Any discussion about the qualifications of pastors/elders must begin with 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. These two significant passages provide lists of character qualities every potential spiritual leader must have. It is a mistake, however, to limit our understanding of qualification for leadership to only the individual qualifications listed in these two passages. To get a true understanding of what being qualified to lead is all about, we must see that qualification is really about the power of the Gospel being displayed through one’s life.

With this point in mind, let’s consider these two passages:

1 Timothy 3:1–7:

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.¹

Titus 1:6–9:

If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

The Bigger Picture About Qualification: The Power of the Gospel

As we read these passages, perhaps studying each qualification individually, we might get distracted and forget about the big picture context of what these lists represent. The main point of these qualifications is this:

Anyone considered for spiritual leadership must be someone whose testimony shows he has clearly experienced the power of the Gospel in his life.

Spiritual leadership is not acquired through rank, social class, ethnicity (or diversity), academic education, longevity as a Christian, age, generosity, or even mastery of Bible knowledge. Spiritual leadership is not inherited. The primary qualification for spiritual leadership is genuine godliness, meaning gospel truth (its power) dominates that man’s life.

Those acknowledged as qualified by the local church are still a work in progress. They continue to grow and change and confess sin. Even so, an elder must be a good example of what a Christian is supposed to be like: “Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). He must exemplify what the Gospel should do in a person’s life.

The Danger Inherent in Qualification

A leader once qualified to be an example might later become disqualified. Ongoing godliness is not guaranteed for anyone. It is possible for any pastor to become disqualified, even to stray from sound doctrine.

Paul tells us that some “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5) demonstrate that it is possible to be filled with knowledge and theological understanding, even having the highest external standards, and yet not live according to the power of the Gospel.

This danger of disqualification is why Paul warns Timothy, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:15–16).

Ordination, the laying on of hands, is a time of true rejoicing. It is not merely the acknowledgement of one’s ability to teach and defend sound doctrine, though this is crucial. Ordination must also acknowledge that the man in question lives in the power of the Gospel. Though still a work in progress, he is a godly man. That is why every “laying on of hands” done conscientiously includes a warning to the ordained that his ordination will be revoked if he is later found to be disqualified.

Intense Testing Guaranteed

As every believer in Jesus Christ will be tempted and tested continually, so also will those in spiritual leadership. However, those in leadership face temptations and afflictions at a higher level, for they are now primary targets for the Evil One.

Paul refers to the ministry of the Gospel as “wag[ing] the good warfare” and “holding faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18–19). He describes disqualification as “fall[ing] into the condemnation of the devil” and “fall[ing] into disgrace, into a snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6–7). He urges Timothy to continue to “train yourself for godliness” and to “save both yourself and your hearers” by doing so (1 Timothy 4:7, 16). Timothy must “fight the good fight of faith,” which includes not just guarding gospel doctrines but the life of godliness the gospel demands (1 Timothy 6:12). These passages and more show that spiritual leaders are in an all-out battle for Christlikeness that begins with themselves and then extends out in ministry to others.

God uses testing, afflictions, and temptation to strengthen believers and make them increasingly like Jesus Christ when they respond to the challenges in humble faith. This is gospel power on display. When believers fail to respond properly to hardship and difficulties, handle success and prosperity poorly, and fall into sin, they deny the power of the Gospel.

Spiritual leaders are those called by God through the local church not merely to proclaim the Gospel but to exemplify the power of the Gospel through genuine godliness. This is the heartbeat of the qualification passages of 1 Timothy and Titus 1.

We will consider life lived in the power of the Gospel more thoroughly in the next article.