How To Judge A Pastor
Memory Verse: 'The last enemy to be destroyed is death. '
1 Corinthians 15:26
Sermon Sentence: A Jesus-following leader will ask how they can be changed to lead those entrusted to them.
1 Corinthians 15:26
Sermon Sentence: A Jesus-following leader will ask how they can be changed to lead those entrusted to them.
Day 1
Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-21
When I was preparing everything for this week, it really hit me how many ideas and thoughts about what a pastor is or could be that are floating around out there. There is a YouTuber that is currently releasing hours and hours of explanations of abuse in ministry leaders that are known as some of the most popular pastors out there. I know that there are some people here at Keystone that are influenced by these leaders and I have wondered how much of what they are saying is good and how much is bad. It is easy to spot a bad leader in the midst of failure, but it is not as easy to spot one while they are still successful. That takes a skill and knowledge that is important.
Think about it: if there are so many opinions and bad ideas out there, how do you know what is a good expectation for a pastor or ministry leader? You may think it doesn’t matter because you just go with the flow until you see something bad, but that approach leaves holes as well. Why is this important? Because Keystone Church is a self governed church. That means the church body makes the decisions for the church. What happens when the day comes that it is time for a new pastor? How do we find them? Where would we look? What should be that process and what should be expected? Ask five people today and they will give you 5 different answers. That is why I thought it an important journey this week to go through what a pastor should be like. The Bible gives us plenty to look at. Let’s look at some of it this week and see what we learn.
If you were to list Paul’s main points of what a minister should be, from this passage, what would that list be?
What do you think the main reason Paul went into this tirade was the way you have understood 1 Corinthians thus far?
Do you think it is a fair biblical interpretation practice, to take these things Paul talks about and apply them to all leadership? Why or why not?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
When I was preparing everything for this week, it really hit me how many ideas and thoughts about what a pastor is or could be that are floating around out there. There is a YouTuber that is currently releasing hours and hours of explanations of abuse in ministry leaders that are known as some of the most popular pastors out there. I know that there are some people here at Keystone that are influenced by these leaders and I have wondered how much of what they are saying is good and how much is bad. It is easy to spot a bad leader in the midst of failure, but it is not as easy to spot one while they are still successful. That takes a skill and knowledge that is important.
Think about it: if there are so many opinions and bad ideas out there, how do you know what is a good expectation for a pastor or ministry leader? You may think it doesn’t matter because you just go with the flow until you see something bad, but that approach leaves holes as well. Why is this important? Because Keystone Church is a self governed church. That means the church body makes the decisions for the church. What happens when the day comes that it is time for a new pastor? How do we find them? Where would we look? What should be that process and what should be expected? Ask five people today and they will give you 5 different answers. That is why I thought it an important journey this week to go through what a pastor should be like. The Bible gives us plenty to look at. Let’s look at some of it this week and see what we learn.
If you were to list Paul’s main points of what a minister should be, from this passage, what would that list be?
What do you think the main reason Paul went into this tirade was the way you have understood 1 Corinthians thus far?
Do you think it is a fair biblical interpretation practice, to take these things Paul talks about and apply them to all leadership? Why or why not?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 2
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-15
We only get five days for these devotions, so we can’t really read all of the chapters in 1 Timothy. It is a pretty relevant book for what we have been looking at in 1 Corinthians. One reason is because at the end of the chapter we are focusing on this week, chapter 4, Paul mentions a Timothy that is a ministry partner with him, that he was sending out to the church at Corinth. Paul wrote the letter of 1 Timothy to this young man. So in this letter, Paul is talking to a young pastor he hopes to train and encourage in the ministry. Our goal will be to read some of this letter and see what we can learn on our path to learn what a pastor or ministry leader should be like. The application can be used in all areas of those following Jesus, but it is written specifically to a young pastor.
The first thing that we will look at here is Paul’s focus on prayer and basic decency in the church. That is brought up in Acts when the deacons were selected and Peter and the other leaders mentioned they need to focus on teaching and prayer. A good trait for someone that is leading others to Jesus is certainly a good, solid prayer life. The point has to be that they are clearly aware of their shortcomings and also clearly aware of the success and life that only comes from God, so therefore they pray more often and more fervently. It is a tough thing to measure, obviously, but it is certainly something that should be considered.
Why do you think prayer is important in ministry leadership?
Why does Paul specifically encourage Timothy to pray for the government here and why would that be important in our day as well?
What are the differences between “supplications, intercessions, and thanksgiving?”
How does this become part of your prayer today?
We only get five days for these devotions, so we can’t really read all of the chapters in 1 Timothy. It is a pretty relevant book for what we have been looking at in 1 Corinthians. One reason is because at the end of the chapter we are focusing on this week, chapter 4, Paul mentions a Timothy that is a ministry partner with him, that he was sending out to the church at Corinth. Paul wrote the letter of 1 Timothy to this young man. So in this letter, Paul is talking to a young pastor he hopes to train and encourage in the ministry. Our goal will be to read some of this letter and see what we can learn on our path to learn what a pastor or ministry leader should be like. The application can be used in all areas of those following Jesus, but it is written specifically to a young pastor.
The first thing that we will look at here is Paul’s focus on prayer and basic decency in the church. That is brought up in Acts when the deacons were selected and Peter and the other leaders mentioned they need to focus on teaching and prayer. A good trait for someone that is leading others to Jesus is certainly a good, solid prayer life. The point has to be that they are clearly aware of their shortcomings and also clearly aware of the success and life that only comes from God, so therefore they pray more often and more fervently. It is a tough thing to measure, obviously, but it is certainly something that should be considered.
Why do you think prayer is important in ministry leadership?
Why does Paul specifically encourage Timothy to pray for the government here and why would that be important in our day as well?
What are the differences between “supplications, intercessions, and thanksgiving?”
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 3
Read 1 Timothy 3:1-16
We have looked at this passage before. I want to encourage you to go through each thing that is listed in verses 2-7 and think about why each of these are important for the role of the pastor/overseer most of all:
How does this become your prayer today?
We have looked at this passage before. I want to encourage you to go through each thing that is listed in verses 2-7 and think about why each of these are important for the role of the pastor/overseer most of all:
- Above reproach
- Husband of one wife
- Sober-minded
- Self controlled
- Respectable
- Hospitable
- Able to teach
- Not a drunkard
- Not violent
- Not quarrelsome
- Not a lover of money
- Manage his own house well
- Not a recent convert
- Well thought of by outsiders.
How does this become your prayer today?
Day 4
Read 1 Timothy 4:1-16
When you get to this part of the letter, you should picture Paul really intensely looking into the eyes of Timothy (I know it's a letter, hang with me here!) and being very direct and serious in what he is saying. I just feel this chapter could have started with “Look me in the eyes!” This warning is important and Paul is telling the young man that he can get lost in all of the tasks and goals and everything else that happens and there will be a slow fade that happens when he is not expecting it.
Think about that for a little bit. Isn’t it a bit strange that this is the job of the young pastor? I mean, tell the church to get it together, tell the people spreading the false doctrine to knock it off, whatever you go to do, but doesn’t the pastor have enough things to consider than to be on the watch for this slipping in unannounced? Not according to the way that Paul sees it and the role of the pastor. Remember in 1 Corinthians 4:1 Paul said that he was to be regarded as a steward of the mysteries of God. A “steward” can be like a “manager.” The best solution to bad doctrine is really good teaching. The pastor was already called to be a good teacher in the previous chapter. Paul seems to be playing the balance of bold teaching, direct conflict engagement, and humble approach in dealing with difficult things. That is a tough line to walk when you are talking to people about the teachings of Jesus!
What do you think verse 10 means in the context of the rest of the chapter? Why did Paul feel the need to say that?
Why does Paul encourage Timothy to not be despised for his youth? What would be the problem in being a young pastor?
Do you think it is too much pressure that young Timothy is commended to be the example before everyone with the way his life is? Is he not allowed to make mistakes and how could that be handled if it did happen?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
When you get to this part of the letter, you should picture Paul really intensely looking into the eyes of Timothy (I know it's a letter, hang with me here!) and being very direct and serious in what he is saying. I just feel this chapter could have started with “Look me in the eyes!” This warning is important and Paul is telling the young man that he can get lost in all of the tasks and goals and everything else that happens and there will be a slow fade that happens when he is not expecting it.
Think about that for a little bit. Isn’t it a bit strange that this is the job of the young pastor? I mean, tell the church to get it together, tell the people spreading the false doctrine to knock it off, whatever you go to do, but doesn’t the pastor have enough things to consider than to be on the watch for this slipping in unannounced? Not according to the way that Paul sees it and the role of the pastor. Remember in 1 Corinthians 4:1 Paul said that he was to be regarded as a steward of the mysteries of God. A “steward” can be like a “manager.” The best solution to bad doctrine is really good teaching. The pastor was already called to be a good teacher in the previous chapter. Paul seems to be playing the balance of bold teaching, direct conflict engagement, and humble approach in dealing with difficult things. That is a tough line to walk when you are talking to people about the teachings of Jesus!
What do you think verse 10 means in the context of the rest of the chapter? Why did Paul feel the need to say that?
Why does Paul encourage Timothy to not be despised for his youth? What would be the problem in being a young pastor?
Do you think it is too much pressure that young Timothy is commended to be the example before everyone with the way his life is? Is he not allowed to make mistakes and how could that be handled if it did happen?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 5
Read 1 Timothy 5:1-25
You have to consider the constant references in this letter to the youth Timothy. He is not a seasoned veteran. I remember starting out in ministry and trying to talk to people about wisdom and life in view of the Bible when many of them were going through experiences that I had never dealt with. It is so intimidating to be the young man without kids talking to someone about the problems they are having with their kids, or some other variation of that problem.
Now consider that reality in light of what Paul is addressing here! He is telling Timothy how to create a culture and proper way that exists in the church for those that are more seasoned and advanced in life and experiences. Timothy would have learned a lot of this by falling on his face, but the instructions are priceless coming from a guy that could say “been there, done that!” Paul seems to sway back and forth here between being strong and bold and being kind and gentle. Which one is it? That is the goal of experience and wisdom! There is a skill in leading people without it feeling like you are the whipper snapper that is just telling them what to do!
Why does Paul see these things listed in this chapter as landmines for Timothy’s ministry?
Which area would you struggle with the most from this chapter?
What can you learn about culture and the way that culture is going in light of this chapter?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
You have to consider the constant references in this letter to the youth Timothy. He is not a seasoned veteran. I remember starting out in ministry and trying to talk to people about wisdom and life in view of the Bible when many of them were going through experiences that I had never dealt with. It is so intimidating to be the young man without kids talking to someone about the problems they are having with their kids, or some other variation of that problem.
Now consider that reality in light of what Paul is addressing here! He is telling Timothy how to create a culture and proper way that exists in the church for those that are more seasoned and advanced in life and experiences. Timothy would have learned a lot of this by falling on his face, but the instructions are priceless coming from a guy that could say “been there, done that!” Paul seems to sway back and forth here between being strong and bold and being kind and gentle. Which one is it? That is the goal of experience and wisdom! There is a skill in leading people without it feeling like you are the whipper snapper that is just telling them what to do!
Why does Paul see these things listed in this chapter as landmines for Timothy’s ministry?
Which area would you struggle with the most from this chapter?
What can you learn about culture and the way that culture is going in light of this chapter?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Devotions
Archive
2026
March
2025
January
February
March
May
September
October
2024
January
March
May
June
July
August
September
No Comments