Ordination of Brett N. Eckel (1 Timothy 3.1-7)
1 Timothy 3.1-7
Introduction
I spent the summer of 2009 looking at pastoral postings on the Southern Seminary job board. I was newly married, almost done with my bachelor’s degree in Theology and I wanted to start pastoring. The seminary has a ministry job board: churches from all over the world looking for pastors send their ministry availabilities and qualifications to the seminary so students can apply. I must have read hundreds of postings and they all had similar qualifications: looking for a man with 5+ years experience who is gifted in leadership. A dynamic speaker who can grow the church; Master of Divinity required.
I would say less than 1% of the churches had any requirements from 1st Timothy 3.1-7, Titus 1.5-9, or 1st Peter 5.1-4. That should shock you. Don’t get me wrong I think MDivs are good; I have one. I spent the time and money to do doctoral work in preaching. I think education is good. I think being gifted in leadership is good. Pastor Kevin is one of the most gifted leaders of men I’ve ever met. But those qualifications come straight from the corporate world and fall short of the qualifications for Elders that we find in the Scripture.
Tim Challies said that the job of Pastor or Elder is the only job in the world where character matters more than talent. He’s not saying that Elders are inherently better people than parishioners. He is saying that of the 20 qualifications that we just read only 1 has to do with skill, the ability to teach, the other 19 are about character. For example, if you were to commit adultery, you probably wouldn’t lose your job. Pastor Kevin and I would, and rightfully so. There is a higher standard to shepherd Christ’s church.
As we celebrate the ordination and installation today of Brett Eckel as a Pastor/Elder of Christ Community Church, we must think carefully about God’s qualifications for Elders. We’re not interested in the world’s qualifications. We’re not interested in hiring CEOs or TED talkers. We want to know what the Chief Shepherd requires of his under shepherds. And the fullest list that we find in the New Testament is right here in 1st Timothy 3.1-7.
Characteristics of Elders
First Paul says the saying is trustworthy. We need to pause for a moment and bask in the trustworthiness of Scripture. The Bible itself affirms that the Bible is always true. Here Paul is affirming the trustworthiness of the following statement but the implication extends to all of God’s Word. The Bible is inspired and inerrant in all that it says and the Scripture affirms as much. The Greek reads, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος; faithful is the word. πιστὸς means faithful, trustworthy, dependable, reliable. Just like all of Scripture, the qualifications Paul is about to give are trustworthy.
The starting point of evaluating an Elder is this: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. If a man aspires to be an Elder he desires a good work. It’s a good aspiration. On the flip side no one should be an Elder unless they’re 100% in. There should be no Elders with the attitude; “I guess I’ll do it, if you want me to.” Shepherding is too hard for those who are not completely sold out for it. I’ll never forget being in high school and sitting down with Pastor Kevin in his office, which is now my office, and him walking me through these verses. That’s what led me to Boyce College. He affirmed that my aspiration was good.
Paul uses the word overseer here. It’s the word ἐπισκοπή, which is where the word Episcopal comes from. It can also be translated Bishop. It emphasizes the leadership role of the Pastor. It’s synonymous with the terms Pastor or Elder. The term Pastor emphasizes the shepherding role and the term Elder speaks to the spiritual maturity. Today Brett is being ordained as an Overseer/Bishop/Pastor/Elder/Shepherd; different terms describing the same office. And let me encourage you church, Brett aspires to this office.
The next word we see is therefore. Because the office of overseer is a noble task to be desired there are specific qualifications. It is not enough to desire the office. The man who wants to be an Elder must also have these characteristics. The Elder must be above reproach. Don’t skip over that little word must. That verb δεῖ is the first word in verse 2 in the Greek New Testament. The word means, “It is necessary.” It is not a suggestion that the Elder is above reproach; it is necessary. He must be above criticism, beyond reproach. It doesn’t mean that he never commits a sin on this list, but if someone were to charge him with one of these sins as a pattern of life it would seem impossible to those of us who know him. These accusations would not stick to him.
He must be the husband of one wife. The phrase can be translated either, “husband of one wife,” or “one woman man.” Translators and commentators can debate that, but I can tell you that regardless of how it’s translated, both apply to Brett. And this is where the higher standard applies. If Brett were to commit adultery he would be disqualified. If Brett were to get divorced he would be disqualified. Brett, my admiration for your marriage comes with a charge today. Protect your marriage over everything. I’m so thrilled to be pastoring with you, but please hear me, your marriage is infinitely more important than your ministry. If you lose your marriage, you lose your ministry. There is nothing more important in your life than Gina.
We then move to the list of personal character disciplines. The Elder must be sober-minded. He must know how to think carefully. Everything cannot be a joke to him. He must be self-controlled, behaving in a sensible manner. He must be respectable, meaning well ordered or moderate. He must be hospitable. An Elder must be willing to open his home. Brett is currently hosting and teaching a small group as he and Gina open their home to fellow saints.
The Elder must be able to teach. This is the only qualification that requires skill. It doesn’t mean that every Elder is the greatest public speaker in the history of rhetoric. It doesn’t even mean that preaching is their strongest gift. It does mean that that can read, understand, and teach the Bible clearly and faithfully to others. Whether that’s from the pulpit or in a small group, or at a coffee shop (whenever they open again). For our Elder board an important aspect of ability to teach means understanding the Bible from a Reformed perspective. If someone were not a Calvinist we would never ordain him as an Elder because he will never be able to teach the Bible accurately. Brett can certainly interpret and teach truth.
The Elder must not be a drunkard. For those of you who have a fundamentalist background, the text does not say, “his lips do not touch alcohol.” 2 chapters later Paul would command Timothy to drink wine (1 Tim 5.23). And the wine in the 1st century was not grape juice it was wine, that’s why he has to say Elders must not be drunkards. Anyone who teaches that wine in the 1st century was grape juice is wrong and doesn’t understand biblical grammar or history. The NASB translates it addicted to wine. The Elder cannot be known as the town drunk.
He must not be violent but gentle, not quarrelsome. There have been a lot of celebrity pastors who have been removed from their positions in recent years because they’re bullies. A man who is a bully is disqualified from leading the church. The Elder must not be a lover of money. In this same letter Paul writes the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6.10). How many pastors have made the news over financial scandals? If a man loves money he is disqualified from leading God’s church.
Verses 4-5: He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? There’s debate about how to interpret this especially in Titus because some translations read that his children must be believers (Titus 1.6). The word in Titus is πιστός, which can either be translated as believers or faithful. When you pair that with what Paul says in Timothy, that children must be submissive, it’s logical to conclude that Paul isn’t teaching a hard and fast rule that Elders must have children that are saved. Meaning if an Elder has a grown child that walks away from the faith, that doesn’t mean that Elder must resign. But while they are children under his care, he must keep them submissive and respectful. If an Elder has children that he cannot control, he must not be allowed to shepherd, for if he cannot lead his house, how can he lead the church as well?
The Elder cannot be a recent convert or he might become prideful, which is the sin of the devil. Pride is Satan’s chief offence. Speaking of devilish behavior, he must be well thought of by those outside the church, if not he might fall into disgrace, which is a snare of the devil. If a man’s character is such that unbelievers do not think he should be a pastor that is a red flag.
Our Elder Brother
As we survey the qualifications for an Elder there’s part of us that thinks there should be more. What about education? What about leadership acumen? What about dynamic public speaking? What about a church growth guru? These qualifications can’t be enough? As DA Carson wrote, what’s so remarkable about the qualifications for Elder is that they’re unremarkable. With the exception of the ability to teach, every Christian man should aspire to these character traits.
On the other hand this list is daunting. I mean, who can live up to this? There is none righteous, no not one (Rom 3.10). And this is where the qualifications for Elders lead us to our elder brother. Jesus came conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived without sin. He was above reproach. Jesus is the husband of one wife, his bride – the church (Eph 5.32). He was sober minded, self-controlled, respectable and hospitable. He is the greatest teacher who ever walked the face of the earth. Jesus drank alcohol but he was not the town drunk, he was not violent, but gentle and lowly in spirit. He did not love money. Jesus is the great manager of his household, the church, keeping his children disciplined (Heb 12). Jesus is the true man.
He died in the place of the elect on the cross. He bore God’s wrath for his people so that we might experience God’s grace. He exchanged our sin for his righteousness. On the 3rd day he rose again taking dominion of sin, hell, and death. Whether you are an Elder, or an man who aspires to be an Elder, or a man, woman, or child who aspires to be a faithful Christian, the only answer is to look to Christ. Repent of your sin and trust in him alone. It is only from that posture that we can attain these characteristics by the power of the Spirit.
Conclusion
Brett, today you are ordained and installed as a Pastor/Elder/Overseer of Christ Community Church. Your qualifications are also your marching orders. Love, lead, serve, and protect Gina and those beautiful babies above all else. There is nothing more important than your marriage. There is nothing more important than your marriage. Your first field of ministry is your home. Teach them the gospel with your words and your works. Serve the church. Serve your field at Beaumont so that you might be well though of. And above all look to Jesus who is the great shepherd of the sheep. Who lived, died, and resurrected for us and our salvation. May your life be marked by the 8 goals of Count Nikolaus Von Zinzendorf:
Preach the Gospel
Kill sin relentlessly
Be faithful to your wife
Love your children
Serve the church
Die
Be forgotten
Reign with Christ