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A HIGH CALLING (1 TIMOTHY 3)

REFLECTION

“A high calling ” is the theme for our reflection. A high calling means appointed, consecrated, ordained commissioned or elevated to serve as a leader in the Church. Christian leadership is a high calling. A high calling requires a higher standard of character and expectation when it comes to reflecting the image of Christ as an exemplary figure in the church and the society.

Paul mentions two categories of leadership in 1 Timothy 3 and their qualifications. These are the offices of an overseer and a deacon. In other words, before one is appointed there are some key features and characteristics that must be found in the person. To qualify for the high calling of an overseer, pastor, or bishop, Paul states unequivocally that ” Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.” (1 Timothy 3:1-7). These features are not cast in mystery but are very visible and ascertainable through mere observation of the person’s lifestyle and spiritual life. Similarly, to serve as a deacon or to assist the overseer in the management of the affairs of the Church, Paul mentioned that “deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons…A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:8-10,12-13) Again in Titus 1:5-9, a church elder, catechist or Presbyter “… must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

It is important to note that a high calling or to be appointed into Christian leadership is not compensation for being a member of a church for many years. Apart from being a member of the church for many years, the features or qualities enumerated by Paul must be seen in the person. Again, it must also be noted that Christian leadership is not heredity or a preserve of Christian leaders and their families. For instance, the mere fact that the husband is a pastor, does not mean that his wife must by all means become a pastor or a deacon of the Church. In other instances, the children of the pastor must also become pastors so that they can inherit the position of leadership from their father. We have been admonished to subject anyone who desires to be a Christian leader to the features or characteristics mentioned by Paul and the examples of our Lord Jesus Christ. The features can simply be summed up as having the nature or image of Christ. In other words, to become a Christian leader you must reflect the image of Christ.

The gross mistake made by some churches is that during the appointment and training of people to occupy a high calling or church leadership position we erroneously think or believe that some people who hitherto lacked the characteristics or features mentioned by Paul will acquire them by the end of the training. The features or characteristics of a high calling or Christian leadership are condition precedent. They must exist in the person before his or her nomination or election for training and commission or consecration. We must not compromise this important and sacred duty when appointing or electing Church leaders or giving people the opportunity to serve in a high calling. It can be disastrous or detrimental to the image and integrity of the Church if we compromise or lower the standard of the qualification of those who must lead the Church.

In summary, we have reflected on the fact that a high calling requires a higher standard of character and expectation when it comes to reflecting the image of Christ as an exemplary figure in the Church. In other words, a Christian leader must reflect the perfect image of Christ and must be a good example to the members of the church hence his or her qualifications must not be compromised. We must ensure that the right people with the right qualifications are called, appointed or elected into leadership positions in the Church. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, raise for the Church leaders who possess the perfect image of Christ. Continue to guide the Church in the appointment and election of people who possess exemplary and godly qualities or features to lead the Church. Amen.