When I was in high school, we had this English teacher that was one fry short of a happy meal. Towards the end of the year, we walked into class and he had written a number of occupations and titles on the blackboard. He asked which one of those would describe his profession before he became our English teacher. No one got the right answer, so he went to the board and circled “Minister.” Now, I didn’t really know what a minister was but was convinced one should have a high moral standard to be in that position. A few weeks later, he was gone, never to be heard from again.
You see qualifications for leaders are found in the books of Timothy and Titus. However, most churches don’t hold elders to that standard. That is the reason this individual could call himself a minister. The Scriptures are clear on the subject.
Titus 1:5-9
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop 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.
Do the church leaders you know measure up? Give it some thought.
Gary