Leaders for the Church 1 Timothy 3:1-13

-God leads and cares for His church through qualified leaders

In Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, Stuart Briscoe wrote" "One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then lead them out through the side door. This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion.

"This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if you're going to lead, make sure you know where you're going. Second, if you're going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!"

I. Churches Need Leaders who Oversee and Serve vv. 1, 8

As Paul continues his letter to Timothy, he addresses a critical issue that every church will face: its need for leadership

In this passage, he identifies two kinds of leaders:

The first, he calls overseers or bishops, a term that he uses elsewhere interchangeably with another term: elder

Both terms refer to a leader who is a superintendent and the titles speak to two issues:

This person is someone with a task: to oversee the work of the church

This person is someone with a particular character: an experienced and wise leader

We use another biblical title to cover this office: pastor

The task is noble and it is wise and right for us to have men who desire it!

The second, he calls deacons, a word that most literally means servants

It is interesting to me that their title, like the overseer, is sort of a job description

Deacons are in place to execute the ministry of the church; they serve and care for God’s people

There are a lot of details that Paul does not give us about this leadership arrangement, but I think that there are a couple of important takeaways for us:

The roles are ordained by the Lord for the work of the church

The roles are distinct in title and function

The roles are noble and require qualification

Bruce Larson, in his book Wind and Fire, points out some interesting facts about sandhill cranes:

"These large birds, who fly great distances across continents, have three remarkable qualities. First, they rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time. Second, they choose leaders who can handle turbulence. And then, all during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking their affirmation.

That's not a bad model for the church. Certainly we need leaders who can handle turbulence and who are aware that leadership ought to be shared. But most of all, we need a church where we are all honking encouragement."

II. Churches Need Qualified Leaders vv. 2-5; 8-12

Paul goes further and delineates some important qualities that must define both pastors and deacons

Pastors must be:

Above reproach:

The husband of one wife

Sober-minded

Self-controlled

Respectable

Hospitable

Able to teach

They must not be:

A drunkard

Violent

Quarrelsome

A Lover of Money

He must manage his household well, as a reflection of how he will lead the church!

Deacons must share the same characteristics:

They are not required to teach, but they must clearly hold to the mystery of the faith

Their wives must be women of character and they should lead their families well

These qualifications matter!

In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bits & Pieces, September 15, 1994, p. 4.

The question is not whether or not we “like” our leaders, but if they are men worth following!

III. Church Leadership is a Burden and a Blessing vv. 6-7; 13

Paul has important words of warning for both kinds of leaders:

They should be examined first before they serve, because there is danger when their leadership outpaces their character

The pastor who cannot lead his family well cannot lead the church well

The pastor must not be a recent convert, because he could become filled with pride and fall under condemnation like the devil in his pride

The pastor must be well thought of by outsiders, because a poor reputation brings disgrace, both personally and corporately

However, there is a beautiful thing that happens when we lead well:

Overseers are able to participate in a noble task

Deacons gain a good standing for ourselves

Deacons get great confidence in the faith, as they get a front-row seat to God’s work

When I was a kid, a series of books became popular, called magic-eye books. There would be an abstract pattern of colors and design, but if you squinted your eyes just right, an underlying “3-D” design would take shape. Sometimes, when we look at the life of a local church, it looks like a mess. Our leaders get the opportunity to see God’s work in just a little different way!

-Are you praying for your leaders?

-Does your character match your position?

-Is God calling you to deeper service?