Demonstrating One’s Qualifications as a Pastor

I Timothy 3:4-7

In our day, great pieces of work are often called Masterpieces. It is a corruption of the original meaning of the word. A man would be apprenticed to a master in a certain trade or craft, when he completed the course of training, he would be expected to demonstrate his mastery of the trade or craft to others of the same trade. The master piece was the piece which earned him the title as master of his craft. The craftsman usually kept the masterpiece to demonstrate his mastery to prospective customers.

Today, a craftsman takes an exam to demonstrate his physical ability to do the job, and is issued a license, rather than building a masterpiece. He then shows the license to prospective clients to demonstrate his qualifications. It is illegal for an unlicensed person to practice most trades.

The pastor’s family is a demonstration of his ability to teach and lead people. If he is unable to teach his own children how to behave, when he has unlimited time to teach them, how will he be able to teach those he has for only one or two hours a week. His family showcases his skill or lack of it in the various requirements for a pastor. It is his masterpiece, his practical exam. Notice the standard.

“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (I Timothy 3:4-5)

Hebrews 13:7 stresses the same concept. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” We ought to examine the results of our leaders way of life and follow their example accordingly. Similar actions will undoubtedly produce similar results.

Most professions require a period of internship. It may vary from a few weeks to several years, but the goal is to demonstrate the skill to take proper action in a variety of situations, not just to perform properly under ideal circumstances. Before he is allowed to take his exam, he must meet the internship requirements. The same is true for those who want to be a pastor.

“ Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (I Timothy 3:6)

Unless the pastor has had an extended period of serving God, he is likely to fall into various sins and improper practices, leading to embarrassment and reproach on the church. A variety of experiences gives the opportunity to learn how to apply the needed skills in various situations.

Before a plumber can get a license, his references will be checked. He can be rejected for a license if he has a history of defrauding people, of violating the plumbing code, of doing substandard work, or of not paying his bills. Complaints by customers, inspectors, and creditors are investigated and if verified may cause a license to be revoked. Paul said that the pastor must meet a similar scrutiny.

“Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (I Timothy 3:7)

If the business world requires such standards, why would we expect God to accept a lower standard? In reality, the demands for pastors are only the norm all Christians are to be striving for, not some extreme set of requirements.