Family Matters

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 respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) (1 Timothy 3:4-5)

As Paul gives God’s list of qualifications for overseers or pastors, he devotes two verses to a pastor’s relationship with his own family. Family matters! A pastor isn’t just to manage his congregation. First and foremost, he’s to manage his own family well. He isn’t just to teach the people who come to his church. First and foremost, he’s to teach and discipline his own children so that they respect him. After all, if a man isn’t qualified to lead his relatively small family, how is he qualified to lead a whole church?

Family matters! Of course, that doesn’t just apply to pastors. Family is a creation of God and is meant to be the backbone of society and the church. God has set up the world so that children learn from their parents both what is right and wrong and about Jesus our Savior. Family matters!

But let’s admit something: It’s very easy to neglect family. The devil is always trying to destroy families, and he is constantly tempting people—especially men—to run after their own personal accomplishments rather than care for their families. This can happen to a pastor who dedicates all his time to building a growing church and successful ministry but never has time for his own kids. This can happen to any person who chases promotions or accolades while their spouse suffers from neglect and loneliness. Somehow the devil has taken such an important thing—caring for the physical and spiritual health of our families—and made it seem so mundane and unimportant.

God wants pastors to correct that—both in their own lives and in their churches. To manage your family well isn’t a distraction from what’s important. It is what’s important! To train your children doesn’t interrupt your focus from what you’re supposed to be doing. It is what you’re supposed to be doing! Quiet nights with your family aren’t a waste. They are a blessing from God!

Each one of us is part of a family. Whether a father or mother or son or daughter, what could you do today to help build up your family in Christ? Family matters!

Dear Father in heaven, you have created the family as the backbone of society and your church. Forgive us for neglecting this gift from you and strengthen families—from the pastor to his people. Amen.

Pastor Nathan