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, (a good example of Christ, an upstanding person)
the husband of one wife,
vigilant, (someone who watches the times and notices the times and danger)
sober, (not drunk, not jesting)
of good behaviour, (not problematic behavior, calm, righteous)
given to hospitality, (making others feel welcome in the church)
apt to teach; (ability to know the word of God and help others to understand it)
Not given to wine, (maintaining control of self, not alcohol)
no striker, (an instigator of strife)
not greedy of filthy lucre; (free from the love of money)
but patient, (one of the fruits of the Spirit)
not a brawler, (not one who likes to quarrel or fight)
not covetous; (not desiring what belongs to someone else)
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. (someone who is humble in the Lord, not impressed with his own works)
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without;
(those who know him consider him an honorable person, honest, kind, helpful, level-headed)
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
That is quite a list. Who can be honorable enough to hold the office in the church so that others may see the pure example of following Christ? Those are wonderful goals for each of us to try to attain.
While we can give ourselves an out, people are watching, God is watching. For us to be able to be above reproach is quite a task, it does not come easily and it does not come without much dedication to the Lord. We need a desire to learn His word and a desire to be without reproach. In other words, having little to nothing that others could be offended by even though some we know may be offended by the truth in the Word of God.
If we are representing God and exemplifying His love in any form or fashion, these attributes are important. These admonitions are not just for Bishops and Deacons and Elders and those in the church, they are for all who wish to proclaim the Word of God and to do so to reflect the teachings of Christ without disgrace or reproach.