Christ's Law

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● 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer must not be a novice, or he may become conceited and
fall under the same judgment as the Devil.

According to Ezek 28:12-19, the Devil's fall was due to his insufferable superiority
complex; roughly defined as a sort of master-race mentality.

"By the grace given me; I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more
highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in
accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (Rom 12:3)

If an inexperienced Christian is advanced too soon in church, they could easily
become so proud of themselves that they regard their position as an achievement
instead of a sacred trust. When someone is promoted to a position in church they
ought not celebrate as if they won valedictorian in their senior graduating class; no;
they really ought to be nervous because God will be holding them to a higher
standard than the rank and file. (Luke 12:48, cf. Jas 3:1)
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● 1Tim 3:2 . . An overseer must also have a good reputation with outsiders

Paul lists that qualification as a requirement, as opposed to merely a good idea.

You know; that's all a church needs is to install a new officer only to find out later
he's his neighborhood's worst nightmare.

The new guy might be a one-eyed Jack in church, but the kids on his street, and
the people whose property adjoins his, the post man, the convenience store, the
gas station, the super market, the department store, the drive-up at Burger King,
the trick-or-treaters, the bank, the paperboy, etc, have all seen the other side of
his face.

It had better match the one he's shown you or your church's overall influence in the
community will be in the tank; and you will have a man in a key spot whom Christ
does not approve, and with whom he does not care to associate.
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● 1Tim 3:8-9 . . Deacons likewise must be men of dignity; etc, etc.

"dignity" is from a Greek word that means venerable, i.e. deserving honor and
respect, especially by reason of age; viz: esteemed.

The Greek word for "deacons" means an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at
table or in other menial duties).

Deacons aren't necessarily clergy. In point of fact, many are laymen because theirs
is a support role rather than a leading role. And "deacon" isn't a career track,
rather, deacons are typically uncompensated volunteers.

It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for a church's officers to run the
operation all by themselves without a ready pool of reliable grunts and go-fers; viz:
men who'll step up to unglamorous routine tasks. (a.k.a. scut).
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