CHURCH LEADERSHIP GUIDELINES
1 Timothy 5:1-2, 19 NKJV
5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
In his letter to Timothy, the lead pastor of the church at Ephesus, Paul gives a discourse on how to treat church members. Timothy was a young pastor, so Paul's instructions would serve to set him up well as he navigated relationships with members and church leaders.
When it came to correction, Timothy was instructed on how to treat the men and women. Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father. And the younger men as brothers. I really like how the New Living Translation translates this verse. "Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers." To speak harshly to older men is not going to work in almost any setting. Speaking harshly is rarely called for, regardless of age. When correction has to come, it should come with a call to change, not in a demeaning or demanding way.
Treat the older women as mothers and the younger women as you would your sister. Treating younger women as your sisters should keep things pure. It is interesting to note that in a day when women were typically not treated well, Paul encouraged Timothy to be respectful. Christianity should be different than societal culture and always in a good way.
The other verses in this chapter deal with the treatment of widows, the preferred behavior of widows, and the church taking care of its own. Then, Paul addresses the subject of the elders.
Elders in the church would be those in leadership positions. Elders who rule well were those in positions of oversight. The church at Ephesus was reported to be huge, and so there were many elders involved. Some, not all, of the elders, were involved in preaching and teaching the scriptures. And sometimes elders messed up. It happened then, and it still happens today, but Paul instructed Timothy on how to handle the leaders that went off.
A key thought here was that an accusation against an elder/leader was not to be accepted unless it came from two or three witnesses. And is there ever solid wisdom here. It would take more than one person to take down an elder. Those who were sinning were to be publicly corrected. Ouch! But remember, it would take multiple accusations before a matter was addressed.
APPLICATION
This is a great template to use in the church. Treating people with respect and in a kind way, like family, is going to work out better even when tough subjects have to be broached. This doesn't mean every difficult confrontation will pan out well, but it can go a long way toward keeping a meeting civil.
And over the years, we have used the two or three witnesses Scripture to mitigate unhappy church members when they had a problem with a church leader. One person complaining, we take no action. But if we hear the same pattern repeated, then it's time to lean in.
Churches are like big families. Thank God for His wisdom in directing us as to how to best handle the interpersonal issues that arise. Things are not always cut and dried so as leaders, we do appreciate your prayers.
PRAYER
Lord, help the leadership of our church handle things and people in a way that honors You and advances Your kingdom agenda.