Biblical Expectations Of An Elder
Titus 1:5-9
Thom Rainer president of LifeWay Christian stores recently asked a few hundred laypersons to write down what they desired of a pastor. He shares some of the top responses that he received: People desire a Pastor who possessed love of congregation, they want a man who was an effective preacher, a man with strong character and a good work ethic, someone who casts a vision and demonstrates healthy leadership. They desire a leader who is joyous and transparent, also someone who does not yield to critics and finally people said that they want a pastor who models evangelism. (source:http://thomrainer.com/2013/01/ten-things-church-members-desire-in-a-pastor/)
I would not disagree with any of those responses. However there are some church members who have unrealistic expectations of their pastor. Rainer did another survey of deacons and asked what they expected from their pastor. In order to meet the minimum expectations of those deacons a pastor would have to fulfill the following responsibilities each week:
- Prayer at the church: 14 hours
- Sermon preparation: 18 hours
- Outreach and evangelism: 10 hours
- Counseling: 10 hours
- Hospital and home visits: 15 hours
- Administrative functions: 18 hours
- Community involvement: 5 hours
- Denominational involvement: 5 hours
- Church meetings: 5 hours
- Worship services/preaching: 4 hours
- Other: 10 hours
That is a total of 114 hours/week. This would require a pastor to work more than 16 hours a day for seven days a week. There are many different expectations that people have of their church leaders. But more important than pleasing the church members, the pastor should seek to please the Lord. God has outlined what He expects from a Pastor in the Bible. Our selected text is one of the most descriptive passages in the scriptures concerning the pastor's job description. I would like to walk through these verses and examine the "Biblical Expectations Of An Elder".
Here in Titus, Paul uses the terms Elder & Bishop. There are 3 terms used interchangeably in scripture to refer to the same office...Elder (presbuteros) Bishop (episkopos) Pastor (poiman). When you read the qualifications set forth in scripture, God emphasizes the importance of personal character and theological competency.
With that being said let's see what God expects from those who He has called to shepherd the flock. In verse 5 Paul charges Titus with the task of setting things in order. One of his responsibilities was to ordain elders in each city. Paul goes into detail describing the qualities and requirements of those elders. This sets up a contrast concerning those "unruly, vain talkers and deceivers" that are described in verses 10-16. When you look at the qualifications of an elder it is clear that faithfulness is paramount.
- In these 5 verses there are 5 areas in which a pastor must be found faithful. Look with me to verse 5 as we see that:
I. An Elder Must Be Faithful To The Church - v5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Paul tells Titus that he left him in Crete to "set things in order". Obviously there were some problems in the church that needed to be addressed. There were some things that we lacking. There was a need for elders. The church needed godly leadership and it is clear that Paul felt Titus was the right man for the job. He could have sent Timothy to Crete, but perhaps he did not have the proper skill set for the task at hand. Paul felt that Titus was the right man for the job and he entrusted him to find the right men for the position of elder.
The church today needs some pastors who are faithful to the calling that God has placed on their lives. A pastor is a shepherd who is entrusted with the responsibility of caring for God's people. Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The number one responsibility of a Pastor is to "equip the saints for the work of the ministry". A literal shepherd is one who leads, feeds and protects the flock of sheep. The Bible uses the word "shepherd" as a figurative term for a pastor. A pastor is to pray, prepare, preach and to protect the flock that is under his care. Consider what Peter said to the Elders in - 1 Peter 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
A pastor is to be faithful to the Church. He must not compromise but be bold even in the face of conflict. The man of God must protect the flock from heresy and false prophets who come as "wolves in sheep's clothing". Sometimes a pastor has to fix and repair what is broken in the church. That is why Titus was left in Crete.
Let me also address the fact that Pastoring a church is much more than a job. If a man is in a church for what he can get out of it, he is there for the wrong reason. I know some men who look at their current position as a stepping stone to something bigger and better. That is not what the man of God is called to do. He is to be faithful to the assignment until God gives him another one! There are many expectations that church members have concerning their pastor, but what God expects is far more important, and God expects an Elder to be Faithful to the Church.
- Not only is an elder expected to be faithful to his church... we also see in this passage that:
II. An Elder Must Be Faithful To His Wife - v6a If any be blameless, the husband of one wife,
A pastor must be faithfully devoted to his wife. Paul echoes this statement in I Timothy 3:2. The marriage of a pastor should illustrate Christ's love for His bride (the church). In fact, all Christian marriages should be is an earthly picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church. The world should be able to look at a Christian marriage and see a distinctive difference in the way that husbands and wives relate to one another. When our marriages reflect the relationship between Christ and His bride, this will bring glory to our Savior.
Harry Ironside once had a recently married young man come to him and say, “I need your help. I’m in an awful state. I’m drifting into idolatry.” “What’s the trouble?” asked Dr. Ironside. “Well, I’m afraid that I’m putting my wife on too high a plane. I fear that I love her too much and I’m displeasing the Lord.” “Are you, indeed?” asked Ironside. “Do you love her more than Christ loved the church?” “I don’t think so,” replied the young man. “Well, that’s the limit,” replied Ironside, “for we read, ‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for her.’” (Source: In the Heavenlies [Loizeaux Brothers], p. 281.)
In order for a Pastor, or any other man to truly love his wife, Christ must be the foundation of that marriage. Dale Foote, who is a pastor friend of mine once said - "You may have a good marriage apart from Christ, but you will never know a great marriage until Christ is at the center."
As much as I love this church and every member in it, that love pales in comparison to the love I have for my wife. God requires pastors/elders/bishops to demonstrate faithfulness at home before the are considered eligible for leadership. Unfortunately many men consider leadership to be so important that they neglect their home life. Some are so arrogant to think that without them the church will not survive. But Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 "I will build my church". I decided a long time ago that I would let Jesus build the church and I would honor His Word and make my wife a priority!
If a Pastor loves his ministry more than his wife, it is likely that he could lose his wife. Trust me, without my wife, you would not want me... So I am going to just keep putting my wife first.
- The Elder is to be faithful to the church, faithful to his wife and verse 6 goes on to say that:
III. An Elder Must Be Faithful To His Children - v6b "aving faithful children not accused of riot or unruly"
The Man of God is expected to have submissive, obedient children. They are not required to be perfect... generations of preachers kids have proved this is not possible. But they must be faithful and obedient and not wild and disobedient. The family is the proving ground for leadership in the church.
Consider what Paul says in - 1 Timothy 3:4 (an elder should be) 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?)
A godly leader will be a godly Father who will do whatever is necessary to nurture his children in the training and instruction of the Lord. ripture commands this - Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
We expect many things from our pastor. We want a man who lives an exemplary life. We want someone who can lead others to faith in Christ. We want someone who can teach the truth. We want someone who is an example that we can follow. We want a pastor with character, integrity and virtue. We want someone who practices what he preaches. How do you find someone like that? Look at his family... observe those who know him best. Does his leadership in the home have a positive impact on his family? If not.. if he can't control those in his own home, how can he lead the flock of God? Simply stated... HE CAN'T! And according to the scriptures, he is disqualified from being an elder! Therefore it is vitally important, in fact it is a biblical qualification of an elder that he is faithful to his children.
- The fourth point I would like to consider is one that should go without saying, but I am going to say it anyways....
IV. An Elder Must Be Faithful To The Lord v7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Remember we are looking at the "qualifications of an elder". It is very possible for someone who is an elder to become disqualified. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 "I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." - These verses go a long way in helping the elder to protect himself from those things that would disqualify him.
We are told that the Bishop/Elder/Pastor must be:
1) "blameless" - This does not speak of sinless perfection, rather it means one who is "above reproach or accusation".
2) "not self-willed" - The elder is not someone who is self willed, arrogant or asserts his own will. The pastor is not to be a dictator, nor is he to do things as a result of his own self interest.
3) "not soon angry" - A pastor should not be quick tempered. (He is not to be easily provoked.)
4) "not given to wine" - This means that he is not to be addicted to strong drink.
5) "no striker" - This word literally means “fist-fighter".
6) "not given to filthy lucre" - this speaks of one who seeks financial prosperity at any cost.
7) "a lover of hospitality" - Literally means one who is fond of guests
8) "a lover of good men" - having strong affection for what is good and virtuous.
9) "sober" - Self controlled. (This refers to one who is sensible and level headed.)
10) "just" - seeking that which is proper, right, and fitting,
11) "holy" - Devout. (This speaks of one who is obedient to God's will in his life.)
12) "temperate" - Means having self control.
A man can be a devoted husband, an exemplary father and a fantastic preacher who preaches the Word and nothing else and still be disqualified from ministry. If that man is not faithful to his Lord first then nothing else matters.
- In his book The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter wisely warns: “Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine,… lest you unsay with your lives what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hinderers of the success of your own labors.”
A pastor must not be a walking contradiction. He cannot preach the truth and then live a life that is disobedient to that truth. His life and actions must fall in line with God's requirements for church leaders.
- The final qualification of an elder that we will consider is vital to the success of any ministry. In verse 9 we see that:
V. An Elder Must Be Faithful To The Word - v9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
A faithful elder will continuously be devoted to the truth. Paul says to "hold fast" this means to strongly cling or latch on to the Word of God. It seems that many so called "pastors" have left the faithful word that hey were taught" for something that they think is better. They attempt to water down the truth. They seek to preach a gospel that is more palatable. Some seek to entertain. Others will do anything to draw a crowd. Those who only care about drawing a crowd will do anything possible to keep that crowd. Trust me, preaching the truth is not conducive to large crowds. Better yet, just look to Jesus. Many times when He has a large crowd He would begin preaching and most of the crowd would depart from Him. Even though it is not easy and very unpopular, God requires His elders to "hold fast" to the truth and to be faithful to His Word.
"Holding fast to the Word, means viewing the Bible as the inspired and inerrant word of God. The Elder must place himself in full submission, under the Word. Sound doctrine is the heart of Paul's epistle to Titus. Sound doctrine is literally “healthy teaching”. Unfortunately there is an abundance of unhealthy teaching going on in our day! The pastor/preacher is the vessel that God uses to deliver His Word to the people. This is why you must be very cautious as to who you listen to! Paul said in Romans 16:17, “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
Remember also what he said in - Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
If you are in a church and someone is preaching who does not meet the requirements of an elder... LEAVE THE BUILDING! If you are reading a book that says things that are contrary to the Word of God... BURN THE BOOK! If someone is preaching on TV and they do not line up with the scriptures we have seen tonight... CHANGE THE CHANNEL! Guard yourself from that garbage. - Paul told Timothy to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine". (2 Timothy 4:2)
If an elder seeks to be obedient to his calling... HE MUST BE FAITHFUL TO THE WORD! Paul in his charge to Timothy told him to "Preach the Word"
The word preach means “To herald”, this speaks of a king’s messenger to the people. In ancient times the king would have a personal messenger. His responsibility was to sound out the king’s word with a voice that was loud and clear. The message was to be heard and obeyed. The messenger was to be respected and unhindered. He was not an ambassador with whom one might negotiate. He was a messenger that must be heard. When a man of God delivers a (biblical) sermon it is not his message, rather it is the message of the King!
A Pastor is called to preach the "whole counsel of God", he is not called to entertain, he is not called to be a comedian, he is not called to deliver a motivational speech, nor is he called to discuss philosophy or psychology. The Pastor/Elder is called BY GOD for the purpose of PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD!! In order to do this that man must spend time in the Word and remain faithful to the Word.
In closing, let me say this, God has designed His church to work a certain way. And through the scriptures we have all the information we need to be successful for the Lord. So what are "The Biblical Expectations Of An Elder"?
1) An Elder Must Be Faithful To His Church
2) An Elder Must Be Faithful To His Wife
3) An Elder Must Be Faithful To His Children
4) An Elder Must Be Faithful To His Lord
5) An Elder Must Be Faithful To The Word
