Elders of the Church | 1 Timothy Pt. 12

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul gives the church a vision for how to honor and support those who serve as pastors and elders, while also holding them to a high standard of character and accountability. The passage challenges us to think deeply about the role of leadership in the church—not as a position of privilege, but as a calling that carries both weight and responsibility. In my own journey, I’ve wrestled with the tension between wanting to be “just one of the members” and recognizing the unique calling and responsibility that comes with pastoral leadership. The church needs pastors who are approachable and humble, but also pastors who take seriously the task of shepherding, teaching, and leading God’s people.

Paul’s teaching shows us that not all elders or pastors have the same gifts or responsibilities. Some are especially tasked with preaching and teaching, and these are “worthy of double honor”—which includes both respect and fair compensation. This isn’t about creating celebrity pastors or megalomaniacs, but about ensuring that those who labor in the Word and shepherd the flock are able to do so with joy and without distraction. At the same time, the church must be vigilant in holding its leaders accountable. The qualifications for pastors are rooted in character, not just gifting or education. When a leader falls into serious, disqualifying sin, the church must act with integrity—investigating accusations carefully, involving multiple witnesses, and, if necessary, rebuking publicly for the sake of the whole body.

Paul warns against appointing leaders too quickly. The church must be patient, watching for both obvious and hidden sins, and waiting for good works to become evident. This is not a call to passivity, but to active discipleship—training, equipping, and raising up new leaders who are shaped by the gospel and proven in character. Every member has a role in this process, not just pastors. We are all called to shepherd, to teach biblically, and to “call out the called”—to recognize and encourage those whom God is raising up for leadership, even when it’s not immediately obvious.

Ultimately, the health of the church depends on a culture where biblical leadership is honored, accountability is practiced, and every member is equipped to serve. Whether you are called to pastoral ministry or to another form of service, God is calling each of us to faithfulness, to build up the body, and to answer His call in our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Honor leadership without creating idols Honoring pastors and elders means recognizing their unique calling and supporting them, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. But this honor must never turn into celebrity or unchecked authority. True honor is about enabling fruitful ministry, not inflating egos. The church flourishes when leaders are respected and supported, but also remain humble and accountable. [03:17]
• 2. Accountability is essential for healthy leadership Pastors and elders must be held to the highest standards of character, and the church must not shy away from addressing serious sin. This means careful investigation, involvement of multiple witnesses, and public correction when necessary. Accountability protects the church, preserves trust, and reminds us that no one is above God’s standards—not even those in leadership. [18:25]
• 3. Don’t rush to appoint leaders—watch for fruit Paul warns against quickly elevating people to positions of leadership. Instead, the church should patiently observe both the character and the fruit of those who feel called. Some sins are obvious, others are hidden, and some good works take time to surface. Waiting allows God’s work in a person’s life to become clear, preventing future harm and ensuring that only those truly called and qualified are set apart for leadership. [24:02]
• 4. Every member is called to shepherd and equip Shepherding is not just the job of pastors; every believer is called to care for, teach, and equip others. The church grows healthiest when all members are involved in discipling, training, and raising up new leaders. This means investing in others, delegating responsibility, and always looking for ways to equip the next generation of servants and leaders. [28:09]
• 5. Call out the called—invest in potential Raising up biblical leaders requires intentionality. We must look for those whom God may be calling, even if they seem unlikely candidates. This involves patient teaching, encouragement, and discipleship, trusting that God can transform lives and make His calling clear in time. The whole church participates in this process, ensuring a legacy of faithful leadership for years to come. [33:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:23] - Reflections on Pastoral Titles and Authority
• [01:37] - Wrestling with Pastoral Identity
• [03:17] - Double Honor for Faithful Elders
• [04:52] - Distinctions Among Elders and Pastors
• [06:11] - First Among Equals: Authority and Weight
• [08:00] - How Leadership Works in Our Church
• [10:49] - Shared Pastoral Care and Accountability
• [11:25] - Compensation and Honoring Church Staff
• [13:54] - Challenges of Supporting Church Staff
• [15:40] - Staff Consistency and Church Health
• [18:25] - Handling Accusations and Accountability
• [21:05] - Avoiding Favoritism and Quick Appointments
• [24:02] - The Dangers of Rushing Leadership
• [26:05] - Waiting for Character and Good Works
• [28:09] - Practicing Shepherding in Every Ministry
• [30:53] - Biblical Teaching Across All Ministries
• [33:35] - Calling Out the Called
• [35:57] - Responding to God’s Call

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 5:17-25 (ESV) — 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 1 Timothy 5, what makes certain elders “worthy of double honor”? What does this “double honor” include? ([03:17])
2. What process does Paul lay out for handling accusations against church leaders? Why does he require two or three witnesses? ([18:25])
3. What warning does Paul give about appointing new leaders too quickly? What are the possible consequences of rushing this process? ([24:02])
4. In the sermon, what distinction is made between the role of “pastor/elder” and the activity of “shepherding”? ([28:09])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes both honoring and holding church leaders accountable? How do these two ideas work together for the health of the church? ([03:17] / [18:25])
2. What might be the dangers of either idolizing church leaders or failing to support them well? How does the passage help us avoid both extremes? ([03:17])
3. Paul says not to be hasty in laying on hands (appointing leaders). What are some reasons it might be tempting for a church to rush this process? ([24:02])
4. The sermon mentions that every member is called to shepherd and equip others, not just pastors. What does this look like in practical terms for people who don’t have a formal leadership title? ([28:09])

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns against creating “celebrity pastors” or giving unchecked authority, but also calls us to honor and support our leaders. In your experience, have you seen either of these extremes? How can you personally help create a culture of healthy honor and accountability in our church? ([03:17])
2. Paul says that accusations against leaders must be handled carefully and with multiple witnesses. If you ever had a concern about a leader, what steps would you take to address it biblically and wisely? What would be hard about this? ([18:25])
3. Think about a time when you saw someone quickly placed in a leadership role (in church or elsewhere) without much preparation. What was the result? How can you be part of patiently encouraging and equipping future leaders, rather than rushing the process? ([24:02])
4. The sermon says that “shepherding” is for every believer, not just pastors. Who is someone in your life (inside or outside the church) that you could intentionally encourage, teach, or help grow in faith this month? What’s one step you could take? ([28:09])
5. The idea of “calling out the called” means looking for and investing in people who might have leadership potential, even if it’s not obvious. Is there someone in your small group, ministry, or family who you could encourage or mentor? What would that look like? ([33:35])
6. The sermon challenges us to answer God’s call, whether to pastoral ministry or another form of service. Is there an area of service or leadership you feel God might be nudging you toward? What’s holding you back from taking a next step? ([35:57])
7. The passage and sermon both stress the importance of character over gifting or education for leaders. How can you personally grow in Christlike character, and how can you encourage others to do the same? ([21:05])