We often teach 1 Timothy 3:1-7 in ways that disconnect it from the gospel.
What I mean is, a theology of sanctification is nowhere to be found in many treatments of it in relation to preparation for pastoral ministry. You’re either already nearly completely sanctified at the point of your call to ministry or you’re not qualified ever.
Ironically, what this produces is a culture in which someone can actually behave in ways that disqualify them from ministry but then be “restored” by some arbitrary group of buddies who affirm their “genuine change of heart.”
Why? Because “qualified” has been reduced to moral perfectionism at a particular point in time, without reference to the judgment of the wider body of Christ in any meaningful way, & (conversely) as almost entirely dependent on person’s own feelings about their own qualifications
On the other hand, this same approach can make those who haven’t actually disqualified themselves feel nearly constantly as though they are.
Why? Because if moral perfectionism is the bar, devoid of the grace of Christ (including a robust theology of sanctification) and of the judgment of the wider body of Christ, then those with tender consciences will never “feel” qualified.
It also produces a culture where those in ministry feel they can never admit to struggling with anything or feeling the need to grow in a particular area for fear that they’ve disqualified themselves.
Again, ironically, this expectation of practical perfection means more burnout and more actual disqualifying behavior, because sin and temptation go unconfessed and un confronted.
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