Some of the markers of someone who is spiritually mature are, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) Some of the indicators of those who are not spiritually mature are, “jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition.” (Galatians 5:20)
Some pastors today are known for their exhibiting Galatians 5:20 instead of being revered because they exhibit the list found in Galatians 5:22-23. These pastors are jealous of other pastors as other pastors’ churches are bigger than or growing faster than their own; they sometimes have fits of rage towards staff members or church assistants, and if the truth were known, they wrestle with wanting their name to be known moreso than making the name of Jesus known.
Having been discipled, one becomes spiritually mature and then lives out Galatians 5:22-23 intuitively. But the pathway to a pastorate today does not involve being discipled. It has everything to do with getting a theology degree from a Bible school or seminary.
Let’s face it…when a pastor search team makes a list of criteria they will utilize as they seek out their next pastor, it most often includes some type of biblical studies or theology degree. The pastor search team subconsciously believes that, if they find someone with a seminary degree, they are getting a pastor who is also spiritually mature. But that just isn’t so. Knowledge is vital to becoming spiritually mature, but theological knowledge doesn’t mean someone is spiritually mature. In fact, 1 Corinthians 8:1 reminds us that knowledge can cause someone to be prideful in the knowledge they’ve acquired.
Theological understanding is vital to church leadership, especially those who teach. But it is not the only requirement. In fact, check out Titus 1: 6-9.
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Most of the requirements of an elder are based on acts and attitudes that flow out of a transformed heart, and one can be the most theologically astute person in the church without having a transformed heart.
My dear pastor friends…Just because you have a degree or degrees hanging on the wall, you are not necessarily spiritually mature. If you’re lacking in, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” humble yourself and find someone to disciple you…not someone to mentor you in ministry, someone to disciple you to maturity.
It will transform you into the image of Christ and make you the pastor you’ve always wanted to be.
