Qualities of Leaders

Background Scripture: 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1
Lesson Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-9; Titus 1:7-9

Introduction

When Moses grew to manhood in Egypt, he became someone who was mighty in words and in deeds. Through his wisdom and courage, he delivered the Egyptians from the tyranny of Ethiopia.1 However, when God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of captivity, he felt overwhelmed by such an undertaking and asked God to send someone else. To feel our insufficiency when God calls us to a work is commendable, but when we accept the call, we need to recognize He will empower us and provide the grace to fill that calling.

Key Verse

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind (1 Pet. 5:2).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The spiritual requirements laid out in the lesson text to fill the office of the ministry and deaconry are poignant and thought-provoking, yet they are nothing more than what every brother should strive for. In a typical congregation, however, there is a wide cross section of spiritual gifts, and there are those who are weak and at times fall back. An ordained, spiritual leader, though struggling with the same carnal nature common to man, must have the grace to overcome and make straight paths for those who follow. Improprieties in the home and in business dealings or struggling with personal relationships in the congregation undermine a leader’s credibility.

A leader, inspired by the Bible and seeking to grasp the mystery of the gospel through the Spirit, bases his teaching on the Word of God. God’s message is brought as it is received, unaltered by human opinion. When opposed or contradicted, he relies on the Spirit to reply in honesty and meekness. A leader feels the need of his brethren and is a “lover of good men.”

A leader will experience situations that will try his patience. The lesson scriptures make it clear that the carnal nature should be in subjection. When frustration occurs, angry reactions or righteous indignation is unacceptable. A gainsayer is someone who refutes the words of the leader. Our natural reaction is often to avoid confrontation. Such a one is to be loved by the minister with the same measure as those who support him. A minister who is meek and well-versed in the Word of God will be able to both urge the resistant brother to consider what spirit he is of and convince him of the truth.

Practical Truths for Today

Jesus taught his disciples by word and example about the qualities of leadership. On one occasion when they were engaged in the subject of who should be the greatest, Jesus called a small child to Him and set the child in the midst of them.

“Unless you become as this child,” He told them, “you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” A childlike reliance on our Lord is the foundation of effective leadership.

Being called and ordained into the ministry or deaconry is a serious and life-changing experience. Quite often this call comes at a young age with small children in the home. The call to fill a leadership role in the kingdom will also place additional demands on the brother and sister. Evenings are taken, and at times the brother may be called to a need at an inconvenient time. As a result, family and social life will suffer.

Getting caught up in the spirit of materialism will create a drive to succeed that will negatively affect the minister’s work in the congregation, causing an unsettled feeling in the flock. On the other hand, a complete trust in God builds confidence. He does not place a burden on leaders that cannot be borne. The Spirit gives grace for the call that comes in a busy work-day and helps to set priorities right so the responsibilities of work, family, and church can be properly discerned. Jesus asks that we would take his yoke and burden. When we become yoked to Jesus, we walk side by side, but He does the heavy lifting.

Jesus taught that a leader is to be a servant. He is a servant to his fellow brothers and sisters but first of all to God. He is there to comfort, support, and give direction to those who need it. If a true leader has an unswerving love for his Lord, he knows that it is only by loving and obeying God first that he can love his fellow men as he should. A faithful minister will have the grace to offer counsel he knows may not be well received because he is constrained by the love of God.

Paul admonishes Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1). Jesus said a hireling flees when the wolf comes, but the Good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep. These are attributes needed for a leader today perhaps more than in times before. Jesus has foretold that deception will be rampant in the last days. By the grace God has given, a leader must be able to stand his ground in the fierce and diverse onslaught of Satan. In the heat of the conflict and due to our humanity, mistakes are made and things said that may hurt someone. Here leadership is exercised by being an example in humility. When a spiritual leader is first to confess his faults and ask for forgiveness, confidence and fellowship is restored.

God calls out leader brethren through the brotherhood, and with this the congregation plays an important role in supporting the ministry. There should be a genuine sense of care shown by the congregation toward their ministers. It lifts a burden from the minister’s shoulders when interest and support is shown to his family when he is gone for a revival call. Setting a minister on a pedestal sets him up for failure. He is flesh and blood like everyone else and is only one of the brethren. When a brother has a concern for a staff member, it becomes a temptation to share this with other brethren. This undermines confidence. Rather, the scriptural way is to approach the staff member and “intreat him as a father” (1 Tim. 5:1). When there is an open sharing of concerns and inspirations between the ministry and the brotherhood, a bond of love is established that cannot be easily broken. There will be times when the ministerial staff will feel that they need direction on a congregational matter and will call together some brethren and share their burden. Doing this will further strengthen this bond. We are all laborers together with God.

When a congregation is in the early stages of being established, the staff may consist of one or two brethren. As the congregation grows, the Lord calls out more brethren to be leaders. This blesses the congregation with different gifts. The minister’s gift will often complement his temperament. When the staff works in the unity of the Spirit, these gifts will not compete with each other but rather work together, and each one will appreciate the gift the other has. God has designed this to edify the body of Christ.

Every brother, as he matures spiritually, is asked to lead in some way. The father takes leadership in the home. Various positions are filled in the congregation that require leadership. A leader, both in the home and congregation, is expected to maintain and support a biblical structure. When this is done by example and in the spirit of faith and humility, respect and security result. Through the indwelling Spirit, the example of Jesus becomes alive in our hearts and guides our actions.

Questions

1. Each staff member (and brother) has different gifts. How can we appreciate this as God’s plan and not lift one gift above another?
2. How can leaders and congregations alike form a working unit and feel a mutual need of each other?
3. Is it acceptable if the congregation expects a higher spiritual standard from their staff members and their children?
4. 1 Josephus: The Writings of Flavius Josephus, pp. 248-249

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).