He Must Hold Firm

This is the first lesson of several on a new series on the biblical qualifications for pastors, and I encourage you to read this article (click here) first.

Paul had written to Titus to appoint elders in Cretan towns just as Paul directed Titus. Paul was concerned about Crete. There were "many" teaching unsound doctrine in Christian circles that must be confronted, silenced, and rebuked sharply in hopes they will be sound in faith. Otherwise, these false teachers will lead some astray, just as they have already upset the brethren. Thus, Paul directs Titus to appoint pastors in local churches who "must hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it" (Titus 1:9).

I am certain that many in the laity today hold onto unsound doctrine while sitting under pastors of sound doctrine. I love the sheep that I am privileged by God to shepherd, yet I know that many of them believe doctrines contradictory to the Scriptures. I am deeply concerned for them, as we live in a digital age where we have instant access to information. Blogs, sermon mp3s, and teaching videos from celebrity pastors could easily upset the faith of the laity. Christian facebook pages put out Bible verses out of context or express fortune cookie, self-centered quips that contradict biblical truths. As a pastor, I am called to confront, silence, and sharply rebuke such teachers and teachings in favor of sound doctrine just as Paul instructed Titus.

This brings us to why Paul confronts teachers and not laity. Laity founds the faith on the Word of God preached, not the craftiness of the preacher. Christ commands that those in such position ought to hold firm to the true doctrines of Christianity so that those sitting under the preaching and teaching of the Word of God have a faith that comes by hearing the Word of God. Preachers and teachers are held to a higher account (James 3:1); therefore, not many are called to that position in the church. Many people will desire the position to teach and preach the Word, but few of those would meet the qualifications for the position.

In our society, we admire ambition and drive. We appoint people to leadership because they want the position so badly and perhaps have administrative qualities. If the person has a charismatic charm and a drive to succeed, well they are appointed to leadership. This not only speaks of the business world, but also in many churches. Business meetings and pastor search committees appoint Sunday School teachers, youth directors, and even pastors simply because someone wanted the position.

The problem with this is that many brethren will be upset in the faith and led astray if ambition rather than sound theology is the measuring stick to successful church leadership. If there is an important phrase for pastor search committees to learn from Scripture, it is that not all who desire church positions are qualified for those positions. Paul commands Titus to appoint pastors in local churches that hold firm to sound doctrine in the Word of God and meet certain qualifications. If the first (sound doctrine) is taken seriously, the second (meeting qualifications) will be heavily scrutinized during the search process for pastor positions in local churches.

It is important for Christians to know that the pastor is not just a preacher/teacher. If he is simply available to preach and teach at a building, he has neglected his position. Paul outlines characteristics that reveal maturity in the Word for pastors to meet prior to becoming a pastor. The pastor is the disciple-maker in chief, if you will. He is to be a one-woman man and manage his household well because the pastor is the local church counselor for marriage and the home with the Word of God and not worldly wisdom. He is not to be violent, quick-tempered, or a drunk because he will be teaching the Word of God to such sinners and calling for repentance. Thus, he is not to be a hypocrite.

The pastor is to hold firm to sound doctrine of the inerrant Word of God so as to teach only the truthful wisdom of God and not the wisdom of men. Often, many pastors cave into the temptation to teach simply from experience or personal perception, clouting the truth of God's Word and confusing those who listen to them, even if the hearers have their ears scratched and think they hear "simple truths." Paul warns us not to appoint such people as pastor. Pastors faithful to the Word of God as inerrant and authoritative are humble messengers who silence the "empty talkers and deceivers." The pastor is to be the example to the flock speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), being strong and courageous with the Word of God (Joshua 1:9). With the love of truth, the pastor is to encourage biblical godliness and rebuke sin and those contradicting biblical teachings.

Dear reader, is your pastor strong and courageous in the Word of God? Is he teaching the truth of the Word or his own experience/perception of it? Does his life reflect or contradict the truth of God's Word? Does he teach truth and correct error with the Bible or from his own thoughts and leaning on his own understanding? God commands to only appoint pastors over us that hold firm to the trustworthy, excellent, and perfect Word of God, teaching sound doctrine, giving counsel with the Word of God, and rebuking those who contradict the truth.