Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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MINISTER – CHALLENGES IN MODERN WORLD
I Timothy 3: 1-16
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

(1Timothy 3:10)


Here Paul is giving instructions regarding what the leaders in the church ought to be. The moral lapse and defection of some of the church leaders had left the fellowship in a state of instability. In order to maintain the unity and safeguard the Church from severe criticism from unbelievers necessary qualifications for the offices of overseers and deacons are prescribed. The leaders should have a sense of calling, dependence on God and perseverance-which we can observe in all powerful biblical characters like Moses or Jeremiah or Paul. The candidate’s reputation among the community is so important. The standard above reproach or blameless is prescribed for considering the importance of church’s mission in this world.
This text is very important to all who are keeping office in the Church especially leaders of the Church. This text is a pointer to us for evaluating ourselves and our leadership quality. What is the contemporary implication of this text? Let us meditate on the following challenging aspects as leaders ministering the church in the modern world.
1. Transparency and credibility: A leadership is tested with these two qualities. We are called to be transparent in our dealings. Our credibility should not be questioned. If the credibility is lost everything is lost.
2. Visionary and Missionary: vision provides a mission. The crisis we are facing today is lack of engagement with utopia. Utopia is not simply an illusion. It is a collective dream about future. Today we do not have collective dreams, instead what we all have are only personal dreams. Moses, Jeremiah, Paul and Martin Luther King all were visionaries and missionaries. 3. Contemporary and Ecumenical: A good leader must be a contemporary person and must be aware of what is happening around the world. In order to discern and transform the world contemporary and critical knowledge is necessary. Holding an Ecumenical mindset means embracing the creation of God. We are called to be stewards of creation. 4. Piety and prophetic lifestyle: Leader must be a man of prayer and devotion and prophetic in life style. Piety is an expression of internal discipline. Prophetic is an outward expression of internal piety. These two aspects beautifully blended in the life of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Let us submit ourselves to be honest and righteous in the household of God.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, help us to examine ourselves what we are, where we are. Mold us and transform us as upright and righteous keepers of your household. Amen

Rev. Oommen V Varkey, Epiphany MTC, New York














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