Treatment of Church Leaders

I Timothy 5:17-20

Over the years, I have heard pastor after pastor talk about how badly some church treated a pastor. Since I had been associated with some of the churches, I had questions about some of the claims and investigated further. I quickly discovered the truth of Proverbs 18:13, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” More than half of the time, the evidence showed the pastor to be in the wrong, and abusing the church rather than the church abusing the pastor. Those pastors had listened to the other pastor without checking his story, and as Proverbs 18:17 says, “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.”

III John 9-10 describes Diotrophes as abusing the church he was pasturing. God takes a strong stand against the Nicolaitan doctrine in his letters to the church at Ephesus and at Pergamos described in Revelation 2. Both Jesus and Paul stress that excluding people from the church is an action to be taken by the church, not by the pastor. Many references refer to how Christians are to treat each other, and the guidelines for pastors emphasize their responsibility to be even more careful to model those behaviors.

Nevertheless, abuse of pastors does occur. Some are clearly underpaid and are treated unfairly in other ways. As a result, God has laid out the following guidelines as to how to treat leaders.

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (I Timothy 5:17-20)

If the man is doing his job well, he is to be counted as deserving double honor. If not, the church may need to confront him and if necessary, replace him. Those who teach well are especially deserving of extra respect. They are helping others to prepare for eternity, as well as improving their lives here. They deserve to be properly paid for their labors, both in respect and in a financial way, insofar as the church is able. If the church is unable to pay adequately, it is unfair to demand he deprive his family to satisfy the church.

At the same time it is wrong for the pastor to demand unfair compensation for what he does. If he is away speaking in other churches or at meetings, they need to be carefully weighed in relation to the value to the church. If they prevent his doing his job in the church, the church should not be obligated to pay for his time in doing them. His responsibility to the church he pastors supersedes any responsibility to other churches.

Unsubstantiated charges against leaders are to be suspect. It is far too easy for a person in leadership to be misunderstood, and Satan is eager to destroy with false accusation. If there are two or more accusers, however the claims should be investigated. If found to be true, The leader should be rebuked publicly because he is responsible to set the example. Public censure will make others aware that even leaders cannot escape judgment, thereby deterring others.