Recently I read an article about a pastor in Canada who is a professing atheist yet she is the pastor of a uniting 'christian'Church. The article is about the fact that fighting the ordination board's decision to remove her from her position because of her beliefs (or rather lack of belief in God).
Other pastors are so proud that they don't look like 'normal stuffy' pastors and they boast that they swear like sailors and people are shocked when they tell them they are pastor. I am sure that these people are awesome people and are doing 'good works' but that isn't what the gospel tells us to do.
The Bible tells teachers to teach the word of God, to not deviate, and in fact gives us a stern warning to anyone who adds or takes away from theIts words. .
It is crazy to think of how many pastors don't actually believe in God. The office of teaching God's word isn't to be taken lightly and they will be held accountable for their actions and to be honest I fear judgement day for them. The saddest thing about these types of churches is that people think they are they are leading people astray.
Imagine coming into a service and the pastor doesn't mention Jesus once, or that he is a metaphor and not a real person, or doesn't use the Bible to preach from. It is happening all over the western church and it is time that we make sure we follow pastors that are following God.
Pastors are called to lead the flock of God and if they don't want to follow the word of God then they need to find a new career path for their sake and the congregations.The Bible has a list of traits of what the person who wants to be a pastor should look like. And no it doesn't say you can only be a pastor if you wear a suit and have short combed hair and no tattoos.
What are the qualifications of a pastor?
The qualifications for an elder/overseer/pastor are found in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 :5-9. The Bible is very clear that to be an overseerer/ teacher that they are called to give sound Biblical instruction and teaching, and believe it and rebuke people in their congregation who come against the word of God. They need to believe in the word of God and live it out.
Pastors are called to be the husband of one wife, not given to anger, violence nor greed. They are to be blameless (which does not mean without sin), faithful and self-controlled. They are not be the lovers of money or wine, they are called to be witnesses in their lives and their lives are to look very different from the worlds standards.
Why would God call leaders to this standard, well if the pastor is going to call his flock to live lives that are disciplined, self-controlled, not boastful etc. then the pastor needs to be a living example. They can't be people so full of pride that the flock don't want to follow suit.
What should you look for in a pastor ?
First and foremost a man who is inlove with God. Someone who loves God and actually reads their bible on a daily basis. I think the next most important trait is a repenting pastor. Pastors sin, they are not perfect, yes they are called to a holy standard of living and there are certain things that pastors should overcome before they take on the role of a pastor, but they don't overcome all sin, they still need daily the grace of God.
And you want them to be able to confess sin to others (either publically or in private) that the show their need for Christ. You want someone who isn't afraid to preach the word of God. A person who is willing to speak the truth found in scriptures no matter the cost, even if it goes against what society thinks.
Look at the men of faith who have gone before and who were willing to die and actually did die preaching the word people like William Tyndale and Jim Elliot. They were disciplined men and the Lord took priority in their life.
Find a Titus 1 pastor
If your pastor isn't a Titus 1 or 1 Tim 3 person I would ask you to approach the leadership of your church lovingly and prayerfully. Ask them the hard questions, bring up the scriptures of what a pastor should look like. If your church leaders and pastor can't help you then I think it may be time to leave the church in search of a church that takes the office of teacher/pastor very seriously we are talking.
The shepherding and teaching of a church is a very seriously responsibility and if the church isn't taking it serious you should be able to say I am sorry you actually don't qualify to be my pastor in love.
Genevieve Wilson is a happily married stay at home, home-schooling mum of 3, whose passion is to see people come to know Jesus. She worked 8 years as a missionary with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). She has a heart for justice.
Genevieve Wilson's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/genevieve-wilson.html