Is it manditory For A man To be married To be Pastor?

[JesusFan]

or is that just a "cultural" thing?

 

[Tom Butler]

The answer to your question depends on who's answering.

I have found no widespread sentiment that a pastor must be married. In my part of the country the prevailing interpretation of scripture is that the pastor should not divorce and re-marry.

If I looked hard enough, I could find people who think that the divorce disqualifies one from the pastorate (since he's not a husband, anymore).

I could also find in this same area, one or more people who believe that it means "one wife at a time," that is, it is a prohibition against bigamy. (That was apparently a problem among pagans at the time.)

 

[freeatlast]

If you base your interpretation on any text that gives the qualifications then yes the pastor has to be marrie as there is no room based any text to hold any other belief.
By the way the Greek text does not say husband of one woman. It says one woman man. You can be the husband of one woman and not be a one woman man.

 

[glfredrick]

If it was a requirement, then many of the Apostles failed the test.

I agree with Paul that it is best if one has the gift of celibacy and can focus solely on the Word of the Lord, but I also admit that that gift is far more rare than most of us imagine, and in that case, it is better to marry than to burn with lust and sin.

We find just that in the RCC hierarchy and it has not helped them at all down through the ages. They set aside the greater teaching of Paul and the rest of God's counsel on marriage, including the fact that the man they claim as their first pontiff was indeed married himself -- so says the Scriptures which cannot lie.

I also hold that if a pastor is married, he must be successfully married. Marital strife should disqualify a man for ministry, as the first command that we are to have for all people (including our spouse) is to love one anther. If that cannot happen in the context of marriage then it probably will not happen in the context of the pastorate either.

 

[freeatlast]

If it was a requirement, then many of the Apostles failed the test.

I agree with Paul that it is best if one has the gift of celibacy and can focus solely on the Word of the Lord, but I also admit that that gift is far more rare than most of us imagine, and in that case, it is better to marry than to burn with lust and sin.

We find just that in the RCC hierarchy and it has not helped them at all down through the ages. They set aside the greater teaching of Paul and the rest of God's counsel on marriage, including the fact that the man they claim as their first pontiff was indeed married himself -- so says the Scriptures which cannot lie.

I also hold that if a pastor is married, he must be successfully married. Marital strife should disqualify a man for ministry, as the first command that we are to have for all people (including our spouse) is to love one anther. If that cannot happen in the context of marriage then it probably will not happen in the context of the pastorate either.

Which apostles failed the test?

 

[Jim1999]

I hope not, for I pastored ten years unmarried!!!

Scripture does not dictate one way or the other, except in a special cultural situation.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[glfredrick]

Which apostles failed the test?

Paul, for starters...

 

[freeatlast]

Paul, for starters...

When was Paul ever a pastor?

 

[freeatlast]

I hope not, for I pastored ten years unmarried!!!

Scripture does not dictate one way or the other, except in a special cultural situation.

Cheers,

Jim

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
The same must modifies every qualification for the office.

It is true that very few today obey what is written for their own agenda, but scripture does say they must be the husband of one wife . If someone can say that the husband of one wife is not a must then neither is any other part of the rest of the qualifications.

 

[Jim1999]

In my day, most seminary students had pastorates,,and were NOT married. It is not a biblical command for men to be married. That was a specific cultural problem being addressed by Paul, an umarried apostle. Oh, forgot, Jesus never married either.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[freeatlast]

In my day, most seminary students had pastorates,,and were NOT married. It is not a biblical command for men to be married. That was a specific cultural problem being addressed by Paul, an umarried apostle. Oh, forgot, Jesus never married either.

Cheers,

Jim

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

The same must modifies every qualification for the office.

If husband of one wife was cultural then so must be; blameless; vigilant; sober; good behaviour; given to hospitality; apt to teach.

The reason that some use the cultural excuse for their sin is because they cannot refute clear scripture and it makes them look righteous when in fact they are no different then if a lost person holds the office of pastor. It is called rebellion.So the day has nothing to do with it, but the heart does and the pure in heart would obey the scripture as it is given.

 

[glfredrick]

When was Paul ever a pastor?

I'm not wanting to turn this into a huge debate about the biblical offices (that would be a good thread however) but Paul acted the role of "elder" and that is synonymous with "pastor" in the Scriptures.

I believe you are nit-picking on this issue, for it is rather clear that married or not, a man might be a pastor. The qualification is not that he is married, but if he is married that he be married to one woman (and presumably for life, as God is against divorce).

 

[freeatlast]

I'm not wanting to turn this into a huge debate about the biblical offices (that would be a good thread however) but Paul acted the role of "elder" and that is synonymous with "pastor" in the Scriptures.

I believe you are nit-picking on this issue, for it is rather clear that married or not, a man might be a pastor. The qualification is not that he is married, but if he is married that he be married to one woman (and presumably for life, as God is against divorce).

[SIZE=+0]I think obedience can be called a lot of things. Perhaps nit-picking, or legalism or some other thing, but I think God calls it obedience. I understand what you are saying, however the scriptures do not read the way you are suggesting. The Greek actually says one woman man and he has to be able to lead his family. A single man cannot be qualified if that is not obeyed. It should be clear why woman disregard scripture and become Pastors when the men do the same thing. Why nit-pick? Or it is cultural, or if we did that there would be no churches and on and on as to why God's word is not relevant.
There are reasons for those qualifications. Also there is no scriptural evidence that Paul was ever an elder in any church as defined in 1Tim or Titus. You are making that up.
I realize it sounds strange today to suggest that we should obey the word of God, but if we are not going to obey we need to throw away the bible.
[/SIZE]

 

[glfredrick]

[SIZE=+0]I think obedience can be called a lot of things. Perhaps nit-picking, or legalism or some other thing, but I think God calls it obedience. I understand what you are saying, however the scriptures do not read the way you are suggesting. The Greek actually says one woman man and he has to be able to lead his family. A single man cannot be qualified if that is not obeyed. It should be clear why woman disregard scripture and become Pastors when the men do the same thing. Why nit-pick? Or it is cultural, or if we did that there would be no churches and on and on as to why God's word is not relevant.
There are reasons for those qualifications. Also there is no scriptural evidence that Paul was ever an elder in any church as defined in 1Tim or Titus. You are making that up.
I realize it sounds strange today to suggest that we should obey the word of God, but if we are not going to obey we need to throw away the bible.
[/SIZE]

Okay, what about John, who WAS called "elder."

Just as you understand me, I understand you, but I believe you are wrong. Paul never made marriage THE issue that defines the ability for a pastor to serve, and in fact, he said exactly the opposite:

Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. [I Corinthians 7: 6-9]

The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” [1 Corinthians 7:32-35]

And even the teaching of Jesus, who was Himself, unmarried, and the Pastor of pastors (it is HIS church!):

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” Matt 19:10-12 (ESV)

I know that the discussion has been ongoing for 2000 years and that we will not settle it here.

I know that various persons come down on opposite sides of the fence on this issue.

I also recommend that pastors do indeed marry for any number of reasons, but mostly because a wife is a good gift (helpmate in the biblical sense) for a man, and in ministry.

I recall the words of Dr. Mohler in a theology of marriage course took, "How can one know if he has the gift of celibacy? Simply, if he wakes up in the morning with the "man problem" he should find a wife and be married. Rare indeed is the true gift of celibacy."

 

[JesusFan]

Okay, what about John, who WAS called "elder."

Just as you understand me, I understand you, but I believe you are wrong. Paul never made marriage THE issue that defines the ability for a pastor to serve, and in fact, he said exactly the opposite:

Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. [I Corinthians 7: 6-9]

The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” [1 Corinthians 7:32-35]

And even the teaching of Jesus, who was Himself, unmarried, and the Pastor of pastors (it is HIS church!):

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” Matt 19:10-12 (ESV)

I know that the discussion has been ongoing for 2000 years and that we will not settle it here.

I know that various persons come down on opposite sides of the fence on this issue.

I also recommend that pastors do indeed marry for any number of reasons, but mostly because a wife is a good gift (helpmate in the biblical sense) for a man, and in ministry.

I recall the words of Dr. Mohler in a theology of marriage course took, "How can one know if he has the gift of celibacy? Simply, if he wakes up in the morning with the "man problem" he should find a wife and be married. Rare indeed is the true gift of celibacy."

So jesus would not qualify as a pastor than?
Nor paul?

Think that you are indeed right in this discussion, as the Lord set up the qualifications for married men, as that is the "norm" of the men he calls, BUT absense of saying ANYWHERE singles cannot pastor would force one to conclude OK to if called in that state!

In fact, per both Jesus and paul, celebete single life to be preferred for such, but is a gift from the Lord to a man !

 

[webdog]

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

The same must modifies every qualification for the office.

If husband of one wife was cultural then so must be; blameless; vigilant; sober; good behaviour; given to hospitality; apt to teach.

The reason that some use the cultural excuse for their sin is because they cannot refute clear scripture and it makes them look righteous when in fact they are no different then if a lost person holds the office of pastor. It is called rebellion.So the day has nothing to do with it, but the heart does and the pure in heart would obey the scripture as it is given.

Exactly, if it's not a requirement...then neither is anything else.

 

[webdog]

So jesus would not qualify as a pastor than?
Nor paul?

Think that you are indeed right in this discussion, as the Lord set up the qualifications for married men, as that is the "norm" of the men he calls, BUT absense of saying ANYWHERE singles cannot pastor would force one to conclude OK to if called in that state!

In fact, per both Jesus and paul, celebete single life to be preferred for such, but is a gift from the Lord to a man !

Paul was not called to be a pastor...and Christ is married to His bride.

It's a stretch in logic to use Christ who is 100% God and 100% man as the standard. Jesus did not have a home on earth...how would He have been able to be hospitable? Same with Paul.

The elder and deacon requirements are made for humans.

 

[TCGreek]

I keep hearing people say that Paul was a pastor, yet he never referred to himself as one.

He applied many other terms to himself, but never that of a pastor.

But was he pastoral? Of course he was. But to be pastoral doesn't make one a pastor.

 

[JesusFan]

Paul was not called to be a pastor...and Christ is married to His bride.

It's a stretch in logic to use Christ who is 100% God and 100% man as the standard. Jesus did not have a home on earth...how would He have been able to be hospitable? Same with Paul.

The elder and deacon requirements are made for humans.

So you are arguing from the 'silence" of scripture regarding if "married only" applies to pastors?

Singles need not apply?

NO verse says that, does it?

 

[webdog]

So you are arguing from the 'silence" of scripture regarding if "married only" applies to pastors?

Singles need not apply?

NO verse says that, does it?

What silence?!? The text states plainly elders and deacons MUST be the husband of one wife. Which other requirements are we able to dismiss along with this one if a single man is allowed to pastor?