How young is TOO young for a person to be a deacon or pastor?

[AVL1984]

My wife and I attended a church nearly 30 years ago that had a pastor who was only 23 years old. The church was growing, and the preacher was dynamic, but some felt that he had little or no business being pastor of the church. He was young, could NOT truly give good guidance on marriage because he had only been married a short time himself, and many felt that he couldn't counsel people who were older than he was effectively. Was this man too young to be the pastor? We moved to a different state, and when visiting back a few years later found that this church had chosen an older, much more experienced pastor. Very few of the same people were there. We knew only four families that had stayed. They said that the younger pastor had come in, turned in his resignation, and taken a church in Alabama near the Florida state line. Was he too young? Honestly, I don't know. I do know that I would have felt more comfortable with an older, more experienced pastor, but that's just me.
And as for deacons, how young is too young for a man to be a deacon? I've seen these questions on other forums but few answers were given.

 

[Scarlett O.]

The Bible doesn't say how old a pastor should be. Paul said to Timothy, "Let no man despise your youth." He must have been a young man.

As for deacons, I don't believe they should be chosen for their "potential". When I read the qualifications for deacons, they seem to suggest a man with experience in these matters.

I wouldn't disqualify a man for deacon because of his youth, but having serving on the deacon selection committee, I looked for men who were already working hard - despite their age - and not just someone to bestow a "title" to.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Spurgeon was only 19 when he was called to the pastorate of New Park Street Chapel (now the Metropolitan Tabernacle).

 

[Reynolds]

My wife and I attended a church nearly 30 years ago that had a pastor who was only 23 years old. The church was growing, and the preacher was dynamic, but some felt that he had little or no business being pastor of the church. He was young, could NOT truly give good guidance on marriage because he had only been married a short time himself, and many felt that he couldn't counsel people who were older than he was effectively. Was this man too young to be the pastor? We moved to a different state, and when visiting back a few years later found that this church had chosen an older, much more experienced pastor. Very few of the same people were there. We knew only four families that had stayed. They said that the younger pastor had come in, turned in his resignation, and taken a church in Alabama near the Florida state line. Was he too young? Honestly, I don't know. I do know that I would have felt more comfortable with an older, more experienced pastor, but that's just me.
And as for deacons, how young is too young for a man to be a deacon? I've seen these questions on other forums but few answers were given.

My pastor has never been addicted to drugs or been an alcoholic. Guess he can't be a good counselor. After all, he does not have much experience with alcohol or drug addiction.

 

[AVL1984]

Spurgeon was only 19 when he was called to the pastorate of New Park Street Chapel (now the Metropolitan Tabernacle).

These are more difficult times, not to discredit Spurgeon. I like and have studied many of his writings, sermons, etc. Many men at that time were in the pastorate at a very young age.

 

[AVL1984]

My pastor has never been addicted to drugs or been an alcoholic. Guess he can't be a good counselor. After all, he does not have much experience with alcohol or drug addiction.

Those are things that one can read up on and study without being involved in them. Marriage and child-rearing are critters of a different stripe! One can better give advice on these subjects if they have experienced them to some degree. But, also, on the subjects you mentioned, one could give advice on drug and alcohol recovery if they had worked in the missions and prisons. I know many who have and who have gone through recovery classes to help them to become better acquainted with the subjects. Right now, in our men's Bible Study class, we are going through something that is based on the 12 Step Program that AA uses, but with Biblical approaches to it. Being in recovery myself for just over a year from being addicted to prescription painkillers, I can say that I did it without the 12 step program. But, back in the 70s and 80s, we used a 12 step program in the prisons and missions.

 

[Reynolds]

Those are things that one can read up on and study without being involved in them. Marriage and child-rearing are critters of a different stripe! One can better give advice on these subjects if they have experienced them to some degree. But, also, on the subjects you mentioned, one could give advice on drug and alcohol recovery if they had worked in the missions and prisons. I know many who have and who have gone through recovery classes to help them to become better acquainted with the subjects. Right now, in our men's Bible Study class, we are going through something that is based on the 12 Step Program that AA uses, but with Biblical approaches to it. Being in recovery myself for just over a year from being addicted to prescription painkillers, I can say that I did it without the 12 step program. But, back in the 70s and 80s, we used a 12 step program in the prisons and missions.

One can give Biblical advice on Marriage as well, without having been married. Paul Qualified to be Pastor?

 

[Reynolds]

These are more difficult times, not to discredit Spurgeon. I like and have studied many of his writings, sermons, etc. Many men at that time were in the pastorate at a very young age.

This is no more difficult time than any other.

 

[Reformed1689]

This is no more difficult time than any other.

In fact, I would say these are probably LESS difficult times than Paul's day

 

[AVL1984]

One can give Biblical advice on Marriage as well, without having been married. Paul Qualified to be Pastor?

I believe if he qualified to be an Apostle, he was qualified to be a pastor as well. Wasn't he instrumental in helping start churches on his missionary journeys? I would think he was. He would have to pastor/lead until someone could be trained in the Word and could lead when he left for other parts.

 

[AVL1984]

This is no more difficult time than any other.

You're always welcomed to your opinion.

 

[Reynolds]

I believe if he qualified to be an Apostle, he was qualified to be a pastor as well. Wasn't he instrumental in helping start churches on his missionary journeys? I would think he was. He would have to pastor/lead until someone could be trained in the Word and could lead when he left for other parts.

Was not married.

 

[Reynolds]

You're always welcomed to your opinion.

I definitely don't need your permission to have it.

 

[AVL1984]

Was not married.

And?

 

[AVL1984]

I definitely don't need your permission to have it.

Since you're showing that you're doing nothing but looking for an argument, you're being ignored from here on out. Bye!

 

[Reynolds]

And?

Obviously he couldn't be a good marriage counselor. According to your earlier post anyway.

 

[Reynolds]

Since you're showing that you're doing nothing but looking for an argument, you're being ignored from here on out. Bye!

Thanks. I will lose sleep tonight knowing we can't be friends.

 

[JonC]

I'd say it's up to the congregation that called him. I can see benefits of having a young man and benefits of having a more aged man.

Ideally I would expect a more mature person to minister to more mature members, as he could identify better. BUT a more mature man may not identify well with a much younger group.

So much depends on the need of the church.

 

[AustinC]

Deacons do service work. As long as they are mature in the faith, they qualify. Most 20 something's, however, are not mature in the faith nor are they service oriented.

 

[Salty]

The OP appears to be talking about the physical age of a pastor.
The Spiritual age should also be considerd.
Case in point -
A new pastor came to Germany (off base "military" church)
He was there about one year and resigned - he told me he had the plane
tickets to go back to the States and at "the last minute" another church needed a pastor
so he went there. - within 2 months that church split.
I would say he was about 28 years old - was saved at a Baptist church in Calif - sent ot Oaki
and felt led to to go Bible College - took a 3 year degree (ThG) did some quick deputation
and arrived in Germany. IMHO - he should have been an associate pastor for a couple of years.
BTW - he arrived at the second church a few months before I arrived. But over time - we became
very good and close friends with him.


So I dont hijack - I have started a new thread:
Do churches vote in pastors too quickly?
Do churches votes in pastors too quickly