Here is a much belated second article in this series. You can find the first one here.

Having considered what Pastoral Theology is I am turning to the first of three foundational principles we need to consider – Character.

The Pastor’s Character

There has been, in my experience, an unfortunate and undesirable shift in much of the Western church in my lifetime; a shift from emphasising character to focussing on competency.  I think of the leadership group in a Glasgow congregation who, when I asked them what sort of man they were looking for to be their next Pastor their immediate reply was, and I quote, “As long as he has a PhD we will be happy”.  I think of the then Principal of one of the largest evangelical Bible Colleges in UK who told me that due to the influence of secular academics, he was training, and again I quote, “Pastors with PhDs but who can’t pray.”

There is no doubt but the overriding emphasis of the Scriptures on a man’s suitability for ministry is on his character.

The Pastor’s Priority

“Character is what we are in the dark”.

Robert Murray McCheyne famourly said, “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness” [1]

Alec Motyer wrote, “The New Testament does not give a job description but a character reference.” [2]

Important Scriptures

Scriptures:

• Proverbs 4:23
• Romans 15:2-3, 7
• 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
• 2 Corinthians 8:9
• Philippians 2:1-11
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7
• 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:12; 5:22
• Titus 1:3-9
• 1 Peter 2:21

“…we may note that in the case of the members of the congregation faults may be borne with which cannot be tolerated in ministers, for they are to be examples of the flock (Phil 3:17; 2 Thess 3:9; 1 Peter 5:3).  A man who aspires to the ministry must be of proved character.” [3] (Lenski, 1937, )

In almost every other sphere of life, every other vocation or profession, there can be a mismatch and disconnect between your personal life and your professional competence.  You can be philanderer and yet a brilliant surgeon, for example.  Not so in pastoral ministry!

“In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success.  It is not great talents which God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus.  A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God” (Andrew Bonar) [4]

“May that old proverbial statement never legitimately be spoken of us: “What that preacher is and does speaks so loudly that I cannot hear a word of what he says.” (Al Martin) [5]

“Preaching is sacred eloquence through an ambassador whose life must be consistent in every way with the message he proclaims.” (Errol Hulse) [6]

In the key passages of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:3-9 the unmissable emphasis is on character, not competency.

“They are…predominantly moral, and consist of attributes of character rather than of gifts and endowments of mind.  The latter also to some extent are included, in so far especially as they might be required to form clear perceptions of truth and duty, to distinguish between things that differ, and in difficult or perplexing circumstances to discern the right, and know how to maintain and vindicate it.  Yet, withal, it is the characteristics which go to constitute the living, practical Christian, which together go to make the man of God, that in this delineation of pastoral equipments are alone brought prominently into view.  And whatever else the church may, in the changeful circumstances of her position and history, find it necessary to add to the number, in order to render her responsible heads fit for the various work and service to which they are called, the grand moral characteristics here specified must still be regarded as the primary and more essential elements in the qualifications of a true spiritual overseer.” (P Fairbairn) [7]

“Despite the fact that we call ourselves “evangelicals” and claim to be biblical in our approach, we fall far short of the biblical standard in this matter. Although the Bible often states the kinds of things that elders, pastors, or overseers do, nowhere does it specify the talents we may expect in them. Nowhere does it state that they must be exceptional managers, visitors, pulpiteers, or teachers. Although they need those qualities to perform their duties, the Bible’s major emphasis is in an entirely different direction; instead of insisting on how well a person is able to perform a certain function, it focuses instead on what kind of a person he is.” (R C Anderson) [8]

“We who laboured along with him in the ministry felt that his mere existence in the community was an irresistible demonstration of Christianity and a tower of strength to every good cause. Yet he had not gained this position of influence by brilliant talents or great achievements or the pursuing of ambition; for he was singularly modest, and would have been the last to credit himself with half the good he did. The whole mystery lay in this, that he had lived in the town for forty years a blameless life, and was known by everybody to be a godly and prayerful man….the prime qualification for the ministry is goodness.” (R C Anderson) [9]

“God requires, of all who aspire to the pastoral office, the manifested graces indicative of a genuine, matured, balanced, and proven Christian character.” (Al Martin) [10]

Al Martin [11] expounds and applies 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:3-9 in the following way, highlighting the following requirements:

• this non-negotiable, uncompromising standard [of blamelessness] must be maintained – dei
• blamelessness – “above reproach” = anepilēmpton
• unquestioned sexual integrity = mias gunaikos andra = a one-woman-man
• exemplary domestic piety
• graces essential in a pattern of self-control – nephalios = sober, temperate
• sound judgement – sophron = sensible, prudent
• graces essential to good relationships with people – not quarrelsome, contentious
• not a lover of money
• graces indicative of an aggressive love for people – philoxenos = lover of strangers
• graces essential for effective leadership of others
• graces essential for maintaining a good testimony before the unconverted
• graces issuing from tried experience which in some measure will neutralise vulnerability to pride

[1] Prime, D. a. (2004). On Being A Pastor. Chicago: Moody Publishers. p35

[2] qtd in White, P. (1988). The Effective Pastor (Ross-shire, UK, Christian Focus, 1998),. Tain: Christian Focus. p19

[3] Lenski, R. C. (1937). The Interpretation of St Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus, and to Philemon. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House. pp. 579-580

[4] Bonar, A. A. (1966). Robert Murray M’Cheyne: Memoir and Remains. London: Banner of Truth Trust. p281

[5] Martin, A. N. (2018). The Man of God  Vol 3. Pastoral Theology.   Montville: Trinity Pulpit Press. p73

[6] Hulse, E. (1986). The Preacher and Piety. In S. T. Logan, Preaching (pp. 62-90). Welwyn: Evangelical Press. p62

[7] Fairbairn, P. (1874). The Pastoral Epistles. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.pp145-146

[8] Anderson, R. C. (1985). The Effective Pastor. Chicago: Moody Press. p4

[9] Anderson, R. C. (1985). The Effective Pastor. Chicago: Moody Press. p31

[10] Martin, A. N. (2018). The Man of God  Vol 3. Pastoral Theology.   Montville: Trinity Pulpit Press. p73

[11] Martin, A. N. (2018). The Man of God  Vol 3. Pastoral Theology.   Montville: Trinity Pulpit Press. p73ff