Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – Is there any greater privilege than being called a leader in the church of Christ? The church is His Body, His Bride, the Temple of the Spirit, His Flock, His Army and His Family.
“If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). Being called to lead in the church is a privilege, but it comes with holy requirements for church leaders set out in Scripture. This article reviews the biblical standards for those entrusted with leading the church. Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
Holy Requirements for Church Leaders
What responsibility is greater than leading His church?
That is why God’s Word sets before us a challenging standard for church leadership. These standards are high and right, not only for the long-term health of the church but also for the long-term health of the leader.
The key passages describing what is required of leaders are 1 Timothy 3:1–13, 2 Timothy 2:1–13, Titus 1:5–9, Acts 6:1–6 and Exodus 18:21–22. The standards in these passages can be summed up in four words: Commitment, Conviction, Competence and Character.
1. Commitment
Are leaders clearly committed to Christ as their Savior and Lord? Do they long to know Him above all? Although our different personalities express that longing differently, there must be evidence of a fire burning within us, a desire to know and follow the One who was crucified and is risen.
2. Conviction
Have leaders come to clear, settled convictions about who God is, who people are, what the church truly is, and especially the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Are they learning what true spiritual renewal is (Romans 12:2)? Do they think like God’s people in every area of life, including money, time, sexuality, family and recreation? For this reason Paul warns against appointing leaders too quickly, because commitment and conviction take time to deepen.
3. Competence
Do leaders know how to read and study the Bible? Can they help others study it for themselves? Have they been given suitable gifts by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12–31; Romans 12:3–8)? Do they know how to use their gifts? Can they help others recognize and develop the gifts entrusted to them? Do they have the abilities the role requires? Do their relationships show the integrity and love of Jesus, especially at home with their spouse and children (2 Timothy 3:5)? God’s kingdom is righteous; it requires right relationships.
4. Character
Have leaders taken on and developed the character of Jesus? Someone has wisely observed that being Christlike doesn’t mean being perfect, but moving toward perfection. Are potential leaders becoming more and more like Christ? The last item on the list of leadership requirements is character. Do they show self-control, hospitality, gentleness (control of anger), a longing for holiness and moderation? Have they died to ego, the desire to control and the love of money? Are they faithful to the person they married (“the husband of one wife”)?
Note that 1 Timothy 3:4, which requires a leader to “manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity,” is not a standard of perfection. Even the best parents can have disobedient children (see Luke 15). Paul’s concern is whether leaders have devoted their full energy and time to raising their children.
And what does “above reproach” mean? The key is that leaders are people who please God. It means we are not condemned once we confess and repent of our sins and failures and seek Him, so that by grace we grow more mature.
The holy requirements for a leader are Commitment, Conviction, Competence and Character. The most important of these is Character.
Living Up to the Requirements of Leadership
The requirements for church leaders are not meant to exclude, but to protect the church and the leaders themselves. A life above reproach is the foundation that makes teaching credible.
If you are serving, examine yourself regularly before God and let a few trusted people speak into your life. And church, pray for your leaders every week.
You may also like: 7 Golden Qualities of a Leader and A New Kind of Leader (Part 1).
Prayer
Lord, keep the leaders of Your church; help them live worthy of their calling, pure, wise and faithful. Help the church to pray for and support them. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Article: Phan Hương
Adapted from: BuildingChurchLeaders.com
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