The Leaders' Family Life - (Part 6 of 7)

Paul assumes that most elders will be married, but he does not
require marriage. The meaning is, "If he is married, he must be a one-woman man."
2. Does this mean that an elder must be a man? Yes, I
think that’s the clear assumption behind the text. However, I think the question is answered definitely in 1 Timothy 2:8-15. This list of qualifications merely assumes in chapter 3 what Paul makes explicit in
chapter 2. After all, a single man could get married and thus become a "one-woman man" but a woman could never literally meet that requirement no
matter how it is understood.)

2. Manages own household well 1 Timothy 3:4-5

The word "manage" means "to stand before and lead." The word "well" means "in an orderly fashion." Paul says that when we need leaders we should begin by looking for those men who handle their families in an orderly fashion.

But why does he bring up the family? Because the home is the best training ground for local church leadership. Spiritual leadership begins at home! The family is like a church in miniature where the father is the pastor of his own family. And the church is like a large family where the elders are the spiritual fathers who care for God’s children.

Notice the penetrating question Paul asks: "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?" The word translated "take care of" is the same verb used of the Good Samaritan who "took care of" the poor man he found on the road. It means to "assume personal responsibility for the care of another person." That’s what a father is to do for his family. As the head of the home, God holds him responsible for his wife and children. He’s got to answer to God someday for what happens to them. If a man fails at that great task, how can we dare to give him a leadership position in the local church?

So the home is the church in miniature and the birthplace of budding spiritual leaders. Habits formed there last forever. Principles imparted
there are never forgotten. Eternal truth is hammered out on the anvil of daily life.

Remember, elders don’t run a business. They lead a family! A man who learns to lead his family well will someday make an excellent elder.

Managing involves many things, including the following:

A. Setting priorities
B. Planning for the future
C. Providing what is needed
D. Handling crisis situations

By the way, when is management best seen? In a crisis. Anyone can lead a business when things are going well. Good managers shine when the business is in trouble. The same is true at home. Family problems should not disqualify a man from spiritual leadership. It’s not what happens but how he responds that makes all the difference. Some men rise to the
occasion; others cut and run. The men who rise in a crisis are the leaders you want.

So how do you respond when you daughter turns up pregnant? What do you do when your son turns to drugs? What will you say when you have to file for
bankruptcy? How will you react when you suddenly lose your job? What if your oldest son flunks out of college? What if your wife needs hospitalization? What if your marriage is in trouble? Will you face the
problem or will you try to avoid it? Good managers never walk away from a problem. They face life head on and deal with