Looking For a Pastor

Introduction:

Over the next few weeks we will have the wonderful opportunity to hear a some men speak from the pulpit, these men have given their application for the Pastorate. I’m sure that some of you may know what to look for in a Pastor, biblically; some of you may know a little bit about what to look for, and some may not know much when it come to identifying a godly man called to be a Pastor, and right fit for our church.

This morning we are going to dig in a bit about the qualifications, character, and life of the one, whom is seeking the Pastorate.

My goal in this morning’s sermon is to equip this church with the right biblical guidelines when identifying one who is being called to Pastor.

Our Text

1 Timothy 3:1–7 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

What is a Pastor?

The word pastor does not appear in the our english bible. Pastor is a Latin word that means shepherd. Shepherd certainly appears in scripture, and the concept of shepherding is referenced many times. The portion of text we just read says “overseer”, The words pastor, bishop, elder, overseer and minister are usually synonomous. Our church uses the title pastor for this specific office.

The basic definition of pastor is “a minister of a Christian church or congregation”

on the other hand, the role of a pastor is far more complex

when asking church members the exact role of the pastor, in any given church, many answers are similar but tend to range from one end of a spectrum to the other.

The role of the pastor is not what I am aiming at defining this morning, so lets jump into what qualifies a man as a pastor.

Qualifications of a Pastor

As we just read in scripture, God gives us guidelines in His word for identifying those called to be pastors.

Qualifications are very clear, We find these qualifications in 1 Timothy and Titus: (I am again using the word Pastor in place of Overseer)

The office for Pastor is reserved for a man. This biblical truth is wildly controversial in the modern church. Why do I believe the office is reserved for a man? simple answer, the bible says so.

1 Timothy 2:12–15 “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

This passage along with the following qualifications clearly point to this being an office reserved for a man.

The following are the qualifications for the pastorate.

The pastor must be above reproach, blameless. Above reproach does not mean sinless, but namely blameless in the following areas of His life.

Husband of one wife, “a one woman man” literally translated. This points to the faithfulness he has to his wife. It is very interesting that scripture points to his faithfulness to his bride first.

because of this, the first thing that Masters Seminary teaches those seeking to be a pastor is how to be a godly husband.

Sober minded, in doctrine and in life, not making impulsive and immature decisions, but being a clear and serious thinker.

Self controlled; our society desires of that of any flesh gratifying thing sinful in nature.

Richard Baxter says “self denial is of absolute necessity in every Christian, but it is doubly necessary in a minister, as without it he cannot do God an hour’s faithful service.”

Respectable; a life that is worth the respect of others. Respect is not gained by the position, it is earned with a godly life.

Hospitable; loving his neighbor, by showing it.

Able to Teach, he must be able to teach and defend the doctrines of faith.

Not a drunkard; I believe that refraining from any alcohol is a must for pastors, especially in American culture.

Not violent but gentle; gentle and meek does not mean weak, it does mean self control, grace, and patience. Gentleness need to be visible in correcting and receiving criticism.

Not quarrelsome; Pastors are called to reject and refute false teaching, not go beat up the false teachers . This also means they should not debate or argue just to prove they are right.

Not a lover of money; one can be rich and greedy, but another can be poor and be just as greedy. Just as the Lord loves and cheerful giver, seek a pastor that is not greedy with his time or money.

Managing his own household; Evaluate a man’s leadership and qualities by peering into his home life.

"If succeeding as a pastor means failing as a parent, you've already failed as a pastor." - Eugene Peterson.

Not a recent convert; It takes time for genuine faith to be tested true. Recent converts can be like matches, they burn bright and hot, but the flame quickly go out resulting in a proverbial false faith, or a leadership role would tempt to pride the immature convert.

Well thought of by outsiders; He must be well thought of inside and outside of the church, by the church body and the unbelievers.

This list of qualifications is used or should be used by any church body finding or identifying one called to be the pastor of their church.

Characteristics of a Pastor

Now we will dive into the character of a pastor and his gifts.

Martin Luther listed eight qualities necessary for a pastor

Able to teach

Eloquence

A good voice

A good memory

Knows how to make an end

Sure of his doctrine

Willing to venture body and blood, wealth and honor in the work

Suffers himself to be mocked and jeered by everyone.

Martin Luther also said “Men who hold the office of the minister should have the heart of a mother toward the church.”

The heart of a pastor should be the culmination of all these qualifications and characteristics, a heart filled with the love of Christ.

Proverbs 14:14“The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.”

1 Timothy 6:11–12 “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things [all kinds of evil]. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

A pastor should be the example disciple; Worship and the love of God would mark his daily life, reading and studying scripture, feeding Christ’s sheep, loving and caring for the congregation.

Loving the Congregation would also involve carrying out all the duties of a pastor, the good and the bad, which involves church discipline.

Pray for your Pastor

The Job of the pastor is one of the most difficult offices to be in, but usually said to be one of the most rewarding.

Attacks on the pastor and the church which include temporal and spiritual attacks are the very reason it is necessary to pray for your pastor.

We must pray that God preserves, strengthens, and leads our pastor. That he is lead by the spirit and he sticks to the scripture.

Whomever stands at this pulpit, we must make sure he is called, and measures up to standards that God gives us in His word.

We pray for a Christ like shepherd for our church.

Christ is our Shepherd

Christ is the Good Shepherd

John 10:14–18 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.””

This leads us to communion.

Koininia is fellowship and communion

Fellowship with the body of Christ and Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church.

If you are outside the body of Christ, I urge you to believe, true belief leads one to repentance and then to baptism.

If you believe, but are unrepentant, please come. Myself or any of the members of this body will be more than happy to speak with you.

Pray

Invitational Hymn