Page 458 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PASTOR

on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins. have men of unusual spiritual wisdom and power if they
Keep yourself pure” (1 Ti. 5:22). In other words, will be protected from the winds of false doctrine that
Timothy was warned to be cautious about ordaining are blowing in this world. (6) The pastor’s judgment
men to positions of leadership. The context of 1 Ti. demands high standards (Ja. 3:1). If a man is not
5:17-26 concerns leaders in the church. By laying on of qualified, he must, for his own sake, stay away from the
hands, those performing the ordination are testifying office of church leadership. (7) The need for self-
publicly that they are convinced God has called the judgment and correction demands high standards (1 Co.
person being ordained. It is a recognition of divine call. 11:31-32). The standards of God can help a man face
Those performing the ordination are identifying and correct problems in his life in preparation for
themselves with the one being ordained. If the church ordination, as well as after ordination as he continues to
makes a mistake because of hastiness and failure to examine himself day by day before God.
prove the person by God’s standards, they become What is not required of the pastor. (1) A formal Bible
partaker of the sins of the man wrongly ordained. education or a college degree (Ac. 4:13). The Apostles
The Pastor’s Qualification. “A false step in the were not trained in a formal seminary and did not hold
selection of permanent officers of a church can seldom theological degrees, and the Bible says nothing about
be retrieved, and must be productive of the most such a requirement. The pastor must be skillful in the
melancholy consequences” (R.B.C. Howell). God has not Word of God, but he does not necessarily have to
left to human thinking the qualifications for church possess a theological degree. (2) Impressive appearance
leaders. He has listed these in 1 Ti. 3 and Tit. 1. This is or demeanor (1 Co. 2:3-4; 2 Co. 10:10). (3) Wealth and
to be expected since He has always required high connections (Ac. 3:6). (4) Great speaking gifts (2 Co.
standards for those who lead His people. This was true 10:10; 11:6). (5) Great natural abilities (1 Co. 1:26-29).
for the judges of Israel (Ex. 18:21), the Levites (Le. (6) Ability to fit every man’s idea of what a church leader
10:8-10), and the kings (De. 17:14-20). The Lord’s should be. The pastor must be blameless according to
standards for church leaders are much higher than the standards of the Word of God, not blameless
anything which was required of O.T. leaders. according to man’s standards and thinking.
The reasons for the high standards for church leaders. God’s standards for pastors. (1) He must be a man (1
(1) The nature of the office demands high standards (1 Ti. Ti. 2:12; 3:1). (2) He must have a divine call (1 Ti. 3:1).
3:1; 2 Co. 6:3; Lev. 21:4, 7). If elders are not blameless, (3) He must be proven (1 Ti. 3:10). (4) He must be
the individuals involved and the entire church will blameless in the areas listed in 1 Ti. 3:2-5 and Tit. 1:6-8
suffer loss of reputation and blessing. (2) The difficulty —in relationship with his wife (1 Ti. 3:2), in relationship
of the work requires it (1 Ti. 3:5; 1 Ti. 4:12-13; Titus with his children (1 Ti. 3:4; Tit. 1:6), in his personal life
1:9-11; 2:7; 1 Pe. 5:3). How can a man be an elder, a (1 Ti. 3:2-3; Tit: 1:8). (5) He must be able to teach (1 Ti.
shepherd, an example to the flock, if his life does not 3:2). (6) He must hold fast to apostolic doctrine (Tit.
meet the standards of God’s Word? “A man’s life is 1:9). (7) He must be able to deal with false teaching (Tit.
always more forcible than his speech; when men take 1:9-11). (8) He must not be a novice (1 Ti. 3:6). (9) He
stock of him, they reckon his deeds as pounds and his must have a good reputation in the community (1 Ti.
words as pence” (C.H. Spurgeon). (3) The spiritual 3:7). (10) His wife must be spiritual (1 Ti. 3:11). For
battle requires it (1 Ti. 3:6). Satan spares no effort in his details about the last requirement, see the study on
attempts to destroy church leaders. If the elder is not deacons and their qualifications. [See Deacon.]
blameless and spiritual he will fall into the reproach and The Responsibility of Churches toward Pastors. (1)
snare of the devil. (4) The requirement to be tested Respect and love them (1 Th. 5:12-13). (2) Obey their
requires it (1 Ti. 3:10). The church’s need for a test of teaching (Ep. 4:11-12). (3) Follow their examples (He.
calling demands high standards. By the standards of 13:7; 1 Pe. 5:1-3). (4) Submit to their oversight (He.
God’s Word a church is able to recognize the man God 13:17). While it is crucial that the church members
has called to the position of pastor. (5) The activity of submit to the God-given authority of the pastor, we
false teachers demands high standards (Tit. 1:9-11; 1 Ti. must also emphasize that the pastor’s authority comes
4:1-6). The Bible warns that false teachers are only from the Bible. If a church leader tries to give
controlled by Satan (1 Ti. 4:1-2; 2 Co. 11:13-15), subtle instruction contrary to the Word of God, he must not be
and cunning (Ep. 4:14; Ga. 2:4; Ro. 16:17-18), a very obeyed. If he tries to correct someone, but has no
real threat to the churches (Ac. 20:27-32; 1 Th. 2:5; 2 biblical basis for his judgment, his warnings have no
Co. 11:1-3), an increasing threat as the age draws to a true weight before God. Christian leaders are to lead
close (2 Ti. 3-4; 2 Pe. 3; Jude). In the face of this ever- and correct according to the Bible, not according to
present danger, the Bible’s standards for pastors appear their own fallible thinking. Each Christian has the
reasonable and absolutely necessary. Churches must responsibility to “prove all things” and to “search the

458 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity