CHURCH LEADERSHIP

About This Project

“THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING: IF A MAN DESIRES THE POSITION OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRES A GOOD WORK. A BISHOP THEN MUST BE BLAMELESS, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, TEMPERATE, SOBER-MINDED, OF GOOD BEHAVIOR, HOSPITABLE, ABLE TO TEACH; NOT GIVEN TO WINE, NOT VIOLENT, NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY, BUT GENTLE, NOT QUARRELSOME, NOT COVETOUS; ONE WHO RULES HIS OWN HOUSE WELL, HAVING HIS CHILDREN IN SUBMISSION WITH ALL REVERENCE (FOR IF A MAN DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO RULE HIS OWN HOUSE, HOW WILL HE TAKE CARE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD?) NOT A NOVICE, LEST BEING PUFFED UP WITH PRIDE HE FALL INTO THE SAME CONDEMNATION AS THE DEVIL. MOREOVER HE MUST HAVE A GOOD TESTIMONY AMONG THOSE WHO ARE OUTSIDE, LEST HE FALL INTO REPROACH AND THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL..” —1 TIMOTHY 3:1-7

In 1 Timothy 3 as well as in Acts 6, we see that Church Leadership is for those characterized by spiritual maturity, exemplary character, godly family life, and a good testimony. This applies to both elders and deacons. The prime difference in these lists of requirements is that elders must be “able to teach.” This is a necessity, since they are the pastors who are to lead by feeding the word of God to the Lord’s sheep. Church leaders are too often selected by the standards of the world, like personality or riches or fame or influence, or motivational skills or special oratoriacal abilities.

Church leadership is a critical issue in the word of God and life in the body of Christ. In these studies, Pastor Bob teaches how God develops leaders and how those leaders are to serve the Lord and His people.