This articulates something I've been wrestling with: we've lost "elder" as a category because we've lost "father" as a model. Paul didn't call Timothy his "direct report." The qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 aren't leadership competencies, they're descriptions of a man who fathers well, starting in his home, and then in the church. Thanks for sharing this, Mike.
The pattern seems to be of churches catering to young people. Nothing wrong with that, but I don’t think they follow a Paul/Timothy discipleship model. More of a community-young family fellowship model that lacks depth and ministry permanence. Good for the short run, but not for long term discipleship. I have seen several pastors/elders refuse others calling to serve because it doesn’t fit their specific model. It is big on Sunday worship and preaching, but very few in-house service oriented ministries throughout the week. In fact, this model outsources ministries (through pregnancy centers, food banks, direct church-to-church monetary support of international missions etc) that ask for donations but not involvement.
It's so easy to fall into secular patterns of leadership because there's so much pressure to do so--from our own unsettled hearts, from our denominations, from our congregation. We pastors must constantly be on the alert.
Whatever little wisdom I may have is due to getting so many things wrong down through the years. I've gone back with Piper for decades, but along with Eugene Peterson and a few others, I've learned a lot from him.
Thank you for this Mike
Thank you Brother, I pray we all hear! Ed
This articulates something I've been wrestling with: we've lost "elder" as a category because we've lost "father" as a model. Paul didn't call Timothy his "direct report." The qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 aren't leadership competencies, they're descriptions of a man who fathers well, starting in his home, and then in the church. Thanks for sharing this, Mike.
Agreed. I love your observation that Paul didn't call Timothy his "direct report"!
Amen!
Oh! How the sheep yearn for such spiritually called, fatherly shepherds!
There is a great longing, I think, for a return to simple, biblical patterns of church leadership, both from pastors and from congregations.
The pattern seems to be of churches catering to young people. Nothing wrong with that, but I don’t think they follow a Paul/Timothy discipleship model. More of a community-young family fellowship model that lacks depth and ministry permanence. Good for the short run, but not for long term discipleship. I have seen several pastors/elders refuse others calling to serve because it doesn’t fit their specific model. It is big on Sunday worship and preaching, but very few in-house service oriented ministries throughout the week. In fact, this model outsources ministries (through pregnancy centers, food banks, direct church-to-church monetary support of international missions etc) that ask for donations but not involvement.
A great BIG Amen on this one Mike. Like yourself, I have fallen into some of these categories.
It's so easy to fall into secular patterns of leadership because there's so much pressure to do so--from our own unsettled hearts, from our denominations, from our congregation. We pastors must constantly be on the alert.
As always you have been this type Pastor and led by this wise perspective.
I learned much of it during my years in NC with you and the fantastic people at First Baptist Church
I have always appreciate your fatherly wisdom.
Love JP!
Whatever little wisdom I may have is due to getting so many things wrong down through the years. I've gone back with Piper for decades, but along with Eugene Peterson and a few others, I've learned a lot from him.