Church Leadership

v.1:

Though your bible may label this section as “qualifications”, requirements is more correct.

The office of a pastor is a "good" work, and not to be taken lightly. This is why so many requirements are listed.

v.2:

Blameless: this is a far reaching, generalized requirement which will be detailed in a moment.

At the top of the list is "husband of one wife" This is literally "one woman man" This heads the list, because it is probably the easiest place for a man to fall.

There is much debate over whether or not this command refers to divorce or polygamy.

Some say that it cannot refer to polygamy because it was uncommon in the Greek culture, and forbidden by the church.

Therefore, a polygamist could not even be a member of the church, let alone a leader. Some would argue that it cannot refer to divorce because of there are situations where some may be divorced even before becoming a Christian, and have since been forgiven and remarried, and showing evidence of a well run household.

In this case, would such a person really be barred from leadership?

What about a Christian who divorced on Biblical grounds?

This would not necessarily mean a failure in the home because of someone else's sinful decision.

I definitely lean toward the polygamy interpretation, but the one thing that is clear (despite the opinion of some of my favorite commentators), marriage IS a requirement.

The only reason anyone argues that marriage is not a requirement, despite the clear wording of the passage (especially when we get to verse 4), is due to 1 Corinthians 7:8

Some people object to marriage being a requirement by referencing Paul.

1 Corinthians 7:8

1 Corinthians 7:8 NKJV

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;

Let’s address this. We must remember that Paul was not a permanent pastor of any church.

Paul was an evangelist who planted churches.

He helped them get established, and moved on.

Because of his nomadic lifestyle, being unmarried was certainly best for him.

Paul simply was not in a position to be charged with the day to day care of a congregation.

In fact he never was, so the analogy does not apply.

So yes, marriage most certainly is a requirement.

The next three requirements all have a similar meaning:

Temperate:

This is someone who is self controlled and orderly. Certainly a necessary quality for the leader of a congregation.

Sober-minded:

Literally sensible and moderate.

Good behavior :

Again we come back to self control.

This tells us that behavior is of utmost importance.

Hospitable:

A pastor must be willing to care for people.

Able to teach :

Of course, that is one of his primary functions.

v.3:

Not given to wine:

Literally not a drunkard or heavy drinker.

It should be self evident why this would not be good for a pastor.

Not violent :

The scripture actually defines this one for us.

This speaks of a man who is gentle and not quarrelsome (i.e. quick to argue and / or fight, demanding or a bully).

Greedy for money:

Not covetous. Certainly a person should not be in the ministry for the money. One who is in for money is not in it for Christ!

The rest of this verse is a recap.

v.4:

This next one is ignored quite often, but a pastor must have children.

Family experience is essential for the leaders in a church.

Since the church is in the model of  a family, it only stands to reason that family experience is required.

From what we've learned so far about the relationship between family and the church, it would be totally nonsensical to infer that marriage and family would not be a requirement for the leadership of the church.

v.5:

Paul makes the case right here, that a man must have provable family experience prior to being qualified for church leadership as a pastor or deacon.

v.6:

Likewise, Spiritual maturity must be demonstrated and proven prior to being ordained.

The ordination of the spiritually immature is nothing short of disastrous.

Paul warns against this for good reason.

1 Timothy 5:22

1 Timothy 5:22 NKJV

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

v.7:

A good testimony with those outside the church is essential.

If one doesn’t have a good testimony, how can he expect to lead anyone to Christ?

v.8:

The qualifications for deacon are nearly identical to those of a pastor.

Reverent:

Literally honorable, worthy of respect.

Not double tongued:

Not hypocritical or two-faced.

v.9:

“Holding the mystery of the faith” c”ould be read as “revelation of the faith”, which is the Word of God.

This is saying that he should strive to be obedient to the Word.

v.10:

This verse simply establishes that a test is necessary. In fact, why shouldn’t it be?

This is why the church today still holds ordination councils to exam prospects for ordination.

v.11:

A deacon’s wife should exhibit similar behavior as is required of a deacon.

This only makes sense, because a wife that is contrary would hinder the ministry of the deacon.

v.12:

Just as the pastor, verses 11 and 12 tell us that marriage and family are a requirement.

Despite the trend today, the offices of pastor and deacon are clearly reserved for men.

What about women deacons and pastors?

Let's start by saying that there is no Biblical support for that. In fact its clearly prohibited.

Some common objections to the prohibition of women as pastors and deacons.

Galatians 3:28

Galatians 3:28 NKJV

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

This does not authorize female pastors or deacons. It’s simply speaking of our common salvation in Jesus Christ, nothing more.

That entire passage of Scripture is talking about nothing more than our common salvation in Christ.

There is absolutely no justification for stretching it beyond that meaning.

Phoebe:

She was simply a faithful servant. The underlying Greek word means nothing more in this context.

Deborah:

She was a judge. this was civil position which does not pertain to the church.

Women do have a call to minister to and teach other women.

Titus 2:3

Titus 2:3 NKJV

the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—

It is not uncommon for Paul to recognize the work of faithful women.

Philippians 4:2

Philippians 4:2 NKJV

I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Phoebe was one of these women (Romans 16:1), and Paul even entrusted her with the delivery of this letter.

However, there is nothing to insinuate that Phoebe held any official office in the church.

The underlying Greek is the same word for deacon, but it is used just as often in a generic sense to simply mean servant. 

Since nothing in the context implies the office of deacon, and the rest of scripture clearly prohibits it, we must assume that she was simply a faithful servant.

To call her a Deacon reads much more into the text than is actually there, which is always dangerous.

Phoebe was a faithful servant as so many women are.

Scripture makes it clear that the office of deacon is reserved for men, any interpretation of Phoebe as a female deacon creates an unnecessary contradiction in Scripture.

Further, the entire doctrine of male headship and accountability, and the family foundation for the church, necessitate that it is a male's position.

We have no first century evidence of the office of deaconess.

The Deacons of acts were specifically men, yet part of their ministry was to women (widows).

There is no BIBLICAL justification for women deacons.

The clear fact is that the listed biblical requirements include being a married man.

As for pastor, some may try to reference Deborah.

First, Deborah was a judge - this was civil leadership which does not pertain to the church.

Deborah was a prophetess. God sometimes used women as prophets, there are a few mentions in Scripture.

Prophets; however, did not lead congregations. That was the role of a priest in the Old Testament.

Priesthood was reserved for men. (being a priestess was not a good thing).

The office of a prophet no longer exists, so that is a moot point.

There is no Biblical evidence of female pastors.

The truth of the matter is, that NO female pastor or deacon is called by God, because it contradicts His word.

Any female pastor or deacon is self-called, and is no legitimate pastor or deacon.

If you belong to a church that has a female pastor, you don’t belong to a church at all, and you have no pastor.

It is simply an effort to make church conform to the culture, and we must always strive to maintain purity.

v.13:

Paul concludes this passage with a beautiful promise to those who execute their offices well.

Good standing and boldness are something we should all strive for.

The role of pastors and deacons are reserved for men.

Not just any men, but men who meet all of the Biblical requirements.

Today’s church should not be afraid of God’s order. Rather, we should stand on the solid rock of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9-13