The Calling of a Pastor

1 Timothy 3:1 — “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”

The office of a pastor, or bishop, is described as a good work. It is not a career to be pursued lightly but a calling to be embraced with reverence. Paul affirms the desire for this office as noble, but he also makes clear that it is not for everyone. It requires character, conviction, and commitment shaped by God’s Spirit.

Pastoral ministry is work. It involves labor in the Word, labor in prayer, labor in counseling, labor in leading. It is not a place for those seeking ease or prestige but for those willing to pour themselves out for others. The word “good” here means noble, excellent, and worthy. Though it is demanding, it is an honorable calling.

The qualifications that follow in 1 Timothy 3 emphasize character over charisma. God values integrity, faithfulness in family, self-control, hospitality, and sound teaching above impressive skills or eloquence. The calling of a pastor is about who he is before God and people, not merely what he can do.

For those in the flock, this passage shapes how we view our leaders. Pastors are not perfect men, but they are called men. To despise the office is to despise what God calls good. To support the office is to honor God’s wisdom in ordering His church.

Pastors themselves must remember that the desire for the office must be matched by the Spirit’s equipping. Many desire influence, but few are ready for the sacrifice. The true pastor desires not recognition but service—to feed the flock, protect the sheep, and glorify Christ.

The church should pray that God continues to raise up men who desire this good work. The need is great, and the field is vast. The call of God upon a man’s life is the foundation of lasting pastoral ministry.

The office of pastor is a gift, a burden, and a blessing. It is a calling worth honoring, a labor worth supporting, and a work worth esteeming highly in love for its sake.