Whenever I see news on leaders and elders that are in the news for bad flak, I always remember that they should always be above reproach.
Which reminds me that 1 Timothy points us to so much, even way before such stuff happens... 1 Timothy is a good read, you can easily cover the book in less than 30 mins and gain lots from it.
Timely reminders, here's what I've extracted that I find useful when trying to align your moral compass...
“3 As I urged you when I went
into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that
you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any
longer 4 or to devote
themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such
things promote controversial speculations rather
than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure
heart and a good conscience and a
sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless
talk.7 They want to be teachers of the
law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so
confidently affirm.”
1 Tim 1:3-7
“8 Therefore I want the men
everywhere to pray, lifting up holy
hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women
to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with
elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate
for women who profess to worship God.”
1 Tim 2:8-10
“1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own
family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner
worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know
how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)6 He must not be a recent
convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with
outsiders, so that
he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 In the
same way, deacons[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not
indulging in much wine, and not
pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They
must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be
tested; and then if there is
nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the
same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious
talkers but
temperate and
trustworthy in everything.
12 A
deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his
household well. 13 Those who have served
well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ
Jesus.”
1 Tim 3:1-12
“17 The elders who direct the affairs of
the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose
work is preaching and teaching. 18 For
Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox
while it is treading out the grain,”[a] and “The worker deserves
his wages.”[b] 19 Do not entertain an
accusation against an elder unless it is brought by
two or three witnesses.20 But those elders
who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that
the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the
elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing
out of favoritism.”
1 Tim 5:17-21
“3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction
of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in
controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious
talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of
corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to
financial gain.
6 But
godliness with contentment is
great gain. 7 For we brought nothing
into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and
clothing, we will be content with that.9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some
people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Tim 6:3-9
