God has His own challenging list of qualifications for church leaders. And we Christians are to look closely at candidates for spiritual leadership, and choose our leaders with our eyes wide open!
Here are 15 things on God’s list for bishops/elders, those local church leaders who are charged with spiritual oversight of a local congregation. Consult them carefully, and check candidates carefully when it comes time to choose the leaders of your church.
1. 1. “Above reproach.” If someone laid charges against this person, everyone would laugh at him!
2. 2. “The husband of but one wife.” Not “married only once,” but totally faithful.
3. 3. “Temperate.” This clear-headed individual doesn’t make snap decisions.
4. 4. “Self-controlled.” Watch out for the person who gets carried away with wild ideas!
5. 5. “Respectable.” You can count on a man who behaves in an orderly, honourable manner.
6. 6. “Hospitable.” A person who loves strangers and always welcomes friends is right for a faith that emphasizes love!
7. 7. “Able to teach.” A good leader may not be the most talkative. He’s the one who exhibits the deepest understanding of Scripture and its application to life.
8. 8. “Not given too much wine.” Watch out for the tipsy or rowdy person described by this suggested phrase.
9. 9. “Not violent.” The competitive person always out to win isn’t fit for church leadership.
10. 10. “Gentle.” String together these qualities, and you catch a glimpse of the quality the Greek word was getting at gracious, kindly, forbearing, considerate, and genial. In other words, not the football coach determined to win at any cost!
11. 11. “Not quarrelsome.” Here’s another person to avoid: the contentious individual always ready to fight, or to pick one.
12. 12. “Not a lover of money.” Love for possessions ultimately destroys love for people. And people must be the Christian leader’s priority.
13. 13. “Manage his own family well.” Our ability to influence others for good is seen first in the family. If it is not seen there, it won’t show up in the church.
14. 14. “Not be a recent convert.” You can only tell the kind of fruit a plant produces after it has matured.
15. 15. “A good reputation with outsiders.” Non-Christians are quick to recognize phonies!
The list is long. And it may be hard to find folks who fit. But the most important leadership qualification a Christian can have is a godly character.
How fascinating that, while Paul did not define the duties of any church leaders, he was more than careful in describing their character! We may call our leaders by any name we wish, and assign any duties to them. These things have always shifted and changed from age to age, and from society to society. What can never change is the high standard of Christian character and conduct required of those who guide the people of God
Citation
1 Timothy 3
Lawrence O. Richards