Integrity is living what you teach and preach, that is why all the qualifications for leaders are given at the beginning of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 describe their moral character. Once the personal issues are pointed out, we move to the home life of the godly leader. It is not enough for the spiritual leader to have an exemplary personal life, he must also have an exemplary home life. To “manage” your household well, means that a godly leader is on who is a good steward of the things God has put into their charge. A spiritual leader is not just intrinsically good, but also visibly good. It is possible for a person to meet the moral qualifications for a pastor, yet be disqualified because of their evident lack of leadership in the home. He must be a good steward not only of his family but also his finances, learning how to control spending and not being tied to the “stuff” that they accumulate is important to model what is truly important. Having his children under control does not mean that his children must be followers of Christ (since that is the work of the Lord), however it does mean that … READ MORE

In light of what we have seen in religious circles regarding moral decline, it is essential that the first aspect of the blameless character that needs to be addressed is in the area of morality, in 1 Timothy 3:2b-3. More pastors give into this area than any other, and great is the fall of the pastor, and the church where this happens. The first aspect f this is “a one-woman man, the emphasis here is that literally that he is a (one woman man), while a pastor does not have to be married, he does need to have his moral life under control. Many have made this characteristic about Divorce, but this characteristic is so much more than simply, a Pastor should not be divorced. Its emphasis is in his moral character, and his Commitment to the Lord to be faithful to his covenant to the “wife of his youth” We live in a day and age where so much has come to light regarding the moral lapses in ministry. The man of God, must be careful that he keeps his moral life honorable before the Lord. Women and children need to be confident that the relationship that is being … READ MORE

God’s standards for leadership in the church are high. Unfortunately, today many evangelical churches today either deny or ignore those standards. Some congregations and denominations pick and those pastoral qualifications that seem most relevant and appropriate for the times, that satisfy personal preferences and that do not conflict to sharply with contemporary social standards and practices. Lowering standards for those God calls into vocation ministry, and who uniquely represent Him before the world, as well as before the church, is tragic. The church can rarely survive a failure of leadership. Pauls’ theme in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 is to help Timothy understand what to look for in the local church when appointing leadership in the church. It is critical for us to understand that while reviewing these characteristics, These things are already in a follower of Christ, not something that a pastor is to subscribe to, in light of his office. This passage of scripture outlines 5 areas that a man must be viewed as “blameless.” This is the major overriding characteristic outlined in this passage dealing with both, Pastor and deacon. Leadership must be the cream of the crop or they will destroy all that the Lord is attempting to … READ MORE