The Letters to the Thessalonians and the Pastoral Epistles

The arrangement of our New Testament has us looking today at what might be the first, and the last, of the letters of the apostle Paul.  The second missionary journey was a major step, as Paul and Silas crossed over to Macedonia and traveled down the Grecian peninsula preaching Jesus and planting churches. The persecution did not discourage them from their mission. The distances involved however, may have been the impetus for beginning a ministry of writing letters and sending messengers to the churches.  We see in the Thessalonian letters encouragement and teaching that is appropriate to a young church and to believers in every age.

We also know that Paul realized he could not maintain personal supervision over all the churches that would be established.  Beginning on the first journey, once churches were planted, elders were appointed in every church.  The pastoral epistles are gems of apostolic instruction, admonition and encouragement to churches and to those called to pastoral ministry. What characteristics are important for the pastors or elders of a church to have?  Read I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and see how these lists look in comparison to the "job profile" or "position description" that many search committees or nominating committees have today.  Why do you think there is so much emphasis on the character and heart of leaders in these letters?
Dr. Nash