THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A PASTOR

Titus 1:5–9 NKJV

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

What is expected of a Pastor?

In the day and age we live the idea of a pastor has been depredated by the world and by false shepherds.

The First mention of a pastor in the bible is found in Jer. 2:8

Jeremiah 2:8 NKJV

The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit.

Here the children of Israel are rebuked, but especially the pastors, because they have not fulfilled their duties, Therefore, the fist, and primary, duty of a pastor is to live pleasing to God.

Jeremiah 10:21 NKJV

For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, And have not sought the Lord; Therefore they shall not prosper, And all their flocks shall be scattered.

The issues facing America has been birthed in our pulpits.

2 Timothy 4:3 KJV 1900

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Too many pastors have lived to build their own kingdom and have forsaken the kingdom of God. They have lifted their name above the name of God and promoted their ministry instead of the church.

Furthermore, we can see that they are self-promoters who will cover sin in the name of righteousness. Yet, God is not pleased with their hearts or focus.

They are selling the gospel for a profit and by so doing they have taken the name of God in vain.

Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for Godly music, Christian literature, and goodly apparel. Yet, when we are more concerned with making a profit than we are souls, we have lost our way. The Gospel can not be a side hustle. Especially for the pastor, who has a calling on his life from God.

I. The Call.

A. Called for a purpose.

Romans 8:28–29 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

a. Called to represent Jesus.

b. To be His mouth piece.

B. Ordained for a duty.

a. Called to preach the gospel.

b. Called to equip the saints.

II. The required testimony.

I find in an interesting study to examine the psychy of of those who will discredit a man for one shortcoming but will overlook others.

I’m not here to argue the husband of one wife, but I do believe we must be consistent. If we are to be faithful in one, we must be faithful in all. Have you ever heard of a man being disqualified for not being patient? How about not being hospitable?

By only focusing on one qualification, we have cheapened the role of a pastor. We have looked to the outward appearance, the clothing, the tangible attributes, but have ignored the things that matter. Churches have looked for the next celebrity pastor, both old school celebrity with big church appearance, and new celebrity with a huge TikTok following and the trendy appearance.

Matthew 23:23 NKJV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

In Titus, Paul provides some measurements for what must be examined in a pastors life.

A. Not self-willed.

B. Not quick tempered.

C. Not a drunkard.

D. Not violent.

E. Not greedy.

III. The needed characteristics.

A. Hospitable.

B. A lover of good.

C. Sober minded/Not an addict.

The word here is sophron and means to be in control of ones desires. To possess the ability to curtail ones desires.

D. Just.

E. Holy.

F. Self-controlled.

The Greek word here is Egkrates, and means to have power over or possessed of (a thing)

2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

G. Faithful to the Word of God.

This is the type of man that God is looking for.

Are you that man?

Can God use you to serve him as a pastor?

The need for pastors is great, but the volunteers are few.

We are in TN, the land of the Volunteers. Yet, who will volunteer to serve the Lord.

Matthew 9:38 NKJV

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.