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Now the overseer must be above reproach, …
Wow, what a statement! How can any person in leadership be above reproach? Aren’t we all human, all subject to sinful weaknesses, to drifting and stumbling? Yes, but that is why not everyone should be leaders! Being a leader of God’s people requires a level of maturity in the faith that does not happen overnight. In fact the list of reproaches that follows is a good guideline. I guess that is why God has chosen to include it in Paul’s letter to this young pastor and leader. What I find amazing is how rounded this list is. Each of these areas is important to mature spiritual leadership. If any of the areas is lacking, it will negatively affect the spiritual health of the body. It deals with surprisingly modern areas of weakness that somehow found their way into the lives of first century Christian leaders. Areas of self-control, pastoral skills, public conduct, family life, maturity, and non-believers’ perception of their genuineness all play an important role in the effectiveness of the message of the Gospel. Any one area of failure can signal the downfall of ministry efficacy. That is why pastors, overseers must stay above reproach. Their job is to look out at the horizon and watch for incoming enemy. They must be aware of their congregants, their spiritual maturity levels, their areas of weakness and vulnerability, and watch the spiritual horizon for approaching enemy forces. They must work to build resiliency into those who look to him for leadership. His life and teaching must reflect the solutions to upcoming problems and struggles. It is not sufficient to react to an attack. The pastor must anticipate and build defenses against future attacks. Just as a shepherd relies on fellow shepherds to help protect their flocks by joining together flocks for night protection, so good pastors will seek out other mature pastors for mentorship and accountability. Too many pastors try to go it alone. Just as sheep need a flock, so pastors need other pastors to help them be accountable and responsible for their work. That is because being a spiritual leader who is above reproach is not for the weak hearted.
The Arnold Journey 