Page 6 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

Fourth, hospitality enables discipleship and fellowship. The early church devoted itself to breaking of bread and
fellowship Acts 2:42-47). For those early believers such hospitality was connected to the sharing of the word of
God. It enhanced the ability to devote to the apostle’s teaching.

Therefore; modeling hospitality is essential to the Christian life because through it, we share the things we value
most: family, home, financial resources, food, privacy, time and generally our own lives (Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:8-
9).
The Greek word here means to be a “lover of guests.” Their home should be a tool for ministry to others.

In an African context, visitors become very sensitive in the manner they are received. We embrace a culture void
of appointments as families or strangers can show up anytime. The host should avoid upon receiving any guest,
talking about the financial challenges being experienced and asking the guest when they intend to leave and
anything related to food. Sometimes even unnecessary biting of children can be a recipe of sending wrong
messages to them.

This can be considered as a way of telling them that they are not welcome, and whose response could lead
either to shortening their stay or withdrawing from partaking of meals.

5. Respectable (1 Tim. 3:2)

The KJV translates this as “of good behavior.” The emphasis is conducting oneself properly.

It is sad when the people of a congregation are continually being embarrassed by the speech actions of their
pastor. A pastor must be respectable in not only his speech and actions but dress as well. Etiquette is important.

6. Able to Teach (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:24)

Before bringing out the possible meaning Paul had by adding the ability to teach,
it’s important to know that in the New Testament to be specific; teaching appears
to be necessary to every aspect of the Christian life. We call ourselves “disciples
and we practice spiritual disciplines” words whose roots have to do with teaching
and learning. Therefore, teaching is a central part of proclaiming the gospel and making disciples as commanded
in Matthew 28: 19-20).

Teaching is critical for training younger generations of men and women as well (Titus 2:2-6). Teaching is
necessary for people to learn how to pray (Luke 11:1). Teaching is at the heart of Christian maturity (Eph. 4:11-
16). Teaching is important because it makes Christian music different from secular music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

After outlining the importance of teaching, I strongly believe that refers to the ability to communicate and apply
the truth of scripture with clarity, systematic and fruitfulness. Those who have this ability handle the scripture
with carefulness and others are edified when they do so. This ability is not limited to public speakers, but anyone
involved in counseling or teaching people from scripture.

Preaching is not the completeness in the pastor’s teaching responsibilities. A great deal of a pastor’s teaching
will be accomplished by modeling. If he aspires to be a teacher, he had better learn how to be a proper model.
Sometimes teaching by this method is the most powerful teaching of all.

Teaching must not be confused by way of using texts against every person who has a different opinion.

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