Bible Passages
1Timothy 3:2-7 (ESV): 2Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Titus 1:6-9 (ESV): 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He 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.
Biblical Requirements
Requirement Above Reproach
Scripture 1Timothy 3:2 “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach…”
Titus 1:6 “...if anyone is above reproach…
Definition Above reproach means that I cannot find fault or blame. He is a man who lives a life that is honorable and blameless in outward conduct. He is upright and just in his dealings with others. This is not being perfect or sinless. As one writer said, the pastor “must not be marked by any infamy that would lessen his authority.”
Prayer Request Pray that the man God has already chosen for us will experience the Lord’s grace and strength to live a life that will not leave him open to any attack. Pray that he will be a man of integrity, respected, honest.
Requirement Able to Teach
is one of the main scriptural qualifications that the search committee is looking for in God’s man for this church.
Scripture 1Tim 3.2 “Therefore an overseer must be…able to teach…”
Titus 1.9 “… able to give instruction in sound doctrine…”
Definition Able to teach speaks of his ability and desire to handle the Scriptures. He is effective in communicating the truth of God. He is faithful to instruct those who lack knowledge and to correct those who stray away from the truth of the Scriptures. He is a mature man of God who does not compromise the Word of God, but studies with great care and diligence (2 Tim 2.15) and is consistent in applying the Word to his own life.
Prayer Request Pray for our next pastor that:
He will be focused in His study of God’s word and effective as he proclaims God’s truth to the flock he serves.
His personal relationship to the Lord will be encouraged and his own life changed by his time in study and teaching.
He would like Ezra “set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules…” to the people of Faith Church. [Ezra 7:10]
