CHARACTER OF LEADERS (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1) – 1
(The following article is word-for-word what I teach pastors in India. Reading it will give you exactly what I teach in my conferences.)
What is a leader? God wants us to be leaders, but what does that mean? Most people think leadership is something we do but the Bible says it is something we are. It has to do with our CHARACTER, not our personality or education. The character qualifications for leaders are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 (please read these verses before reading the rest of this article). They are given especially for elders, but apply to all Christians in church leadership. Really they are a description of Jesus, because a leader must be Christ-like in all ways! He must have a God-given desire to serve in the role of pastor or leader in the bests way he or she can (1 Timothy 3:1). For those who want to serve, 25 qualities listed. No one has 100%, goal to strive for as is Christlikeness.
A GODLY LEADER HAS GODLY INNER QUALITIES. (Balanced, sensible, disciplined: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) He must be balanced, sensible and disciplined. He (or she if it is a woman leading women or children) must be mature, dependable and responsible. They must have wisdom they aren’t to make hard decisions and not be easily deceived. Giving good, dependable advice is a must.
The opposite is a prideful person who puts themselves before others and wants people to serve them instead of them serving others. This person wants to be noticed and takes credit for all that is done. I think this is where many pastors and leaders miss the mark of Christ-likeness.
The Bible says we are to be humble, not thinking we are better than others or worse than others but equal before Jesus. It means knowing our own strengths and weaknesses and being quick to forgive others, always showing mercy.
The Bible also says we are to serve others. “Whoever wants to be a leader must be a servant” Matthew 20:25-26. A leader doesn’t have to be popular, a big talker who always has everyone’s attention. A leader is someone who quietly looks for ways to serve others, like Nehemiah who was willing to leave his important position in Persia to go to depressed and poverty-stricken Jerusalem in order to help them rebuild the walls and get back on their feet.
Who do you know who is like this? Who exemplifies these godly inner leadership qualities to you? Do others think of you when they look for these traits? Why or why not? What can you do to be more like this kind of person?
A GODLY LEADER HAS GODLY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS. (Not violent, not quick-tempered, not quarrelsome, not overbearing, gentle: 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7) What we are inside will show in how we act. We must not be violent, quick-tempered, quarrelsome and always wanting our own way but must be gentle and patient. A godly church leader must be easy to talk to and a good listener. He must genuinely care about others and show it. He must be able to get along with others, not get angry or into fights. He doesn’t get angry or into fights and is able to bring peace between others who aren’t getting alone. He is gentle and quick to forgive.
Abraham is a very good example. He got alone with everyone wherever he lived. He was gentle and patient with Lot even when wronged by Lot. He didn’t get into an argument with Abimelech when he lived near him.
Who do you know who is like this? Who exemplifies these godly relationship qualities to you? Do others think of you when they look for these traits? Why or why not? What can you do to be more like this kind of person?
A GODLY LEADER HAS A GODLY REPUTATION. (Above reproach, blameless, respectable, hospitable, upright, good reputation with unbelievers: 1 Timothy 3:2,7; Titus 1:6-8) When you have the qualities we have looked at so far you will have a good reputation. This is important for leaders. We must be people believers and unbelievers respect and don’t find fault with. A godly leader is kind and shares what he has with anyone in need. Everyone respects him as a fine man and person, especially other pastors, also older, younger, believers, unbelievers, children, poor, outcastes, etc. He has no questionable conduct or secret sins. He shares with anyone in need. He is fair and honest in all his dealings with others. He keeps his promises
Daniel is a good example for us. When young and first taken from his home to Babylon, he had a good reputation with the chief steward. He was respected by kings and leaders his whole life. He was asked to read the handwriting on wall because everyone knew of his godly reputation. His enemies watched him closely, looking for secret sins but couldn’t find anything.
Who do you know who is like this? Who has a godly reputation? Do others think of you when they look for these traits? Why or why not? What can you do to be more like this kind of person? (Continued in the next blog.)
1 Timothy 3:1–3 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
In which of the strengths mentioned above are you the strongest?
Where are you weakest? What can you do, starting today, to improve?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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