Do You Qualify

Do You Qualify?

For more messages and resources by Cameron Conway visit https://conwaychristianresources.com

What are our qualifications in our day for pastors, deacons, elders and leaders in general? Are they freshly pressed suits and ties? Are they pieces of paper with a signed by a man 99.9% of people wouldn’t recognize. Is it the personal collection of books filled to the brim with other peoples personal opinions of Christ and the church? Is it in masterful trickery of the tongue upon tickled ears? Have we ever asked ourselves the question, what qualifies us for ministry? What plumb line, what Bar are we measured against that allows us the privilege of open ministry (both corporate and individual). And on a more personal level what qualifies us to openly display the gospel to the unbeliever?

I wish to know what the scriptures say on this matter, of qualification. Ever in my searching I have yet to find the verses commanding the attendance of and accredited university for 4 to 7 years. Perhaps I should be reading from the book of 2Opionions instead? Nor do I find the doctrine of, “the issuance of golden sealed papers to be rewarded for the regurgitation of cold information.” No, in my ventures across the scripture I have found something, yes something somewhere which hints, no, declares the qualities of true leaders and servants. Qualities of the heart, the trials of reality, and unwavering faith in Him.

The apostle (in the truest sense) Paul as he approached the twilight of his mortal journey penned to his spiritual sons Timothy and Titus what the true heart must be for all leaders. And it is a message I fear is often overlooked, not only in heads but the entire body. How foolish are we to refer to a mortal being as the head when Christ is the true head of the body. Now we shall gaze upon ourselves in a mirror as we read the words of Paul, and see his qualifications firstly in

1 Tim 3:1-7 “1 The saying is true and irrefutable: If any man [eagerly] seeks the office of bishop (superintendent, overseer), he desires an excellent task (work). 2 Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; [he must be] sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable [showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be] a capable and qualified teacher, 3 Not given to wine, not combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome but forbearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money [insatiable for wealth and ready to obtain it by questionable means]. 4 He must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful. 5 For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God? 6 He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the condemnation that the devil [once] did. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil's trap. AMP”

Perhaps we should read this again. This is not merely a bullet point thesis of a leader, this should be the calling card of all redeemed saint of Christ. As I have said before and promise to say many more times, these are matters of the heart. The fruits of the inner soul, not puffed up poster boards of self righteousness. The eyes of God see far beyond our masks to our very core, and in His grace he sent Holy Spirit to recreate our core in His image and likeness. No pen has ever commissioned a certificate with the commandments not to be greedy or to be absent from the glare of pride. And most of all to be faithful to their one and only spouse. We are called to be children of wisdom, no matter our age in the flesh or in the spirit. We are called to be diligent within our own walls before we attempt authority within the translucent walls of the church. We are forbidden to covet what is not our own and are commanded to teach humbly and honestly the mysteries of God. To be holy, and not for the rewards or to maintain a public show, but because it is the echo of the heart.

For also we see these words of Paul repeated and reaffirmed to Titus here in