We tend to stop after we read the qualifications for pastors and deacons. We stop directly after reading the qualifications because we are reading with the intent to judge others. Doubtless we want pastors and deacons whose character is reflected in 1 Timothy 3. We want pastors and deacons who sincerely love the congregation, are not interested in selfish gain, and are not interested in stimulating their bodies to the neglect of sound judgment or the proper management of the church body. But, that’s not where Paul stops. Paul provides us the reason he listed the qualifications, and it wasn’t so we might choose the correct pastors and deacons. I think the qualifications are a good tool when raising up people called to ministry, but that isn’t quite Paul’s purpose. Perhaps it is periphery. It’s not his main focus. Paul explains his purpose in the very last few verses of 1 Timothy 3.
I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:14-16).
Paul is writing these things to Timothy so Timothy (you is singular) will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God. One, there, refers to anyone who is in God’s household. Timothy was to instruct and guard the church during his time there. In one stroke of the pen, Paul applies the qualifications to everyone who is part of God’s household. The aforementioned characteristics describe the type of people we all strive to be. Yes, they are required of those who fill the two church offices, but they are the goal of every Christian. The pastors and deacons are not better or higher than anyone when it comes to their importance.
Instead of making the focus of his instruction about judging those being considered for office, Paul makes it about the character of every congregant. We cannot make judgment calls about someone who aspires to fill an office in the church if we ourselves are not at least pursuing the same character. Somehow, no matter past mistakes or failures, every Christian is able to come into the character described in 1 Timothy 3. This is how we, the congregation of God, live as godly people—especially in times of transition.
In all honesty, we tend to place a very high priority on putting someone in a position. For a long time I was guilty of pursuing positions I thought would elevate my own status. My heart really wasn’t in ministry but in building a kingdom for myself. Even if we don’t recognize it, congregations are sometimes guilty of building their own kingdoms when they look for pastors. Just as aspiring candidates are not to be interested in selfish gain, congregations raising and choosing pastors are not to be interested in selfish gain. Paul draws our attention to the motivation of our hearts as we select the pastors and deacons who will serve us. We can’t do so selfishly. Just because I desire a certain person or characteristic doesn’t mean that’s what is best for the candidate, church, community, or me. As the congregation, we have to understand that our work in raising, electing, and ordaining pastors and deacons is a selfless work. In fact, our lives are to be selfless. That is the meaning of godliness. Paul even points to Jesus as our example. Jesus assumed a human flesh and nature. He was vindicated in the Spirit. The angels saw Him. Jesus’s name was proclaimed among the nations. The whole world has come to believe in Jesus. Yet, Jesus was taken up in glory. Despite His high status and praise, He gave Himself for our benefit. If Jesus, God the Son, gave Himself for us, how can we not at least consider others to be more important than ourselves?
Instead of focusing on getting the perfect pastors or deacons, Paul turns our attention to our own godliness. I think when we are all pursuing godliness in our lives, when we seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, everything else will be added—including the people who will honor God well in the offices of the church.
You may be reading this as a member of a church looking for a pastor. You may have someone in particular you want to fill that position. You may have a certain type of person in mind. Those desires may not be wrong to have. Your thoughts certainly are important. But, those desires are not the focus of the church. I believe God thinks your desires are important because He cares for you. But, He is not obligated to fill your desires. He cares such for you that He may work in a way you don’t desire because it is better for you. So, we cannot hold our own desires as our highest priority while we strive forward. We can and should, though, have godliness as our high priority because God is always moving every single church member to be more like Christ. I hope we don’t miss that. Godliness in our lives is more important than the personality in the pulpit. Hopefully, whoever is in the pulpit will constantly point us back to godliness in our lives.
You may also be reading this as someone who aspires to pastoral ministry, a specific position, or location. As someone who has messed up in ministry a lot more than I care to admit, I think it is really important for us not to miss the application here. Our godliness is much more important than our positions. The importance of our care over people’s lives greatly outweighs the importance of the words we speak on Sunday morning. I fear that because of the ministerial culture of the past twenty or so years, we see pastoral ministry primarily as a ministry of words, leadership, personality, and the ability to sway the masses according to our convictions. Convictions are good, but I have learned that ministry is not about gaining a following or making sure people believe exactly like us. Ministry comes down more to relationships and service. Part of the pastoral service is our ability to teach well. Even our preaching and teaching takes on a different tone when we are more interested in the good of the congregation than persuading people to agree with us. It not only changes how we select a text but how we present the truth of the Bible. Godliness is greater than influence—and it’s better for the congregations we diligently serve. Christ is our example. Even Jesus spoke relatively less than the leading rabbis who defined their ministries by their words. Jesus didn’t write any books. We can hold the breadth of Jesus’s teaching in our hands. Instead, He washed feet and ultimately gave His life for our good. Paul uses Jesus as our example here in 1 Timothy 3. Like Jesus, we can also speak less and say more. We come to serve, not to be served.
Whether we are in a congregation looking to fill a position or aspiring to a position, we take this opportunity to examine our hearts and motives. Are we in this for ourselves? Or, are we interested in the good of God’s church and our communities? Are we seeking to fill our own desires? Or, are we striving for godliness, living by faith, and serving the needs and desires of others?
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