day no. 17,152: greek and goo-goo-ga-ga

“If a man feels called to the ministry, one of the first things he should do is find a sweet little thing with a stout heart, marry her, and start having fat evangelical babies. This is something the homo-catechized world will sneer at, but only because they can’t do it. All they have is gay fruitlessness.” — Douglas Wilson, Virgins and Volcanoes

The man who feels called to make disciples for a living should begin by making some with his wife. If he is single, he should find our her name and then go ask her father. If he cannot convince a man to give his daughter to him as a husband, he should not seek to convince other men to give their people to him as a pastor. Once he is married, he should have some kids. Parenting is great pastoral training. Knowing Greek is helpful, but knowing goo-goo-ga-ga is critical. Parenting little people is the best preparation for shepherding the little flock of God.

1 Timothy 3:1-5

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Keeping covenant with one woman and the children God provides is the best way to prepare a man to help others keep their covenants. Pastors should not be androgynous. They should be men. The fruit of their masculinity should be a sweet, feminine bride and cheerful, obedient children. That scans. If he can do that under those conditions, he can do the same in the capacity of pastor.