Note 22 at 1 Tim. 3:7: A bishop or pastor must have a good testimony in the community. A bad reputation damages the church and the cause of Christ. An elder must have a good reputation even among unbelievers. Even though they may disregard his theology, the elder must be blameless, innocent and above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Phil.2:15). If not, he will fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.

The word "reproach" means "defamation, that is, the attack of a good name by slander or libel" (Dict.). Surely, everyone can think of ministers who have been slandered and libeled and justly so. This causes many people to judge Christianity not on its merits, but by its messengers. That's not good.