Down And Out - The Pastor Who Falls

This kind of person diligently fulfills his many duties and responsibilities. His disciplined mind produces disciplined actions- "good behavior". The ministry (or any work for the Lord) is no place for a man whose life is a continual confusion of unaccomplished plans and unorganized activities.

4. Able to teach (didaktikon) - 1 Tim. 3:2 - The skill or ability to teach sound doctrine. He must be able to handle the Word of God accurately when making defense for the fundamentals of the faith.

5. Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching Titus 1:9 - He holds firmly (antecho) to the teaching which was imparted to him.

6. Able to exhort in sound doctrine - Titus 1:9- He must be able to encourage (parakalein) believers in healthy doctrine.

7. Able to refute (elegchein) - Titus 1:9 – The ability to expose those who oppose sound doctrine with diseased teaching of legalism and other errors.

Public Qualifications

1. Above reproach (anepilempton) - 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6 - His conduct should be of such a nature that no handle is given to anyone by which to injure his reputation. He is to be known for his consistent, mature Christian lifestyle which gives no occasion for public suspicion.

In a recent Wall Street Journal survey, 1,000 corporate executives were asked to name their most trusted confidant when faced with an ethical problem. Only 1% said that they would consult a pastor.

Psychology Today published their results of the ranking of 100 professions according to their level of respectability, desirability, and prestige. Pastors ranked 52nd, just below manufacturing foremen and just ahead of power station operators. Why? Perceived lack of credibility in the community.

Although hypocrisy abounds, there is no room for pastors who are financially irresponsible, sensually stalking women, half-hearted in the ministry, empire builders, glory seekers or money grubbers.

Blamelessness is a fundamental, universal requirement for the one desiring to shepherd God’s people. All the other qualifications in 1 Timothy 3, verses 2-7 define and illustrate what Paul meant by "blameless" or "above reproach".

The Greek text indicates that this is referring to a present state of blamelessness. “Above reproach” (NASB) means "not able to be held." A blameless man cannot be taken hold of as if he were a criminal in need of detention for his actions. There is nothing to accuse him of. He is irreproachable.

A man of God's life must not be marred by sin or vice -be it an attitude, habit or incident. That's not to say he must be perfect, but there must not be any obvious defect in his character. He must be a model of godliness.

2. A good reputation with those outside the church - 1 Tim. 3:7 - He must have a good and consistent testimony before the watching world. Hypocrisy in the world on the part of church leaders must not exist. The Greek word translated "good" (kalos) embraces the ideas of internal and external goodness.