Teaching On Church Leadership

Qualified Christian Leaders Ensure Proper Care For God's Household

INTRO: Today we will be discussing leadership, not just any kind of leadership, but leadership according to the Word of God. Many desire to be leaders in the church, but many also don’t understand the Biblical qualifications for such leadership, nor the seriousness of the responsibilities of such leadership.

Even though we don’t always understand the requirements, Paul said, if someone desires to lead, they desire a good work.

The bible say’s “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Like wise Christian leaders need to train also train the next generation of leaders.

Both Timothy and Titus were much younger partners with Paul in ministry. They had gained much experience working with Paul, and hand gained much knowledge from hearing his preaching and teaching.

What is Christian leadership? What should a Christian leader be like? There is no finer example for Christian leadership than our Lord Jesus Christ. He declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). It is within this verse that we see the perfect description of a Christian leader. He is one who acts as a shepherd to those “sheep” in his care.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PASTORS

1 Timothy 3:1–5 NKJV

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

TERMS: Bishop - is the description of the Pastors work, which is to oversee or have oversight of a congregation

Pastor - refers to the bishop’s relationship with the congregation, to serve in the role of spiritual shepherd after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.

blameless - living spiritually and morally above reproach

the husband of one wife - not in a bigamous or polygamous marital relationship

vigilant - on guard to keep evil out of his life (guarding your call, vocation)

sober / good behavior - thinking clearly, having control over your attitudes, words and deeds.

given to hospitality - treating others well and caring about their needs

able to teach - big part responsibility of the ministry

not given to wine - pastors were not to allow themselves to come under the influence of wine ( total abstention from all alcoholic drinks is the best practice for all pastors, all Christians and all people.

striker - quick tempered and engages in violence as a means of persuasion

greedy - not greedy for money

patient - in dealing with others

brawler - provokes fights

covetous - lusting to have what belongs to others

rule his own house -

Spiritual Maturity and a Good Reputation

1 Timothy 3:6–7 NKJV

not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Should not be a novice or a beginner, lacking spiritual maturity.

Get high minded, become prideful, fall into condemnation of the devil

good reputation / good report - in and outside the church

character - who one really is, when you don’t think people see you

reputation - those outside the church think of you

1 Peter 4:16 NKJV

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

ADMONITIONS FOR PASTORAL LEADERS

1 Timothy 5:17–20 NKJV

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

Honor Pastors Who Serve Well

A pastor ruling well means doing a good job leading and ministering to the people to whom he is called to serve, pastor.

Double Honor - labor well in the Word and doctrine, should be paid well

Deuteronomy 25:4 ““You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”

1 Corinthians 9:9 “For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?”

Paul said an accusation against a pastor is not to be accepted unless it can be confirmed by two or more witnesses

Qualities Required of Pastors Restated

Titus 1:5–9 NKJV

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

EXHORTATIONS FOR DEACONS

1 Timothy 3:8–10 NKJV

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

The Bible, the Word of God sets a high standard of right living for leaders in the church, be it the off ice of Pastor or deacon or any other title.

About Women as Deacons

1 Timothy 3:11–13 NKJV

Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

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