Pastors: What Are the Qualifications?
Categories: pastors, ecclesiology | November 29th, 2007 | by Ken Horn | 6 commentsWhat are the qualifications to be a pastor according to the Bible and with the Assemblies of God?
The Assemblies of God holds to the straightforward biblical requirements for ministers: “The qualifications for bishops, as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, are the norm for all ministers today.”
“In addition, the following groups of attributes are recommended for the ordained minister.”
Spiritual Attributes
The following spiritual attributes are essential to a most productive ministry: A devotional spirit; love (for God, the ministry, people, 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:11, 12; 1 John 3:16); faith (Romans 12:3-8; 2 Corinthians 3:5, 6; 5:18-20; Ephesians 3:7;4:11; Colossians 1:23-29; 1 Thessalonians 1:3) humility (Proverbs 15:33; Romans 12:3); convictions (Jude 3); dedication (total commitment to God’s will); a ministerial spirit (an aptitude to give service; to be solicitous over the well-being and growth of people spiritually, morally, socially, etc.); and faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:1,2 in stewardship of time, spiritual preparation, business matters, etc.).
Moral Attributes
The following moral attributes are essential to a most productive ministry: integrity (basic honesty and wholeness of character, spiritual honesty (Psalm 51:6), intellectual honesty, honesty in preaching, and in everyday dealings) and moral purity (Isaiah 52:11; Galatians 1:10; 2:11-14; 1 Timothy 6:11-14; 2 Timothy 1:7, 9).
Emotional Attributes
It is quite likely that more inefficiency and failure in the ministry are caused by emotional and personality deficiencies than by ill health, moral defection, and lack of training, education, or talent. Because of this it is most important that the preacher be very mature in self-understanding and healthy emotionally. If he has unresolved emotional problems, violent mood swings, personality conflicts, or fails under duress it will greatly affect his attitudes in the pulpit as well as determine his attitudes in all of his interpersonal relationships. At least the following seven emotional attributes of character are important to the minister: A sanctified temperament (Galatians 5:22, 23); a sense of proportion (balance of humor and seriousness); enthusiasm; realism; a sense of the beautiful (Philippians 4:8; Titus 1:15); sympathy (Romans 12:15; Hebrews 5:1); and patience (Romans 5:1-5; 2 Peter 1:5-8).
Intellectual Attributes
The following intellectual attributes are important for the minister: Studiousness; regimentation (reasonably well-organized); moderation (in views rather than radical extremes, 1 Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:23; Philippians 4:5; Titus 1:8; 2 Peter 1:6); logic; imagination; power of concentration; memory (John 14:26); and wisdom (James 1:5).
Social Attributes
Among the social attributes which are essential to the minister are the following: Sociability, knowledge of human nature, lack of prejudice, a cooperative attitude, a conciliatory disposition, respect for authority, teachability, and loyalty (to family, church, the Movement, associates, and friends).
Practical Attributes
It is essential to a productive ministry that the minister develop his practical ability to perform the functions of the ministry with skill. It is important that ministers study Bible and theology in order to educate their heads, but is important that they study practical theology in order to educate their mouths and hands as well. The minister should cultivate the spiritual and practical abilities requisite to the functions of preaching/teaching, worship, administering the ordinances, pastoral care, and administration.
Read the full official Assemblies of God position here.