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Are Some People DISQUALIFIED From Ministry?

3. You are unqualified to lead if you have too great a tolerance for conflict and division.

If you enjoy a good church fight, we will not be needing you, thank you.

The health of the body should be paramount with one called as its shepherd, its protector and provider. The “leader” who sees division and ignores it, senses trouble brewing and turns away, is no friend to the Lord’s people.

When trouble threatens the Lord’s flock, you find out in a heartbeat whether you are a shepherd or a hireling (see John 10:11-13). Our Lord calls no one as a hireling.

I am a strong proponent of godly layman handling most of the internal dissent that arises in churches from time to time.

Some member is creating a stir with his or her criticism of the pastor. He or she receives a visit from two or three of the sweetest, most mature leaders who ask, “What’s going on?” They will listen, gently probe into the situation, then deal with it in one of two ways: go to the pastor with the issue for further handling, or ask the member to cease his or her murmuring for the cause of Christ.

Sometimes leaders (pastors and others) insist that this is an unpleasant chore, that they find it difficult to do. I respond, “Good. We do not want leaders who love a good fight. If you hate conflict, you will deal with it promptly.”

4. You are unqualified to lead and serve if unity of the body is not a priority with you.

If you could not care less that a little group within the church is constantly upset about something, you are failing them and the Lord.

In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed that “they all may be one” — and for a specific purpose: “That the world may believe that Thou didst send me” (John 17:21). The overriding reason for unity within the congregation is so outsiders may believe. Likewise, nothing drives away the unchurched like dissension within the Lord’s family.

“You are all one in Christ Jesus,” Paul said (Galatians 3:28). He urged the Philippians to stand “firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

The true servant of the Lord will work for harmony within the local church fellowship and Christian love within the larger body (i.e., believers everywhere).

5. You are not qualified to serve/lead if you are not in full support of the pastor and the other leadership.

Recently, I learned of a staff member who dedicated himself to ousting the pastor and worship leader from the church. The only good part of the story — as I got it — is that he is gone and they are still in place. If this wicked staffer is serving any church anywhere, I pity the present pastor.

When a staff member or deacon decides he can no longer support the pastor, unless there are serious transgressions of a moral, scriptural or legal nature, he should resign and leave quietly. (When the pastor is indeed immoral or guilty of criminal activities, the church should have in place leaders able and willing to deal with it.) 

Otherwise, a leader who works to oust others becomes a troublemaker himself and should be dealt with promptly.