Character matters

If this is your first time reading along on this blog then let me tell you something that all 4 of the other readers already know. I'm a pastor. I have the privilege of pastoring an awesome church family in Spartanburg, SC called Hub City Church. 

While being a pastor is a privilege, it is also a huge responsibility. 

I'm sure you know this, but those of us who do this Christianity thing full time as a job (think pastor, worship leader, church staff, etc) are held to a higher standard by God. Let me show you what I'm talking about.

James says it this way: Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. - James 3:1

Paul says it this way in 1 Timothy 3: 

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.”² So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. ³ He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. ⁵ For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?⁶ An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. ⁷ Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.⁸ In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. ⁹ They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.¹¹ In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.¹³ Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

In light of those two passages I think the following quote I read today is of immense relevance:

When the Bible lays out qualifications to ministry, it is character that rules every time. The Bible says little about skill and less still about results. It heralds character. Numerical growth and shared theology are wonderful, but insufficient. It is character that qualifies a man to ministry. God’s Word could hardly be clearer in this regard. - Tim Challies

Character matters. 

With that in mind I would ask that you pray for me. I want to get to the end of my life having lived with Christlike Character, and having lived a life worthy of the calling I've received.

But character doesn't just matter for people who do what I do. Character matters for you. It makes you someone worth knowing and following. Since that's the case I'm also praying that you will be a person of Christlike Character as well.