Should We Fire the Pastor?
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Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to share the Word of God with the saints of Durbin Memorial Baptist Church and lift praises to our God together.
I had something dreadful happen a few weeks ago. I went down stairs to get some ground beef out of the deep freeze and when I opened it up I noticed something was very wrong. The freezer was supposed to be filled to the brim with a recently cut beef, but it only appeared to be half full. At first I thought a band of rogues had come through and pillaged my freezer. But then I realized that nothing was missing… it had sunk. My entire freezer had thawed out and everything in it was ruined.
Looking back, there were signs all along, but I hadn’t had to open it up in a while. I should’ve noticed when I was in the basement that I didn’t hear the hum of the compressor. I should have seen a bit of moisture pooling below the freezer’s drain plug, indicating that it had defrosted. If I had just been using the meat more often, I may have even caught it, after the freezer went out, but before everything in it went bad. But alas, none of that happened and I missed the boat.
So then I had to try to figure out what happened. Do I throw out the whole thing? Is it salvageable? After testing a few different things, It turned out the actual wall outlet the freezer was plugged into went bad. It was no longer delivering power to the freezer.
Now, you didn’t come here this morning to hear about the problems with my freezer. I bring all of this up this morning to make a specific point. What really happened with my freezer? Did the freezer itself go bad? Was it the meats fault? Was there a problem with the electricity?
No, it all boiled down to a blown socket. The thing that was responsible for distributing the power to freezer went bad and so went everything in it.
This may not be a perfect analogy. I’m not saying that a bad or an unqualified pastor can take away your salvation. But this does illustrate the point that when the pastor goes bad, or is unqualified from the get go for the position there is a massive effect on the church. If it is not diagnosed and corrected soon enough, the organization as a whole is doomed to fail. Even if the church as a organization grows in numbers of people, it is building on a false premise that runs contrary to the God it says it serves.
As we have been highlighting throughout this series, the church is important.
Ligonier Ministries puts it like this, “the reality is that the organization of the church is a means that King Jesus uses to disciple His people and to bring the gospel to a lost and needy world. When Christ ascended into heaven, He did not leave His children as orphans (John 14:18); rather, He established a structure by which the Holy Spirit would work through men to build up the church. This involves the calling, equipping, and ordaining of pastors (Eph. 4:11), elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), and deacons (Acts 6) in the church. The Lord Jesus Christ commissioned His church to bring the gospel of grace to the world (Matt. 28:18–20) and the path of every Christian culminates in the corporate worship of God for all eternity (Rev. 21). Thus, we need the gifts that Jesus has given to the church, including pastors and teachers, to fulfill this mission.”
So if we are to take “this” “this church” seriously and submissively to the Word of God, we also have to seriously consider God’s given qualifications for those who are to be in leadership. The mission of the church is too dependent on God for us to go against His design for the church.
If you have not already, open to 1 Timothy 3.
Today we are going to be answering the question, “Should we fire the pastor?”
Our intention is to look through the qualifications of a pastor/elder/overseer and ensure that everything we do in this church is reflective of what God has given to us in His Word.
This was a matter of vital importance to Timothy and the church at Ephesus. In our look at chapter one we have seen how false teaching had begun to sneak in through the leadership of the church. The church is on the verge of spoiling if correction is not made. Paul gives young Timothy the guide for selecting leaders that in line with God’s design for the church.
Now before we get into the specifics, I want to explain another important foundation for this message. It is important to remember that while these instructions pertain to pastors or elders, they are definitely not contradictory to layman living. Thus, they can be a model for everyone to strive for as well.
You’ll hear me say time and time again that our position before God, our salvation is not determined by our works. However, we seek to honor God through all that we do. Our liberty in Christ is not an excuse for sinful living. It is quite the opposite. We don’t have to live shackled to sin, we have been set free and thus enabled to honor God through what we do. While pastors and elders may have some seemingly strict guidelines as to their qualifications, they are ideals that every Christian should pursue. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” It is an honor, privilege, and duty for Christians to emulate Christ like behavior. So let’s begin our look at the qualifications of an elder presented in 1 Tim 3. Begin in verse 1.
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
Something very disappointing has happened. According to the results of a recent Gallup Poll, only 32% of Americans believe that clergy have high levels of honesty and ethics. This ranked behind nurses, veterinarians, Engineers, Dentists, Doctors, Pharmacists, Police officers, and Chiropractors, and just barely above Bankers, Journalists, Lawyers, and Members of Congress.
Looking at all of these professions and I would say that they are noble tasks. They are “good” jobs. They are important for the proper functioning of society. The problem with the perception of Pastors, Bankers, Journalists, Lawyers, and Members of Congress is that too many and far too often, those who are in the role are not worthy of it. Too often these positions have been abused for personal gain.
When it comes to being an elder/pastor/overseer, despite the declining trust of Americans at large, it is indeed a noble task. Despite those who have abused the position, a pastor functioning in line with God’s Word is worthy of double honor.
Recently in the Kentucky Baptist Convention, there has been an initiative entitled Calling out the Called. The idea is to identify, encourage, and equip folks to join the ministry in vocational, covocational, and bivocational roles. We’ve created emphasis Sundays and even scholarships to give to men who may be interested in becoming pastors. This is a good program that I am glad to be a part of through our participation in the cooperative program, but if we are speaking freely this morning, it is a little sad that it is necessary!
I am glad to help people afford education and be equipped for ministry, but one of the primary reasons the Calling out the Called initiative started is because as a whole, Baptist churches in Kentucky are having an incredibly difficult time finding anyone to fill the pulpit!
It is clear that is has not been impressed upon the next generation at least that aspiring to the office of overseer is aspiring to a noble endeavor. It isn’t the most lucrative task. It isn’t the easiest task. But it IS certainly a noble task.
A God honoring pastor has committed their life to serving the Lord and leading His people. As we have said this morning, God chose to work through the local church to share the gospel and thus save sinners. God chose to establish overseers to lead the church in the accomplishing His mission. It can’t get much nobler than that!
A pastorate is something that should be aspired toward. We should encourage men to pursue such a position. However, as we see in the decline of trust for clergy members, just because someone aspires towards a position, does not mean they should fill it. God did not call all us here this morning to be overseers. As Baptists, we believe in a congregationalist polity. That means that we believe, “Each congregation [, church,] operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord.” This means we vote on who we recognize as pastors within our church. So we need to know what to look for.
Let’s look at 8 qualifications given to the church in evaluating who should be considered to be an overseer in the church.
Look to verse 2.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
The list of characteristics we are walking through this morning presupposes what we looked at last week. Eldership in the church is reserved for males as a reflection of God’s created order and design for creation. Feel free to refer back to last week for a deeper understand of how we see that in 1 Timothy 2. So the, we are given this extensive list of criteria for a man to be considered for an overseer.
We will be condensing this into ten categories of qualifications.
The first category is reputation. Paul says that an overseer “must be above reproach.” This is referring to his reputation, his observable conduct. This is also a kind of blanket qualification for everything that follows. If a man meets the other qualifications, he will certainly be above reproach.
But why does reputation matter? Well, if you look back at verse 7 you see that a pastor’s conduct is to be well thought of by outsiders so that he wont fall into disgrace, that is a snare of the devil. As we have seen in the growing distrust for clergy in America, the devils snare has been working! Pastors fall into disgrace and bring shame upon themselves and the cause of Christ. We have a massive problem with unqualified and disqualified people besmirching the name of Christ in their positions at their churches. While we should be seeking correction and taking no joy in the abuse of ministerial positions around us, I want to encourage us this morning with the reminder that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ’s church. He will continue to save His people and work through faithful congregations.
“Well thought of” in verse 7 literally means “have a beautiful witness” to the outside world. We want the leadership of the church to have a godly impression on the outside world so that we can point the outside world to the source of holiness, Jesus Christ. When considering leadership in the church we must consider reputation.
The next category of qualification is marriage. Paul writes in verse 2 that the overseer is to be a husband of one wife. This is widely debated phrase from all sides, even in conservative scholarship. What almost all conservative scholars agree on is that Paul is, “teaching that an overseer must be faithful to his wife; the text literally says that the pastor must be a “man of one woman” (cf. ESV mg.). The elder must be faithful to his wife in a monogamous relationship. To be a “one-woman man” prohibits promiscuity and homosexuality. An elder must have a clear and consistent pattern of honor, love, and devotion to his wife alone.” There are debates as to if this text precludes any man who has never been married or if a man has ever been divorced. This text certainly does not preclude an unmarried man from serving as a pastor, but serves as a guide for how he should pursue a relationship with intentionally and reverence to God. When it comes to divorce, I respect that there are very opinions from all sides. I will say from prayer, studies, and consultation with other pastors, that I would not consider a divorce that occured prior to salvation disqualifying. There are some who suggest a man can be restored to ministry after a divorce if the circumstances were within the biblical grounds for divorce and proper steps for reconciliation and repentance have been taken. I understand this position. However, for myself at least, I vowed at my ordination that if Cassidy and I were to separate for any reason, my fault, her fault, drift apart, whatever, I would no longer serve as a pastor and I hold to that standard. Marriage is a reflection of the relationship between Christ and His Church. If we agree that God has a high view of marriage, then so should His Church and so should His under-shepherds serving as Pastor.
The third category of qualifications is disciplined. In verse 2 we read, “sober minded, self-controlled, respectable.” These three virtues work well together. A pastor is to be sober-minded that is clear in decision making. This can have application outside of alcohol, but when we consider verse 3 , we can see that elders are also not to be drunkards. Pastors are to be disciplined in what they put into their bodies, remaining clearheaded and avoid drunkenness. Drunkenness was an ancient blight that hasn’t gotten much better today. We aren’t to be driven by our appetites. this applies to that word “self-controlled” as well. This means that an overseer is not controlled by his passions, lusts, or idolatries, but rather by the Holy Spirit. Respectable persons give no easy reason to tear down their cause. They are disciplined in their approach and glorifying God with dignity.
The fourth category is ministry. Closing out verse 2 we read “hospitable, able to teach.” Of these pastoral qualifications, I think one of the most overlooked is hospitable. ALL Christians are called to show hospitality, in Romans 12 is says we are to seek the needs of the saints and show hospitality. We are not to be insulated or isolated! Even within our congregation, we aren’t supposed to simply wait for opportunities to drop in our lives to be there for others, we are to proactively pursue them. This doesn’t mean that our homes have to have a constant revolving door, but we should be consistently seeking fellowship with one another to deepen our affections and love for the Lord as well as seeking hospitable fellowship with unbelievers, that we show them their need of the Lord. A pastor should be modeling this for the church. I am convinced by the Word that the oversee should have a personal relationship with his congregation, not be removed to isolated study preaching down to them. Then with hospitality, the overseer is to be able to teach. He should be a student of the Word, a communicator of the Word, and a defender of the Word. Teaching, though, is more than telling folks how it is. It requires connecting with them in ways that they understand. A teacher isn’t teaching if no one is being taught. Teaching is expanded upon in Titus 1:9 “9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” then more again in 2 Timothy 2:25 “25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.” A great teacher does not have to tear down, but builds up with the foundation of truth given to us in God’s Word.
The fifth category of qualification is temperament. We read in verse 3, “not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome.” A literal translation for “not violent” would be “not a giver of blows.” Our Scripture Proclamation this month reminds us that Jesus was gentle and lowly Himself. This doesn’t mean that He was never stern or fiery, but certainly the Lord of Creation showed patients and mercy with His wicked creation. If we understand that Christ was gentle despite man’s egregious sins against Him, we can expect gentleness from the leaders of Christ’s church. Further, gentleness is one of the fruits of Spirit. From my limited perspective, this is an also an area not considered much when seeking a pastor. We gravitate towards fireworks because they get our attention. But the shepherd does not just yell at his sheep. He tends to them. If a man’s ministry is marked more by his fights than his care, he’s doing it wrong.
The sixth category of qualification is finance. At the end of verse 3 we read, “not a lover of money.” This is specifically talking about an elders ATTITUDE toward money. There are certainly financial implications in the church, and it is good for a pastor to be given a wage for his work. So this doesn’t mean that an oversee is anti-money or some sort of monk that rejects all money. We must remember the old adage is wrong. Money is not the root of evil. Scripture says instead that the LOVE of Money is the root of all kinds of evil. There is a massive distinction there. An overseer in the church cannot lead the church to make every decision with the intention of hoarding money. The church is not a bank, it is a ministry. We want to be good stewards with the gift that God has given us and not squander everything away, but we are not building a for-profit business. Too often the church employs business strategy for Kingdom work. We must reject the idea of monitoring our success by coffers and attendance. This can be a blind spot in the church because we all want to be financially secure. Os Guinness said, “If a man is drunk on wine, you’ll throw him out. But if he’s drunk on money, you’ll make him a deacon.” If we understand that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil and that the overseer sets the tone for the rest of the church, we must expect our overseers to be free from the love of money.
The seventh category is family. v 4 and 5. 1 Tim 3:4-5 “4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” “This does not mean that everything is always perfect or even that all of his children necessarily are believing Christians. Rather, a faithful pastor will be one who leads his home and who disciplines his children diligently, and that attention to discipline will be reflected in some degree in his children’s behavior: “with all dignity keeping his children submissive.” Unruly children often reveal a lack of loving discipline and managerial order in a home.” When we understand that discipline is ultimately restorative and done for the benefit of the recipient, we should also understand that Pastors should be modeling this behavior in their own homes. This does not mean that they rule with an iron fist. This doesn’t negate the gentleness that we have already discussed. But fathers in general, and pastors particularly here are to discipline their children. As we’ve mentioned the distrust and decline with clergy throughout the sermon today, I’m reminded of a cliche I heard of when I was a kid. We were always told the Pastor’s kids were wild. Could it be that people were overlooking a symptom of unqualified leadership? This verse doesn’t mean that a pastors children have to be perfect or that they will even certainly be believers. But manners and respect can be taught. If the church is supposed to be a family, then a pastor better first be able to manage his own family before expanding into the church.
The final category of qualification is Maturity. 1 Timothy 3:6 “6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” We’re not given a definition of “recent” here. I’m not sure there is supposed to be an exact prescription. Instead, we are supposed to give these men time to prove themselves before thrusting them into a leadership position. We know from the parable of sower that some seeds pop up quickly then whither away. The church has sometimes been way too quick to put people into positions of influence. I mentioned it a few months ago, but I’m reminded of when Kanye West claimed Christianity. Only Spirit can know Kanye’s heart, but the fruit that we have seen since that time does not give me any assurance of his salvation. Yet at the time we were ready to put him on the circuit and make him the face of Christianity. Paul cautions against putting new converts into lofty positions because it “puffs them up with conceit.” An overseer should be marked by humility. Humility and experience are a recipe for successful ministry.
In both verses 6 and 7 we are given extra reasoning as to why this is important. Not only is the church God’s chosen vessel for sharing the Gospel. Not only are pastors, overseers, elders, entrusted to lead the church in this charge, but the devil is actively working against this mission. While we understand the sovereignty of God, we also understand that we are fighting in a war. Our victory is assured in Christ, but the victories we accomplish here and now give God all the more glory. May we not fall into temptation and treat Christ’s church as something less than what it is. May we joyfully and reverentially seek to install leaders that are in line with God’s guidance.
I’ll leave us with two quick thoughts.
Should we fire the pastor? I don’t know. I’ve given you the Scriptural foundation of an overseer of the church and we have a business meeting tonight. As congregationalists, I’ll let y’all work that out.
The virtues we’ve have discussed today are beneficial for us all, but we are reminded that not all of us are called to be pastors. And you know what? As noble of a task as being a pastor is, it’s okay that you aren’t one. God didn’t design us all to be one. I was at a conference this week where the speaker mentioned that he grew up in the first generations to really embrace one of the worst lies ever told. That is his generation grew up being told they could, “be whatever they want when they grow up.” That’s simply not true. He said he’s 6’ 2” and when he bends, he breaks. He ain’t ever gonna be a gymnast. And that’s okay! That’s not what God designed him to be! We want to join in calling out the called, but God didn’t call every one of us to be a pastor. That’s okay! You have still been uniquely equipped to serve God exactly in the place He has you! There is one more thing that NONE of us, myself in this room have been called to be. That is Savior. That is a role that only Jesus Christ can hold. Through His life death and resurrection He has saved and sealed all those who believe in Him. He has a purpose for you that is for your good and for His glory. Statistically, its probably not pastor. But I can tell you that it is His will for you to serve Him through the local church, to give him praise, to serve others, to show hospitality, and the be cared for by a bunch of others sinners saved by the grace of God. We’re not all called to be pastors but we are called to repent of our sins and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord. Have you done so? If not, do not delay. Come forward during the hymn of response today.