Is it really hard to pick a pastor? As I go out witnessing a common statement among those not attending church is “how to pick a pastor”. But what is even more distressing is talking to Christians who justly complain about their pastor being an adulterer, fornicator or greedy for money. Others mention the ungodly behavior of the pastor’s children. You visit the forums and complaint after complaint of people experiencing leadership under a pastor of ill repute. Sometimes the person complaining is the very one involved in an illicit relationship with leadership.
The disqualified pastor often chooses to remain in the church leadership in direct contradiction to the bible guidelines of Timothy and Titus. Those who would stand on the side of scripture are quickly labeled as unforgiving, judging or rebellious. Those leaders who remain in their position knowing that they don’t qualify justly assign themselves to the group of Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Those leaders mentioned above and other who choose to remain in leadership after failing to qualify are blaspheming the name of God and assigning themselves to eternal damnation. Yes it brings ill fame to the Church when pastors are living in sin and living in the pulpit. How could they claim to be leaders but yet deny the directives of the Holy Scriptures? Let me ask when is the last time your pastor taught an expository sermon on 1 Timothy 3 or Titus 1. Could it be that he may be disqualified and doesn’t want you enlightened to the words of the Scripture. The scriptures alone are our standard, Listen to Ps 19:7 ¶ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Ps 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Ps 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Please take out your bible and read the entire book of 1 Timothy (okay at least the first chapter of first Timothy). Please remember the importance of context when reading God’s Holy Scripture. Then remember the necessity of application!! Without application, interpretation is useless. (a man who can read and doesn't is no better off than a man who can't read)
Are you bold enough to take the quiz? Are you honest enough to face the answer? Analyze your pastor or potential pastor in light of the following passage in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. You ARE NOT judging, God’s word is.
The notes shown below the scripture are excerpts taken from various commentaries on LOGOS. Warning, many are incomplete sentences and short quotes.
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1Ti 3:1 ¶ This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
Pass or Fail :1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless
Exemplary, free from scandal. It means to have nothing in one’s conduct on which someone could ground a charge or accusation.(does NOT mean sinless)
Pass or Fail :the husband of one wife,
A “one-woman man” is one totally devoted to his wife, maintaining singular devotion, affection and sexual purity in both thought and deed. This phrase prohibits both polygamy and promiscuity. If single abstinence is only alternative. Can not be one having multiple divorces
Pass or Fail :temperate,
“alert,” “watchful,” “vigilant,” or “clear-headed.”
A minister should have a watchful care over his own conduct. He should be on his guard against sin in any form. Wineless
Pass or Fail :sober-minded,
discreet, sober, composed, one who follows sound reason, and who is not under the control of passion. The idea is, that he should have his desires and passions well regulated. A man of a sound mind; prudent
Pass or Fail :of good behavior,
modest, seemly, humble, unpresumptuous, reserved, meek, orderly, leads a non-chaotic life, sensible, decent, respectable orderly, decent, grave, and correct in the whole of his appearance, carriage, and conduct, a gentleman, mannerable
Pass or Fail :hospitable,
compound word meaning “love of strangers” Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; cf. 1 Pet. 4:9. Charity in entertaining strangers, poor Christians, ready to express his love to strangers, generous to guests.
Pass or Fail :able to teach;
apt and skilful in teaching. The preaching and teaching of God’s Word is the overseer/pastor/elder’s primary duty (4:6,11,13; 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15,24; Titus 2:1). Communicate the truth to others, as well as to refute those who mishandle it (cf. Titus 1:9) Capable of instructing, He must be able to feed the flock of God (1 Pet. 5:2)
Pass or Fail :not given to wine
must not have a reputation as a drinker, his judgment must never be clouded by alcohol, must not be a man who over-indulges in wine. Not a drunken brawler or a common drinker and one that will often partake of it.
Pass or Fail :not violent,
Quarrelsome, striker, given to blows, brawler, pugnacious. Avoids physical violence, keeps his fists to himself, React to violent situations calmly
Pass or Fail :not greedy for money
one that abhors all filthy and dishonest gain, any kind of way. nor pursues his ministry for personal gain. Not fond of money. Does not use schemes, tactic to extort money from the weaker
Pass or Fail :but gentle
moderation, patient, equitable, fair, mild, gentle.
The word suggests a character that is equitable, reasonable, forbearing, moderate, fair, and considerate. It is the opposite of harsh, abrasive, sarcastic, cruel, and contentious.
Pass or Fail :not quarrelsome,
The Greek is, literally, Not disposed to fight. The word means that the minister of the gospel should be a man of mild and kind demeanor, abstaining from fighting. Peaceable:--not a brawler.
Pass or Fail :not covetous;
not greedy of filthy lucre,implies inordinate desire often for another’s possessions having a craving for possession, lovers of money. So eager for gain that it will defraud others. He does not pursues his ministry for personal gain (cf. 1 Peter 5:2).
Pass or Fail :1Ti 3:4 one who rules his own house well,
A divorced man gives no evidence of a well-managed home. Nor does an adulterer show a home that is orderly, one who has good control of his own family. One who hath given proof of his lifestyle and ability to take care of a church, by the care that he hath taken of his family, and his ruling in that lesser society. The home always reflects the character and ability of its leader.
Pass or Fail :having his children in submission with all reverence
It must be done by a loving leadership and not a dominating dictatorship
His children must submit to his leadership with reverence or respect
He must be a father with obedient children. Have faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
Pass or Fail :1Ti 3:5 for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?;
If he cannot rule the smaller, how can he rule the bigger
As he succeeds or fails to govern his family, so he is likely also to succeed or fail in governing the church. An elder must first prove in the intimacy and exposure of his own home his ability to lead others Failure in a home raises a red flag about one’s ability to lead in a congregation. The sins of Eli's sons showed that Eli, though a good man, was unfitted to rule [1Sa 2:22-25].
Pass or Fail :1Ti 3:6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
Not newly planted, not a young convert, not newly converted to the faith;
Nearly all the qualifications here cited can be known only from one's actual life. This requires time until the real fruits of his life and character are known
Not an inexperienced person; yet not so much young in years as in knowledge;
Undertaking to teach others before he has learned himself.
Pass or Fail :1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Persons even outside of the church will bear good testimony of him
good report, reputation, name, character, testimony with those outside the church
be of unblemished reputation in view not only of Christians, but of others.
Have an established character which speaks well for the church among the unconverted. A leader in the church must have an unimpeachable reputation in the unbelieving community.
if a man has a bad reputation on the outside—if he doesn’t pay his bills, is untrustworthy, or is a liar—he immediately is not a candidate to be an officer in the church.
Click here if your pastor failed God's examination?
