Introduction: During political campaigns, many candidates run for the same office. It is our job to compare their character, values, goals, and promises in order to choose the best person for the position.
Next week we will be evaluating a pastoral candidate. Evaluating a pastoral candidate is different in many respects. When choosing a pastor, it is not a matter of picking our favorite from among several, it is a matter of evaluating one at a time to see if he is the one God has for our church.
Yes, we ought to evaluate his character, beliefs, values, and goals, but our ultimate goal must be to determine God’s will. That requires spending much time talking to the Lord and seeking his wisdom and guidance.
Our text this morning is in Acts 14:19-23 (read). The Apostle Paul had just been stoned and left for dead in Lystra. God raised him up and after a preaching visit to Derbe, he returned to Lystra to confirm or strengthen the new believers (v.22). They they ordained elders or pastors in every church along the way (v.23). This word translated “ordained” literally means “To elect to an office by lifting up the hand; to choose, vote.” CWSD
Transition: This morning, I want to give you four practical tips that will help us as a congregation as we choose a pastor.
The first tip is to
1. Pray Much
A. God knows who He wants as our next pastor.
(1) Our part is to pray much. This is not a time for casual prayers. It is a time to seriously seek God’s help.
(a) Ask God for wisdom. (James 1:5) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
(b) Ask God for discernment. This is the trait of judging wisely and objectively. It is discerning God’s will (Romans 12:2).
(c) Ask God for direction. The disciples prayed for God’s direction in choosing a replacement for Judas. (Acts 1:24) “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,“
(2) God can make His will clear to our church.
(3) If you are not a church member, you can still share comments. You should also pray earnestly that God will direct those who are members to vote right.
(4) If the vote goes contrary to your thinking, accept it as God’s will. That is what we are praying for!
B. Ask God to direct Brother Dagan.
(1) Pray that he will be calm and able to preach with God’s power and able to answer our questions clearly.
(2) Pray that he will be right with God and able to make the right decision if our church should call him.
(3) He too must discern God’s leading in his life and the life of his family.
The second tip is to
2. Listen Attentively
A. Attend all three services.
(1) Begin now to pray for next week’s services. Ask God to speak to your heart through the preaching.
(2) The best way to evaluate a preacher is to hear him speak. Make plans to come to each service so you won’t miss anything.
(3) If you truly cannot attend all three, listen to the sermons on our website once posted.
B. Ask God to speak through the preaching.
(1) Pray specifically that God will do this in your heart.
(2) Rather than critiquing his sermons to find fault, look for food to feed your soul and challenge to help you grow.
The third tip is to
3. Prepare Yourself
A. Make sure you are right with God.
(1) Your part in praying and listening will only be effective if you are right with God yourself.
(2) The Apostle James wrote, (James 4:7-8) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.“
B. Study over the two main pastoral Scriptures.
(1) Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7
(2) Read Titus 1:5-9
(3) God sets a high standard, but no one is perfect. You are not perfect. No pastor is perfect either.
(4) Compare what you hear and see to these passages.
C. Prepare questions to ask.
(1) Ask questions that will clarify his position. Our purpose is not to try to stump him with difficult doctrinal questions, but to be sure he stands for truth.
(2) Always be kind and appropriate.
(3) Whether you are a member or not, you are welcome to ask questions. When we have our Q&A time, come prepared with your thoughtful questions.
The fourth tip is to
4. Resist Comparing
A. There will be a huge temptation to compare.
(1) You will be tempted to compare Brother Dagan to me.
(a) I am not the standard of the perfect preacher.
(b) Rather than focusing on personality, ask yourself, “Is his preaching true to the Scriptures?” “Did he expound the Word?” “Did he challenge me to apply the Word?”
(c) I do not preach like I did 40 years ago. You cannot expect Brother Dagan, who is much younger than I am, to preach as if he has been preaching for 40 years.
(2) You will be tempted to compare Brother Dagan to Pastor Ayre.
(a) Comparing is a normal temptation, but resist comparing. Brother Ayre has had years of experience.
(b) Just as you grew to appreciate Pastor Ayre, that can happen with your new pastor as well.
B. Every pastor is an individual.
(1) Each has his own weaknesses.
(2) Each has unique gifts and talents to offer.
(3) If Brother Dagan becomes our pastor, do not expect him to do everything just as I have done. He is an individual. If he has new (biblical) ideas, they may be just what our church needs.
(4) Remember, this is not a popularity contest, but a sober seeking of God’s will for our next pastor.
Conclusion: Years ago, at the church in Lystra, the Apostle Paul led those new believers in a vote to elect their elder or pastor. That is what the members of our church plan to do on Sunday, 19 November.
From now until that time, you can be a part if you will pray much, listen attentively, prepare yourself, and resist comparing.
