What are the Qualifications for Church Leadership
What qualifies a church leader?
God's Leadership Design
God's leadership design for us involves three (3) God-ordained institutions:
Government – Romans 13:1 "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." (…render unto Caesar)
Family – Ephesians 6:1-2 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother…"
Church – Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work…"
God's Sovereignty in Leadership
Government leadership is by God's sovereignty – Daniel 2:21 "...He removes kings and establishes kings..."
Through God's sovereign design, this doesn't mean He always chooses highly ethical Christian leaders—but His ways are above our ways, and He has His reasons.
Leadership in the family is by default (you don't get to choose; you need to obey).
Husbands influence the family, and wives influence the children (and in MOST cases, she influences the husband also 🙂)
Church Leadership
Leadership in the church is specifically outlined in His Word, in 1 Timothy 3 (as well as Titus).
Two notes before we begin:
First, the Bible talks about elders, bishops, overseers, shepherds, and pastors—they are all the same and even the same Greek word, "Episcopos." The different names refer to various roles.
Second, the Bible describes deacons as leaders, and they have similar requirements as elders, with one exception—elders also need to be "able to teach."
The Calling
1 Timothy 3:1-7
"...if a man..." God is stating that elders and deacons are to be "male."
"...desires..." How do you know you are to be an elder or deacon? Do you just get nominated? Pulled out of a hat of men's names? Not according to the Bible. It states you will have the "desire" (or calling) first.
Then, a self-examination regarding 1 Timothy 3 and some vetting from the existing church leadership should determine one's qualification to lead.
Leader Qualifications
"Blameless"
The overarching qualification is that the bishop or overseer must be "blameless or above reproach..."
The word blameless is in the present tense, so the idea is present blamelessness, and the word "must" dictates an absolute requirement. The word means "not able to be held."
In other words, his life is not to be marred by some continuing sin, vice, or evil habit. He should be beyond accusation.
Can he have blemishes before salvation or at some point in the past?
Indeed, remember 1 Corinthians 6:11: "And such were some of you, but you are washed..." This becomes a value judgment – salvation has set you free but have you broken your chains?
So, let's look at the fourteen factors of "blamelessness or above reproach." [Hint: There's no grading on the curve here; a leader/elder must qualify for all these characteristics.]
"Faithful to his wife"
The Greek Interlinear states, "a man of one woman" or "a one-woman man."
Note that the word for "man" is sometimes translated as "husband," and the word for "woman" is sometimes translated as "wife."
Now, why is this important? The number one issue that causes elders to fall is – infidelity.
This characteristic is probably the most controversial, and the KJV and others render it "the husband of one wife."
But if this only means "the husband of one wife," can someone be married and a womanizer and qualify as an elder? What about a subsequent marriage where the previous wife has passed? Is it one wife at a time or one wife in total?
It is easy to see how many will have problems understanding this requirement.
Does this not mean "a one-woman man" or "someone devoted to one woman?"
If the interpretation is a "one-woman man" or someone "devoted to one woman," aren't we getting to the blameless character of the issue vs. the nominal understanding (married and to one woman.)
Others assert that elders and deacons need to be married. Is this required? Would the Holy Spirit, through Paul, tell us to do something that Paul himself isn't doing?
Was Paul an elder? – See 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6
Was he married? – See 1 Cor 7:7 (according to Google, he was not married)
These positions don't make sense logically unless we're talking about the man's character, not his marital status.
This is a "blamelessness" characteristic, not a statement about marital status.
This has probably stopped more viable leaders in their church vetting process and their self-examination.
"Vigilant or Temperate"
The word means "wineless" or alert, watchful, and clear-headed. In other words, not someone who loses control of their facilities due to different influences (wine but also power and other lusts.)
"Sober-minded"
This means someone who is "self-controlled, " someone who knows how to order his priorities, who has his ducks in a row, and who does not have the reputation of a clown. A leader can have a sense of humor, but there needs to be a seriousness of life that commands his mind.
When a person is clear-headed and self-controlled (the above two characteristics), his life should reflect an ordered system—it is to be orderly.
He can get his act together. Someone who continually confuses unaccomplished plans and unorganized activities is not qualified for leadership in the church.
"Respectable"
This means dignified. In Greek, it is "kosmiso," which also means well-ordered. Someone who is clearheaded and self-controlled (the above two characteristics) will also have a well-ordered life.
On the other hand, someone without these characteristics will have a life of unfinished projects without goals or any clear direction. That is not suitable for church leadership.
"Given to hospitality"
Hospitality? This does not mean he has friends over for BBQs.
Hebrews 13:2 states, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Hospitality in Greek comes from two words – stranger and Philo or to love and show affection – someone who loves strangers.
"Apt to Teach"
Again, this is the only characteristic different from deacons' qualifications.
Although the ability to teach might be viewed as an "ability," the virtuous characteristic comes from the fact that one who can teach is so qualified because they spend time in the Word. This does not just mean speaking ability; it is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
"Not given to wine"
The Greek word means basically "not a drinker." We're not talking about an alcoholic; that would be a disqualifier. The issue is, does he have a reputation as a drinker? Does he frequent bars, inns, and taverns? Is this his habitat?
Why? Because he chooses to be in the company of people who are not the kind of people who select the company of God.
"Not a striker"
The Greek means not a giver of blows. This person doesn't resort to anger and violence when confronted with controversy or opposite opinions. It is not "quick-tempered." Also, note that the tongue can be just as violent (see James).
"Gentle and Patient"
The Greek means to be considerate, genial, and forbearing, or one who easily pardons human failure.
Understand elders and pastors are the subjects of much criticism, and the inability to forgive and forget is an absolute requirement. Someone who forgives as Christ forgives is also someone who doesn't hold a grudge—otherwise, this could control your life.
"Not contentious"
Here, we're not talking about physical violence (as in the striker above) but not a quarrelsome person. This is someone who pursues peace rather than disagrees with everyone about everything.
We've all met this type of person who believes this is the way to get ahead.
"Not covetous"
The Greek means not a lover of silver. This and the first character trait are dominant in much of the corruption of the church – the love of money and infidelity.
Notice also that the KJV includes "not greedy of filthy lucre." This is the same as not covetous.
"Manages family well"
1 Timothy 3:5 "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church"
This is an overarching condition. Husbands are to be the head of the household. As leaders, if things are chaotic at home, their leadership in a church would also be chaotic.
Notice that 1 Timothy 3:4 states, "...having his children in submission with all dignity."
There are two issues here. First, the children are those the father controls; in other words, those who live under his rule. Since salvation is a sovereign choice of God, it is hardly consistent for the father to be responsible for the choice of accepting or rejecting God as an adult. Second, the phrase "with all dignity" supposes control without being an ogre or overbearing.
"Not a recent convert"
1 Timothy 3:6: "Or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil."
James 3:1 says, "My brethren, stop being so many teachers" – "knowing that we shall receive the greater" – or stricter – "judgment." Don't be in a hurry to get into spiritual leadership because your condemnation will be greater.
When Lucifer sinned, his sin was pride, and God threw him out. Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer?" "For you said in your heart, 'I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of the congregation in the congregation in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.'" (Note: the five "I wills.")
If we lift up a novice and being lifted up he becomes proud, he will fall into the same condemnation that the Devil fell into. God will cut him down. And that's precisely the parallel that the apostle Paul wants Timothy to understand. Look at 3 John 9 – Diotrephes the leader – do not imitate what is evil.
"Good outside reputation"
This is the positive of blamelessness.
1 Timothy 3:7b "So that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap" – "Reputation" (or report) is the Greek word "marturia" to which we get the word martyr. He is to be certified by the testimony of outside people regarding his character.
What do your online testimonies say about you?
Additional Qualifications in Titus
Titus 1:5-9
Elder Qualifications
Titus lays out essentially the same elder qualifications as 1 Timothy 3:1-7 – "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."
Deacons
1 Timothy 3:8-10
Essentially, these are the same qualifications, except for being "able to teach," as presented for deacons – "In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well."
Notice the sentence "In the same way, the women..." Is this referring to the position of Woman Deacons – Deaconesses or the wives of Deacons? If wives, why is there no reference to Elder wives? Also, why is this in the middle of the text vs. at the end?
Who was Phoebe? In Romans 16:1, Paul states, "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a church deacon
..." Here the Greek word "diakonos" is a servant but also one who has an official duty of deacon and deaconess. It is also the same word used in 1 Timothy 3:8: "In the same way, Deacons..."
It's not a big deal here; it's just something to consider.
To Whom Do These Qualifications Apply?
Lest you think that these qualifications only apply to Elders and Deacons, think again: everyone is to aspire to the qualifications of 1 Timothy and Titus.
2 Peter 1:5-7 commands us, "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."
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Thad
This is an excellent article. Thanks for writing!