1 Timothy 3:3 (KJV)
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
A number of years ago, I had a conversation with a young but very confident pastor (who is, by the way, now divorced, out of the ministry, and spiritually very messed up) about this chapter of God's Word—especially the qualification of being the husband of one wife.
His assertion was that if people like me continued to insist that a divorced man is unqualified to pastor, it wouldn’t be long—given the culture of our day—before there would be none qualified. (This is already a serious problem in many churches regarding qualified deacons. Many have done away with deacons altogether and replaced them with “leadership teams” in order to skirt around the biblical qualifications.)
I’d like to take a moment to meditate on the “dumbing down” of the qualifications for the ministry. I understand that all of us are sinners. If someone were to dig deeply enough, they’d find dirt in the life of the godliest person they know. I recently read a quote by C.H. Spurgeon where he urged believers not to be offended when accused of wickedness—because we’re far more wicked than they know.
Still, the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 do not require perfection—only Christ meets that standard. But they do call us to a high and holy one, and we do no service to the work of God when we compromise them.
I’m convinced that one of the most overlooked qualifications is in verse 6: “Not a novice.” In our sincere and good desire to reach the world for Christ, we may send preachers into fields white unto harvest before they’ve had time to be proven.
- How would we know if they’re not given to wine?
- How would we know they’re no striker?
- How would we know they’re not greedy of filthy lucre?
- How would we know they’re patient?
- How would we know they’re not a brawler?
- How would we know they’re not covetous?
Some are sent out before they’re even married—
- How would we know if they can rule their house well?
Unless we insist on them being faithful, consistent, dutiful members of one local church long enough for their spiritual gifts to be observed?
There’s no question our world desperately needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. But turning churches over to unqualified men only hurts that cause.
#BiblicalQualifications #NotANovice #FaithfulBeforeFruitful #StandardsMatter #ProtectThePulpit
Dumbing Down the Pulpit: Not a Novice
Do you believe today’s churches are compromising too much on leadership? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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