Today’s Reading, 1 Timothy 1-6
Focal Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:2-3 “An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.”
What qualifies a pastor to be in that position? On one hand that question is very difficult to answer because being a pastor requires a variety of skills. On another hand it is easy, because the Bible clearly tells us the qualifications from anyone in that position. These qualifications are clear and straightforward. They are also made known to the general public because the standard has been set by the Lord and explained by Paul. The question is, will churches and ordination councils take these standards seriously.
In today’s reading Paul explains to young Timothy the qualifications to be a pastor or overseer. He tells him that a pastor must be above reproach and the husband of one wife. This requires a pastor to be a biological male. It also requires that he be a person that cannot be accused of wrongdoing. He must be above reproach, not perfect but a person with a good reputation. His attitude must be one of self control, sensible, respectable, hospitable, not greedy, not a heavy drinker, not quarrelsome, not a bully, and not greedy. He also must be a person who is able to teach. The next verse says he also should not be a new convert so he won’t become prideful. These qualifications are not intended to be overbearing. They are intended to get the right people to lead churches.
Today, I want to speak to churches and church leaders. We have to do a better job of who is ordained and who is chosen as a pastor of a church. I have personally seen people ordained who were not prepared to be pastors and clearly not called into ministry. I have also seen churches keep pastors on staff who violate the scriptural qualifications. So what is the solution?
Before someone is ordained they should have a few years of being an apprentice in ministry. They should be trained on how to minister and examined by these standards. If they are weak in an area it should be addressed and discussed. Nobody is perfect and weaknesses should be corrected to avoid pitfalls later on in ministry.
When churches hire a pastor they should do their research on them and examine every aspect of that persons ministry. They should talk to references and ask detailed questions. They should speak to people who disagree with that man and see how they were treated. All former staff members should be called and asked about the character and heart of that pastor. Why so detailed? I have seen through my years of ministry that pastors get pawned off on other congregations and the truth is not revealed. I have also seen churches hide clear and obvious violations of scriptural qualifications because they like the person or they don’t want to hold pastors to the standard outlined in scripture.
Many pastors do their best to meet the qualifications. Mistakes will be made but their heart is right before the Lord. However, it is time the church stand up and stops bad pastors from holding the role of leadership. They can serve the church in other areas. They can minister in ways that use their gifts but they should not be in positions of teaching or leadership.
Be biblical and keep the standard of biblical pastoring. Make hard decisions and call out blatant violations. Yes, I take this serious because the calling is important to me on many levels. I also take it serious because I have seen an unqualified pastor be allowed to stay in his position. The damage it has caused is immeasurable. It has hurt the cause of Christ and it has hurt the office of pastor.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 2 Timothy 1-4
