Essentials Of The Faith / Adult Sunday School Class / Christian Leadership

Biblical Qualifications (Part 3)

Christian Leadership: Biblical Qualifications

K. One who manages his own household well
 Greek: kalos     pro is tamenon = to  preside over or supervise, manage,  rule well

Question: What does this look like?

       -How do the children behave toward their parents in the home?
       -Is there a proper balance of fairness and firmness in the home?
       -Do the children show a good attitude elsewhere toward authority?
       -Is there dignity, courtesy, respect, self-control, humility.
       -Is the spouse cared for and supportive.

Question:  Does the unbelief of a spouse or child disqualify one from leadership in the church?

       -I don't think so. God, not man holds the key to the hearts of all sinners. All Paul    is saying is that while they live in the home, are they submissive and do they show self-control and respect.

Question: But what about Titus 1:5-6

       -John Mac Arthur feels that if a child or a wife is not a believer than the Elder would loose credibility in ministry.
Titus 1:5-6. He uses the example of Lev. 21:16-20 to say that since physical deformity disqualified one from being a priest, so it is with an unbelieving spouse or child.

Question: What do you think?

   -First, he position/function of an Elder and priest are not the same.
   -Second, there is no priestly office today. We are all priests before God.
   -Third, is the Elder/leader sovereign or is God? Is it up to the husband who gets saved or up to God?

     -Not only  manages his family well  but resources too. the idea being if he can't be a good administrator in his home, how can he be expected to be a good administrator in God's home.

Question: What about this? What other resources ought he to manage well?

       -Maintain his home: physically, making improvements and repairs as necessary.
       -Keeping out of serious debt.
       -Living within his financial abilities.
       -Not an excessive gambler. Does not take great risks with the family finances.

    L. Not a new convert
 Greek: neophutos = newly planted, recent convert, new believer.

Question: Why should a new believer not be placed in leadership positions?

       -To avoid pride in false spirituality

         -'Fall like the devil' means to have desired the highest place and then be relegated to the lowest    because of pride.

Question: When is a new believer no longer a new believer?

       -When they begin to display the character of a leader.

    M. A good report with those outside the church
 Greek: kalos = good
 Greek: martureo = report, where we get the word martyr.

         -A certifying testimony. His words and actions both display godly character.
        -He is respected in the community for his character and behavior.
        -Outside has reference to those outside the household of faith, the church. Unbelievers.

Question: Why is this important for an Elder/leader in the church?

   -Spiritual leaders are to be blameless because it will influence the way the word views the church and Christianity.

    N. Not double tongued
 Greek: medilogos
                  -insincere, two faced
            -Not speaking one thing to one person and something else to another about the same item. Tale bearer
            -Not being one who gossips.

Question: Why would this be important to a leader in the church?

   -Betraying confidences.
   -Not being trusted by people to tell you their problems.
   -Can cause division and confusion in the church with misleading or contradictory information.
   -Can put one person up against another and cause strife.

    O. Holding to the mystery of faith
          -Mysterious: Not that which is hidden but that which was hidden and has not been understood by spiritual discernment.

         -The individual has a good understanding of the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith.

         -Does not say they must be able to teach what they know, but that they must hold to the basic doctrines of Christianity.
           Those primarily related to salvation.

    P. First be tested and approved
         -This is not talking about a specific waiting period but to the examination of the individual's character and behavior.

Question: How can this be done?

       -Placing them first in ministry with little responsibility and them moving along as their faith is stretched and their character formed.

     -To test means to examine with the hope of being successful. We don't set people up for failure. Once tested and proven acceptable then and only then ought one to be placed in leadership in    the church.

    Q. Faithful in all things

         -Being an individual who's word is true and whose behavior is consistent with God's Word.
         -Trustworthy
         -One who lives by faith.

    R. Be able to exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict

Question: Is this different than teaching? How?

   -This is the ability to encourage another who is going thru a difficult time with Scripture. Usually one on one.
   -This is the ability to defend the Truth of God's Word against one who is teaching   false doctrine. Usually one on one.

    T. Spirit filled (Acts 6:3)
         -Spiritual leadership requires Spirit filled people. This quality is indispensible.

Question: What does it mean to be 'Spirit-filled'?
                 What does it look like in a leader?

   -To be Spirit filled simply means that you voluntarily surrender your life and will to the Spirit of God who indwells you.
   -Thru faith, your personality is filled, mastered and controlled by the Spirit.
   -Thru faith the leaders mind, emotions will and physical strength all become available to be used by the Spirit.
   -Thru the Spirit the leaders natural abilities are heightened to be used for God's glory.
   -Filled: means to take possession of the mind. Not a passive filling of an empty vessel.
   -Luke 5:26

Conclusion
         Of all the Biblical requirement, being Spirit Filled must be at the heart of all the other. this is what I will look for first in a leader. This is what God looks for first. These qualifications clearly emphasize the character of the person rather than their educational achievements. So from among the most mature in the congregation those who desire the office of episkopo" (overseer) or to be considered a leader are to be examined according to these qualifications. Those who are approved are then to be appointed to their work in the local church as a leader.