Page 31 - Youth Discipleship Student Textbook

This does not prohibit bachelors from serving as youth pastors; remember that Paul himself was single
and commanded singleness to others as an opportunity for greater service in the kingdom of God.
(1Cor.7:17; 9:5).

The phrase used by Paul is widely understood that youth pastors must be morally accountable for their
sexuality. The background to this is that; The Greeks and the Romans of the day generally tolerated
gross sexual sin. Polygamy was practiced by both Greeks and Jews. Marriage was undermined by
frequent divorce, widespread adultery, and rampant homosexuality.

Though many commentators differ on the precise meaning of the phrase “husband of one wife”, but we
must all agree that that sexual purity should be a prerequisite for holding the office of youth pastor as it
plays an important function in the Christian witness of any church. Church leaders must therefore
examine a youth pastor candidate’s life in this regard. (Eph. 4:17-24; 5:3-14).

A youth pastor, as a model for his youth, should work the hardest of all people to keep his marriage
intact and flourishing. Few things bring greater discredit to the church than youth pastors who divorce
or are divorced by their wives.

Except in the most rare of cases, if divorce becomes a fact, a youth pastor should prayerfully considering
stepping down from his pastoral position. In most cases, this decision will be made for him.

A youth pastor, as a model for his youth, should work the hardest of all people to keep his marriage
intact and flourishing. Few things bring greater discredit to the church than youth pastors who divorce
or are divorced by their wives. Many Bible scholars believe that the passages often translated “husband
of one wife” are more properly translated “a one-woman kind of man.”

Many Bible scholars believe that the passages often translated “husband of one wife” are more properly
translated “a one-woman kind of man.”

3. Sober-minded, self-control, respectable (Temperate) (1 Tim. 3:2)

The Greek word used here is “nephalios” which includes the idea of being watchful or circumspect.
Temperate people are free from the excessive influence of passion, lust, or emotion. The Temperate
person places limitations on his own freedom. He is not drunk with wine, power, lust or anything else.

The other qualification mentioned in the same verse is “Self-control that could mean that an youth
pastor must control his internal state or emotions and his outward actions. He should show decency in
his conduct and not rash in his thinking but sensible and wise. It means “to be strong in a thing” and
“self-controlled,” especially in the area of our appetites. The key thought is moderation.

We are to avoid excesses whether those excesses consist of observing long work hours or practicing
gluttony in our eating habits.

Here’s a thought that applies to some youth pastors; if the youth pastor lives in a pretentious manner,
dresses excessively well, or continually drives the most expensive cars, he is not being temperate.

30