Qualifications:
Introduction
First and foremost, a pastor is
an elder. We have noted that he is especially a “ruling elder”. And we have
clear instructions given to us concerning the appointing of such elders in
1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1. We shall therefore turn to those passages and consider
the instructions concerning the recognition of elders that Paul also gives to
Timothy and Titus in the three pastoral letters. These are all important, and a
necessary guide.
Unfortunately, there are some anomalies in the English translations of the
Scriptures. Some words were included in the 1611 King James translation that
have set the trend. For instance, the word “bishop” was used to translate the
Greek word episcopes. This literally means “one who takes responsibility”.
Therefore we can use the word “overseer”, or even “elder”, for such men have the
responsibility of overseeing the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, since we are focussing on the calling of a pastor, a candidate must
be able to stand up against the list of requirements that Paul gives us here.
But before we consider those requirements, another important issue arises. That
is, it is our duty to discover as much as we can about a man we want to
consider. We ought to approach his pastor, his home church, those who may know
him personally, those with whom he has worked in Christian responsibilities, and
even consider his secular work experience and employers. So when a man presents
himself as a possibility for our consideration as a pastor, we should be doing
some homework, some investigation. We should discover all we can about a man and
his circumstances, in order for this information to be available to us. Then we
shall be in a position to discern whether the Lord is drawing him to us or not.
We must make informed decisions, spiritual decisions, and decisions that come
through a spiritual and wise discernment.
So let us now consider the list if qualifications that Paul presents as
necessary for an “overseer”, and hence a pastor. We shall consider Paul’s list
as he gives it in 1 Timothy 3:2-7.
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