The Power of Mentorship and Accountability.

Too many pastors come out of Bible college with unrealistic expectations of what church-life is really going to be like. Many of them are left to do it on their own.

It’s at that point, young pastors need to get serious about bringing in some outside guidance and wisdom.

We’ve been looking at 1 Timothy 1 this week. We’ve been discussing the relationship between Paul and Timothy, as a mentor or spiritual father over his young pastoral apprentice.

Timothy isn’t some Bible College student that was trained for a few years, and then parachuted into the church. Timothy has been adequately discipled and has now been given the authority over all the churches in Ephesus.

What’s amazing about he and Paul‘s relationship, is that the mentorship hasn’t ceased.

The Command

In verses 3 and 4, we see that the accountability continues. Paul gives the following instruction to Timothy:

“…stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines…” (1 Tim. 1:3-4)

Paul states, “…command certain people not to teach false doctrines…”

But Why Paul?

In verse 7 we read, “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

What must Timothy be thinking?

But why Paul? Why should I go through all the hassle and heartache of commanding these guys to stop teaching false doctrines? What’s the point?

The Goal of the Command

I love the answer that Paul gives.

The answer to the why is found in verse 5:

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim. 1:5)

We can hear the mentorship and accountability in Paul’s words.

It’s like Paul is saying, “Listen Timothy, I put you in charge here and I’m going to hold you accountable. Sometimes loving your brothers in Christ means having difficult conversations. It might not make us popular, but with a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith, it’s what we’re called to do. I know it’s difficult son, but as a pastoral leader, this is part of the calling.”

Can I Get Your Feedback?

Paul held Timothy accountable and commanded him to hold the teachers in Ephesus to account. What can today’s church learn from these levels of accountability?