NIGERIA HOUSES OF HORROR (PART XV)

“Biblical Qualifications of a Pastor”

By Akin Ojumu

Apostle Paul, writing to Titus, gives us the requisite qualifications a man must have before he can be elevated to the office of an Overseer, i.e., bishop or pastor or elder, in the Church.

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you – 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. For 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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.” (Titus 1:5-9).

The Pastoral KSA, i.e., knowledge, skills, and abilities, for becoming a leader in the House of God are pretty cut and dry. There are the positive KSAs, which are imperative. Then we have the negative KSAs which must never be found in anyone seeking the office of a pastor.

Let’s unpack them, shall we, starting with the positive KSAs.

Above Reproach (Titus 1:6)

While this requirement does not require the person to be perfectly sinless, it does require that the person who would be ordained a spiritual leader must be someone who doesn’t have rotten skeletons in their closet. Such an individual must have a personal life devoid of any thing for which he could be legitimately accused, indicted, and found to be guilty. You can’t be a pastor and have a long history of allegations of sexual dalliances or recurring accusations of financial impropriety.

Husband of One Wife (Titus 1:6)

Literally, this means a one-woman man. This is a man who, if he is married, is consistently devoted and faithful to his wife, inwardly and outwardly. In matters of sexual purity, he is as innocent as they come. If you are a wife of one husband or husband of multiple wives, you don’t meet this requirement.

Hospitable (Titus 1:8)

This is a word that means a lover of strangers. A pastor must at all times be able to open his life and his resources to anyone and everyone in need. There’s nothing too precious to him that he can’t give away to someone in need. That’s the heart of a true pastor.

Lover of Good (Titus 1:8)

In Isaiah 5:20, we read, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil.” Sound moral judgment is a prerequisite to becoming a pastor. Anyone with warped moral values has no business being ordained as a pastor. A lover of good is the kind of man who surrounds himself with good people and is involved with good causes.

Self-Controlled (Titus 1:8)

The Greek word translated to self-controlled is a word that refers to someone who has control of his mind and thoughts. This is a serious-minded and disciplined person who is full of wisdom. He is not an unserious clownish buffoon who goofs around making a fool of himself. Such an individual gives thoughtful and careful consideration to everything.

Upright (Titus 1:8)

An upright person is a man after God’s heart. This is man with whom God is well pleased.  His ways are pleasing to God and his life approved by Him. In every way, such a man meets the standard of God.

Holy (Titus 1:8)

It’s expected of a man who will be pastor to be free from any stain of sin. You won’t find the tiniest stain anywhere in this man’s life. There are no secret closets and definitely no rotten skeletons. Should he fall into sin, as we all do, he is quick to confess and deal with it. Nothing can be found in his life that will scandalize the Church and bring reproach to the Name of Christ. This is a man whose life is exemplary.

Disciplined (Titus 1:8)

In a way, this is also a reference to a self-restrained individual who has control of himself at all times regardless of whether someone is watching. Both in public and in private, such a man has a firm grip on his conduct. A man who cannot keep himself in righteous conduct and purity when he is all by himself, is unfit for the office of a pastor.

Now, let’s examine the negative KSAs, which are the undesirable attributes or the no-no.

Believing Children not Debauched Rebels (Titus 1:6)

Well, you can’t be an effective or credible pastor if you have Hophni and Phinehas as children.

Not Arrogant (Titus 1:7)

Which is to say, he's not in love with himself to the point where he becomes an arrogant jackass and a windbag.

Not Quick-Tempered (Titus 1:7)

This speaks to the idea of volcanic eruption. A man who has a long-lasting, deep-seated combustible anger under the surface which, when confronted or challenged, bursts out in a hot lava of uncontrollable rage is unfit to become a pastor. That kind of man is prohibited from being a spiritual leader.

Not a Drunkard (Titus 1:7)

Literally, this means “not being alongside wine,” i.e., not addicted to wine. Metaphorically, it means to be circumspect, alert, or clear-headed. Anybody in spiritual leadership is to be clear-headed. You can’t be a drunk and pastor at the same time. A spiritual leader must never be given over to anything that dulls the clarity of his mind. The shepherds of God’s flock are required to be in control of their senses at all times.

Not Violent (Titus 1:7)

A pastor cannot be a pugnacious person. Cambridge dictionary defines a pugnacious person as someone “wanting to start an argument or fight, or expressing an argument or opinion very forcefully.” In this context, “violent” basically means “a giver of blows.” This is someone who uses his fist to settle disagreements. A pastor must be someone willing to settle conflicts peaceably and amicably without resulting to violence. Anyone who goes around punching people in the face does not belong in Church leadership.

Not Greedy for Gain (Titus 1:7)

The Greek word translated here literally means someone who acquires and accumulates material possessions shamelessly. Such a person doesn’t care how he makes money. He is unconcerned by the means and methods by which he amasses the things of this world. There’s zero integrity and complete dishonesty. Sadly, the Church is packed full of pastors exhibiting this trait.

If your pastor falls short on even one of the positive criteria hitherto described, he is unfit to be a spiritual leader. If he is guilty of any of the negative ones, he has no business being a shepherd of God’s flock.

Now you understand why I’m not a pastor. This is serious business, folks.

We’ll take it from here next time.