Didaktikos

[Kokopelli]

NO, let them use their God given gifts !

Psalm 1

Thank you for the reply.

[Garand Hunter]

Anyone remember the verse- touch NOT my anointed nor do my prophets any arm ? This is in reference to my reply to Kokopelli, item #16 reply.

Psalm 1

[Barang]

Applying 1 Timothy 3:2 literally, we could say that an elder must be married. One elder is not married. Should both of these elders be removed from office?

i don't think married is one if the qualifications. it's just saying that if he's married, he must be faithful to his wife. the same requirement for single that he must not be committing fornication.

[RAMCLAP]

To clarify my question, we have an elder board. All but one of them would be able to fill the pulpit on Sunday morning, in the pastors absence, with some planning. This one just does not have the gift of teaching that the pastor has. So the question of 1 Timothy 3:2 came up. (Elder must be able to teach.)

However, the elder has filled in and taught Sunday school class when the leader is out. He teaches individuals Biblical truth to individuals. He teaches the worship team music and owns a music store where he teaches students to play instruments and how to sing. But teaching a sermon from the pulpit? Probably not the right guy for the job.



Applying 1 Timothy 3:2 literally, we could say that an elder must be married. One elder is not married. Should both of these elders be removed from office?

Excellent questions my friend. So, To the teaching part. Able is a bit subjective. As we all know people have different abilities. So, because one is able isn't going to mean they are the best. And even more to the point, because someone isn't as well liked as another has more to do with the point of view of the viewer not the doer. I will use myself as an example. I can teach. I know the subject matter well. I would never classify myself as a preacher. And while the two are not mutually exclusive, they are not the same. In our culture the pastor is thought of as first among equals but the congregations see the pastor as more of a personality. They will always favor his preaching over the other elders. It's his job and he practices all the time. It is his calling and he ought to be good at it. Most or many churches have associate pastors for additional preaching. So, whereas I have been called to teach a particular something to the congregation, I was never preaching.

Second point. Marriage. It says an elder must be married to one wife. But, does that mean he has to be married? Or, does it mean that if he is married it is to only one gal? It could mean:

That the elder must be married in order to serve as an elder.

It could mean that the elder can only be married once in his lifetime in order to serve as an elder.

It could mean that the elder must be monogamous, as in he must have one only one wife instead of multiple wives, in order to serve as an elder.

It could mean that the elder must be faithful, emotionally and sexually, to his wife.

The bylaws of your church have to address this. I can't because I don't know what they are.

What I do know is that it is a hard task and I will be judged more severely for how the flock is shepherded because I accepted the task. Understanding this I always am a bit more light when judging other elders. Perhaps I should be the other way.

Anyway, I hope this helps a little.

[IronsightsRifleman]

I will add that an ability to teach is unusual. I am occassionally tasked with organizing professional lectures. Several of my peers have PhDs in advanced fields and are brilliant professionals, yet horrible teachers. They lack the ability.

A good teacher knows his material well, yet empathizes with the novice. He is a good communicator. Most importantly, he is able to stand in opposition to the authoritative positions and show how these perspectives ultimately fail, so that only the truth remains.

[Wordupmybrotha]

As shown in Ephesians 4:11, pastors and teachers are two different roles. Teachers don't need to preach from the pulpit.

None of our elders ever preached.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers... (Ephesians 4:11)

Marriage is not a requirement. In fact, Paul preferred to be single so his attention could be on the ministry 100% rather than be pulled into family matters.