Pastoral Theology s1

PASTORAL THEOLOGY

LECTURE 3

THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY

To help in that regard, in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 Paul lists at least twenty-four different requirements, standards, guidelines, qualifications (whatever your conviction is on this) for a Bishop (a pastor) to have prior to his ordination, and during his pastorate.

An interesting question is: “If a would be pastor, or current pastor, fails in just one of these 24 ‘qualifications’, is he immediately and permanently disqualified from ‘the ministry’? Most would answer that “If he is divorced, then that is a permanent disqualfication”. Interesting; what about the other 23 so-called qualifications?! What about ‘patience’, or ‘a lover of hospitality’, or ‘not a brawler’, or having his children in all subjection’?! It is true that most, if not all, of these others in the list can be repented of and changed, whereas being divorced is a permanent status that cannot be changed. But, a past sin such as one of these does indeed hurt one’s testimony, and may not be forgotten. If you were known for being a brawler in your young adult, pre-Christian, days, does that disqualify you from the ministry? Ask the apostle Paul… he had Christians murdered! If you committed adultery and had the woman’s husband murdered, is that disqualifying? Surely it must be! But, what about King David? The Lord allowed him to continue as king… the spiritual leader of millions of Jews!

Being ‘blameless’ is the key in all of these areas. I believe one is ‘blameless’ if he doesn’t have blame attached to him anymore. If you assaulted someone years ago, and then publickly confessed and repented of the sin, sought out the one you assaulted and paid all his medical bills, gave him extra money, took care of any needs that he may have had during that time, went to counselling for anger management, and led a life of little or no anger from then on, wouldn’t that man now be considered blameless? I didn’t say ‘sinless’, just blameless. Can you continue blaming him? But, if this man didn’t do anything except maybe say he was sorry…you might still be able to attach blame… especially if he would say that he’d do it again in a heartbeat if the situation happened again. These 26 areas are to have been repented of (as appropriate) and gotten all reasonable blame removed from prior to one going into ‘the ministry’. If one is in the ministry and begins having a problem with one of these areas, they need to do everything within reason to remove ‘blame’; they may even need to step down from their position for a while until blame is reasonably removed.

These are indeed qualifications, though I believe that no man fully meets all 26 of these all the time. Thus, this is the standard, but if you struggle with ‘loving hospitality’, or are working hard on being ‘patient’ but still lack somewhat, I don’t believe that forever bans you from pursuing the ministry. These deficiencies surely will hurt your effectiveness for the Lord, but I don’t believe they are truly disqualifying. Paul’s use of the word ‘must’ seems to show the importance of each of these areas, but doesn’t necessarily imply that if you don’t that you are forever banned from the pastorate.

I Timothy 3:1-7

1. The husband of one wife: this removes any woman from pursuing the pastorate. Does every would be pastor need to be married? Probably not, though a case could be made in that regard. However, Paul was probably not married (a widower) at the time of his appointment by Jesus Christ. Paul wrote this to Timothy because at that time ‘polygamy’ was a big problem in the society. A polygamous man was not qualified for the pastorate. But, if he divorced the second (and others) wife, he would then, potentially be the husband of one wife, not a polygamist; the Lord allowed the Jews to do this after they had married pagans (Nehemiah).

If you are divorced and not remarried, you are still, technically, the husband of one wife no matter how you define divorce. And it may very well be true to say that one who legally divorces and then remarries, is not married to the other woman anymore, and is only the husband of one wife. Though, many may argue that he and that first wife are still ‘one flesh’. What happens when the wife has an affair and then divorces you, and you did basically nothing wrong? Some have had this happen in their early twenties, and felt called to the pastorate, and then were told that now they could never be a pastor… and it wasn’t even their fault! These are hard questions to ponder. I believe that a divorced man can become blameless in that area, but it will take quite the effort; especially since so many pastors and churches believe that a divorced man is permanently disqualified from being a pastor.

2. Vigilant or temperate. This word (nephalios) originally implied abstinence from alcohol but came to have a figurative sense signifying "sober" or "sober-minded," "clear-headed." In other words he is alert, cautious, circumspect.

3. Sober. This word (sophron) speaks of self control. It implies the ideas of thoughtful, sensible, sane. He is not always the clown; he is serious minded.

4. Of good behavior. This means "orderly, well arranged" (kosmios). His mind and inner man are in good order and are evident by his outward living and his demeanor. He is not one where ‘bad behaviour’ can be found (in general).

5. Given to hospitality. This term (philoxenos) literally means "lover of strangers" and implies the ideas of hospitality, generosity to guests, and openness to all, not a select few only. His front door is always open and his welcome mat is always out, especially for the people under his care. Nor is he hesitant to have others view him in his home life. There are many pastors who are hospitable, but are they ‘lovers of it’?!!!

6. Apt to teach. They will naturally have an aptitude to teach because of their spiritual gift; but it is key that they cultivate and use that gift; they need to be actively teaching. There are many pastors who only preach , and leave teaching to his ‘associates’. This is not square with scripture though.

7. Not given to wine. He is not one who parties; is not one known for being festive. The Jews partied with grape juice, fermented or not. Being ‘given’ to something is being a frequenter of it.

8. No striker. An elder must be in control of self and further must not be "given to blows" (me pletes) or given to violence. He must not be pugnacious or easily riled. He must not be the kind of man who wears a chip on his shoulder or who has a quick temper.

9. But patient. In contrast to being violent the elder is "lenient" and gentle, genial, conciliatory, forbearing, equitable. How many ‘patient’ preachers do you know? Not many….

10. Not a brawler. Neither is the elder contentious. He is "not a fighter, averse to fighting." This qualification probes deeper than number 8 above: not only does he refrain from fighting, but he is not even inclined to that sort of thing, whether physically or verbally. He does not fight or quarrel. Do you know any pastors who seem inclined to get into one’s face and verbally brawl with them; who pound the pulpit as if they wanted to break it in half?!

11. Not greedy of filthy lucre. This term (aphilarguros) signifies "not a lover of money, not fond of money." Earthly treasure is not his goal, and he is not in the ministry for money. This further implies, then, that he is generous, not overly-possessive of his material blessings.

12. One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity. The elder is not run by an unruly wife or family; rather he rules his home well. Accordingly his children are obedient, submissive. He is "grave," dignified and courteous. The picture is that of a man who is gentle and kind but having unquestioned rule. How many pastors are there who have a sassy wife, or a rebellious child? There are many…

13. Not a novice. He is not "newly planted," a new convert. The idea of age is obviously involved, but the emphasis is on maturity, whether he is eighteen (e.g., Charles Spurgeon) or fifty. Nor does maturity come automatically with a B.A. degree, even if it is from a Christian college.

14. A good report of them who are without. He must have a good reputation with those outside the church. He must be one who has a good name in the community. He may be persecuted because of his holy life (II Timothy 3:12), but he must be recognized as having high character and good and honest behavior. Titus 1:6-9

Turning now to Titus 1:6-9, we find that the qualifications are basically parallel. Only those not found in I Timothy will be examined here.

15. Having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. Again basically the same as I Timothy 3:4-5 but adds the idea of the children's faith: they are not only well behaved and well disciplined, but they also are believers. Their life follows the faith.

16. Blameless as the steward of God. "Blameless" is the same as I Timothy 3:2 but this adds the idea of stewardship to it. He must be a good manager of the things which God has given him.

17. Not self-willed. An elder must not be obstinate, stubborn, or unwilling to listen to others. He must not always insist on his own point of view or rights. He is rather "others-willed" and is concerned for the feelings and rights of others. He is not to be inclined to the mentality of “My way or the highway”.

18. Not soon angry. He is not inclined to anger. He is not quick-tempered. How many preachers do you know who seem to get angry awfully easily? Many…

19. Not given to filthy lucre. This term (me aischrokerdes) signifies "not greedy of shameful gain." The elder must not be one who is willing to make money by questionable methods. Again (as number 12 above), his focus is not on material things but spiritual.

20. A lover of good men. He loves to be around men such as is described here; his friends are all good men; he disdains anyone who is not a ‘good man’. He has no questionable relationships.

21. Just. He is "righteous," fair, impartial, objective, able to make decisions based upon principle alone.

22. Holy. His lifestyle is holy; he abstains from all appearance of evil.

23. Temperate. He must be "self-controlled, self-mastered," able to control impulsive passions. He is subject to the will of God. How many non-impulsive pastors do you know? Not many….

24. Holding fast the faithful Word. This implies both a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and a commitment to it. He is stable in the faith in every respect so that he can be trusted to live what he teaches and "refute those who contradict."

There are many other guidelines, charges, requirements, for the ministry that are listed in the New Testament. A reading of the Timothy letters, and Titus’ will bring out many of these others.

Don’t fall into the misguided popular belief that all that’s necessary to be ‘qualified’ for the ministry is to be saved, a man, trained, and not to be divorced. If this is your belief paradigm, then you need to add all the other 23 ‘qualifications’ mentioned here. It might do better to require salvation, being a man, being a Baptist, being well trained, being devoted to God, and having gotten oneself ‘blameless’ in these areas!

All 24 of these should be essentially ‘blameless’ prior to enterring the pastorate. All 24 of these should be maintained once in the pastorate. They ‘must’ be blameless in these areas if they will be a good steward, a good bishop, of what God has called them to do. Again, I know of no pastor (and I know 100’s) that soundly is blameless in all 24 of these areas, consistantly.