1 Timothy, "The Call to Serve as a Pastor-Elder, Part 1"

Trying to distinguish the biblical model of the pastor from the American, cultural model of a pastor has been an interest of mine for some time. So I thought I would plunge into the "pastoral letters" (1-2 Timothy and Titus) and glean lessons that Timothy and Titus' mentor, Paul, has for them as pastor-elders. NOTE: I am using the term pastor-elder to indicate that a pastor and an elder are essentially one in the same, with varying functions- not all agree with this view, but it is my view... and this is my blog. : )

Anyway, 1 Timothy is part 1. 2 Timothy is part 2. And Titus will be part 3. I also hope to poke around in other parts of the New Testament for relevant passages that touch on the calling of the pastor-elder, and eventually will wrap it up with a summary, conclusion type of post. So here goes a survey of the call to serve as a pastor-elder in 1 Timothy:

1. One of a pastor's primary callings is to be a good theologian (1:1-11)
2. An effective pastor must also serve as the "chief of sinners" (1:12-17)
3. A pastor is to "fight" and "hold onto the faith" (1:18-20)
4. Pastors are to oversee gathered worship (2:1-15)
5. Pastors are to manifest a walk with Jesus that is discernible to others, including in their personal, spiritual, social and familial/home relationships (3:1-16)
6. Pastors are to be men of the truth (4:1-6)
7. Pastors are to practice gospel-centered, spiritual discipline, not because it merits anything, but because it profits much (4:7-10)
8. As theologians, a pastor's primary calling is to shepherd people through preaching and teaching (sound doctrine with application), and are to devote themselves to this task (4:11-16... examples of practical application are in 5:1-17; 6:1-2, 17-19)
9. Some elders are to focus on shepherding (people management) and others on preaching and teaching (5:17)
10. Those whose task is to preach and teach are to make their living from this work (5:18)
11. If an elder sins publicly, he should be rebuked and repent publicly, but an accusation requires multiple witnesses (5:19-20)
12. A pastor-elder is not to show favoritism (5:21)
13. A pastor-elder is to be slow to ordain others to this office, must not participate in the sins of others (i.e., must be a leader and not a follower) (5:22-24)
14. A pastor-elder must flee from the love of money and the desire for wealth (6:3-16)
15. A pastor-elder must guard the gospel/truth to which has been entrusted to him (6:20-21a)
16. A pastor-elder needs to live by grace (6:21b)