Qualified to Plant Part 1: Above Reproach

In previous posts, we’ve discussed the popularity of church planting.  Major denominations and networks in the evangelical world are turning their attention to planting in an effort to spread the Gospel.  I think that’s great.  The heightened awareness of planting has resulted in a higher number of men wondering whether or not planting is for them.  At the same time, there are many organizations that would like to put support (financially and otherwise) behind men who are called and equipped for the work of church planting. 

In the following series, we would like to put together the profile of a good church-planting candidate.  In our estimation a church planter MUST be a qualified pastor first and foremost.  Now, it is true that there may be qualified pastors who would not be great church planters, but a great church planter must be a qualified pastor.  This conviction directs us to the qualifications for edlers/overseers/pastors in Titus and 1 Timothy.

In both passages Paul describes an elder as above reproach.  In part one of this series, we’ll try to delve into the meaning of this phrase.  In 1 Timothy 3:2-3, Paul writes, “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”  In Titus, we read many of the same things while Paul is describing the elders he wishes to appoint in every town.  He writes, “—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.”

One thing that struck me is where my mind goes when I read “above reproach”.  Where does your mind go?  It’s likely that being above reproach may mean more than what popped into your head, but it’s unlikely that it means less.

Paul goes on to further explain what he means by “above reproach”, but I think there is value in evaluating our gut reaction to the phrase.  We’re all keenly aware of how we’re viewed.  A qualified church planter is a man who understands that he is a public representative of Christ is a lost and dying world.  As such, conducting oneself as “above reproach” is a necessity.  That may mean restraining certain freedoms for the benefit of a weaker brother. 

What else might it mean?  We’ll dig further into being “above reproach” in the following posts.

Soli Deo Gloria