Consent and Dignity in Ministry Contexts and Relationships
The concept of dignity in ministry contexts and relationships is rooted in the understanding of the roles and responsibilities of those serving within the church, as well as the respect owed to them and to the community they serve. This dignity is often connected to the "work" of ministry itself, which is seen as furthering salvation and the kingdom of Christ [3].
Ministers, deacons, and other church leaders are to be esteemed "very highly" or "exceeding abundantly" by the congregation [2, 3]. This high regard is not merely for the individual but "for their work's sake," recognizing the sacred nature of their calling [3]. The apostle Paul, for instance, instructs the Philippians to "receive" Epaphroditus "in the Lord," indicating that such reception is for Christ's sake, as he was called and sent by Him [1]. This implies a recognition of the divine appointment and purpose behind ministerial service.
The dignity of those in ministry is also tied to their conduct and qualifications. For deacons, it is specified that they must first be "proved" and found "blameless" before they can serve [8]. Those who have "used the office of a deacon well" are said to "purchase to themselves a good degree," which can refer to an increase of respect and honor within the church [6]. This suggests that faithful and diligent service contributes to their esteemed position.
Congregations are called to submit to those in ministerial roles, particularly in matters of teaching and guidance, provided their ministrations align with the Word of God [5]. This submission is not blind obedience but a respectful hearkening to their admonitions, counsels, and advice [5]. The "instruments of ministry," such as the official dress of priests in the Old Testament, also symbolize the sacredness and dignity associated with their office [7].
However, the dignity of ministry also carries significant responsibility and accountability. John Chrysostom discusses the serious implications when a bishop ordains an unworthy individual, highlighting the scandal and the difficult choices that arise regarding subsequent advancement or discipline [4]. This underscores that the dignity of the office is not an excuse for misconduct but rather demands a higher standard of behavior and integrity. The "work" of ministry is not a "sinecure" but involves labor, even to the point of weariness [3].
Sources
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:28: Receive him therefore,.... Not only into their houses, where such as bring the doctrine of Christ should be admitted, and not others; but into their bosoms, into their hearts and affections, as he had reason to believe they would, and into their fellowship and communion, and to the exercise of his office among them, as their minister: and that in the Lord; or "for the Lord", as the Arabic version renders it; for his sake, because he was one that was put into the ministry by him, was called unto it, and qualified for it, and sent forth to minister in it by him; ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 5:13: And to esteem them very highly,.... Or, as the Ethiopic version renders it, "honour them abundantly"; for such are worthy of double honour, and to be had in reputation; they should be honourably thought of, and be high in the affections of the saints, who should esteem them better than themselves, or others in the community; and should be spoke well of, and their characters vindicated from the reproach and obloquy of others; and should be spoke respectfully to, and be honourably done by; should be provided for with an honourable maintenance, which is part of ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 5:13: very highly--Greek, "exceeding abundantly." for their work's sake--The high nature of their work alone, the furtherance of your salvation and of the kingdom of Christ, should be a sufficient motive to claim your reverential love. At the same time, the word "work," teaches ministers that, while claiming the reverence due to their office, it is not a sinecure, but a "work"; compare "labor" (even to weariness: so the Greek), Th1 5:12. be at peace among yourselves--The "and" is not in the original. Let there not only be peace between ministers”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: ground that the bishop who ordained him must be answerable: what are you to do, when this man should in the regular course be advanced to a higher order of the ministry? To refuse to ordain him, would be to publish his unworthiness, and call attention to the scandal of his having been ordained in the first instance: to advance him, would be even worse. What measures is it proper to take in respect of bygone transgressions (for here are two precipices) so as not to let the offender go unpunished, and not to cause scandal to the rest? Must one’s first ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 16:14: That ye submit yourselves to such,.... To persons of such a character, and in such an office; if in ministering to poor saints, by assisting them, and by putting into their hands; and putting it in their power to discharge their work fully, in which they were so heartily concerned; and if in the work of the ministry of the word, by attending their ministrations, receiving the truths delivered by them with faith and love, so far as they appeared to be agreeably to the word of God; hearkening to their admonitions, counsels and advice, regarding their censures an”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well,.... With diligence and faithfulness, with simplicity and cheerfulness; taking good care of the minister and poor, and of the discipline of God's house: purchase to themselves a good degree; not an higher office, as that of presbytery or episcopacy, which is a sense calculated to serve a hierarchy; nor a degree in glory and happiness hereafter; but rather an increase of gifts and grace; or a degree of respect and honour in the church: or the sense is, they possess and enjoy, which is the meaning of the word rend”
- Numbers (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Numbers 4:12: instruments of ministry--the official dress of the priests (Exo 31:10).”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:10: And let these also first be proved,.... Not that they should be tried in any part of the deacon's office, to see how capable they are of performing it; but their internal and external characters are to be looked into and examined, and if they appear, to be right, then they are to be approved of, chosen and called unto, and invested with the office: then let them use the office of a deacon; let them be employed and minister in the several parts and branches of that office: being found blameless; not without sin, but free from any gross and enormous one; not befo”