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

[Skandelon]

I agree with glfredrick on this matter.

To presume that Paul's words would disqualify himself, a church starter, and even Christ himself along with other Godly single men, which Paul clearly prefers, is a stretch.

With polygamy and divorce (with remarriage) being a moral issue which indeed would disqualify one from leadership, it makes much more since that Paul was merely addressing those men who do choose to marry and not meaning to make marriage itself a must for those called to pastor. That would contradict his teaching elsewhere when he reveals his preference for men to remain single in order to better serve the Lord.

 

[sag38]

The scripture is not saying that he "must" be married. Rather, if he is married then it must be to one woman. Some folks like to add to scripture that which isn't there.

 

[Skandelon]

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.

By this logic I suppose you believe that those who are unable to bear children can't be a pastor either?

After all, Paul goes on to say, "He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive."

If he doesn't have children to keep submissive then I suppose he is not qualified either, right?

 

[JesusFan]

By this logic I suppose you believe that those who are unable to bear children can't be a pastor either?

After all, Paul goes on to say, "He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive."

If he doesn't have children to keep submissive then I suppose he is not qualified either, right?

Good point!

Think god was just saying that IF one has been called as a pastor and is married, use these guidelines

IF single, use the ones for 'general" qualifications of temperence, able to teach, etc!

 

[glfredrick]

The presumption of Paul is that "married" is a normal state of affairs in his world, for such was from the beginning of time and it is only just recently that we have some semblance of choice in that matter. Before that, marriage was literally a matter of survival.

 

[Salty]

I found this web site . The individual states that a single man cannot be a pastor and must have children ( scroll down about 80% of the page) .
He also believes that

In addition he should NOT be a consident hugger; nor should he demand a specific pay package (this is at the top of the page)

However, I do fully endorse his caution on this:

"...it is very important that you check out the background of any prospective church worker including a pastoral candidate. Pedophiles know where to find children, ungodly men know how to abuse authority. "

Salty

PS opps - i just fixed the first sentence - boy ( I inproperly said " a single man cannot be married"

 

[freeatlast]

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."

All I can do is go by what the word says and it says they need to be a one woman man.

 

[preachinjesus]

The history of interpretation on this matter decidedly takes the texts about leadership as referring to a non-polygamous man. A single man as pastor is not out of bounds for that office.

When I started in the ministry, as an ordained pastor, I was single. Given my situation I put significant checks and balances in place as well as boundaries in my life. During my "singleness" I had a wonderful time in ministry. Singleness shouldn't be a detractor from ministry. (Well unless it is something like "minister to married adults" then that is just odd)

Too many churches miss out on God's man for their pulpits while imputing one man's read of a Scripture passage.

 

[Skandelon]

All I can do is go by what the word says and it says they need to be a one woman man.

And with children, or not?

 

[freeatlast]

I found this web site . The individual states that a single man cannot be married and must have children ( scroll down about 80% of the page) .
He also believes that

In addition he should NOT be a consident hugger; nor should he demand a specific pay package (this is at the top of the page)

However, I do fully endorse his caution on this:

"...it is very important that you check out the background of any prospective church worker including a pastoral candidate. Pedophiles know where to find children, ungodly men know how to abuse authority. "

Salty

It would be difficult to go wrong if those principles were followed. Oh wait they are in the bible! Who would have thought?

 

[Skandelon]

It would be difficult to go wrong if those principles were followed. Oh wait they are in the bible! Who would have thought?

So, can we take that to mean that you believe a man must be married with children before being qualified to serve as a pastor?

 

[freeatlast]

And with children, or not?

First let me say that the qualifications are put in place to protect the church, not hinder it. The man who holds the office is to have spiritual maturity and the way to know that is by him meeting the qualifications laid out in scripture. Reading the text it is clear he needs to be married or have been married meeting the qualifications of a mature married man, but perhaps now single by death of a spouse.
As to children it is not a command to have children based on the wording, but it is assumed and if there is children they need to be living as those who are under a man who leads his household in the Lord.

 

[Skandelon]

First let me say that the qualifications are put in place to protect the church, not hinder it. The man who holds the office is to have spiritual maturity and the way to know that is by him meeting the qualifications laid out in scripture. Reading the text it is clear he needs to be married or have been married meeting the qualifications of a mature married man, but perhaps now single by death of a spouse.
As to children it is not a command to have children based on the wording, but it is assumed and if there is children they need to be living as those who are under a man who leads his household in the Lord.

Ok, so why can't you apply the same hermeneutic with regard to the qualification of being married as you did for having children?

In both sentences Paul is presuming that the candidate has a wife and children, not that they are required for being a pastor, right?

 

[Skandelon]

And regarding the death of a spouse, what about a wife who sins and leaves her husband who attempts to remain faithful? If the man remains unmarried would you consider him still qualified?

 

[webdog]

So, can we take that to mean that you believe a man must be married with children before being qualified to serve as a pastor?

Why won't you answer this question directly?

If we are looking at it culturally, it was a given there would be children. The key to this requirement is stated in verse 5. Dating one woman at a time faithfully doesn't fit Paul's reasoning in v.5, only a man who has a family.

 

[Skandelon]

If we are looking at it culturally, it was a given there would be children. The key to this requirement is stated in verse 5. Dating one woman at a time faithfully doesn't fit Paul's reasoning in v.5, only a man who has a family.

I actually know a couple who has been trying to have children for many years. He is a faithful pastor doing great work.

I'm asking if you all think he is unqualified according to this passage because he doesn't have children?

If he is not qualified, are you actually suggesting that his church should fire him and hinder him from his ministry any further?

If he is qualified, why do you have a separate application for being a husband than for being a father when Paul clearly is presuming both?

 

[michael-acts17:11]

What about the death of a spouse? If a pastor loses his wife to death, should he then step down & find a job out in the world until he finds another wife?

 

[freeatlast]

Ok, so why can't you apply the same hermeneutic with regard to the qualification of being married as you did for having children?

In both sentences Paul is presuming that the candidate has a wife and children, not that they are required for being a pastor, right?

Like I said before it is because of the wording. When speaking about the wife it says "must" but when speaking about children there is no modifier to suggest it is a must to have children, but if a church felt that the man should then I see no problem with it.

 

[webdog]

I actually know a couple who has been trying to have children for many years. He is a faithful pastor doing great work.

I'm asking if you all think he is unqualified according to this passage because he doesn't have children?

If he is not qualified, are you actually suggesting that his church should fire him and hinder him from his ministry any further?

If he is qualified, why do you have a separate application for being a husband than for being a father when Paul clearly is presuming both?

I believe the key is being able to manage his family, regardless of how many (or few) children. I believe that's what Paul is getting at in v.5, having experience to manage God's family. It really makes no sense for a man to date one woman at a time and this will somehow give him the ability to manage God's family.

 

[webdog]

What about the death of a spouse? If a pastor loses his wife to death, should he then step down & find a job out in the world until he finds another wife?

No since he has met the requirement and knows how to manage a family, THE point Paul is trying to convey with such a requirement.