Scriptural Qualifications for One to be a Pastor

It is surprising how so many people ignore the qualifications for pastors presented in Scripture. Does your pastor meet the qualifications?

“Pastor” from the Greek word poimein means “shepherd”, which the Greek word for pastor is used repeatedly in reference to church pastors especially the Chief Pastor, Christ (Matt. 9:36; 25:32; 26:31; Mark 6:34; 14:27; Luke 2:8,15,18, 20; John 10:2,11,12,14,16; Heb. 13:20, 1 Pet. 2:25). The use of the noun form of the word “pastor” is found only in one verse for a church position besides that of Christ in Ephesians 4:11. From Ephesians 4:11, pastors are set apart from apostles, prophets, and evangelists. There is also a verb form of “pastor” meaning “to shepherd”, and besides the Great Shepherd and literal shepherds those doing the shepherding in the Church are the shepherds, the pastors of Ephesians 4:11. What the Bible has to say about who these pastors are may surprise you.

Those who are to shepherd are clearly presented in Acts 20 and 1 Peter 5. In Acts 20, Paul called the “elders” of Ephesus to him in Miletus (v17), and in his discourse, he instructed these elders, who he also called “bishops”, to “shepherd the church of the Lord” (v28). The only other occurrence of church leaders shepherding are again by “elders” in 1 Peter 5:2, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you”, These elders are the bishops, the shepherds, the pastors of the churches and these were not ministering teachers and preachers, which are distinct in the New Testament. Peter says that Christ is the example to church elders being the Great Pastor (1 Pet. 5:4). Evidently, the official position of pastor in shepherding congregations are “elders” who are also called “bishops” as presented in the above Scriptures. There are no other positions in the Church for which one is to pastor the flock. Being a preacher does not make someone a pastor.

The Scriptural titles for elders are bishops and pastors, and there are other synonymous titles translated too. For elder, there is the word, “presbyter” from the Greek for elder, presbuteros. For bishop, there is the position of “overseer”, which bishop and overseer are from the same Greek word, episkopos. For pastor, there is the apparent meaning “shepherd”, which are translated from the same Greek word, poimen. Elders, presbyters, bishops, overseers, pastors, and shepherds are all the same position in congregations. A Bishop is also called “God’s steward” (Titus 1:7). Notice that there are no higher leaders than elders in the Church besides Christ in the Scriptures (1 Peter 5:4). There are no archbishops, high councils, or presidents an “eldership” (1 Tim. 4:14). Note that there is a convention of Apostles and elders in Acts 15. Yet, what is clear in scripture is that there is a plural number of elders were at each congregation, and each man met specific qualifications (Acts 14:23, 20:17, 21:18, Phil. 1:1, 1 Tim. 4:14). These pastors are a different position from ministers and preachers.

Now, give attention to the necessary qualifications of the pastors of Christ’s Church. First of all, those desiring this position by title are working to pastor and oversee. These men are also to be elders meaning elder in age. Two lists of qualifications for pastors are presented in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

First Timothy 3:1-7:

*One must seek the office
*Must be without reproach
*A husband of one wife
*Self-controlled
*Sober-minded
*Orderly
*Hospitable
*Able to teach
*Not a drunkard
*Not violent but gentle
*Not quarrelsome
*Not a lover of money
*Must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive
*Must not be a recent convert
*Moreover, must be well thought of by outsiders

Titus 1:5-9:

*Above reproach
*A husband of one wife
*His children are believers not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
*Not arrogant
*Not quick-tempered
*Not a drunkard
*Not violent
*Not greedy for gain
*Hospitable
*A lover of good
*Self-controlled
*Upright
*Holy
*Disciplined
*Must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught

These shepherds being pastors have specific responsibilities. The qualifications for these pastors also serve as responsibilities like being a lover of good and holding to the Word as taught. Other responsibilities are presented as well. In Acts 20:28-31, the Spirit of Christ teaches elders are to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock“, to be “overseers, to care for the church of God“, and to “be alert“, because Christ “obtained with his own blood” the Church and “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” The Spirit also teaches that an elder is to “be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). The most concise and balanced presentation of the role of elders is in 1 Peter 5 where Peter as a fellow elder stated, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (v2-3). Elders do not have to labor in preaching and teaching as 1 Timothy 5:17 reveals, but those that do are worthy of double pay and honor. Pastors also are to be there for the sick of the congregation when they are called as James 5:14 states, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Elders also oversee the collection being the treasury (Acts 11:30).

Is this a picture of your “pastor” and the “pastors” that you know? Maybe like most churches, you don’t really have these kinds of Scriptural pastors. Instead you have a number of “pastors” who are hired ministers and who do not meet all the qualifications. What will you do about it? Will you ignore God’s Word and think “Well, grace will cover this”? Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Evidently, grace does not cover those who do not do the Will of God. If you go to such a congregation having an unqualified “pastor”, please examine the congregation by the Scriptures since such error is usually not alone. Chances are that the congregation even by title is not Scriptural and not named after her Owner, her Bridegroom, and her Savior. If you are a part of the Church of Jesus Christ that He built (Matt. 16:18), saved (Eph. 5:23-27), and bought with His blood (Acts 20:28), why not say that you all belong to Him rather than another man, ideology, organization, or sect? Is that congregation really the Church of Christ or is it the Church named after another man like Luther or Wesley or the Church of some tradition of man like Methodism? Please, see the article “Where is Christ’s Church Today?” or watch “Searching for Truth“, and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.

[For the responsibilities of a minster see "A Minister's Work in Few Words".]