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We need to subject them to other batteries of tests also, including IQ and personality tests. No IQ less
than 150 should be considered. A full panel of psychologists and
psychiatrists should use the DSM-5 to weed out those with severe mental
dysfunctions, such as manic depressive disorder and schizophrenia. There
needs to be an absolute prohibition of all narcissists.
There must be an in depth investigation
of any criminal activities as well. There can be no pedophiles or those
who commit incest. There can be no robberies and murders, nor will any
white collar crime be tolerated within ministerial ranks. Any evidence
of perjury would be grounds of disqualification.
We should (in the United States) engage
the FBI to investigate whether the person in question ‘has a good report
of those without’ and Interpol may be used to further advance the
investigation. We will, of course, need fingerprinting and have the
subject take a lie detector test.
We need to interview neighbors going
back at least a decade to determine that he has never committed adultery
and that his wife and children are happy and in subjection. Since he
must be ‘apt to teach’, the appropriate training must have been
completed. It would be helpful for him to have a current teaching
certificate.
His record of a parent needs to be taken
into consideration, since his wife and children need to be ‘in
subjection’. A man with horrible juvenile delinquents just shouldn’t be
allowed. Studies have shown that the most successful corporate
executives are the ones who have children who have successfully
navigated their teenage years without major maladjustment, likely
because, in a corporate environment, dealing with junior executives is
much like dealing with adolescents. While we’re on the topic, neither
the minister nor his wife can be gossips. This is a horrible breach of
trust. The Bible calls them ‘busybodies’ and they sure can dish the
dirt. While gossips can be fascinating and even have the truth, it’s a
slippery slope of character assassination that just doesn’t do the
congregation any good at all. It often sets people against each other,
and you know what the Scripture says about causing division.
Those who qualify thus far for the ministry need to be subjected to
drug tests and have random drug tests during their ministry. Auditors
need to be brought in to examine the finances of the minister so there
won’t be any hanky-panky.
The Scripture is clear on the
qualifications of a minister: He must be the husband of one wife. He
cannot be divorced and remarried with his ex still living. This is
standard and such ministers as Paul Woods of the Seventh Day Church of
God insists upon it, as does the United Church of God an International
Association. In fact, United goes one step further and precludes a man
from being a minister if he has committed adultery since baptism. There
is forgiveness of sins, but baptism is a demarcation point for some
sects and certain offenses, such as committing adultery on your wife
while she is dying of cancer will prevent a man from ever being a
minister in certain sects. Although there are other sects which allow
for complete repentance — because it is recognized that everyone sins
and redemption is possible — the admonition for a good reputation with
those without seems to kick in for many of the Christian groups.
Ministers need to be examined to see if they have the right
personality for the job: They must have empathy and be compassionate and
merciful with people, be apt in counseling, known for giving sound
advice, particularly in ‘spiritual’ and matters relating to living. A
minister must also be able to set boundaries and appropriately confront
and correct those who would cause division in the sect.
In order to complete the battery of tests, the ministerial prospect needs to be examined by The Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation
to determine the combination of 19 inherited aptitudes the man has. A
minister absolutely must have an objective personality so that he is not
introverted and unable to relate to congregation members or deal with
groups of people. He must have high inductive reasoning and strong
analytical abilities. He should have musical talents because a minister
who is tone deaf would be a terrible choice, particularly during praise
worship. It may be helpful if he has number memory. He needs to have a
strong vocabulary. He needs to have high graphoria. An ideal candidate
will have high observation to take in the details to help others and
have good personal presentation. It may be helpful if he has high
structural visualization so he can understand those engineers,
mechanics, technologists and others in his congregation and be able to
relate to them at their level while recognizing the needs of the
majority who lack the talent.
A minister needs to be able to delegate
appropriately, not that he would be unwilling to do the ‘dirty jobs’
which need to get done. He needs to understand group dynamics and social
interactions to be able to bring peace to the congregation.
The minister needs to be completely fit
to administer and participate in programs involving athletics, after
all, summer camp for the youth can be demanding. He will also need to be
sacrificing and be able to promote those who have special needs. He
needs to be strong, patient and kind. He needs to have feeling for the
fatherless and widow and be able to work tirelessly as an advocate for
them. He needs to be able to bring people together for common benefit.
He also needs to be an excellent project manager with skills in
achieving goals through effective project management. It isn’t enough to
have high concept vision, it is necessary to have the skills to be
diligent and innovative for the benefit of the many, the few and the
one. He needs to be an encouragement to the poor and support those who
need help during bereavement. His care extends to others in a community
from the cradle to the grave. He should not only be someone who has
dinner parties for others in his own home, but should be willing to be a
guest in the homes of those with more modest means who want to share a
part of their lives with him and his family.
The Scripture is also clear that a
minister cannot be a novice. We’ve seen far too many ‘bright ascending
stars’ made into leaders within congregations only to have them crash
and burn spectacularly, as in the case of an ex Marine who became
central to a church group, President of Spokesman Club, only to be
exposed as an alcoholic abuser who eventually not only left religion
entirely, but left his wife and family to fend for themselves. Those who
seem to have unlimited potential in the ministry as a perfect fit need
to be given time to see if they are just a ‘flash in the pan’.
Liars. If liars will not be in the
Kingdom of God, don’t you think they should not be allowed in the
ministry, for consistency’s sake?
Most of all, he needs to set a sterling example.
This is not trivial: It takes a special person with stellar
qualification to be the kind of leader that will benefit those over whom
he watches.
No one is perfect, of course, and a
minister must also have the integrity and humility to admit error and
make appropriate amends.
This, of course, is not the whole list. He needs to be able to stand
as an ambassador to represent Jesus to lead people to redemption.
And no one should ever have to settle for anything less.
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