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
Titus 1:7-9 “7 For a bishop (overseer) must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
This is the heart of all those who carry the banner of servant, helper, teacher, pastor, evangelist, prophet and apostle. It is not merely the collection of knowledge, though we are not to be ignorant, stupid and ill-informed. But our conduct and love will shine brighter than and thesis or quote ever will. We are to be wise as serpents and as gentle as doves (Matthew 10:6). For within us is wisdom and knowledge and understanding revealed by the Holy Spirit. Not merely memorized books and CD’s but the spirit of the living God within each of us waiting to be unleashed on the unbelieving of heart. Yet these words of mine fail to compare with the words of Paul again in
Titus 2:7-8 “7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”
Have we forgotten that we cannot have the gifts of the spirit spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12 until we have learned to walk in the fruit of the spirit. Which is according to
Gal 5:22-24 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
For we cannot have one without the other, one cannot be a helper without love, a teacher with out faithfulness, nor a pastor without longsuffering, or an evangelist without peace. No prophet is without self control, and one cannot be an apostle without kindness. Always remember that the fruit is the “horse” which pulls the cart of “gifts”. I cannot refrain from repeating the notion that these truths are not exclusive but for all within the Body of Christ. And those who reject will never qualify and will forever remain vessels of dishonor at the masters table. Yet for those who wish to attain honor at the table must live the life of
2 Tim 2:20-26 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”
In a frail attempt to craft a conclusion, I as always ask that you examine your own hearts, each one to his/her own not judging others. And ask the Master if you are lacking in any area, and if there is any place He is lacking. Also ask if there be any place where He may use you as a vessel of honor to enlarge the boundaries of His kingdom. For it is not by gilded golden paper that you are called, but by His spirit. For many are called yet few are chosen are the immortal words of our King. And the mystery is this, that those who are chosen are merely the ones who appear when called.
In closing may we never forget these words in
Titus 3:2-7 “2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
For more messages and resources by Cameron Conway visit https://conwaychristianresources.com
