1 Timothy 2:1-7
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable,hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of byoutsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
A family was moving to a new community. When they visited a local park, they saw some children playing on the playground equipment – and that those children were of a different nationality/ethnicity. The new-to-the community child said, “Only those boys with blond hair, blue eyes, and light skin can play on this playground equipment!” Their father was furious, and a bit embarrassed, and even somewhat afraid. Was there about to be a sudden and drastic rise in racial tension because of his son’s comment?!? Upon further reflection he discovered, however, that his son was not racially-motivated at all. The stipulations his son had put on those who could play on the playground equipment ruled out his own brother (who had brown eyes and dark hair)!
To some extent, many feel that way who take on the mantle of serving as an overseer (pastor, shepherd, presbyter, bishop; they’re all essentially the same office). The list of qualifications for serving as an overseer is long, detailed, and challenging to say the least: The husband of one wife, sober minded, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,…and the list continues on! In fact there are 20 characteristics that are listed in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. These twenty qualities properly apply to all Christian men, and therefore especially to those who have roles of responsibility in the church:
| Spiritual maturity (implied) | Respectable | Not quick-tempered | Manages his own household well |
| Above reproach | Hospitable | Not pugnacious | Loving what is good |
| The husband of but one wife | Able to teach | Gentle | Just |
| Temperate | Not addicted to wine | Peaceable | Devout |
| Prudent | Not self-willed | Free from the love of money | Self-controlled |
This list is not exhaustive nor is it intended to be a list of requirements as though we or anyone could ever fully satisfy all of these characteristics. Our righteousness is in Christ. This calls for us to be constantly repentant. On the other hand, if one is to serve well as a leader in the church these character issues are vitally important for effective ministry. They are the stuff of the first of 5 “C’s” for which one looks when seeking partners in the Mission of God. Those five “C’s” are (on order of importance):
- Character
- Calling
- Chemistry (How does this person relate to others in the Body of Christ and on the ministry team?)
- Capacity
- Competency
Thanks be to God for his grace which moves us ever closer to living out our true identity in Christ. For in him, we aspire to all these qualities, and through the power of his Holy Spirit we display then in lives of humble discipleship and faithful service.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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