate transmission of that Word.
It is
notable where this pastoral responsibility falls in the list of character
qualities. There are a number of
important virtues that precede it, as if to suggest that unless these are
evident in his life, then his message will be rejected as the poisonous weeds of
a hypocrite instead of the palatable food from a holy man of God.
The
International Standard Version translates this as, “teachable.” While, I don’t
think that is the best translation, it must be underscored that unless a pastor
is teachable, he will be incapable of teaching.
Leaders are learners. They cannot
bring others to drink from the stream of Truth unless they know from experience
what it is to have their thirst satisfied.
Until we have fed our souls in the green pastures of the Bible, we will
not be able to lead God’s flock to be nourished there.
A
PRAYER
Lord, Our
Shepherd,
Thank You
for giving us Your precious Word to feed our souls and thereby giving us the
knowledge to bring your sheep to pasture there.
You never fail to satisfy us with this life-giving stream of Truth. We have drunk of it time and time again. Then, in that strength you impart, we have
been enabled to direct Your flock to do the same. The field has always been green and the
stream never dry! As day by day, Sunday
by Sunday, year after year we have occasion to preach the Gospel, we bless You
that there is never a lack of message for the famished sheep who come to
us. Glory!
In The
Name of the Living Word, Jesus Christ,
Amen.
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