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This would disqualify a man from being a pastor

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Oct 29, 2009.

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The following would DISQUALIFY a man from be a pastor

  1. Being Single (never married)

    5 vote(s)
    13.2%

  2. Being a widower

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%

  3. Having his marriage annuled

    11 vote(s)
    28.9%

  4. Being divorced before salvation

    6 vote(s)
    15.8%

  5. being divorced after salvation

    14 vote(s)
    36.8%

  6. being married to a divorced woman

    9 vote(s)
    23.7%

  7. having been found guility of a felony

    11 vote(s)
    28.9%

  8. having no children

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  9. Not sure

    3 vote(s)
    7.9%

  10. Other

    12 vote(s)
    31.6%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    All save three (children, annulled, not married) can cause a disqualification.

    Yet depending on the context non of these may cause a disqualification.
     
    #21 Thinkingstuff, Nov 2, 2009
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I agree with you. Amongst our pastors, we have a former drunkard (actually a couple), former drug addicts, former felony offenders, former adulterers, formerly divorced, former bar band members and former gym teachers. But all of these are "former". :) They are all new creations and the old man is gone.
     
    #22 annsni, Nov 2, 2009
  3. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
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    The qualifications for a pastor/elder/bishop or deacon can be found in scripture. Not being able to qualify for certain offices is not due to a form of punishment but rather it is the plan that God has given us for His own reasons.
    Unfortunately there will alway be individuals and churches that think they know what is best for them and they will twist, massage and even ignore scripture to make it mean what they want it to mean.
    These are the same folks that do their own will and then ask God to bless it instead of making sure that their will is following the will of God.
     
    #23 John Toppass, Nov 2, 2009
  4. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    And the simple fact that a person is divorce is scripturally not a prima facie disqualification, despite the fact that many make it so.
     
    #24 Johnv, Nov 2, 2009
  5. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
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    That is true but the reasons of divorce or what the divorce leaves in its wake may disqualify them.
     
    #25 John Toppass, Nov 2, 2009
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    With that, I agree, and I believe most people woud likewise agree: that it's not the divorce per se, but the reason for it, that may or may not be a condition of disqualification.
     
    #26 Johnv, Nov 2, 2009
  7. Speedpass

    Speedpass Active Member
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    I guess I'd be disqualified as my wife was married before we met (her ex abused her; he also passed away earlier this year) and we don't have children and don't plan any (she is 46 and battling a multitude of health issues that would make pregnancy extremely difficult). :BangHead:
     
    #27 Speedpass, Nov 5, 2009
  8. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Events of the PAST (pre-salvation) can certainly disqualify. If one has such a reputation and ill-report, then gets saved, it would take decades to be qualified in the eyes of the community.

    Jeffrey Dahmers, murderer/molester/cannibal, got saved in prison while on death row. Now all his sins are forgiven - we agree. But will he EVER be "qualified" as an elder?

    Nope.

    Illustration: Even in the US (non-church) disqualification for political office is valid. Not because of any action of the person from birth on, but simply because of WHERE a person was born.

    You may have the brightest, greatest politician (another Reagan if you would) and if he was not BORN an American Citizen, he cannot run for President. This excludes "Arnold" the Governator of California.

    Did the person do anything wrong? Nope. Just a qualification that the Constitution stipulates. Doesn't mean the person is evil or bad, just that he does not fulfill the qualifications.
     
    #28 Dr. Bob, Nov 7, 2009
  9. Gene Hawks

    Gene Hawks New Member

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    Gene Hawks

    Would one of you brilliant scholars tell me what the phrase "husband of one wife" has to do with divorce and remarriage. We don't have to worry about this qualification in this country. If you have more than one wife your going to Jail... Might make a good prison chaplain.:jesus:
     
    #29 Gene Hawks, Nov 7, 2009
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    That's the problem - people read a passage (in whatever translation) and think they KNOW what it means. Words change. Translations are weak in areas and strong in others.

    Husband is not in the original; "man" is the best English translation
    Wife is not in the original; "woman" is the best English translation
    One IS in the original (feminine, adj of "woman")

    So it says a "one-woman man". ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE.

    This disqualification of a man (possibly) because of divorce/remarriage comes from 2 other statements:

    3:2 he must be irreproachable (anepalepton) in the assembly itself
    3:7 he must have a good testimony to those in the community in general

    ANY divorce/marriage will take years to "work through" issues to put the elder above reproach and stellar testimony.
     
    #30 Dr. Bob, Nov 7, 2009
  11. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    But not just the reasons for a divorce should disqualify. I think a divorce should be enough. The pastor should be held to a higher standard and his example is very influential. I think having a divorced pastor can send the wrong message, both to believers and unbelievers.
     
    #31 Marcia, Nov 7, 2009
  12. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
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    I was referring to what is written in the scripture. I can not find where the scripture disqualifies a pastor because he is divorced, but many things that lead to the divorce or the actions taken due to the divorce would probably disqualify the candidate.
     
    #32 John Toppass, Nov 8, 2009
  13. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    One of the qualifications is the ability of a pastor to keep his house in order. If one cannot lead his home, how can he lead a church?
     
    #33 saturneptune, Nov 8, 2009
  14. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
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    That would be a perfect example of scriptural qualification
     
    #34 John Toppass, Nov 8, 2009
  15. windcatcher

    windcatcher New Member

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    RAther than present my opinion in a poll.......

    I agree with the Rev.

    Whomever God chooses is fit regardless of the tangibles we easily resort to. But many are called but few chosen.

    Calling a minister is a seriou involvement of requesting instruction and direction from God with much prayer, using scriptures to guide, and study of the candidates........... and a heap of patience.......and getting self out of the way.
     
    #35 windcatcher, Nov 8, 2009
  16. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Excellent thought.
    The poll was based on automatic disqualifications. I fully agree with CTB that each case needs to be examined.

    So any new thoughts?

    Salty

    ps, I bumped this because, I linked this thread to a new thread about qualifications.
     
    #36 Salty, Nov 28, 2009
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