Page 4 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

The Pastor’s Character

Who is a pastor? He is an ordinary person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal
Savior, has experienced the call of God in his life for full-time Christian service, and knows
that he is fit for such service because he meets certain biblical character qualifications. The
position of “pastor” has been clearly established in God’s Word.

Meaning of the Descriptive Words

There are three words in the New Testament that refer to the office of pastor. They are used interchangeable
(Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7, and 1 Peter 5:1-4). One is the word episikopos, translated in the English language
“bishop.” Literally the word episkopos means overseer. He is the officer of the church that oversees the work of
the church.

The second New Testament word that refers to the same office, is presbuteros, translated in the English Bible as
elder. The word elder primarily and essentially describes the dignity of the office of the pastor.

The third word that refers to the office of the pastor is poimen, translated “shepherd.” The word literally
describes a herdsman, one who tends the flock.

What are the qualifications to become a pastor? There are several passages in Scripture which innumerate the
qualifications of a person who would desire to become a pastor, namely I Timothy 2 and Titus 1. Let’s look at
the qualifications listed in these passages.

The Qualifications to become a Pastor

1. Above Reproach (1 Tim. 3;2, Titus 1:6-7)

The person who will succeed in the pastorate is one who has no hidden agenda, no skeletons in his closet that
eventually will out and haunt him.

2. The Husband of One Wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6)

This does not prohibit bachelors from serving as elders; 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 elders 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 elder as it plays an important
function in the Christian witness of any church. Church leaders must therefore examine an elder candidate’s life
in this regard. (Eph. 4:17-24; 5:3-14).

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

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