Disqualified means Disqualified

God gave us direct instructions on the qualifications for Pastor (Bishops, overseers, elders). These guidelines are not optional. We can’t choose to obey in this situation and disavow these instructions in other situations. God parameters are to be applied in season and out of season or when its convenient and inconvenient. When we fail to apply God’s standard and override the Holy Scriptures we put not only ourselves but others in soiled situations.

If a man desiring to Pastor can not past the test why should he be hired. You wouldn’t do that with your Doctor. Let’s say you find out that your new physician only has one year of medical school and no degree, how long would he be your doctor. I can safely say that most likely that was your last visit to that doctor. Why? because he doesn’t have the requirements.  You certainly wouldn’t take your brand new Chrysler 300 to the corner repair shop, no matter how neat the mechanic dresses and no matter how smooth he talks. Why? because he doesn’t have the credentials.

The test for leadership is simple, you must be blameless, above reproach and have a good testimony of those outside the church.

Listen to  1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
 1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Blameless does not mean sinless (before a straw house is built around an errant definition).

Can your pastor past the test.  If he can’t pass the test why are you sitting there, why are you giving there, why be there in willful disobedience to the Word of God. Read the entire passage in 1 Timothy 3 for yourself and the parallel passage in Tit 1. Study and meditate upon it. By obeying these parameters for leadership we could eliminate a lot of heartache, hurt and embarrassment in our Church. No matter how well liked, no matter how smooth the talk, if those desiring leadership can’t past the test they shouldn’t get the position.
Some sin can never be recovered from, such as adultery. Look at  Pr 6:32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
 Pr 6:33 Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.

This individual reproach is never wiped away. Time doesn’t wipe it away. Distance doesn’t wipe it away. The reproach is never blotted out, he is permanently disqualified from leadership. In closing let us all heed the warning of Paul in  1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. If we submit to scripture in choosing leadership it would eliminate repeat offenders in leadership. Repeat offenders in leadership bring scandal and cause the name of the Lord to be blasphemed.

 Many of you have heard this old saying before "First time shame on you, second time shame on me".

Click Here to see what we get when we fail to adhere to God’s parameters for leadership.

Click here for an update on Pastor Gilyard.