Pastors, Deacons and Their Families

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. . . . Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. . . . For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

(I Timothy 3:1, 8-9, 13 NKJV https://www.bible.com/bible/114/1ti.3.1,8-9,13.nkjv)

In any organization, some individuals seek leadership and others are thrust into it. Paul’s instructions to Timothy as to how bishops (understood to be pastors by most) and deacons (who serve the church under the pastor’s leadership) have been a crucial part of most denominations’ qualifications since then.

In both cases, the positions are commended. Interestingly, Paul does not require celibacy, as some churches have done, but in both cases requires monogamy. Family life is important to both.