THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (Pt. 3)

(The Church – God’s Masterpiece – Pt. 16)

by Pastor-teacher Dennis Rokser

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

The Church of Jesus Christ is very precious to God (having purchased it with His own blood) and, therefore, should be very precious to every believer. Because of the sacred responsibility and serious accountability that spiritual leaders have to God and those they serve, God has set forth clear and concise qualifications which are high, holy, and attainable only by His grace.

Having considered some general observations from 1 Timothy 2:11-3:2, we began last time examining the…

SPECIFIC PASTORAL QUALIFICATIONS

1. As to his inner compulsion… “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1)

2. As to his walk… A bishop “must be blameless…” (1 Timothy 3:2a)

3. As to his marriage… “the husband of one wife,” (1 Timothy 3:2a)

4. As to his thinking… “vigilant.” (1 Timothy 3:2b)

“Vigilant” (nephaleos) literally means “without wine,” carrying the idea of being clear-headed, spiritually-alert, self-controlled. This characteristic is needed as the pastor is called upon to be discerning, balanced, and free from extremes in his thinking. Self-indulgenceinstead of “vigilance” has destroyed the testimony of Jesus Christ in too many ministries.

5. As to his judgment… “sober.” (1 Timothy 3:2d)

“Sober” (sophron) indicates that his judgment is sound and disciplined, having a seriousness about spiritual realities so as to order his priorities accordingly. This quality is important as pastors are called on to make important decisions for God’s flock which must be driven by clear biblical thinking and not their emotions. Also, being “sober” will guard against the tendency to become lazy in pastoral ministry; an occupational hazard for pastor-teachers.

6. As to his orderliness… “of good behaviour.” (1 Timothy 3:2d)

The Greek word translated “of good behaviour” (kosmios) denotes the opposite of “chaos.” The pastor’s Spirit-controlled mind results in disciplined and well-ordered actions. This attribute is essential as pastoral work involves administration, oversight, time-management, establishing priorities, etc. When “kosmios” is not true in a pastor’s life or ministry, everything becomes a mess and sloppy. Unfortunately, some churches denote orderliness with “legalism,” as if sloppiness was “grace.” However, 1 Corinthians 14:40 blows out of the water that erroneous misconception.

7. As to his benevolence… “given to hospitality.” (1 Timothy 3:2e)

This gracious attitude needs to be exercised not merely to friends, but also to new people (literally, “lover of strangers”). An elder needs to be “given to hospitality” not only because there are real needs to be met and genuine pastoral concerns, but because this is how God has dealt with us. Otherwise, spiritual leadership appears to be cold and uninterested in those precious souls for whom Christ died. And as a safeguard from a perfunctory performance in this, the apostle Peter reminds us, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (1 Peter 4:9)

8. As to his ability with God’s Word… “apt to teach.” (1 Timothy 3:2f)

As was mentioned earlier in the general observations, this is the one requirement that stresses ability and function as it means “skilled in teaching.” While there is debate over its meaning, “didaktikos” seems to at least imply, if not demand, giftedness and experience. How can one be able or skilled in teaching without spiritual giftedness, along with ministry experience to develop and prove this? The necessity of this vital pastoral characteristic is highlighted in Titus 1:9 where we read,

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

(Titus 1:9)

Furthermore, since the shepherding role of an elder involves correction, this attribute is essential.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

Lastly, apart from pastors being “apt to teach,” God’s sheep will be malnourished instead of well-fed and healthy.

9. As to his self-control… “not given to wine.” (1 Timothy 3:3a)

Unlike “Norm” on the T.V. series “Cheers,” the pastor is not “to be one who sits long with the cup.” The NASB translates this “not addicted to wine.” Later in this epistle Paul told Timothy to “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). Having a “pastor’s-stomach” and carrying a package of TUMS antacids is not new to spiritual leaders in the 20th-21st century. Yet the church cannot afford to have a wino in its leadership. A godly leader must turn to the Lord and not a wine bottle to meet the demands and address the problems of pastoral ministry. It is imperative that he “be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)

10. As to his disposition… “no striker.” (1 Timothy 3:3b)

It is interesting to observe that this characteristic immediately follows “not given to wine,” as these two go hand-in-hand. The elder must not settle disputes with his fists. He must not resort to physical violence to solve problems. As someone wisely said, “Short tempers do not make for long ministries.” God has given His servants hands to work and pray with, not to act like rock-em, sock-em robots.

11. As to his motivation… “not greedy of filthy lucre.” (1 Timothy 3:3c)

The pastor must not be driven by greed for money, power, or advantage. As our Lord taught, “no man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). To be a faithful overseer demands a servant-mentality, not an ambition for money, power, or pleasure. They must serve God, not gold. Do you want to take your motivational temperature regarding this matter? Hebrews 13:5 is God’s thermometer for you.

Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5)

12. As to his treatment of others… “patient.” (1 Timothy 3:3d)

The Greek word “epiekes” means “considerate, gracious, gentle, forbearing.” For those who preach the grace of God, nothing less than the clothing of graciousness toward others should be their wardrobe. This attitude issues out practically by remembering the good and forgiving the wrongs of others. This attitude will allow others to view the overseer as approachable (James 3:17). And this quality is essential, as being criticized comes with the pastoral territory. An unwillingness to be gracious will result in holding grudges, a failure to model grace, and perhaps even using the pulpit to whip people who have gotten under our skin. This would simply be just the flesh cloaked in religiosity. In contrast, Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us…

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

13. As to his getting along with others… “not a brawler.” (1 Timothy 3:3e)

This describes a believer who is not quarrelsome. Have you ever known someone who is always disagreeable? They are very difficult to work with. The spiritual leader should not have a chip on his shoulder and should be a team player. Now this is not to suggest that he be a patsy or an “amen-charlie,” nodding his head in approval to every whim that comes down the pike. He must be a man of scriptural convictions. But he must not be quarrelsome. He must be reluctant to fight. He needs to practically “endeavor to guard the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). This is essential to have unanimity amongst the elders of the local church, instead of being paralyzed and fractured in their leadership and decision-making.

14. As to his finances… “not coveteous.” (1 Timothy 3:3f)

Literally, the pastor is not to have a “love of silver.” This does not require that churches disregard their dual responsibility of respect and remuneration towards their pastor (1 Timothy 5:17-18) by salving their conscience with the old adage, “let’s keep the pastor humble by keeping him poor.” Nor does this qualification prohibit an elder from possessing money, a savings and checking account, stocks, etc. It is the LOVE of money that is being addressed here.

The ministry demands pure motives and financial integrity. Neither must the saints be financially and emotionally manipulated, nor viewed as a means to monetary gain. The “love of silver” and having been “crucified unto the world and the world unto me” (Galatians 6:14) obviously do not mix. This pastoral qualification is further clarified later in this epistle when Paul writes…

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Tim. 6:3-11)

Frankly, there are too many “simoniacs” today in Christ’s work who perceive their ministry as a means of financial gain instead of sacrificial service. Instead of feeding the sheep, they are fleecing the flock. Fellow-pastors, Christian counselors, parachurch personnel, does that describe you? Do not forget that,

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13) ¢

To be continued in our next edition of the Grace Family Journal.

Dennis Rokser has been involved with the Duluth Bible Church for the past 19 years, serving as pastor-teacher for the last sixteen years.