Friends,

I write this blog simply because I believe something needs to be said about the topic at hand- calling a pastor. We Southern Baptists have decidedly declared that we believe the Word of God is our sole authority. This is a righteous stance because lest we stand upon the Word; "To the Law and the Testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them" (Isaiah 8:20).

This being the truth, I pose a question. "Would someone be able to recognize this fact by scanning the posts of churches that are seeking a pastor?" Sadly, methinks not. Or, I should say, not amongst the majority of church postings.

The primary character traits the Bible offers us that we might know a man called of God are listed in 1 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 2 and Titus 2. I would also add to that the preacher's duties in Acts 6, particularly verse 4. There are various Old Testament prophetic passages we could include as well, but as they are essentially covered by the teaching in the above verses, I shall refrain from listing them.

To be completely fair, one sometimes encounter churches that require these biblical characteristics alone for prospective pastors. The only other addition is that they expect the pastor to preach in accordance to the doctrine they confess and believe, an understandably prudent requirement. Such churches are the exception, however.

Take for example the following from prospective churches:
Church 1: "Looking for a full time Pastor with college degree & seminary graduate. 5-9 years experience, 39-60 years of age , married or widowed, with or without children."
Church 2: "Strong preaching/teaching skills, innovative ministry methodology. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, ability to entrust and delegate ministry. A heart for missions. Must work closely with a staff of 4 full-time pastors, church administrator, 2 full-time secretaries, and various other staff positions. Must have at least a master?s degree from an accredited Southern Baptist institution. Previous full-time ministry experience, 5 years preferred, either in senior or associate pastoral leadership in an SBC church."

When we examine these posts closely we find some very disturbing issues emerge. To begin, why would a church require a pastor to have certification of academic credentials? Granted, the Bible requires pastor to be sound in the faith and able to rightly divide God's Word- but can a man not do this without formal training? The bigger question for me is why? Not only why would a man be required to have college and/or seminary, but also why is it necessary to even require "accredited" degrees or degrees from specific instiutions? I believe the answer lies first in a church not seriously regarding the Bible as their sole authority. Secondly, I believe the answer lays in the reality that it is just easier work (in the short run anyway) to pick a man out of a line of "best resumes" than it is to seriously seek the will of Christ in prayer and fasting. Is it not minimally wise for us to agree that a church might need to rethink its position if its requirements eliminate Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, and Billy Graham from their pastorate?
Next, what about the amount of years in office? Our examples above require anywhere from 5-9 years in the ministry. I believe there is some prudence in examining the maturity of a man in his ministry. But, quite frankly, I know some pastors that are just as mature in the second year of ministry as others are in their 12 year. In other words, not only is this a extra-biblical requirement, it is also a vain one.

Now we come to the requirement of a man's age. The Bible encourages us not to put men to the ministry who are young in Christ, but it informs us of nothing requiring the man's age at large. Why would a church have an age requirement is the question we ought to ask. I believe the answer lays too often in what is known as "pastor surveys." Pastor surveys are basically question sheets by which a congregation can pick the qualities they want in a pastor- sort of a buffet way of choosing God's ordained man. And, again, why would a church succumb to such a thing? Because its just easier than prayer and fasting.

Next, we have the issue of marriage and children. Our example above requires a man to be either currently married or widowed and either have or not have children (which I am guessing from the drift of the posting means have children at home or no children at home). The Bible is implicity clear that pastors who are married need to be known as faithfully devoted to their wives. Yet, the Bible places no requirement for a man to be married at all. The Bible does teach that pastors should manage their homes, i.e. family, children, well. But the Bible does not require pastors to have children. My personal opinion is that if a church has a requirement that would exclude our Lord, the Apostle Paul and in contemporary time, John Stott from the pastorate, they may ought to reconsider.

Apart from our examples above, we have likely all seen the postings that read "wife that plays the piano a plus." It is also common on postings for churches to require a man to "work well with youth," "work well with elderly," "have a vision" and "be a motivator." Could it be, as it is my personal opinion, that church postings requiring such things indicate a congregation that has, probably for a long time, invested little of itself into its ministry?

Also, I am sure we all have stories of pulpit committees gone astray. I once received a call from a church in Oklahoma that was following up on a resume my friend had sent them. When I answered the phone, a dear sweet lady said, "could you tell me about Brother________." I did, and gave him a glowing review. I knew my friend had already taken and left a ministry and was persuing other forms of ministry. Nevertheless, I called him and informed him of the committee call I had received. He told me, "T.J., I don't even remember sending a resume to them. It must have been when I was first in seminary--3 years ago!"

To conclude, Southern Baptist churches can determine to seek pastoral candidates any way they wish- we have no governance required upon all churches. Nevertheless, I encourage pulpit committees to minimally review how they seek out men to fill pastoral vacancies and insure their methods accord with the Word of God. Can we not agree that it may not be the wisest course of action for us to set such requirements for men to pastor our churches that would exclude our Lord Himself? Likewise, I encourage pastors to view churches that have lists of extra-biblical requirements cautiously. Such churches may say the Word of God is their sole authority, but their practices are evidence to the contrary.

Blessings,
TJ
p.s. In case anyone wonders, this is not a blog from a disgruntled pastor that is turned away from churches because I don't meet these requirements. I am 31, hold two undergraduate degrees (one from a Bible college), one graduate degree and one post graduate degree from a seminary. I am married, have children and meet the years in ministry requirements most churches list.