The qualifications of a pastor are clearly defined in 1 Timothy 3. This includes being the husband of one wife—not the wife of one husband. A pastor must also have a family and have his children in subjection to him, otherwise how can he rule the house of God? A pastor must also be “vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach,” among other things.

The qualifications are not obscure, hard to understand or hidden in symbolic language, but made plain in the Bible.

1 Timothy 3:1-7:
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

In this sermon on the qualifications of a pastor, I also cover methods of ordination, the “sent out” error, seminary and how churches are started, according to the book of Acts.