What to Look for in a Leader

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Ask the world of the internet what the most desirable traits of a leader is, and you'll get something like this:

The top qualities of a leader can vary depending on the industry, company size, and corporate culture, but generally, the following five qualities are often seen as essential for effective leadership:

Visionary Leadership — A leader needs to have a clear vision for the future of the company. This involves setting long-term goals, identifying new opportunities, and adapting to changing market conditions. They must inspire the organization to work toward this vision and communicate it effectively to all stakeholders.

Strategic Thinking — Leaders must be able to think critically about the direction of the company. This includes the ability to assess industry trends, make data-driven decisions, and determine the right strategies for growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. Strong strategic thinking helps the company stay ahead of the curve.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) — Emotional intelligence is crucial for building relationships, managing teams, and creating a positive company culture. A leader with high Emotional Intelligence can navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, motivate employees, resolve conflicts, and maintain a calm demeanor under pressure. It fosters trust and collaboration within the organization.

Decisiveness and Accountability — Leaders are often required to make difficult decisions quickly and with confidence, whether they involve finances, operations, or people. Decisiveness is critical in maintaining momentum and preventing stagnation. Additionally, leaders must hold themselves accountable for the outcomes of these decisions and set an example for the rest of the company.

Adaptability and Resilience — In today’s rapidly changing business environment, they must be adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges, whether due to market shifts, economic downturns, or internal organizational changes. Being able to pivot, learn from failure, and lead the company through tough times is a critical quality of a successful leader.

These qualities help leaders not only drive business growth but also create an environment where employees feel supported, inspired, and motivated to contribute to the company’s success.

I wonder which of these attributes will make Paul's list as we explore, "What to Look for in a Leader."

Read and Pray.

The Character of a Godly Leader

Key Point:

Paul's letter to Titus stresses the importance of appointing qualified elders in Crete to safeguard doctrinal purity, proper church governance, and spiritual growth, highlighting that a leader's moral integrity, particularly in his marriage and family life, is essential for effective church leadership.

Interpretation:

Paul is writing to encourage Titus to establish order in the churches in Crete. First task on the list is to “appoint elders in every town.” These elders, a word that is synonymous with pastor or overseer, will provide the churches with leadership and sound teaching.

Now Paul gives this charge to Timothy…he’s “directed” him to do so. It really points to how crucial and important this task is. The word for directed carries the idea of an authoritative command. It really does highlight how important godly leaders are for the local church.

Titus is to “appoint” these leaders, assigning them a duty or obligation, and notice that the word for elders is plural. Good leadership arises from a shared load, and you really don’t see much of a “buck stops with one person” model in the NT. Further, the indication is that these elders would be local, home-grown leaders.

These leaders will be instrumental in the health of the church. So, what should we be looking for in those who lead the church?

In regard to reputation, above reproach.

The standards for church leaders are high. First and foremost, they must be “above reproach.” The idea is that they’re not “subject to, deserving, or worthy of a charge of wrongdoing.” Is Paul saying that pastors must be perfect and sinless? Obviously not. Paul himself wouldn’t even fit that mold. The emphasis is that pastors live consistent with a mature belief in the gospel. He has to focus on avoiding any appearance of wickedness.

In regard to family, faith-centered.

The pastor must be “the husband of one wife,” or a one-woman/wife type of man. There is some debate as to what Paul is teaching here, particularly in terms of divorce and then remarriage. And, some believe that what he’s actually combating is concubinage, where it was common for wealthy Roman and Greek men to have relations with slaves or courtesans…“high-class call girls,” if you will. But, if we take this in context where Paul is emphasizing the example set by pastors, I think the best understanding is whether or not he can serve as an example of martial faithfulness, particularly because marriage is such a powerful metaphor for our relationship with God.

And, “his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.” It’s tempting to read this as saying that the pastor’s children must profess faith in Christ, but that would seem a bit conflicting in Scripture since no one is responsible for the “believing unto salvation” of another. That’s a work of God and His grace. So, commentators tend to lean toward the understanding that “believers” is along the lines of faithful, referring to children respect the father’s authority and show obedient, proper behavior. This seems fitting because of the prohibitions that Paul makes — no “debauchery” or “insubordination.”

Debauchery refers to an excessive lifestyle that results in sinful license and abuses. When you see this word, think of the prodigal son. His life in a foreign land was one of debauchery — recklessly wasteful sin.

Insubordination is this type of willful and persistent defiance, particularly toward the father in this regard.

What Paul’s getting at is that elders must be able to lead their families well. Elders must exhibit godly character not so much as a public persona, but as a genuine private commitment in the home. The best place to observe this character is in the context of his family. Does he show personal integrity in his own walk with Christ? Is he committed to being a one-woman man, committed to his wife in both thought and deed? And, does he lead his children well, not as an over-bearing disciplinary dictator who rules with fear, but leading his children to be properly behaved and respectful?

At the end of the day, when it comes to pastors, character matters.

Illustration:

There's a story in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 about the anointing of a king. It was the difference between the people's choice and God's choice. Initially, Israel desired a guy by the name of Saul. He had everything you think you'd want in a king...except character. But hey, what's one flaw when everything else is right?

Well...everything. God rejected Saul, and he sent Samuel, a prophet, to Jesse's house in Bethlehem. Jesse, kind of understandably, marches every single one of his sons out thinking surely this is the guy that could be king. Even good ol' Samuel sees Eliab and thinks, "Surely the LORD's anointed is" here. However, God rejects everyone. The problem was that everyone was staring at the outward appearance, but God was interested in the heart.

One son was left...ruddy yet handsome David. Talk about someone who didn't fit the mold. Ruddy? There probably weren't a ton of red-haired Jews running around the hills of Bethlehem, but this was God's guy. Why? Because, God had found in David the son of Jesse a man after His own heart, somebody who sought to do His will.

Application:

Too often the church is looking for polished pistols for pastors and better methods for making men mature. But E.M. Bounds says, "The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men." But, what type of men? Surely those who are most gifted at organizing and exciting others and drawing crowds because of their impeccable business models and winsome personalities. While those things are nice, they're far from what's most important for a godly leader. Character is what counts. Why, then do we buy into the lie that everything else is more important?

The Conviction of a Godly Leader

Key Point:

Paul emphasizes that church leaders must exhibit high moral and spiritual standards, being blameless and free from negative traits such as arrogance and greed, while embodying positive qualities like hospitality, self-control, and integrity, all of which reflect their ability to lead with holiness and discipline, uphold sound doctrine, and defend the gospel against false teachings.

Interpretation:

The seriousness in the elder’s qualifications stems from the fact that he has been entrusted with God’s work. His role isn’t just social or organizational, but it’s a divine calling that requires faithfulness.

So, Paul circles back to being “above reproach.” Again, not sinless, but rather, striving for overcoming sin and quickly confessing it. So, what exactly does this look like? Paul gives a list of things to avoid and a list of things that the pastor should practice.

In regard to sin, self-controlled.

“He must not be arrogant…” — the word can be understood as self-important, and it carries the idea of primarily being concerned only with your own interests. This attitude destroys unity and cooperation.

“…or quick-tempered…” — he can’t be someone easily roused to anger. Uncontrolled anger often finds its roots in pride, and it will destroy unity and hinder growth by cutting off the congregation from the one charged to teach and set an example for them.

“…or a drunkard…” — addiction which stems from a lack of self-control hinders one’s ability to lead others.

“…or violent…” — elders cannot be cruel and brutal bullies. Peacemaking and peacekeeping are necessary in pastoral work, and better to speak wisely on divisive issues, winning others with a gentle and reverent answer, than to bully them into our viewpoint and lose them in the process.

“…or greedy for gain…” — the last prohibition centers “being so desirous of wealth that it actually brings disgrace and shame.” It becomes the focus and goal and determines desires and direction. This person uses the ministry to serve self rather than serving and loving others.

In regard to righteousness, duly disciplined.

Well, that covers things to avoid, but what can we do? What can a pastor actively do?

“…hospitable…” — he should be someone who is disposed to treating guests and strangers with cordial generosity. Elders should be open-hearted and open-handed, willing to help others.

“…a lover of good…” — if it’s something that’s good, an elder loves it, particularly if it promotes moral and ethical goodness.

“…self-controlled…” — able to keep control over their passions and desires. The idea here is moderate, and it could be thought of a the opposite of debauchery, the reckless and wild living mentioned before.

“…upright…” — they’re characterized by or they operate by standards of morality and justice. It’s the word typically translated as righteous. The strive to do what is right in relationship with others.

“…holy…” — this word deals with having moral or ritual purity, and it often emphasizes one over the other. It is often translated purity. For and elder, I think Paul is emphasizing moral devotion to God.

“…disciplined…” — having control over your own desires, particularly the ones that lead to action, and especially sensual desires. It’s evidence of the Spirit’s transformative work in a person’s life, where they no longer simply follow whatever fleshly thing promises pleasure.

In regard to doctrine, firm and faithful.

Finally, an elder must be deeply dedicated to God’s Word and sound doctrine, as it has been handed down and passed along by the apostles and saints before us. It was one of the pillars of the early church, (Acts 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”), and there is no other revelation (Jude 3 “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”)

Paul stresses that church leaders must firmly adhere to the gospel as taught by the apostles, using sound doctrine to both encourage believers and refute false teachings, ensuring growth and the defense of the faith. Holding “firm” to the word is necessary because it appeals to a higher standard than opinion and forces the pastor to be in submission to God.

“Able to give instruction” — elders use the Word of God to give guidance for any and all situations. Whenever pastors faithfully give instruction by teaching the word, believers are comforted and built up. This is the positive side of teaching God’s word…you comfort the afflicted.

“Rebuke those who contradict it” — This is the negative side of teaching…afflicting the comfortable. Elders confront and correct false teachings, seeking to restore those opposed to the gospel and seeking to bring them back to God.

Illustration:

Pope Celestine I, speaking in 425 AD, rebuked some bishops of Gaul in these words: “When came this custom to the Churches of Gaul, so contrary to antiquity? We bishops must be distinguished…by our learning, not by our dress, by our life, not by our robes, by purity of heart and not by elegance.”

This is why Robert Murray M'Cheyne, a minister in the Church of Scotland, said, "The greatest need of my people is my own personal holiness."

Application: For the pastor-teacher, all of life is about character and conviction. Ephesians 4:12 (“to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”) gives a pretty clear picture of what ministry is all about, and Titus 1:5-9 describes the qualifications for the person who will carry that out. It’s a reminder that teaching happens in nearly every sphere of life, and eloquence is great, but not if the life contradicts the message. The church functions best when qualified leaders demonstrate moral integrity, particularly in the leadership of their family, and doctrinal conviction and submission to God’s Word and to sound doctrine.

Back to the beginning, and none of the popular ideas about leadership made Paul’s list. But what did? Character and conviction. As a pastor, and speaking for our other pastors this morning, these must be our commitments above all else. And, speaking to you, the church, these must be what you desire from us, above all, for the church isn’t healthy without. By prayer…by devotion…by encouragement…and by God’s grace, this is who we will be. This is who every pastor who leads this church will be. And in the end, God will receive all the glory.