When a Pastor is said to be "above reproach" according to the Bible, what does this mean?

Question

I've visited a few websites, where it states one of the requirements of elders and deacons, is that they be above reproach according to 1 Timothy 3, where Paul says, "The overseer must be above reproach, self-controlled, respectable...he must have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap."

Does this mean they must not be committing sins which others could bring against them? Or Other?

Maybe it would have been more clear if I asked, does this mean no one other than God can point out their sins? If that's the case, how do you replace a pastor etc that is clearly sinning?

I'm confused! Humans are never blameless, even Pastors. The only head of the Church that could be without blame is Jesus Christ himself. I'm not getting this.

Answer 1

short answer: above reproach

does not do anything that could be interpreted as scandalous or sinful, must be an example of clean living and honesty to people inside and outside the church.

does NOT mean perfect, free of sin, born again, saved, or anything like that. Reproach is kind of like scolding. Must not do anything worthy of a good scolding.

Answer 2

It's a very high standard and a very difficult one to achieve and maintain.

To be those qualities, you have to live a life with no scandal (no fodder for the gossip mills)., you have to be self-controlled (not prone to live by your whims or to be narcissistic, and live very respectable lives.

Let's take some scenarios: the minister who had an affair with another man recently? Does this man sound like someone who fit those 3 qualities? What about Jim Bakker?

It's difficult for a minister to maintain those high standards, but the reason is that, how can a minister help someone overcome issues or preach against certain issues, if they are not living a victorious life? Would you listen to someone who can't keep his own life in order?

The last part of the verse is so applicable...a minister has to have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. So many people see the lavish lives of the televangelists and other wealthy ministers and what do they then generalize about all ministers? Look at how many people have decided to reject Christianity because of the few that abuse their position? That's why the BIble says to be an effective leader, you must walk in a life that follows the morals of I Timothy 3.

EDIT: After seeing your additional details, that is the hard part. If a minister is doing something that is wrong, he should voluntarily step down. The problem becomes when a minister refuses to step down. I've seen more than one church split because the vote went down to who "was a follower of Cephas, and who was a follower of Paul"

Answer 3

Yes a Pastor should be blameless. There should not be reason to speculate if a Pastor is invovled in something wrong or sinful. I also believe "above reproach" to apply to the activity the Pastor is invovled in. If the Pastor doesn't visit the sick and elderly, isn't open to communication with others, doesn't try to witness to the community and is bascally a "preach on Sunday" only Pastor than he may be lazy.

Answer 4

"Monica" (above) just gave a good example of why a Christian leader must be above reproach. You can see how an immature, prideful, and/or sinful leader can turn people away from Jesus.

A church leader must be mature enough that he has his pride and passions under control, because if he is committing the very same sins that he is preaching against, the obviously no one will listen to him. Any failing, such as dishonesty, excessive pride, lust, drunkenness, greed, envy, etc., can be used by the Devil to embarrass Jesus and make Christianity look bad (I.E.: they are all hypocrites) to people who are unsure if they want to accept Jesus or not. And a sinful leader indirectly encourages sin in his followers, since he obviously has lax standards himself.

Answer 5

Hey Angel! I haven't read the entire Bible, to be honest. In fact, I have only read a few of its books in their entirety. I also do not read it often enough. So long as I remain respectful, I see nothing at all wrong with questioning God and the Bible. But I have to also have an open heart, and be willing to listen. I want to know the truth, even if it makes me despair. There is nobility in having read the entire Bible. But some people who know scripture or have read the whole Bible still do not acknowledge the truth, even when it stares them directly in the eye. And just because someone has indeed read the Bible doesn't mean that they are high priests. We are all imperfect, save for the Lamb himself. But at the end of the day, I use excuses for my failures and my shortcomings. God is of primary importance to me, and so I know how essential it is for me to act in accordance with that conviction.

Answer 6

They are the real deal. A true man of God. One wife with children that honor them. This pastor normally came from a Godly home where his family were Christians or his dad a pastor before him. They know the Word of God and they live by the Word of God, walking in the Holy Spirit who teaches them all things. They wear the full armor of God so they can fight off the attacks of the devil. This man stays in the Word of God because this man knows "Man cannot live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

Answer 7

An Elder should be a good leader, someone you could follow and listen to and not be ashamed of.

Someone who is blameless (above reproach) would be someone who "practices what he preaches". He couldn't lead a "double life", one inside the church and one outside.

Overall, the Elder should be morally good and not cause others to stumble.

Answer 8

There is no such thing as a "perfect Christian" in this mortal world. But in choosing leaders for a congregation a thorough evaluation of the candidate must be made against the Biblical instruction... and the closest to those requirements, and with compatible personality to the general congregation, and the general worldly skills for the job, should be the one chosen.

Answer 9

It can also mean the pastor gets to treat you like he owns you.


Back when I was still religious, I experienced this with Campus Crusade. The local big cheese got really ticked off when I decided his little tirade about my health (he decided that his god told him I was anorexic just because he saw me skipping a meal--I'd had a huge lunch, so I skipped dinner) was inappropriate.

I got yelled at, and then big cheese religious jerk decides he needs to call my parents and tell them I'm a religious degenerate because I decided to quit the organization.

See, the pastor guy considered himself above criticism. I was supposed to be subordinate to him.


This is the same guy who, a few years earlier, made a big stink about a girl who complained of sexual harrassment from a Campus Crusade leader, saying that Christians aren't supposed to accuse other Christians of things. Thankfully, the girl wouldn't buy into that garbage.


There's a reason I tend to call the group "Kampus Krusade for Khrist" these days.



Oh, and don't get me started on fundie "intellectual" idol J.P. Moreland. That idiot once went on a tirade about how Asian people are (in his opinion) genetically inferior. He did this RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

That was approximately a day or so before I quite Protestantism for good.

Answer 10

something along those lines.

you can't be doing stuff that makes you look like you could be doing sinful stuff.

for example... let's say you have an outreach that works with female prostitutes. if you are a male minister and you visit prostitutes at their homes at night by yourself to minister to them, that could easily be construed as you getting your rocks off rather than ministering, even if you really were doing your job. to be above reproach in this situation would be to have other women come with you, meet at a neutral place and meet in the daytime, and try to get the prostitutes to dress more conservatively during those times.

i hope that helps.