1 Timothy 3:1-7

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. – 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Dear Jesus,

You love your church so much that you spell out the godly character traits you want all pastor’s to have.  None of us are perfect or sinless.  But you still demand maturity and virtue.  Give us such leaders, dear Lord.  And forgive the moments when your servants lapse into sin or act carelessly in front of your people.  Put a special hedge of protection around every pastor on the planet so they do not fall into temptation too large for them to resist.  Give them good health and bold souls robust to teach and encourage their flocks in your word.  Enlarge their hearts to love the lost.  Give them a passion for serving banquet level sermons on which saints can dine.  Make their children models of fidelity and spiritual maturity and bless their marriages with closeness and mutual love and support. 

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

The greatest need in the church is leadership.  We already have the gospel.