Category: Bible Introduction

Be Above Reproach

This post was first published in January, 2015. —ed. America’s church culture suffers from an abundance of unqualified church leaders. What’s worse, many of these mavericks preside over a form of church government incapable of restraining or disciplining them. Tragically, in many cases it’s the media that holds these leaders accountable—tragic because the media ends… Continue reading Be Above Reproach

Be Temperate and Prudent

This post was first published in January, 2015. —ed. What qualifies a man for pastoral ministry? Based on the abundance of self-appointed and unaccountable leaders in modern evangelical churches, it seems many church-goers either don’t know or don’t care. The fellowships they attend may profess Scripture’s authority in their doctrinal statement, but their practice reveals… Continue reading Be Temperate and Prudent

Be Respectable and Hospitable

This post was first published in January, 2015. —ed. The number of people successfully masquerading as pastors astounds me. How do these imposters manage to carve out lengthy and prosperous careers, often in spite of obvious character flaws and an utter lack of biblical fidelity? The short answer is that too many congregations prize personal… Continue reading Be Respectable and Hospitable

Rightly Handle God’s Word

This post was first published in January, 2015. —ed. Churches suffer when pastoral search committees are informed more by the corporate world than by the Word of God. Preferences concerning style, personality, appearance, speaking ability, management skills, and sense of humor often factor too heavily in the decision-making process, obscuring clear instructions from God’s Word… Continue reading Rightly Handle God’s Word

Be Peaceful and Not Pugnacious

This post was first published in January, 2015. —ed. The church’s highest office demands the highest moral character. And one of the most accurate indications of a man’s true character is how he responds when he is challenged or criticized. That is why Paul excludes pugnacious people from the office of elder or pastor. An overseer, then,… Continue reading Be Peaceful and Not Pugnacious

The Power of Integrity

This post was first published in January, 2015. —ed. What is the most important quality leaders can demonstrate? Intelligence, a forceful personality, glibness, diligence, vision, administrative skills, decisiveness, courage, humor, tact, or any other similar natural attribute? Those all play a part, but the most desirable quality for any leader is integrity. While integrity is… Continue reading The Power of Integrity