Leading By Example: Why I Think Elder’s Should Work

Let me first start by saying, I know that this is a very sensitive topic. Let me also add that I will not attempt to argue all of the perspectives from 1 Corinthians 9 nor 1 Timothy 5. Alan Knox has done a very good job explaining this, rather we disagree or not. I think he provides a very balanced approach; however, with a specific conclusion. So I want to come from a slightly different angle.

What Does Pastor’s Do That Prevents Them From Working?

I have thought about this a hundred times over. Exactly what is in the functional job description of a pastor that would somehow inhibit him from working a 9-5 like other believers? Exactly what does he do for the church on a day to day basis that other Christians are not to be doing? The only difference is that he has been set apart because he has the character of an elder brother.  I just can’t find anything that would prevent him from caring for the church while simultaneously earning a living for his family.  Unless of course…

Well… if we move into our modern model of church going and organizational hierarchies we may be able to quickly propagate and defend the case for paid ministers. “Times our different” we hear. The culture is different, what church looks like is different (the church in the scripture is not as enlightened as we are right?) and obviously we have moved outside of homes until buildings and we have staff, and all this other stuff, who else can do it besides the paid staff? I usually ask the question, is any of that stuff needed? If it is not in the scripture then it doesn’t seem to be necessary to the health, well being nor deployment of the Church. Those things have been added on by years of institutionalization and what was not even a thought for the Apostles has become the standard of what church should look like in our enlightened time.

What Greater Example?

It is odd to me, when a young men who has never worked a job outside of packing some books and helping people enroll in college for 20 hours a week, jumps behind a pulpit to tell me how I should work on my job. That is like a blind man instructing a famous painter about hues. My friend, if you have went from bible college to seminary to pastoral ministry with never having the hard task of balancing a family, job and church life and remain faithful and sane then my friend, you can’t tell me ANYTHING about “work”.

However, if you are currently caring for a family, holding down a job (with all of its stresses and messiness) and caring/serving others (not serving pulpits and business meetings) then I would be apt to listen to and give heed to a mature man living faithfully with outsiders, and caring for the saints. However, what I find is that many pastors, MANY, have the audacity to complain about how members aren’t serving the church. My friend that is because after working 8-10 hours, commuting, helping the wife with the children, helping instruct our families with the gospel and build relationships with others, we are tired and no we don’t want to help you fulfill your vision we want to sleep 8) 

Ohhhhh but what an example when a man has worked all day (Paul) preaches the Gospel, care for others in the midst of suffering has something to share with you. Not a man who gets a two month sabbatical, but a man who is juggling all pins and remains afloat like the rest of us have to do.

But Who Will Lead? A Case for Shared Ministry

The first question is then who will lead? Who will preach and instruct? Who will cast the vision? Who will care for the saints? Who will, who will, who will, who will????? WE WILL that is who! First we have to understand this can not be done on the one pastor model. This can only occur with a plurality of men working hand in hand to help provide ADEQUATE and personal care for those God has given them charge over. This is the easiest thing to fix. Depending on how many are in your local fellowship, bring other men, with the help of the church, before the church to set more aside. This alleviates any need for one man to prepare hours upon hours for teaching every week. The alleviates any need for one man to be visiting and it alleviates the pressure of this “vision” hocus pocus that is so prevalent today! A plurality of elders just isn’t the right thing, it is the best thing, the most healthiest thing, and most stress relieving thing, not to mention Holy Spirit wise thing to do!

Next equip the saints for the work of ministry and stop taking on tasks that you are not equipped to do. Christ gave us His Spirit who in turn gave us gifts, so that the entire body may be built up. This includes teaching. Just because a man is not an elder doesn’t mean he can’t teach, even multiple times throughout the year. This not only frees a few men from the task of teaching, it encourages others to prepare (teaches them how) and it encourages others to speak to one another from personal experience and theological thought.

Christ is our ultimate leader but he has gifted some men specifically to care for others in unique ways. However, this doesn’t mean that all of the real ministry work are done by them and the extracurricular stuff is for the “laymen”. No! Every believer is a full adult child in the Kingdom of God and because of this they posses real value and can contribute as early as the Spirit leads them to help others “grow up into the head”. It is a ridiculous notion that is being conveyed by many of churches and the perpetual infancy among the saints should be embarrassing! Ministry belongs to the Spirit and to inhibit such shared expression is a slap in the face of the Spirit of God who was sent for this purpose.

Some Last Remarks

I don’t believe that it is sin for churches to pay leaders unless of course they only pay certain ones. The text in 1 Timothy says “especially” not “exclusively” so if one is paid they all should be paid, unless of course we are showing partiality. Also I do believe traveling ministers (call them apostles/missionaries/evangelists/church planters…) should have a right to eat and have his means provided for by the body. This man is doing what many of us are not gifted to do and if he would do it for free, then I think he is God’s man. Traveling ministers have the right to “bring a believing wife” (maybe translated family) with him as he travels so their means should be provided for also. These men have forsaken the collection of goods, homes, and a steady life for the Gospel ministry and compensation is the least we can do to show honor for such work. However, the day he decides to take root in an area then he should turn to earning with his own hands.

Please understand that I won’t divide on such an issue, but I do believe this is the best road to take. I think we can show honor by helping those who teach us and care for us with financial resources, and I believe we can share honor in other ways. However, I don’t believe this is a salary. This would fly in the face to what Paul says in Acts 20. I understand that what I am presenting is a bit non-compliant with common thought, but I just wanted to share my opinion. Thanks a bunch.