Should Pastors Make Mistakes Considering Their Biblical Qualifications?

By James Quansah, Pastor.

IN THE previous edition, we discussed the various biblical qualifications a person aspiring to serve as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ must possess. It was under the heading, “Biblical Qualifications For Pastors.” In this article, we wish to complete the discussion of the biblical qualifications, and attempt to answer the question as to whether pastors should make mistakes considering their strict biblical qualifications.

We stated previously that the greatest qualification a pastor must have in order to qualify to serve is a great love for Jesus as indicated in a conversation He had with Peter (John 21:15-17). This love for the Lord is then expressed toward neighbours. Paul, the apostle, also outlines other qualifications in 1Timothy 3: 1- 7 and Titus 1: 5- 9. He writes that, a minister “must be blameless.” Being “blameless” i.e. above reproach means “not to be held” in criminal sense.

This is an important character qualification for the ministers of God, and the others that follow elaborate what it means to be “blameless.” Among the other qualifications is the fact that a minister must “not be greedy for money.” Some versions of the Bible say, he must “not be lover of money.” This means a person should not be in the ministry to chase after money. Money is not their motivation for Christian ministry or service.

The emphasis is on “not being greedy.” To be greedy is to show a selfish desire to have more of something. Thus, ministers of God are not to be worried about money since the Lord will take care of their daily needs. Also, a Christian minister is expected to be “gentle.” This means he has to be gracious, self-controlled, quick to forgive and avoid holding a grudge.

Moreover, it is God’s will that His servants are “not quarrelsome.” They must be those who seek for peace, and are reluctant to fight or argue. They should also be people who are “not covetous.” This implies that the ministers’ desire is to be for the love of God and His people, not for the love of money, possessions or position. A covetous man demonstrates a lifestyle or attitude that is not blameless.

Another qualification is that he must be “one who rules his own house well.” Their home life (as well as their personal lives) must be well-ordered, not chaotic. This refers to their relationship with their wives, children, and all things connected with their home lives. A man divorced as a result of misbehaviour shows no sign of ruling his own home well and, therefore, would not qualify to be a pastor.

“Having his children in submission with all reverence” is included in the qualifications. Ministers of God must have the respect of their children and they must be well-behaved. This does not mean that a man must have children in order to be a pastor, but if he does have any children then they must be submissive to him and his authority over them.

It is equally expected that the minister is “not a novice,” which means he should not be a new convert. A newly-converted Christian is not mature in the faith and his spiritual leadership would be inadequate, resulting in a prideful, destructive ministry. God’s servants are to be spiritually mature, possessing a solid understanding and right application of the Scriptures.

Finally, he “must have a good testimony among those who are outside.” God’s servants must have good reputations with the surrounding community they live and minister in, particularly when it comes to unbelievers.

Now, considering the qualifications above, many people wonder whether men of God should make mistakes or commit sins. One truth that must be known is that pastors like all believers have been saved from sin but not from the presence of sin. Temptations to sin or make mistakes are rife everywhere humans exist. Thus, true pastor may not deliberately practise sin, but sometimes he may be tempted to sin or overtaken in a sin.

This is why Paul writes, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression (sin), you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness,” (Galatians 6: 1). The Scripture makes it clear that a Christian can be overtaken in a sin or fault. This includes your pastor. A pastor is first a Christian before his pastoral office. He can be tempted to fall and rise again as Peter and David did.

The apostle Peter committed a sin of hypocrisy which incurred the displeasure of the apostle Paul. Paul pointed out his mistake to him openly, rebuked and restored him gently (Gal. 2: 11- 15). Similarly,

David, an anointed man of God, who was described as a man after God’s own heart, could not control his libido. He committed adultery and murder, two grievous sins. Prophet Nathan who was full of the wisdom of God pointed out David’s immoral acts to him in a spirit of gentleness. David humbly admitted his guilt, went on his knees and pleaded the mercy of God for forgiveness (2 Samuel 11).

No pastor is above temptations engineered by the devil. Sometimes, when he is tempted, he may not be fast enough to escape as the Lord Jesus Christ and Joseph did in the wilderness and in the Portiphar’s house, respectively. While Jesus was tempted with the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life, Joseph, on the other hand, was tempted with the lust of the flesh, adultery (Luke 4: 1- 13, Gen 39: 6- 12).

Yes, a pastor may sin or make mistakes even though he is warned to live above reproach. Should he be snared to fall into a trespass, people should not take it strange and leave him to his fate. In Galatians 6: 1- 5, the apostle Paul taught that mature or spiritual Christians should restore believers who fall in a spirit of gentleness. Those who desire to restore him should do so humbly. They should not be proud, bearing in mind that they themselves are under the grace of God.