Are You Ready for Eldership or Pastoral Ministry?

Paul tells us it is a commendable thing if a man desires the work of an overseer, (1 Timothy 3:1). But who is qualified to shepherd the flock of God?

You do not need to be ordained or have a seminary degree to start a church or become an elder in a local congregation; however you should possess all the qualifications of an elder and be recognized as such by the local fellowship. These qualifications include character qualities and being thoroughly equipped in the doctrines of Scripture to enable you to engage in teaching and polemics, Titus 1:9ff, 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

You should also have a local church standing with you in such ministry endeavors. The Old Testament priesthood was a privilege that no one could assume on his own, a man had to be appointed by God, as Hebrews 5:4 says, "no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was." Likewise elders are those whom "the Holy Spirit has made overseers, to shepherd the church of God," Acts 20:28.The Holy Spirit appoints leaders, and the local church confirms the call of God and the character of the man being commissioned to the work. Then they lay hands upon him as Moses did with Joshua and as the elders did with Timothy. The local church is warned not to lay hands on any one hastily, 1 Timothy 5:22a. Time is needed to prove a brother's call, character, and preparedness. "The pastoral ministry requires that a man be spiritually fit and capable of leading God's people," (Daniel R. Brown).

The New Testament model of ministry training follows the teacher/learner model. Mark 3:14 recounts the Savior's method, "Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach." The follower gains knowledge and wisdom from the life of his mentor as well as through formal instruction. Observing ministry in real life and interacting with true shepherds in their work creates a fertile ground for growing real leaders. This is God's way for fitting men for ministry and passing on the mantle of servant leadership. However churches can only train faithful men, 2 Timothy 2:2. Many impatiently go out into the work without being trained or being sent. This typically results in their own sorrow and the detriment of those who follow them.

It is also wise to know when you are ready to take up the mantle of leadership. Remember that Moses set himself to be a deliverer of his people when he was forty but he was not ready, it took forty more years in the desert to prepare him to accomplish the vision that God gave in his youth. This is the Biblical principle of preparation, as Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, "If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success." Many churches have little vision for training leaders and you cannot expect to be equipped for the Lord's service in those congregations. To prepare a man thoroughly for every good work, a church must see the necessity of training and take that work seriously. It must not be delegated to the sphere of professional institutions alone.

It is our experience that you cannot build the ministry until you build the man. I encourage every man who wishes to pursue leadership ministry to take the place of a learner with Christian leaders he respects and desires to immulate, and then wait to be sent into the work. I say this as a brother and shepherd among the Lord's people for these last thirty years. How well I remember my own impatience to be in the ministry. Remember Paul's words concerning the proof of Timothy's ministry, Philippians 2:22 "But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel." What was "the proof of him?" It was his willingness to be taught and to serve under mentoring leaders over time.

Patience is needed in growth and preparation. As Miles Stanford observes, "Since the Christian life matures and becomes fruitful by the principle of growth (see II Pet. 3:18) rather than by struggle and "experiences," much time is involved. Unless we see and acquiesce to this, there is bound to be constant frustration, to say nothing of resistance to our Father's development processes for us. Dr. A. H. Strong illustrates for us: "A student asked the President of his school whether he could not take a shorter course than the one prescribed. ‘Oh yes,' replied the President, ‘but then it depends upon what you want to be. When God wants to make an oak, He takes a hundred years, but when He wants to make a squash, he takes six months.'" Strong also wisely points out to us that "growth is not a uniform thing in the tree or in the Christian. In some single months there is more growth than in all the year besides. During the rest of the year, however, there is solidification, without which the green timber would be useless. The period of rapid growth, when woody fibre is actually deposited between the bark and the trunk, occupies but four to six weeks in May, June and July." Principles of Spiritual Growth, Miles J. Stanford, p.11, 12 I encourage every young man who longs to be a spiritual leader to take the path of patience and training in the house of God. You must resist all self-confidence and take the place of a follower and student before seeking the role of a leader. Take the time to sharpen the ax.

When pastors and elders diligently set about the work of training leaders for His church and men driven by godly ambition earnestly submit and follow, the result is the edification of the church, the spread of the gospel, the planting of new churches, unto the increasing glory of God.

Bob St.John