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- He must not be violent: (3:3b): He must be gentle, forbearing and cultivate the habit of patience and perseverance in his life to listen to the problems of the individuals. Charles Spurgeon told his Pastor’s College students, “Don’t go about the world with your fist doubled up for fighting, carrying a theological revolver in the leg of your trousers.”
- He must not be proud: (3:6b): “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov.16:18). Paul advocates that pastors should be humble and simple which would elevate their status. He should allow others also to serve in the church. He should not dictate. Ex: David in his pride asks Joab to count his army for which God punished him severely.
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- He must not be greedy: (3:3d):A pastor must depend upon God for his needs. He must not be greedy. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” We have several examples: The rich young man was deprived of God’s kingdom, Ananias and Sapphira. This would include the covetousness. Most of the pastors are greedy for money, but some are covetous for popularity, large ministry to become famous, denominational advancement. All this would finally lead to greed of money.
A word of caution specially for Indian churches. Many churches do not give sufficient payment to pastors to look after their family needs. This would give Satan a tool to tempt the pastor to go for outside dealing which would erode the character of the pastor and the church at large. When a church employ a pastor for their spiritual needs, it is their duty to support him well for all his physical and emotional needs. At the same time a pastor should not work for filthy lucre (1 Pet. 5:2).
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- He must not be a new Christian (3:6a): A pastor must be matured enough to take the responsibility to lead the congregation. Age is no guarantee for maturity, but it is good for a man to give himself for good study of the Word of God. Some men mature fast and others take a long time. Very often young pastors take up more responsibility without proper training and become very proud. Immediately Satan jumps into tear down all that has been built. So one must be careful and cautious when give higher responsibility.
Qualifications for a deacon: (3:8-13):
The word deacon literally means a “humble servant.” Their role is to carry out the ministry under the guidance and leadership of the pastor or overseer so that the pastor can concentrate more on the spiritual needs of the congregation. The Lord Jesus Christ exhibited servant leadership by washing the feet of disciples.
Some positive qualifications to become a deacon are given as below:
- He must be sincere and worthy of respect: (3:8a): They must be serious men of dignity, not clowns. They should not be double tongued or controversial persons, or fickle minded. Their “yes” be yes and “no” be no.
- He must be a man of spiritual depth: (3:9): He should be a man of spiritual depth holding the right teachings and doctrines. He should have a clear conscience without any prejudice holding deep spiritual and biblical truths. He must exhibit a good life and be a role model to others.
- He must be a man of proven character and ability: (3:10): They should exhibit a blameless and unimpeachable life. Because the role calls for humble and simplicity, they must exhibit Christ like conduct.
- He must be faithful to his wife, and his wife must be a woman of good character: (3:11-13): Paul again speaks of deacons that he must have one wedded wife and should be faithful to his wife and manage his family well. He should not have been divorced and remarried. The wives of the deacons must exhibit good life, not gossip or slander others, waste time in genealogies or old woman fables etc. A deacon’s wife is a part of the ministry. A deacon’s wife must assist the women in baptism, fellowship. In some churches have deaconesses. Whatever it may be , she must exercise her gifts and be involved among women for the furtherance of the Gospel. Ex: Phebe was a deaconess of the church I Cenchrea.