A Pastor's Calling

It doesn’t have the emphasis that it would normally have at this point in an election year because of the pandemic. However, most of us are aware that we are in the middle of an election year where Americans will choose to keep the current President or choose to elect another one. It’s not uncommon in election years to hear a lot about the types of positions that the politician holds. If they have been on Congress, what kind of votes they have made in the past. We hear on the news how much money they have raised for their campaign.

Here’s a though experiment for you. What if, American chose its leaders by the same standards that God tells the church to choose its Pastors/Elders? Sure, you will still evaluate what positions they hold. After all, it matters very much what a Pastor believes, his doctrine, what he believes about the nature of the church, God, and salvation.

But, there would be a few things would be very different. For one, we would be as concerned about how much money their campaign raised nearly as much with how much they gave away, and to whom. We would want to know how they raised their kids and how they manage their family their budget? What’s he like sitting with his neighbors around the kitchen table? How do they treat their spouse when they do something they don’t like? How well does he resolve conflict? How does he respond when someone cuts them off in traffic?

Character should matter with our political leaders. And, Paul says character definitely matters in those that God calls to lead the church in staff pastors and elders.

In 1 Tim. 3, Paul gives us a picture of what God expects of a Pastor, or what God is calling those he calls as pastors to.

I. A Pastor’s Calling Is Worthy of His Life (v.1)

The phrase Paul uses here is “office of the overseer.” That is sometimes translated bishop. In the NT, the word overseer is often used interchangably with the the role of pastor or elder. They are all the same office.

What I think is most interesting about this is that he says a Pastor’s calling is something worthy to be desired.

1 Timothy 3:1 ESV

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

That seems obvious on the face of it. First of all, it is a calling that God himself places on a person. For those of you that aren’t sure what they is like. The best way I know to describe it is just like when you were saved you had an inner knowing of what you needed to do, repent of sin and trust Christ for salvation and follow him. For those called to ministry, its often just an inner knowing that God wants you in ministry. Not only is God calling you to follow him, but he wants to use you in the church or on the mission field.

This is a calling for you to guide and lead the people of God as we seek to love the world with the gospel, make disciples, and make a difference in people’s lives. Of course, it’s a noble calling! Why would he have to state this so emphatically.

I think is because of the crisis of values that many experience as we wrestle with that call of God. Believe it or not, one can be called and not want that calling. Why wouldn’t you want that calling. I think when a person is called they have to face a crisis of values: between how they saw their life unfolding and how this calling will change that.

If we aren’t careful, we tend to look at that calling with worldly values.

Reputation: For one, we want to be respected. And, the world’s view of pastors is not that great. We don’t necessarily carry the best reputations. I read a survey once that said that people trust pastors slightly less that politicians and slightly more than used car salesmen. When you look at pastors across our nation, pulpits are filled with men who are either false teachers teaching a doctrine that even world sees in man centered and self serving , or clearly using the ministry for financial gain. No one wants to be viewed that way.

Security: And, what comes along with pastoring is a perceived lack of security. In the first century church, the church was severely persecuted. It could be physically dangerous to be a pastor. That is still true in many parts of the world. Pastoring had to be something you were completely devoted to. It could cost you your life.

This verse really helped me when I was struggling through my own calling, not because I thought that might have to lose my life for the pastorate. But because I had learned from the world that if you study hard in school, get a good job, form a secure foundation for raising a family, put them through college, retire and love on grandkids.

I had done really well in school and I knew that I had the ability to get a job that would provide me that security. And, now God was messing with my plans. I had no idea what pastor’s made. It wasn’t in my long range plans. Now, thankfully, God has been wonderfully gracious to me and my family through the church. But, one of the idols that I had to lay down in order to accept my calling was a financial security created by my hand. I had to come to a place where I said, “OK, I trust you with whatever you choose to do with me.” “God you are my security. I accept whatever you desire.”

Despite what the world may say, “The office of overseer is a noble task. It is worthy giving your life to.” Any area that God calls you to, it may not be pastoring. It may be witnessing, or Sunday School teaching, or serving other by building ramps or giving food, or praying. It is a glorious thing to serve a glorious God. He is worthy of our lives.

II. A Pastor’s Life Must Be Worthy of His Calling (vv. 2-7)

In the rest of these verses, Paul lists character qualities that should be observable in a man’s life if he is to serve in the pastor/elder/overseer role. Before we get into them, we have to ask why is character such a high importance in the calling of a pastor? It is because of what God intends the role of the pastor to be.

Scripture has listed the duties of this position in a number of places.

The pastor should be able to lead (Acts 20:28). What terrible thing is the authority to lead without the character to care for the wellbeing for those he leads.

The pastor equips those he leads to walk with Christ and build the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12). How does he equip others to serve the Lord if he himself won’t.

The pastor shepherds those that the Lord trusts with him. (1 Peter 5:12). Does the Lord trust his people to be cared for by untrustworthy men?

The pastor teaches the Lords people the Word of God. (1 Tim. 3:2). How can he teach his people something that he does not himself know.

The pastor is to set an example for others (1 Peter 5:3). Before we seek to reproduce ourselves in others, we must be sure that what we pay forward is worthy of Christ. There are some parts of ourselves that should die with us.

A. A pastor should be above reproach. (v. 2)

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV

2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Now, thankfully that doesn’t mean the pastor has to be perfect. Let’s be clear their is only one perfect, Jesus Christ. And, he is our true Shepherd. Pastors are simply undershepherds. We strive to look like Christ and to love like Christ. Though, we fail often.

What it does mean is that he should live his life in a way that no credible charge is able to be brought against him. That means this is a man that is striving for holiness and the good of those around him. He no doubt has to keep short accounts concerning his sin between himself and God and others that he may have wronged. In this regard, it pays to have a very sensitive conscience. And, the very instance that a pastor feels that he has crossed a line, offended or wronged someone, he should make it right.

It seems like far too often I have to start a sentence to someone, “I owe you an apology.” Even if the other person doesn’t think so, a sensitive conscience make a man above reproach.

That would be a good practice for all believers.

B. A pastor should live in purity devoted to his wife (v.2)

“husband of one wife.” (v.2)

I have dealt with this phrase extensively in the past when we were discussing divorced pastors and deacons. I won’t rehash all of that now. Except to say, that even if you make this about divorce (which I don’t think it is about), if you make it only about divorce, you have missed the point.

This is a list of character qualities. In the original language, it simply translates, a one woman man. This should be a man striving for sexual purity. He is not addicted to pornography. He’s not out at the lake or the golf course telling dirty jokes to his friends. He’s not down at the beach with mirror shades on so no one can see his eyes lusting over all the ladies. He is devoted to one and only one woman, his wife.

C. A pastor should be rational and clear thinking. (v.2)

“sober-minded” (v.2) some translations say “temperate.” He should not be a man who is driven by his emotion. He should be balanced and not given to extremes. He makes decision not driven by passions, emotions, or personal gain. But his decision are base on clear direction and wisdom and God’s Word as he is led by the Spirit of God and wise counselors.

D. A pastor should have a disciplined spiritual life (v.2)

“self-controlled”- This is actually a command that God has given to all believers.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

We discipline ourselves through the word and through prayer and other disciplines so that our personal weakness have the protection of the Holy Spirit around them. And, when the temptations of the devil comes, God’s power enable us to endure and persevere without making shipwreck of our faith.

Pastors are to lead the way in this discipline.

E. A pastor should be well ordered. (v.2)

Here it is translated “respectable.” The idea is that there is a consistency between what you see on the outside and who he is on the inside. He is not a hypocrite, but is a man that can be respected.

F. A pastor should be hospitable. (v.2)

As we have seen in the past, the ability to be hospitable was important for the reputation of a community. If a guest came into town, the honor of the town was on the line to treat the well. The town provided for needs if necessary.

Now, not often do people need a place to stay, but the friendliness and openess to strangers should be a given among believers. A pastor should strive as well to embody this mark of Christianity.

*“I’ve heard it said, people don’t want a friendly church. They want a church where they can have friends.”

G. A pastor should be able to teach (v.2)

This is a central feature in the role of the pastor. Why should he be able to teach? It first shows that he knows the truth of God’s word. His faith is built on a faith that was once handed down to the saints.

He must be able to communicate God’s truth as he guards the teaching of the Scriptures in the church and as he guides others with the truth of God’s word.

I often get questions from people about issues they are facing in their lives. Sometimes, the answers I have for them is not what they want to hear. But, I’m not hear to tickle your ears and tell you what you want. I’m hear to tell you what God says and why God says it as it is revealed in his word.

As we move to v.3 there are 4 nots.

1 Timothy 3:3 ESV

3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

I’ll deal with them quickly.

H. A pastor should not be addicted to alcohol. (v.3)

I personally think that there is a biblical argument to be made that a pastor should not drink any alcohol. Certainly based on the culture he is in where drinking could cause him to be a stumbling block. Or, based on what the King’s Mother told the King in Psalm 31. She said stay away from wild women and wine. Look it up. Both could destroy him.. And he needed to be clear thinking because his decisions affected people. The same is true with pastors.

I. A pastor should not be violent. (v.3)

A pastor should be a man with calmness in his spirit because the Holy Spirit brings peace. He should be a person with a turbelent spirit. This goes to self control.

J. A pastor should not be quarrelsome. (v.3)

This naturally follows. A pastor should not be looking for a fight, but looking to make peace.

K. A pastor should not be a lover of money. (v.3)

People who love money take. People who love Jesus, give. Pastors are to be givers as the he leads the people of God who God calls to be givers. We follow our great God who though he had all, gave all.

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus died broke and naked on a cross. How dare we ever make the gospel about money!

L. A pastor’s management should be proven in his family.

1 Timothy 3:4–5 ESV

4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

Again, that doesn’t mean he has to be perfect. Grown adults are not responsible for the decisions of their adult children. But, they are responsible for how they raised those children. It is true that pastor’s and their families live in a fish bowl because it’s in a his family, the pastor shows he has the giftedness to lead God’s family.

M. A pastor should not be a “new” Christian. (v.6)

1 Timothy 3:6 ESV

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

This is not to say that being a Christians a long time necessarily means maturity. It doesn’t. But, their is a certain type of maturity that can only come with time.

Paul’s immediate concern is the intoxicating effects of pride. The new Christian placed as a pastor might become so enamored with himself in his position that the sin of pride could place him in the under the same condemnation as the devil. That is a sobering thought.

N. A pastor should be an ambassador for the church and Christ. (v.7)

1 Timothy 3:7 ESV

7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Paul says something interesting in 1 Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 4:12 ESV

12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Pastors need to be careful not to live in a Christian bubble on living life with believers within his church. But, he should find a way to live among unbelievers as well.

We should get involved in the PTA, or Booster Club. Get to know the other parents at soccer. I coach the golf team at Noah’s school. We have the gospel and it’s our job to represent Christ in this world. People were drawn to Christ. My prayer they would think of us, know we are Christ followers, and want to know more of Christ.