Stay there in Ephesus. 1 Timothy 1:3 (NIV)
This letter is for the whole church, but it begins with a personal word to Timothy, who was pastor of the church in Ephesus.
The church at Ephesus had been planted in great difficulty (see Acts 19). When Paul preached in Ephesus there was a riot, but people came to Christ and the church was planted. Paul spent three years at this church, and when he left, he gathered the leaders and said,
“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30).
Leaders need to protect the church from people who would make the church more about themselves than about Christ. That’s what Timothy had to do: “Stay there in Ephesus, so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer” (1 Tim. 1:3).
When should you stay in a ministry, and when should you consider moving on? There are many factors, but notice Paul’s reasoning…
Stay when others need protection. Notice the language of “savage wolves” in Acts 20:29. The one who runs away from the wolf is a hired hand, but the shepherd stays even if it means giving his life for the sheep (John 10:12, 15).
Stay when you can help bring God’s people together. Paul says the goal of this command is love (1 Tim. 1:5). Stay as long as you can have a redemptive influence in people’s lives. Timothy’s aim was not to exclude these difficult people, but to win them for Christ.
There were some pretty difficult people in the church, and there must have been times when Timothy wanted to go somewhere else. Paul says that there is still a great work for him to do.
Have you felt like quitting the work God has called you to do? God may have a reason for keeping you where you are. Reflect on these reasons for staying.
