What qualifies a shepherd (pastor/elder/overseer) in the NT?
You are qualified to be considered to serve in this role according to the Apostles if:
You desire to, rather than of obligation.
If a man desires the position of an bishop (overseer), he desires a good work. 1 Tim. 3:1
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 1 Pet. 5:2
Your overall pattern of life exemplifies godly character
A bishop (overseer) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 1 Tim 3:2-3
For a bishop (overseer) must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,Titus 1:7-8
In summary:
above reproach–not impeccable but an exemplary display of Christlikeness (respectable 1 Tim 3:2, holy & righteous Titus 1:8, a good reputation among unbelievers 1 Tim 3:7)
Self-controlled–possess self denial for the sake of others
Gentle–not weak or cowardly, combative, aggressive, egotistical, domineering, argumentative, pushy, gruff, hotheaded, explosive, bullying, arrogant, but tender speaking truth in love (1 Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7, 1 Pet. 5:3
Not Greedy–not delighting in getting but giving and investing in eternal things
You can teach the Bible to others according to the author’s intent
Not twisting the Word to make it say what you want it to say but for what it was intended to in its context to its first readers and by proper application to us today
So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32
A bishop (overseer) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 1 Tim 3:2
If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1 Tim 4:6
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Tim. 4:16
Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. Titus 1:9
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. II Tim. 2:2
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Tim. 2:15
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. II Tim 2:24
You lead your family God’s way
The home is a key item in the NT Shepherd’s resume
A one-woman man
This is the literal translation of 1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:6 and carries with it the idea of a faithful husband who honors marriage to the best of their ability
A faithful father
One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?) 1 Tim. 3:4-5
Fathering and shepherding God’s Family are similar in that they are both bearing responsibility to lead those in their care to maturity and obedience to Christ in all things.
Effective shepherding is best practiced and observed first in the home.
Hospitable
Hospitality is sharing life and inviting others into it, especially your home, and reveals kindness, compassion, care, love and inclusion to welcome others as Christ has welcomed you. It is different than our modern notions of “entertaining”.
A bishop (overseer) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 1 Tim 3:2
But hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, Titus 1:8
Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Rom. 12:13
Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us, to the glory of God. Rom 15:7
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Pet. 4:9
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Heb. 13:1-2
You are a man
God has called men to be the overall shepherd overseer elders of His Household
Men are to led their families
Men are to lead the Family of God
A bishop (overseer) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife (one-woman man), temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 1 Tim 3:2
You are an established believer
Not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 1 Tim. 3:6
Do not lay hands on anyone hastily. 1 Tim 5:22
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. II Tim. 2:2
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Col. 2:6-8
You have good chemistry and can work together with the existing shepherd team
Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:37-41
Not every time is everyone a good fit philosophically or for other reasons though they might have the other qualifications listed above, and it requires wisdom to know and sometimes a hard experience like Paul & Barnabas to be on different teams for the same Kingdom.
In summary, you qualify to serve as a shepherd overseer if you desire to, have an overall pattern of life that exemplifies godly character, can teach the Bible to others according to the author’s intent, lead your family God’s way, are a man, are an established believer, and have good chemistry and can work together with the existing shepherd team. Humble servant shepherd leadership that does not lord over the flock but leads with the Word with grace and truth.
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