Being a Pastor

Okay, got up late this morning, set Blue's Clues up for Justin to watch so that I can take a moment with God. :) I may get a little distracted, but oh...to have my 15-30 minutes this day would be good. Finishing off today that last bit of Chapter Four in 1 Timothy.

11Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Timothy was, in essence, the pastor of the Ephesian church. Paul commands him to teach the truth of God, despite his age, despite the proliferation of false teachings, despite all that stuff going on around him. As a pastor, as the leader of the church he was commanded to teach the truth of God. But not only that.... he was also to be an example to them.
An example

• in speech
• in conduct
• in love
• in faith
• in purity

He was devote himself to

• the public reading of Scripture
• to exhortation
• to teaching

He was not to neglect the gift that he had, given to him by prophecy when the elders laid hands on him. He was to practice them all. To immerse himself in them. As he did so, he would save himself and all his listeners.

Can you imagine if your pastor did all these things?
Imagine the difference it would make in his life.
Can you imagine the difference it would make in your life?

Do you see the example that your pastor is? What does he do that causes you to want to be more like Christ? Does he read the Scripture out-loud? Does he teach what it written in it? Does he lead you by example and word?

Of course, being married to a pastor I also think this.... how do you encourage him to do this? Are you like Paul and able to command him to devote himself to the right things...not the visiting of the shut-ins, not the making sure the "stuff" of the church is done which are all good things.... but can you encourage him further to the immerse himself in the word of God, to being a good example in how he talks and does things? Do you encourage him to immerse himself in God, and if you do so, can you see his growth? Can you see how he encourages you to do the same?

This is being a pastor.
This is being part of the visible church of God.