6. Christlike Leadership Is Noble

Introduction

General: Church leadership scandals are big news

From the BBC: “Some 216,000 children—mostly boys—have been sexually abused by clergy in the French Catholic Church since 1950.”

In the past few years, there has been a mudslide of famous evangelical pastors who’ve gotten caught in scandal: Bill Hybels, James MacDonald, Mark Driscoll, Carl Lentz, Tullian Tchividjian, Brian Houston, Mike Bickle, Robert Morris, Tony Evans, and Ravi Zacharias (just to name a few).

Personal: We are prone to believe a common myth: Great leaders accomplish great things because they are great people.

The truth: God accomplishes great things with imperfect people because He is a great God.

God cares more about who you are that what you achieve. He cares more about your character than your skillset.

That’s why it’s so important to focus not on accomplishing a great thing but on being a great person.

Biblical Summary: 1 Tim 3:14-15… How should we conduct ourselves in church gatherings?

First things first: Pray for all people (1 Tim 2:1-7).

Men and women, conduct yourselves with respect, integrity, and dignity (1 Tim 2:8-15).

Follow Christlike leaders (1 Tim 3:1-13).

Subject: What do Christlike leaders look like? What are the character traits of godly leaders?

The Groundwork

Defining our terms is key.

Churches today use all kinds of terms and titles, often in very different ways: Elder, Overseer, Deacon, Presbyter, Bishop, Director, Trustee, Pastor, Coordinator, Leader… Boards, Councils, Teams, Committees… Conventions, Conferences, Districts, Denominations…

The churches described in the NT were vastly different from the churches of today.

When Paul writes about qualifications for overseers and deacons, he is NOT giving qualifications for church board members… He is giving qualifications for Christlike leaders who are appointed to love, serve, and humbly care for congregations (many of which were less than 40 people).

Overseer/Elder

Definition

Episkopos = guardian, overseer (5 times in the NT)

Presbyteros = an older person OR an official (66 times in the NT)

Overseer is a Greek/Roman concept while Elder is a Jewish concept. // Overseer describes more the position of leadership while Elder describes more the status of leadership. // While not direct synonyms, there is clearly overlap, and Paul often used the terms interchangeably.

At LakeView, Elder/Overseer mean the same thing.

Responsibilities

Acts 20:28… Keep watch over and care for the church.

1 Peter 5:1-4… Be a shepherd, be a servant, be an example.

1 Tim 3:1-7… Teach others how to follow Jesus.

At LakeView: “An overseer is tasked with caring for the church of God (Acts 20:28). I take this to mean providing spiritual leadership, making sure sound doctrine is taught, and watching over the souls of the church (Heb 13:17). At LakeView, we have added on the responsibility of being watchful over the business operations.” ~ Dave Wilson, Elder/Overseer of LakeView

Appointment

Acts 20:28… “The Holy Spirit has made you overseers…”

At LakeView, we believe overseers are appointed by the Holy Spirit and affirmed by the congregation. “By God’s grace it is the Holy Spirit that superintends the whole process of calling the overseer and affirming that call through the priesthood of believers.” ~ Daryl Anderson, Elder/Overseer of LakeView

Deacons

Definition

Diakonos = agent, intermediary, aide, attendant (29 times in the NT, translated as deacon, servant, and minister)

Lest we think deacons are second-class, the Apostle Paul calls himself a deacon (“servant”) in Eph 3:7.

Responsibilities: Deacons serve the church by helping the elders care for the congregation.

We don’t have people with the title of deacon at LakeView. But we do have people who serve in the capacity of a deacon: Jo Barriga, Jesse Barriga, our BIG Team leaders, our Gospel Community leaders, our Bible study leaders, etc.

The Passage

What do Christlike leaders look like? What are the character traits of godly leaders?

Overseers must be above reproach (1 Tim 3:1-2).

The passage assumes overseers are men… Timeless principle: God has established order in his church and appointed men to be the head of the household.

“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. [This issue] is a non-essential for me.” ~ Gary Cook, Elder/Overseer of LakeView // In other words, we’re not going to divide over it.

Work through 1 Tim 3:2-7…

faithful to his wife… “a man of one woman”

respectable… honorable // Honor is the outward expression a Christlike inner character.

hospitable… “love for strangers,” inviting others in, sharing your life in Jesus with them

not violent but gentle… Gentleness is the ability to control your strength and use it to help rather than harm.

not a lover of money… see 1 Tim 6:6-7

He must not be a recent convert… spiritually mature. It takes time to develop a mature understanding of the gospel and life. Titus 1:5… Paul didn’t appoint overseers unless there were qualified available men. It’s better to not have overseers than to appoint leaders who aren’t spiritually mature.

Deacons must be worthy of respect (1 Tim 3:8-13).

All Deacons must be… (1 Tim 3:8-10)

sincere… “not double tongued” // Say what you mean and mean what you say.

They must hold the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience… Right Belief + Right Practice

Female deacons must be… (1 Tim 3:11)

not malicious talkers… Gossip is sharing sensitive or confidential information with someone who is not part of the problem or the solution.

Male deacons must be… (1 Tim 3:12-13)

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

Expect much. Raise the bar.

We need godly leaders… And we need to be godly leaders.

A congregation becomes a reflection of its leaders over time, for better or worse. Are your leaders the kind of disciples that you want to become?

Everyone is or can be a leader to someone. Are you the kind of Christian you want your spouse/kids/coworkers/classmates/neighbors to become?

Aim high. Raise your sights.

1 Tim 3:1… Aspiring to Christlike leadership is a good thing. Not all ambition is bad. Ambition to love, serve, and care for others is noble.

Yes, it can be challenging. Yes, you will face spiritual attack. But the reward is great (1 Tim 3:13).

“God’s assignments involve changing your life as a leader just as much as they involve changing the people you want to reach. God is constantly at work in building your character—making you more like Christ.” ~ Crawford Loritts

Not only that, but there is nothing in the world like leading someone to faith in Jesus or helping someone find life, freedom, and joy in Christ.

Start small. Take the next step.

We need godly leaders… And we need to be godly leaders. // We become godly leaders by being godly followers.

That begins by taking a step. When it comes to following Jesus, the most important step you can take is the next one.

Leaders aren’t the smartest or most talented people in the room. They’re simply the people who are willing to go first.

Are you willing to go first? Gather a Growth Group. Invite 3-4 friends to follow Jesus together. Somebody has to take the initiative. Is that somebody you?