Question:
Does a man have to be married to be a pastor?
Answer:
The apostle Paul was a missionary, which is simply a pastor on a foreign field, and sometimes even in one’s own homeland, and he was not married. 1 Corinthians 9:3-6 says, “Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?” Paul could have married, if he had wanted to do so, but he chose to devote his life completely to the Lord and His work.
If a pastor is married, then there are certain requirements that he must fulfill, like being the husband of one wife, etc. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 says “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”