Good day again yesterday. Lots of outside work got done. Garden is in! And then the rains came! God is good! Could use more, but I will take this right now!
I think we all agree that women and men are equal- based on comments from yesterday. That was good!
The bulk of today's reading is a list of qualification of church leaders. In the last chapter, Paul outlined that women are not good candidates for church office- but this doesn't mean all men are! Paul will list several character traits that the church leaders should have.
Paul first talks about being an elder (bishop in some translations). We all know examples of bishops in our church leadership. The word bishop in the New Testament is derived from the Greek episkopos- "epi-" over and "skopos"- to see; literally the bishop is an overseer. In the United Methodist denomination, the bishop's office is called the "episcopacy" derived from the same word. In the case of the early church, the bishop could oversee one church or several churches. There may be multiple bishops in one area, adding to church confusion! God has specific qualifications for leaders, and Paul begins to list them (vv 2- 7). As you read through the list, think about the leaders of your church. Do they fit these qualifications?
Paul then turns to deacons. The deacons were "organized" in Acts 6:1-6; they are more oriented to service rather than word (preaching). The qualifications, according to Paul, are quite similar to bishops. In the UMC, there tends to be some "division" between the elders and the deacons, but in God's eyes, they are the same! Most of our clergy are ordained elders with only a handful being ordained as deacons.
Paul switches topics and writes a personal message to Timothy among all these instructions. He tells of his desire to meet with Timothy again, and you can really sense the connection Paul has with Timothy. Paul's desire is for Timothy is to live a good and wholesome life in the church (v 15). Then, in just a few short sentences (v 16), Paul outlines the Gospel message in a succinct fashion. In the original Greek, these lines have a regular pattern and are thought to be an ancient church hymn. Reading these words, we can see Jesus is the complete fullness of Christian character.
An easy and quick chapter that probably won't spark too much discussion or controversy!
Bachelor life is over for me today. Sherri comes home later; she has been in State College all week helping Lauren pack. We both go back tomorrow, with my truck, to help them pack and leave State College for good. They will be with us this summer until Lauren finds a permanent job in early childhood education. Going to be a busy summer for Grandpa Paul!
Have a great day.
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
I think this chapter really shows the relationship between Paul and Timothy. As parents, even though our children are grown, we want them to live good lives and offer lots of advice on how to do that (smile) - as Paul is doing here. It is a good way for all "leaders" in the church to behave but also a very good outline on how all people should behave. I found it interesting that he noted that they should have "one wife". I didn't realize that polygamy would be such a problem. Also surprised that the "leader", according to Paul, should not be a novice. It's like not being hired because you have no experience but you can't get experience without getting hired. Or is it more a novice in Christianity?? You are right, reading vs. 16 was quite beautiful and I could see Jesus in the "complete fullness of Christian character".
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment on using names when I pray - not just "God bless my friends and my enemies." I am going to try that! On your comments about Timothy and the prophecy about him - after looking up the meaning, I am thinking that Timothy's being and work was foretold by the prophets. But Paul's saying that in Chapter 1 vs. 18, does go along with Paul's thoughts that all are chosen beforehand. I do agree with you - God wants us all to be saved! But I think he chooses us to perform certain tasks.
I think my pastor fits the qualifications as closely as humanly possible.
Wishing Sherri a great and safe trip home!
Good point- as adults we still hold our children in our hearts and, I don't know about you all, but I still worry- probably more than when they were with me!
DeleteAnd yes- the list Paul proposes for church leaders is good for all people! Imagine that!
The statement of "one wife" mostly referred to having an affair with someone- people didn't usually marry multiple wives, but they were quite amorous for others at times! Paul didn't think that was in the best interest if the church!
The novice part referred to novice in Christianity- Paul was requiring someone deep in faith that people could turn to for theological advice.
Great thoughts Donna
We must all strive to be as Paul says our church leaders should be, I think. However in today's world women can also be church leaders as well as men. There were some women that Paul did mention in his letters that were leaders but not many. I wonder if it was just the times that lead to Paul's idea about women or if there was another reason???
ReplyDeletePaul was never really in to women because he was so focused on the church- first to destroy it and then to proclaim it! His opinion was that women took away too much time that could be spent with God. Several other great theologians thought the same way!
DeleteHe had a good relationship with his mom, according to sources, and his grandmother too.
Thanks Clara
I feel I have been lucky in my faith journey to have had church leaders that I respected and looked up to. I think they like us are human and make mistakes just as Paul did. Donna you are so right as parents with grown children we have to be very careful about keeping opinions to ourselves. I am actually very proud of our children and the adults they have become.
ReplyDeleteGood question Clara.
How exciting to have family home for the summer!
I have been blessed, as well, with a few pastors that have really guided me in my journey! I wonder where I would be without having them!
DeleteThanks for the thoughts Cindy
I got to thinking about women leading churches and since I worked for a church years ago, I still have some women clergy friends. Pastor, I don't know if you know Rev. Dr. Nancy Hale but she is a friend of mine. She is serving the church at Canton, NY till June. I asked her her opinion of yesterday's reading last night. Here is her reply: "As for Timothy, it is Paul's personal opinion. Nowhere does he say it's what God wants or expects. So I can disregard the things he said about women as a culturally conditioned piece of patriarchy." She added a smiley face. I assumed that a clergywoman would have this opinion. I thought a clergywoman's opinion might be interesting.
ReplyDeleteI can't decide why Paul is giving Timothy so much instruction. Is it just to reinforce what Paul thinks Timothy has probably been thinking? Or does Paul not really trust Timothy's judgement?
I agree with everyone saying that we have to be careful what we say to our grown children. I try not to say too much even though it's really hard sometimes. I have to remember to mind my own business.
It has been a beautiful, cooler day.
I do know Nancy- a great advocate for people! And great advice/comments form Nancy! That's true- these are Paul's requirements- not God's!
DeleteThe goal of this letter to Timothy is for him to keep the church alive and growing in Ephesus. It is facing some negative teachings and people are falling away. Paul wants the church to thrive and Timothy has never been "solo" on a church mission.
Thanks for the comments, Cathy, and thanks for contacting Nancy!
It does appear that Paul means for all the elders, deacons, and leaders of the church to be men. That was a sign of those times. In today's world, there are women who fill the roles that Paul laid out for men in his instructions to Timothy. There is nothing wrong, in my opinion, with women filling these roles. I do believe, however, that they should adhere to the same rules that Paul called out for men in his letters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Donna that the my pastor fits the qualifications as closely as humanly possible. I say "my pastor" as I am technically still a member of this church.
True- what Paul states should hold fro women in leadership too!
ReplyDeleteI've heard some things about your church leader though! (just kidding!)
Thanks for the comments Jack!