The Minimum Qualifications for a Pastor
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Introduction
Introduction
Turn with me in your Bibles to I Timothy 2. This morning we’ll continue our study in Preparing for a Pastor, looking specifically at what the minimum qualifications for the office of pastor are.
As Paul went on his missionary journeys, he planted churches along the way. The letters that we have to the Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, and so on are examples of some of his correspondence with those churches that he planted. He gave instructions to these churches as they encountered difficult times and helped them to apply Scriptures to their daily lives along the way.
As Paul went on his missionary journeys, he planted churches along the way. The letters that we have to the Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, and so on are examples of some of his correspondence with those churches that he planted. He gave instructions to these churches as they encountered difficult times and helped them to apply Scriptures to their daily lives along the way.
FCF:
One of the first things that had to be done in a newly planted church was the selection of pastors or elders. What type of person was best for this new role? Previously, Israel’s religious leaders were all Levites—their selection was primarily based upon familial lines. But now, some entire churches were composed of Gentiles. How would they choose a pastor?
One of the first things that had to be done in a newly planted church was the selection of pastors or elders. What type of person was best for this new role? Previously, Israel’s religious leaders were all Levites—their selection was primarily based upon familial lines. But now, some entire churches were composed of Gentiles. How would they choose a pastor?
Main Idea:
In Paul’s letters to Timothy, he gives very helpful guidance on what the minimum standards are.
In Paul’s letters to Timothy, he gives very helpful guidance on what the minimum standards are.
Scripture Introduction:
Scripture Introduction:
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 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? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Prayer for Illumination
Transition:
How should we understand this list of qualifications?
How should we understand this list of qualifications?
These are just the minimum requirements—not necessarily the ideal pastor. The majority of these biblical commands apply to all believers:
These are just the minimum requirements—not necessarily the ideal pastor. The majority of these biblical commands apply to all believers:
Above reproach
3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
Marital fidelity
18 “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
Self-control
Respectable
Hospitable
Not a drunkard
Non-violent
Not quarrelsome
Not in love with money
Managing his household well
In fact, we could summarize Paul’s list of qualifications quite nicely with a similar list:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The one that stands out in the list as perhaps not applicable to all Christians generally is “able to teach.” We’ll look at that more closely another time.
This is a generic list, not necessarily meant to cover every possible scenario without exception.
This is a generic list, not necessarily meant to cover every possible scenario without exception.
A strict, inflexible reading of this list would result in the following unnecessary and unintended qualifications:
He must be married only ever to one woman (excludes single men, widowers, and remarried widowers—excludes Paul himself!)
He must have children, and Titus 1:6 could be read to indicate that they must be older and have all accepted Christ. (excludes childless couples and men with young children)
He must be old enough to be married and have mature children (this probably would have excluded Timothy)
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Clearly, this isn’t Paul’s intent. His intent is simply to cover the majority of normal circumstances. Most pastoral candidates will be married men with children.
As with much of Scripture, these are the general principles. Wisdom is needed to apply them to specific circumstances.
So, what are the principles we should draw from these qualifications?
A pastor must be a man. (I Tim. 2:8-15)
A pastor must be a man. (I Tim. 2:8-15)
The argument for women as pastors.
The argument for women as pastors.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2
One option takes Paul’s instruction about women as historically and culturally conditioned—Paul may have simply addressed a particular situation in Ephesus. A reconstruction of the historical situation in Ephesus suggests that some Ephesian women, under the influence of false teachers, tried to usurp the authority of male leaders in their teaching ministry. As a result, the men became angry and dissension spread throughout the community. To remedy the situation, Paul prohibited women (see note on v. 11) from teaching with the intention of taking advantage of or usurping someone else, particularly someone already in authority. According to this view, Paul’s instructions address a specific situation and thus do not directly apply to believers outside of these circumstances.
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 2
The meaning of this passage, however, is widely contested today. Some interpreters argue that the prohibition of 1 Tim. 2:12 does not apply today because: (1) the reason for Paul’s command was that women were teaching false doctrine in Ephesus; or (2) Paul said this because women in that culture were not educated enough to teach; or (3) this was a temporary command for that culture only.
The basic argument is that the doctrinal falsehoods Paul is writing against in Ephesians were perpetuated by uneducated women who usurped teaching roles within the church, violating the Greco-Roman cultural norms. Thus, Paul isn’t prohibiting women from being teachers categorically, but rather, specifically at Ephesus because of the conflict there.
This argument assumes that:
Women were too uneducated to be able to teach
The false teachers in Ephesus, referred to in I Tim. 1:3-7, were women.
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
That Paul is primarily concerned with the harm that counter-cultural gender roles would have upon the gospel.
Problems with these assumptions:
Many wealthy women were very well educated
The letter to the Ephesians is overwhelmingly positive. The only false teachers referred to are men and occur in this letter.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
It ignores Paul’s stated reasons for why he didn’t permit women to teach...
Paul argues that God’s created order mandates male headship within the Church and home. (I Tim. 2:13-15)
Paul argues that God’s created order mandates male headship within the Church and home. (I Tim. 2:13-15)
Paul’s exhortation that women are not to “teach or to exercise authority over a man” is rooted in the order of creation.
Adam, not Eve, received the instructions from God in the Garden of Eden regarding which fruits were to be eaten and which were not. His role was to instruct his wife and make sure she understood, and to protect her from deception.
Eve’s role was to willingly submit to her husband’s authority and to God’s mandate to fill the earth.
Sin entered into the world when God’s created order was challenged and reversed.
While Adam was the God-ordained leader of the home, Satan appealed to Eve instead, subtly encouraging her to usurp her husband’s authority.
While Eve was supposed to follow Adam’s leadership and commands, Adam followed her lead in eating the forbidden fruit.
Paul is remarkably consistent in his gender role distinctions, even beyond Ephesus.
Paul is remarkably consistent in his gender role distinctions, even beyond Ephesus.
Paul urges submission for the women at Corinth as well
Paul urges submission for the women at Corinth as well
33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
Again, wisdom is needed to apply this principle
Paul isn’t saying women shouldn’t speak at all in church. In Corinthians, he IS specifically addressing an issue unique to their church—disorderly service. His command in v. 35 shows that some women were probably interrupting to challenge the teacher with questions of a subversive nature. Elsewhere, Paul permits women to pray and even prophesy, so long as she is modestly dressed.
5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.
The principle in Corinthians is that women should be submissive to their husbands and that men are to be the leaders in the churches where teaching to the entire church is in view.
Paul’s list of qualifications in Titus are almost verbatim those in I Timothy:
Paul’s list of qualifications in Titus are almost verbatim those in I Timothy:
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Peter has the same encouragement in his letters:
Peter has the same encouragement in his letters:
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
What is the role of women in the church, then?
What is the role of women in the church, then?
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Women are encouraged to:
Pray
Worship
Serve
Teach other women and children
Have and raise children
Why does the Pastor have to be a man?
Why does the Pastor have to be a man?
The gender restriction on pastoral leadership is not because of:
Any inherent value difference between men and women
Any inability of women to be good teachers or understand the Bible
Cultural norms.
Because God said so.
All of the 12 disciples and the apostles were men
All of the pastors and elders mentioned in the NT were men
And Paul and Peter are very consistent on their distinctions in gender roles within the church, even when they are progressive for their day.
God’s ordering of headship and submission within the church and the marriage relationship reflects the nature of the Trinity. Satan’s very first challenge to God’s authority was to attempt to flip that order on its head, and he’s still doing it today.
Satan wanted the authority that only God had.
He rejected God’s created order because he wanted more authority.
And he’s still working to sow that same rebellious nature into the hearts of men and women today.
One of the reasons this doctrine is so important (and controversial) is because it hits at the very heart of our hearts’ rebellion against God’s authority.
Conclusion
Conclusion
These qualifications form a sort of bare minimum qualifications for the office of pastor. They set a high bar, but when churches start letting these slide, problems arise.
At the same time, recognize that Pastors are always under constant attack in these areas. Satan does everything he can to disqualify pastors and destroy God’s Church. Be praying for your future pastor, that he would stand firm amidst the spiritual onslaught in these areas.
