Do you find it hard to lead the elderly? One of the challenges that Timothy faced at Ephesus. Some honored the old and looked down on the younger. Paul gave Timothy and the church instructions about their relationship with each other. Paul told Timothy to make sure that no one despised his young age. Then, in contrast, Paul told Timothy to treat older men (and women) with respect.
We have already seen that in God’s household, the leader should treat people as his family members. It is essential when a leader needs to rebuke an older man. It is always hard to criticize people. It is even more complicated when the person we condemn is more senior than we are. It is crucial not to rebuke harshly. A leader must encourage the elderly gently for them to do what is right. It would be wise for a younger minister to seek guidance from an older and trusted minister before going to the older adult. An intelligent thing a young minister can do in their ministry is listen to older men and women. Treating the older men as fathers and the older women as mothers means more than caring for them in their old age.
A young minister should give double honor to the elders who lead in the church. Double “honor” refers to respect and financial help. One way or another, the elderly who lead the church should receive some pay for their work and receive kind words of thanks and recognition for what they do for the church.
Do not consider an accusation against a church leader without two or three witnesses. God first gave this principle to Moses as part of the Old Testament Law (Deuteronomy 19:15). Paul mentions it in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 13:1). The essential thought is this: Those who hear an accusation must ensure the facts before they bring any charges. Protect elders from angry or malicious people who want revenge or are looking for a way to attack the church.
Discipline church elders who sin so others will fear sinning. A holy church cannot tolerate sin. When an elderly leader is found to be in sin, it must be exposed. The general rule for exposing corruption is if it is public, deal with it publically. If it is private, deal with it privately.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your guidance on how to deal with relationships within the church. I ask that each of us find a mentor – a trusted one- that can help us wisely deal with all the messiness we can have in the church.
In Jesus Name
Amen
