A Higher Standard

[DeaconDean]

I was wondering how you feel about this. Should Pastors, Elders, and Deacons be held to a higher standard than others? The Bible says: "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (1 Cor. 9:14 KJV) And 1 Tim. 3:1-13 outlines the qualification for Deacons And Elders. 1 Tim. 3:6 says Elders should be "not a novice." Likewise, 1 Tim. 3:10 says Deacons should be "first be proved." Because we, those of us in the ministry, namely Pastors, Elders, and Deacons, are living lives as examples for our church members to see, should we held to a higher standard? I believe we should because we are the spiritually mature members, grounded in the word, tried, tested, and proved. We are the ones whom the newer and younger less experienced Christians come to and look up to. Especially in light of recent scandals involving the Catholic church and some Baptist ministers. What do you think?

 

[ebia]

Yes and no.

Pastors/ministers/priests/whatever, are called to a high standard. But then, we are all called to a higher standard (perfection) than we will actually achieve. It's important to remember that our leaders are still human, and will still fail.

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

Yes, they must be held to a higher standard. Which means that when a pastor/elder/deacon messes up, he is in for harsher discipline from the church than a regular member.

 

[JunkYardDog]

Elders are held to a higher standard for both becoming elders and for remaining so. Church discipline for the ordinary Christian follows the rules of Matthew 18, where elders caught in sin go straight to the public rebuke so that all will see the example and take care. If the ordinary believer sees the elder treated so directly he will understand that he will not get away with bringing sin into the camp either.

1 Timothy 5:19-20
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

 

[LukeBritt]

I am an elder, and I think that the offices of church government are to be held in the highest regard and also should be the most disciplined. I don't think I would use the word, "higher standard", but maybe more responsible.

 

[JunkYardDog]

I am an elder, and I think that the offices of church government are to be held in the highest regard and also should be the most disciplined. I don't think I would use the word, "higher standard", but maybe more responsible.

You have an excellent point. The standard for everyone is, "Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect." We should expect elders to be further towards that image.

 

[DeaconDean]

I am the Chairman of the Deacons in my church and although we (Baptist) dont have elders per say, Deacons and Pastors are the spiritual leaders of the church. I agree that "higher standard" may have been the wrong word, but if a member of the church is caught lets say in adultry, the only thing that can be done is to exclude them from communion, church votes, etc. If a Deacon, Elder, or Pastor is caught doing the same thing, they not only lose their position, but their reputation as well. And risk not ever being called into that position again. But in light of such evangelists as Jimmy Swaggert, you can do this sort of thing and your congegation wont do a thing. Go figure.