Watch Your Life and Doctrine Closely 2 of 2

You’ll find Part 1 of this brief essay here.

The follow-up question might be, “Well, what does Paul mean by “with regard to yourself”? It only makes sense that he would be thinking back to his list of qualities for the overseer which he already gave in Chapter 3 of the same letter.

Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self- controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 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. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 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 3:2–7).

It is very instructive to note that Paul’s list of qualities for overseers (such as pastors and evangelists) focuses almost entirely on issues of personal character, that is, on the overseer “himself.” Certainly, being “able to teach” implies a thorough knowledge of doctrine and all of these godly character traits arise out of healthy (“sound”) doctrine. However, the main thrust of this list should never be forgotten: the life and character of the man.

But let’s clarify: In reading the whole body of Paul’s writings, it becomes abundantly clear that “the life and character” of the spiritual leader is much more than just his moral character. Paul generally spends half of his letters teaching and/or reviewing the gospel message; he generally spends the other half talking about sanctification, and even those “practical” sections are infused with gospel motivation. The Christian’s whole life of service, sacrifice and obedience always arises “in view of God’s mercy” (Romans 12:1). Thus, “the life and character” of a spiritual leader must include not only the development of his moral character but also his formation in the gospel of Christ which provides the strength and motivation for a godly life and character (learn about wholehearted character here).

This is all a powerful reminder of the ongoing need for seminary students (as well as pastors) to BE pastored! Pastors and seminary students are, to borrow a phrase from Paul Tripp, just as much “in the middle of their sanctification” as every other Christian. They need the law to convict them and the gospel to comfort them just as much as anyone else. They need the direction of the God’s law in their lives and the empowerment of gospel promises just as much as anyone else. They need help smashing their heart idols and turning again to the true God for forgiveness, assurance and power just as much as anyone else. They need mentoring and the community of believers just as much as anyone else. They are in no-way super-Christians or any less likely than other Christians to fall because they are serving in full-time ministry or studying for it. They need to be pastored.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Paul Tripp makes a heartfelt appeal for this in his book “Dangerous Calling.” In a section specifically about seminary training, he writes:

I am not suggesting at all that the seminary curriculum needs to be gutted. All the areas of study that make up seminary education are vital. What I am suggesting is that pastoral passion for the students shape the way the content of seminary education is delivered and applied. I am suggesting that seminary professors become committed to making community with their students and that they always teach with the heart in view and the transforming power of the gospel as their hope. I am suggesting that the seminary student should feel known and loved by his professors and that, in the process of his education, he will come to know his heart and his Lord more deeply and more fully. I am suggesting that seminary classrooms should be places of both education and worship. I am suggesting that professors must preach to and pastor their students. I am suggesting that spiritual formation is not a department of theological education or a particular course. No, the goal of spiritual formation must dye the content of every area of study. Finally I am suggesting that every course of study hold before each student a beautiful Savior, whose beauty alone has the power to overwhelm any other beauty that could capture his heart.

Tripp gives us a lot to think about. The stakes are too high for us to ignore the critical work of equipping gospel workers to be continually ready with regard to themselves for the challenges and problems of ministry. May God bless all our plans to mentor the future leaders of His Church.

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