Claire sits before the jury with a dry mouth, her heart beating at a jogging pace. The courtroom buzzes with intensity about a situation she knows nothing of and has no desire to learn about. She’s in the room for one reason: to tell the jury whether her experience of her friend matches the narrative being presented. The facts of the case are not hers to weigh. Claire is there to weigh a reputation against a story—she’s a character witness.
The congregation of God’s Spirit-filled people are called into a similar moment as they examine a potential pastor. The timeline is out of order—no crime has been committed nor accusations leveled. Still, they are called to testify to the character of a man.
This is the God-breathed wisdom of Paul instructing Timothy to establish the leadership of the church. Paul calls for pastors to be “above reproach.” This phrase forms a heading for the rest of the qualifications. Paul calls men into authority who have a loving track record of authority in every arena. Paul calls the church to embrace submission to men who demonstrate self-control and sacrifice for the good of others as their modus operandi.
Why?
Because the
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