The requirements for the office of pastor are clearly outlined by the Apostle Paul in the letters he wrote to his beloved disciples Timothy and Titus. They present an almost identical list of characteristics that a candidate had to exhibit to be a bishop. It is important to clarify that the term bishop is used in the New Testament interchangeably with elder or pastor. That is, the words bishop, elder or pastor refer to the same person.
Now, given the prominence of this ministry, it should not come to our attention that the first of the qualities of the candidate to be a pastor is repeated in both lists:
“If anyone longs for a bishopric, he desires a good deed. But the bishop must be blameless” (1 Timothy 3:1-2).
“…and appoint elders in every city, just as I commanded you; whoever is blameless…” (Titus 1:5-6).
In the original, the word blameless conveys the idea of ”without fault, without fault, without blemish, faultless, innocent, and blameless.”
When considering a believer for the office of pastor, he should be blameless and beyond reproach. That is, someone who exhibits blameless conduct in all his affairs. A believer who is not guilty of ungodly behaviors and sinful attitudes that tarnish his testimony.
It is understood that it is not a person free of sin, because in that case no one could qualify. Rather, he is a person who lives in a manner worthy of the gospel, and in general leads his life in an upright and godly manner.
However, we can make the mistake of thinking that these qualities are only exclusive to those who will be pastors and elders. We fail to think that being above reproach is required only of those who have been called to the ministry. That candidates to be a pastor must be blameless does not exempt other believers from this responsibility.
A pastor is a man who is taken from among the people because he has given evidence of integrity and has fulfilled his duty as a believer. He has been found blameless. But this quality that is emphasized in the New Testament for all believers. Paul exhorts the Thessalonian Christians saying: “…abstain from all forms of evil. And may the same God of peace sanctify you completely; and may your whole being, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:22-23). He also tells the Christians in Philippi: “Do all things without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and simple, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in the midst of which you shine like lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15)
Every believer is called to live a just and pious life before God and men. That is why Jesus told his disciples “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). All believers are supposed to be blameless and blameless and to give a good testimony before men. We are light of the world and salt of the earth, and the gospel not only forgives our sins, but also transforms us.
We have received a new heart and a new nature, capable of living the demands of the Christian life. We are new creatures (2 Corinthians) and “we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Therefore, every pastor must be blameless. And every believer too.