1 Timothy 3:1-7

1 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 by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Prayer for the Day

Heavenly Father, may you send faithful workers into your harvest fields to be patient and gentle overseers of your flock, in the name of Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, Amen.

What makes for a great pastor? A charismatic preacher? Someone who loves theology and bible study? A brilliant strategist? A visionary leader? What would you have on our list?

The apostle Paul provided Timothy with some characteristics of what would make a good pastor, but they are not the ones that are often seen in church's position postings. "Charismatic and passionate preacher" is not on the list. Neither are any leadership characteristics that would make someone a natural Chief Executive Officer.

Instead, Paul's description of a pastor seems - kind of boring. Must be sober-minded. Self-controlled. Respectable. Gentle. In other words, someone who is easy to be around. The community outside the church should think well of them. They shouldn't be "serial monogamists" but should demonstrate an ability to care for one wife, and raise one family well.

In other words, an "overseer" - a bishop, a pastor - should be someone who would make a reliable husband and a faithful father.

That is what we should look for in a good pastor. Not a bigger-than-life personality or mountaintop leader but someone who, at the end of the day, would make a great dad.