1 Timothy 3:1-7
When you think of a Pastor, what are some of the first thoughts that come to mind? (Take a minute and put these in the comment section below.)
Following some general instruction for Timothy about church meetings, Paul goes on to explain the offices of Church Leadership. These offices are Pastor (Bishop) and Deacon.
Bishop is one of the office names for a Pastor used in scripture. We most commonly use the more personal term “Pastor” these days, so that’s how we’ll be referring to this office in the paragraphs that follow.
What are the qualifications of a pastor?
The Desire to Be a Pastor
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” 1 Timothy 3:1
The words “desire” and “desireth” carry the idea of something that you long for and are reaching after. God places that desire to be a pastor in the hearts of some. This should be encouraged.
Let me repeat this: The desire to be a pastor is a good thing! Looking after God’s people is a “good work.” This is an effort that is pleasing to God.
I was challenged about my call to pastor just after I turned 19. I was eating a meal with an older pastor and was asking questions trying to learn from his experience and wisdom. He must have caught on, he stopped the conversation and very curtly asked me, “How do you know that you’re called to be a pastor? Lots of people start on this without actually being called. Are you REALLY called to it? Don’t tell people you are then quit later.”
I was blown away.
I can understand this man’s reason for concern, I’m sure many men have been pastors who weren’t called.
The Ministry leader I was with took me aside later and showed me 1 Timothy 3:1, he told me that if God had given me this desire I was after a good work. I walked away from this experience more sure of my calling than I ever before.
Wanting something isn’t enough, without the Personal Character, Family life, Maturity, and Testimony to carry it out.
Personal Character
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 1 Timothy 3:2–3
Following desire a pastor must have a high degree of personal character.
For brevities sake, I’ll summarize these. I highly recommend that you take the time to do a personal study on these characteristics.
A pastor must be:
- Blameless: above reproach
- The husband of one wife: a one-woman man
- Vigilant: Will keep his head when things are out of wack, alert to the dangers surrounding the flock
- Sober: He isn’t controlled by his own emotions
- Of good behavior: has established order in his own life.
- Given to hospitality: willing to open his home to strangers.
- Apt to teach: simply able to teach, this includes knowledge and wisdom to apply truth to the needs of the church.
- Not given to wine: he doesn’t allow for misuse of alcohol. The simplest way to accomplish this is to not consume alcohol at all.
- No Striker: He isn’t ready to attack others.
- Not greedy of filthy lucre: His goal isn’t money.
- Patient: He is gracious and patient in interactions.
- Not a brawler: A peacemaker not a fight-starter. Not quick to anger, or violent in self-defense.
- Not Covetous: He isn’t primarily after personal gain in any form. This selflessness of character allows him to put God and others first.
So much application could be made on each of these points. In fact, I’m sure as you read them you thought of pastors that were examples of these things in either a positive or negative way.
Your Character
God hasn’t called everyone in every church to be a pastor, but imagine how it would benefit a church if every member strove for this character.
Reread that list, how does your character line up? Maybe you struggle in a couple of these areas. I know some of these points are not natural for me. Seek God’s help to have this quality of character.
Your Turn
Are you a pastor?
Reconnect with the desire that God put in you heart to minister to His church.
Meditate through this list again, and seek to grow even more in your personal character, family life, maturity and testimony.
Are you called to be a pastor?
Has God given you the desire to pastor?
Talk to your pastor about it. Then study through this set of qualifications and seek God’s help in being a person of character.
Maybe you are neither of the people mentioned so far.
This a challenge to grow in this personal character.
Be a support to your pastor in prayer and encouragement. He is a human being. He’s going to struggle and it’s probably harder for him to have real friends than you know.
We’ll look at the rest of the passage next week.
