I am troubled when every conceivable explanation is used to excuse a man who has stretched the biblical command to be above reproach to the breaking point while those who dare to call a thing what it is are classified as “haters.” In pointing out these concerns, what is not happening here is hatred. It is far from hate. It is love for the church. Believe it or not, it is love for a man who, for the good of his own soul, may need to be steered away from the office of pastor by those who hold him accountable.

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

– 1 Timothy 3:1-7

The task of overseer or elder is a noble one. And, as the title of the office suggests, it is one of caring for the souls of men and women. The pastor has the sobering task of being Christ’s under-shepherd for Christ’s beloved people. Therefore, few should pursue this noble task. So it is not surprising that the Scriptures make clear certain qualifications for the man who will hold the office of elder or pastor.

In the above passage, Paul lists several positive qualities and several prohibitions that must characterize the pastor’s life.

• Above reproach
• Husband of one wife
• Sober-minded
• Self-controlled
• Respectable
• Hospitable
• Able to teach
• Not a drunkard
• Not violent but gentle
• Not quarrelsome
• Not a lover of money
• Good manager of his household
• A mature believer
• Well thought of by outsiders

Every pastor in his right mind should tremble in the face of those qualifications. Certainly they are not a legalistic burden nor do they represent some misguided notion of Christian perfectionism. For instance, I know of no one who believes that being “above reproach” means being without sin. Those qualifications, however, represent God’s minimum standard for the men who hold the office of elder or pastor. They are to be seen as a means of protecting the church from charlatans and wolves and well-meaning but otherwise unqualified men. It is a reminder that those of us who serve as pastors will face a stricter judgment one day. It behooves us therefore to warn away any man who fails to meet Scripture’s minimum standard.

Many of you have no doubt read about the letter Pastor Mark Driscoll wrote to his church concerning recent controversies in his life. The letter addresses Mars Hill Church paying a marketing firm large sums of money to ensure Driscoll’s book Real Marriage achieved NY Times bestseller status. He apologizes for using that tactic and promises to never do it again. He also makes mention of “significant turnover of key staff members.” He acknowledges that “people who saw or experienced my sin during this season are hurt.” Acknowledging wrongdoing is a vital step toward repentance.

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