King's Cross Church

Lectionary Thoughts: September 8

1 Tim. 3:1-16

Paul is writing to equip the young Timothy for pastoral ministry. But his words are not just beneficial to pastors. As members of a local church, we are part of a denomination that calls us to submit to those who have been called to serve in positions of authority in the church. Our church polity follows a more presbyterian form of government. We are called to sit under the authority and discipline of our elders. This kind of submission is extremely suspect in our culture which prizes individual autonomy above all else. We have been raised in the midst of a worldview that has taught us to think we can be a law unto ourselves, no one having the right to impose things that seem to limit our individual freedom to think and do what we want. This seeps into the church very easily, and the plethora of local church options make it easy to jump from one church to the other without the need to make a serious commitment or submit to any kind of church overseer.

But we can see by the qualifications Paul lists out for overseers that it is an extremely serious office to hold in the church. Those called to serve in these positions must be above reproach and be examples to those put under their charge. God intended to organize his church in such a way for the spiritual benefit of His people. Those ordained as office bearers in the church are meant to serve the church after Christ’s example, as servant leaders. If they are to be effective overseers, they must have people to oversee. If they are to care for their flock like they do their family, there must be some commitment and connection on the part of a congregant. And when they are called to discipline and correct, they can do so as a father does his child, in a familial relationship rooted in love. 

Pray for our overseers, that by God’s grace they may be built up and encouraged to fulfill their office and be a “buttress and pillar” for the truth. Pray for congregants, that they may be willing to submit themselves to those God has called to exercise authority and care over them. 

-SFE