THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Value of Experience

“A bishop then must be…one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:2,4-6 NKJV)

The experiences a man has in leading his family have great value in preparing him for effective ministry in the church.  That does not mean that a single man cannot be a pastor.  Would you think that the Apostle Paul would be a poor pastor?  What about Jesus?  Neither was married, but both would be eminently qualified to lead a local church—and Jesus preeminently!

Yet, having said that, relationships in the home and the direction of our spouse and children are experiences which are very helpful.  Roman Catholicism takes the approach, that unless you are celibate, you cannot serve as a clergyman.  These verses directly contradict that.

Experience is a great educator—not just in the home, but every dimension of life.  This is why the novice is excluded from serving as a pastor.  He hasn’t had enough life lessons under his belt to prepare him to do ministry in the real world.  Even the failures of life convey important truths that help the pastor grow and serve.  We gain wisdom from walking with the mature—it is a journey with no instant attainment.  It takes time.

So the office of the pastor is sometimes referred to as an “elder.”  This is not strictly a matter of biological age, for Paul was writing to a young man Timothy, who was spiritually maturing and intent on continuing on that course.  I’ve also known a few older preachers who were still big babies!

We must recognize that there is a special peril for the young.  Older men aren’t exempt from it—but young pastors are in the Devil’s crosshairs.  It is this business of pride.  How tempting it is for a young man to let his position go to his head, and be foolish enough to believe all those nice things people tell him going out the door after the sermon.

This sin is so horrible that it turned a beautiful angel into a devil.  Pride can ruin us.  Humility marks the mature man.  Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet.5:b)  Pastors have enough resistance from the congregation—they surely don’t want to be resisted by God!  They need all the grace they can have—and only the humble receive it!

A PRAYER

Father of Light,

Every good and perfect gift comes from You, and one of the best is wisdom.  How we need it!  Yet, You demand that we ask in faith—that we realize we know so little and You must teach us.  How else can we teach others?  Thank You for the life lessons conveyed through experiences—even the painful ones.  Grow us in grace!  Make us seasoned servants.
In the Name of Our Elder Brother and Teacher, Jesus Christ,
Amen.