The ministry of the local church is being undermined by well-intentioned pastors and Christians who fail to understand the essential need for maturing Christians through the teaching of the Scripture or either they are unwilling to stay committed to the somewhat unglamorous task.  This lack of commitment to maturing believers, for which shepherds were given to the church can be fueled by such things as: pastors who do not value continually maturing themselves in the word, and therefore do not value it in ministry; equate numerical or other more quantifiable measurements as the true earmark of “faithfulness” rather than trusting Scripture; have succumbed to the same shallow trendiness that characterizes the fashion industry, or a host of less noble, albeit alluring reasons.  Whatever is the reason, for the sake of the honor of Christ and the advancement of the kingdom, pastors must eschew the lure of other goals and purposes and passionately pursue the purpose God called them for.

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The role of a pastor is critical in God’s plan for the local church; consequently, his qualifications are paramount when considering who is qualified to serve as pastor and who is disqualified.  While several characteristics are necessary for a man to be eligible to serve as a pastor, none seem to garner as much attention or debate as what the required marital status is for a man to serve as pastor.  I believe the qualification “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2), means that a man is to be devotedly married to one woman for life.  The only exception would be if she died, and then he could remarry and still be qualified.  Therefore, it speaks to marital devotion as well as status.  The following are the notes, which I base my interpretation on. Continue reading →