Character in Leadership Ensures the Presence of the Gospel in Any City.

As a poet said, the things that matter most must never be put at the mercy of things that matter least. When Paul writes the qualifications for pastors, a leader's character is what matters most. If local churches are to perpetuate Gospel influence, character must always be held above any gimmicky attempts to make the church popular or the Bible "relevant."

Listen

Paul lists several character qualifications for pastor-teachers who shepherd God's flock in 1 Timothy 3:2-7.

Above Reproach

The Greek used in this phrase means "unable to be grabbed a hold of." First-century hearers would immediately imagine someone in a choke-hold. A pastor must not have a testimony flaw that is widely known within the church or outside of it, which will have a long-lasting negative influence. Some commentators explain this phrase as a broad summary that includes all the qualifications in the following list. Another synonym is "blameless." He must have an ongoing history of blameless character. One pastor explained:

This qualification does not mean that a man is sinless; that is not possible. It does mean that some sins have broader, more lasting consequences and negative influences on the flock and the surrounding community.

Can a pastor be reinstated after disqualifying himself in such a way? A pastor who has been reinstated after public failure, even if in another geographic location or after many years have passed, threatens the gospel influence of the church and the church's confidence in its leaders. Such a man can be forgiven and restored to fellowship and to service, but is no longer permitted to shepherd a church. His grief is real, because his spiritual gifting is not taken away. But God's Word is clear.

The Husband of One Wife

Literally, the pastor must be a "one-woman man." This is not a matter of quantity, but a qualitative description of his character. He must be known for moral purity before and after he is married. He should not even be a flirt. He must keep a careful eye on what influences he allows in his life. Impure influences can occur far before an act of immorality.

Temperate

The next three qualifications have to do with a pastor's self-ministry. He must be clear-headed and mastered by God. He may allow nothing into his body that would alter his judgement. He will constantly need to discern and decide in ministry. If surgeons and pilots are not permitted to have the slightest alcoholic influence while performing their jobs, how much more important is clear judgement for the task of overseeing souls!

Prudent

Prudence is the result of a clear head. A pastor should be well-disciplined and know how to organize his priorities. He must care for his own spiritual health, that of his home, and corporate worship. "This is a man who views the world through God's eyes while he leads a prioritized life." A well-disciplined man will also see the great need of salvation for lost souls. He is so burdened for the world to be saved, he has no room in his life or ministry for that which is the world to creep in.

Respectable

This word means to be orderly. The pastor should be known for finishing what he begins, not having unaccomplished plans. As God finishes what He starts in creation, so must His shepherd finish every spiritual and practical endeavor he undertakes. His personal and domestic life should be in order because it will flow over to the church's testimony.

Hospitable

A pastor must set the example of hospitality for his congregation. He should invite and welcome strangers, especially traveling Christians, into his home. This was especially important in the first century when inns were not moral options if a traveling pastor was to keep his testimony.

Able to Teach

Skill in teaching is only required of a pastor, not a deacon or other teachers in the church. Not only must the pastor be gifted to teach, but he must be good at it. It is critical that God's Word be understood by the people. The pastor's preaching and teaching must be thoroughly explained, well-ordered, and decently communicated. This requirement is repeated in 2 Timothy 2:24.

Why a skill requirement in the midst of these character qualifications? What you are simply cannot be separated from what you do. Action must be connected to character, or it has no value.

Not Addicted to Wine

This phrase means a pastor should not be one who lingers beside wine. This is a second emphasis on avoiding an altered judgement, which is repeated in Titus 1:7. Impairment by alcohol was "certainly a blight in this rough-and-tumble culture" when Paul wrote, and it still is in our day. Wine today has ten times the alcoholic content of first-century wine. Leaders in Scripture who allow alcohol to influence themselves always impair their discernment. It never turns out well, with long-standing consequences.

Is casual drinking allowed for those in the church who are not leaders? The people should aspire to the standard that leaders are told to uphold as an example. What a pastor allows in moderation, his people will excuse in excess. Frankly, it is foolish to assume that your liberty does not affect others. To use your liberty in a way that trips up another believer who has struggled with alcoholism is sin of a dark kind.

Not Pugnacious

A pastor is not to be given to blows. Violence is not his immediate reaction to an intense moment. He should be gentle and peaceable, not defensive. He easily pardons others' failure and accepts criticism calmly for the sake of his sheep.

Free from the Love of Money

This is another qualitative description of a pastor's attitude. He is not required to be either rich or poor, but he must not be distracted by material things or consumed by it. Here is how one author explained the phrase:

The point is not whether one is rich or poor. The disqualification out-of-hand for church leadership is to be a lover of money. Some of the richest men that I know are not lovers of money, but the truth is, it is hard to have a lot of money and not love it. It is also hard to be poor and not love money. Whatever the case, one cannot love money and take care of the church too.

...If a pastor speaks of money, it must be in terms of supporting a church's responsibility under the Great Commission, an act of their true worship as the Bible outlines. A church given to carrying out the Great Commission will be a church that cares well for the needs of its pastors, so that the pastors will forever be able to focus upon their spiritual responsibilities in that church.

Application Points

• The people of a church should aspire to the standard that leaders are told to uphold as an example. Even if you are not a leader, examine your life by the standard set forth in these verses. Are you known for having blameless character? Moral purity? Being temperate, prudent, and respectable? Are you hospitable? Do you allow anything into your body that would inhibit your judgement? Do you resort to violence or love material things?

• No good comes from drinking alcohol. If it's not a good idea for your pastor, it's not a good idea for you. Study 1 Corinthians 8 if you are not convinced of this. Trust your pastor and put it away.

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Leviticus 10:8-11, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35, Galatians 5:22-23, Titus 1:8 – Skillful living avoids the influence of alcohol.
• 2 Timothy 4:5 – A pastor's disciplined work.
• Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9 – The value of hospitality.
• 1 Corinthians 8, Matthew 18:6 – Your liberty affects others.
• 2 Timothy 2:1-5, 2 Peter 2:14-16, Jude 16 – The danger of loving material things.

Quotes to Ponder

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

A Hymn to Encourage: "Rejoice in the Lord"

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness, He giveth a song.

O Rejoice in the Lord.
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.