Why should church leaders have experience as husbands and fathers?
Church leaders should have experience as husbands and fathers because they must lead intelligently and from experience. Paul applies the same premise from the Sanhedrin to the church in 1 Timothy 3, teaching that a leader cannot guide family relationships or church matters without having borne that responsibility himself.
Les explains that the Old Testament Jewish economy required members of the Sanhedrin to be married and have children. The purpose was practical: how could they judge in the areas of family relationships if they had never had the experience? He then brings that same premise all the way back to I Timothy chapter 3, where Paul carries it right on into the leadership of the Church. The logic is the same: how can leaders of the Church lead intelligently and from experience if they have never had the responsibility of being a husband and a father?
More Questions
Where does the Bible give the reasons for church government and organization?
1 Timothy chapter 3 is one of the places to look for the biblical reasons behind a church's government or organization.