Reading: Qualified Christian Leaders

Qualified Christian Leaders and Ordination

2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

When you apply for a job, a job description is usually posted. The purpose of the job description is to describe the duties and qualifications of the job. Often those qualifications ask for previous experience and training awards. Employers want to know your experience and your study areas. They also want to know if you completed a study program.

Employers look for character qualifications when someone gets an interview for a job. Liz Ryan writes in Forbes magazine,

Once you get to a job interview, though, the whole picture changes. Employers are looking for qualities in their new hires that are never listed in the job ad. They want to meet people who are self-directed and responsible. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/03/02/12-qualities-employers-look-for-when-theyre-hiring/#9cd0fb52c242

In the early church, most positions were voluntary, but the Apostle Paul laid out qualifications for leadership positions. These qualifications did not focus on any specific role in the church. They focused on character. The leaders needed to be those who walked with God and displayed the fruits in their lives. Paul gives these qualifications in 1 Timothy 3.

Traditionally, these qualifications are applied to official church leaders, and I like that. But I want to challenge students who are called to any enterprise to aspire to these expectations. If you are coming out of a difficult past, these expectations will transform your life if you live them. If you are called to be a Christian business leader, these qualifications will help keep you safe from behavior that will discredit you. Married, you will thrive more in your loving commitment to your spouse.

Christians who practice these qualifications out of faith will be effective in their personal life, family life, church life, and businesses or jobs. If someone is called into formal ministry, these qualifications are launching you to effectiveness!

Let me explain more about the early church's offices and leadership positions. You will be amazed at how practical they are today for any Christian Leader in any enterprise.

Qualifications for Credentialed Leaders in the Early Church

The early church credentialed the leaders of their religious society. They were given mentoring and training. We read in the book of Acts about the lecture hall of Tyrannus, where discipleship and ministry training happened for two years. 

In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, the apostle Paul gives us the qualifications for credentialled ministers. He specifically refers to the episcopates (ἐπισκοπῆς) and deacons (Διακόνους). Before we dive into the qualifications for these leaders, I want to define the two credentialed leader orders that Paul talks about here. These two credentialed roles lay the foundation for ministry roles today. 

These words have much written about them connected to specific religious societies or traditions. There is another word that also gets thrown into the mix as well. This other word, πρεσβυτέρος, appears 67 times in the New Testament, it usually refers to mature or older ones. This word is often translated as "elder."

In Titus 1, we read, Τούτου χάριν ἀπέλειπον σε ἐν Κρήτῃ, ἵνα τὰ λείποντα ἐπιδιορθώσῃ καὶ καταστήσῃς κατὰ πόλιν πρεσβυτέρους, ὡς ἐγώ σοι διεταξάμην, "I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you."

Paul says that when you appoint leaders in Crete, ensure they are tested and mature leaders. This maturing included spiritual testing, ministry training, and life experiences. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands. (1Timothy 5:22)

Make sure leaders appointed to the credentialed offices of the church are not only called and desire to do the work but are also ready to serve. Episcopates (ἐπισκοπῆς) and deacons (Διακόνους) need to be ready. 

Many times in the early church, the episcopates (ἐπισκοπῆς) were first tested as deacons (Διακόνους). The credentialed offices were not just about Christians using their gifts but putting Christian leaders in place who were called to advance the work of the church in a specific way. These leaders, like the first apostles, were assigned to accomplish the Lord's work. This still holds today!   

The Office of Episcopate

Let's go deep into the two offices of the early church and see how these offices inspire us today to develop and appoint called, trained and recognized Christian leaders to build the church. The Apostle Paul wrote the most about the two offices of the church in 1 Timothy 3. 

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, he talks about the Episcopates. I do not want to talk about specific qualifications yet, I will do that later. I want to talk about the office of Episcopate.

Some fascinating Biblical insights: 

Episcopate ministry leaders were the pioneers of the early movement. They pioneered new work in new places. They traveled. Even the dictionary definition and usage of this word in the New Testament bears this out.  The word and root Episcopates (ἐπισκοπῆς) appear less than ten times in the New Testament. 

Definition: 

Episcopate ἐπισκοπή {ep-is-kop-ay'} 

Episcopate ἐπισκοπή from ἐπισκέπτομαι; inspection (for relief or purpose); by implication, overseeing, movement building superintendence; especially, the Christian "episcopate": the office of a "bishop", bishoprick, visitation.

First, inspection and visitation. 

One sense of the word is inspection and visitation. In 1 Peter 2:12, the Apostle Peter talks about living as foreigners and pilgrims in this world so that unbelievers may see your good deeds when God shows up for a visit or inspection. God is at work in every instance and is the visitor who comes when you least expect it. God, as the Episcopate, visits and inspects to build his Kingdom. The powerful thing about the 1 Peter passage is that Peter says to endure persecution and all sorts of evil. Love your enemies, and  THE EPISCOPATE, GOD, the Savior, will show up even through a martyr's death. Interestingly, it has often been said that the martyr's blood is the seed of the spread of Christianity. 

Second, Supervision, Oversight, Movement Building

Another way the word was used in the New Testament was the sense of the movement leaders themselves. These were the second-generation movement leaders. These were the leaders that took over from the original apostles and were charged with expanding Christianity. These leaders would face many trials. Some would expand the movement in their local communities and some would actually travel from town to town. 

I envision these second and third-generation leaders as fierce Christian leaders who were mainly men. Travel was dangerous, and for most women, in that day in that culture, it would have been nearly impossible to hold this office. There may have been some exceptions. Dr. Richard Bauck argues that Johanna who was at the crucifixion of Jesus was the Junia mentioned in Romans 16:7. 

Junia was her Roman name and she was considered an Apostle, which may have been an "Episcopate" office in her case.  (Bauckham, Richard. Gospel Women: Studies of the Named Women in the Gospels. Eerdsmans, 2002, pp. 172-80)

In the second century, there were women "Episcopates" in the New Prophesy Movement. This movement was later declared heretical, but not because of women's "episcopates.".

The Episcopates were mainly men in the early church who sensed to call to plant the Christian movement. They often traveled and many of them gave their lives in martyrdom. The Episcopates continued the work of the Apostles. Eventually, these Episcopates became the Bishops of the Catholic church and by the sixth century, their roles were mainly supervision roles. 

Longing for becoming a Movement Leader

One more interesting thing. I have often wondered about "seeking" the office of Episcopate as somehow troublesome. Many see seeking an office as prideful. Look at 1 Timothy 3:1. 

Notice the word "oregetai" (ὀρέγεται). This greek word appears three times in the New Testament. One of the passages is just beautiful! Notice Hebrews 11:16

Διακόνους16) νῦν δὲ κρείττονος ὀρέγονται τοῦτ’ ἔστιν ἐπουρανίου. διὸ οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν· ἡτοίμασεν γὰρ αὐτοῖς πόλιν. 

16) But now they desire (ὀρέγονται) a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

The takeaway here.  If you experience a deep and sincere spiritual longing to serve the Lord in ministry like the people of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 spiritually long for heaven. Yes. It is a noble thing to long for serving as a minister! 

The Office of Deacon

The office of deacon is the office of the minister who serves in their communities. After explaining the qualifications of the Episcopates, now in verse 8 were are introduced to the Deacons,

Διακόνους ὡσαύτως σεμνούς, 

8) Deacons, in the same way...

The word diakonos was introduced by Jesus. If you want to be great you must be the diakonos (Matthew 20:26) Later the apostle in Acts 6:1-6 use the verbal form of this word to institute the Deacons. The word deacon means "servant or minister" The word appears as a noun 28 times in the New Testament. 

Here is the Greek Dictionary Definition:

διάκονος {dee-ak'-on-os}

διάκονος probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare διώκω); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess): deacon, minister, servant.

Christian ministers are deacon ministers.  The first woman minister mentioned in the bible as the letter carrier of the book of Romans named Phoebe. Notice Romans 16:1,

Συνίστημι δὲ ὑμῖν Φοίβην τὴν ἀδελφὴν ἡμῶν, οὖσαν καὶ διάκονον τῆς ἐκκλησίας τῆς ἐν Κεγχρεαῖς,

I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a Deacon of the church that is at Cenchreae,

At Christian Leaders, we welcome men and women, single or married who are called by God to take their next step in pursuing their ministry calling! You may be a movement leader (Episcopate)  or a local minister (Deacon) in your community. The qualifications talked about in 1 Timothy 3 apply to all ministry leaders. 

The ordained Episcopate and Deacon are the foundation of all leadership in the church of Christ. Out of this leadership structure, volunteer, part-time, or full-time ministers emerge.  This is why Christian Leaders Institute puts a premium on local connection, mentorship, and sponsorship. If someone senses the call to ministry, the local church members, their leaders, and others have seen the truth of their walk and faith. If at a local level, prospective students do not have the confidence of their faith community, those students may want to seriously consider whether God has called them to church ministry.

Appropriate to want to be a Leader?

Is it appropriate to want to be licensed or ordained? Is it appropriate to want to give leadership in any enterprise?  These are important questions. Some will argue that wanting ordination to be a deacon, Episcopate or pastor is not something someone should do. The Bible encourages believers to go as far as they can in serving the Lord.

Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:1, "Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.” If that someone is you, and you sense the urgency to serve God in a great capacity, that is something you should explore.

But understand that someone who is a Christian leader needs to actually "be the part.” We want people at Christian Leaders Institute who are the part. Let's reflect on this for a while. Understand that when leaders look at their qualifications to be a leader in the church, it can be overwhelming, and they could easily conclude that they are not perfect or "together" enough to set their hearts on being church leaders.

Leaders should not be overwhelmed. Instead, leaders ought to be energized in these qualifications. I will go so far as to say these qualifications will not just help raise up church leaders, but leaders for every kind of enterprise.

Qualifications 

As we talk about the qualifications, the first thing to realize is that some of these qualifications are very objective; some are discipleship qualifications and maturity qualifications, and you will not meet these qualifications perfectly.

You may find that you are stronger in certain areas than in other areas. Yet your life must reflect that you are a real work-in-progress in your desire to be an effective leader.

Shared Characteristics of Elders and Pastors in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Revival Leaders

1. Leaders Who Stay Out of Trouble

"Not arrested” is the literal Greek translation. "Not arrested” could be an objective qualification, but the key question here is how are you staying out of trouble in areas that will hurt the gospel ministry. In other words, are you keeping sinful practices away from you? Are you seeking to be well respected by your community of residence? If you have a reputation for greedy or immoral activity in your community and people can come forward presently to accuse you of shady activities, this is inconsistent with the ministry.  This is not to say that you may have struggled in the past and now are forever barred from ministry, just that your past needs to be addressed. Christian leaders who have gone through divorce need to have repented of any sin involved with the divorce and been restored into a healthy walk with God before they should consider being a pastor or leader in the church.

2. Leaders Who Do Not Practice Polygamy

Polygamy was practiced in Bible times, and it was present in the early church. Polygamy was practiced by many of the converts from Judaism - especially the wealthy. And while these new converts to Christianity may have continued to practice polygamy, Christian leaders in the church were disqualified for participating in this practice. We don't know all the reasons why this was included as an objective qualification, but it was. Both elders and deacons were to "be the husband of but one wife.” This is not referring here to those who have been restored after a divorce or death of a spouse and now are remarried. This is referring to polygamy.

3. Leaders Who Are Sober or Temperate in Attitude

This qualification is not talking about drunkenness; that topic is still to come. This qualification has to do with judgment. Are you circumspect in your reasoning? Are you balanced in how you evaluate yourself and others? If you "always” jump to conclusions, if you are "too positive," or "too negative,” that is something you want to be aware of as you learn ways to be more balanced.

4. Leaders Who Exhibit Moderation

The Greek word in this qualification means, "safe mind.” Leaders who exhibit this qualification are self-controlled in their actions, opinions, and speech. These leaders realize that they need to withhold their counsel at times. In their personal life, they need to keep their sinful nature surrendered to Christ, understanding that they too are not perfect. Leaders like this enjoy life, but to the point that any one thing in creation does not own them other than Christ.

5. Leaders Who Act Orderly and Respectable

The Greek word here comes from the word Kosmos which means literally "order.” Christian leaders who are called to the pastorate have certain orderly and respectable traits to them. For instance, are you on time or are you habitually late to meetings? Is your dress appropriate for those that you are called to reach? Do people respect your opinion?

6. Leaders Who Are Friendly to Everyone

This Greek word is a combination of two words. The first word, filos, means friend. The second word (xenos) means people, strangers, foreigners. Leaders called into the ministry are friendly and welcoming to people that are currently not part of the group. Many times this is considered by some not to be as important a character trait, yet this has everything to do with your character. Hospitality is about showing someone love, even someone you do not know.

7. Leaders Who Are Willing to Teach or Mentor

Many times leaders think that this refers to teaching or preaching at a program or a worship service. There are lots of ways to teach or mentor. Church leaders see the need to pass on the faith and the lifestyle of Christianity. If you are called to be a pastor, this qualification applies to you. If you are a preacher, you will take this seriously in your calling. This qualification means that you will always be walking with God, learning his Word and sharing what your walk and learning bring to others.

8. Leaders Who Are Not Given to Addictions

This Greek word explicitly talks about "wine,” literally "not near wine,” referring to drunkenness. This needs to be taken metaphorically as well. Pastors and church planters have to stay away from addictive behavior. This is challenging because addictive behavior comes in many sizes and colors. Many pastors have struggled over the centuries with various addictions. It seems like the evil one attacks in this area ferociously. The common addictions today have a lot to do with what technology brings into society.

Many leaders are addicted to entertainment, video games, pornography, and Internet browsing. Other leaders have struggled with substance abuse, using wine, beer, and even drugs. Addictions can also include food, shopping, etc. Future pastors and leaders have to take the matter of addictions very seriously and set up accountability and support so that they are not mastered by sin or anything else in God's creation. Remember 1 Corinthians 6:12,  "'Everything is permissible for me' -- but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me' -- but I will not be mastered by anything.”

9. Leaders Who Are Not Violent

The Greek word used here literally means "not a striker.” It means someone who is not given to violent outbursts or angry blasts. Pastors and leaders are not given to revenge or payback. Hate and anger are not the operating systems of a pastoral personality. Have you ever seen a pastor or leader exhibit a violent outrage?  This outrage will bring harm to their ministry more than it will make some point to the person they offended.

10. Leaders Who Are Not Greedy Misers

The literal meaning of the Greek word here is "base or selfish gain.” In other words, leaders who are solely motivated by what they get financially or in other forms of repayment are not qualified to be pastors. While the apostle Paul writes that the worker deserves his wages, there is a fine line here between career and calling. You should not become a pastor because you think it is a nice job where you will get paid well. This is a calling, and you cannot think of this calling as a career. Instead, you are to be motivated out of generosity and realize that God will cover all your needs as you are a good steward of what He gives you.

11. Leaders Who Are Self-Aware in Their Gentleness

The Greek word here is "appropriate.” By implication, this word is translated as gentle, mild, or patient. We need to add one more dimension to that word, and that dimension is self-awareness in your responses. In every relationship and every church things will happen, and maybe even offensive words will be said to you. Many times someone will treat the pastor in a way that gives the pastor a clue of what is needed. For instance, if someone is unfairly critical of the pastor, this is likely how he treats his family. This gives you great insight into how to give pastoral care to that family and that person. Remember the axiom: how someone treats you is how he likely treats others in his life.

12. Leaders Who Love Peace

Some people have to win every fight and be right about every issue. This does not make a good pastor. While some fights are crucial to win, most fights are not worth the time required to get involved. The apostle Paul encourages us to live in peace with others. He writes in Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

As a called Christian Leaders, you must be very careful as you lead people to peace. Some pastors exert control to bring unity on an issue by telling parishioners that God has led them to this opinion or position. Be very careful about leading as an ambassador of God, making sure you desire peace, not just getting what you want.

13. Leaders Who Are Not Covetous

This is a "killer” in ministry. The Greek word here means "wishing for more silver.” It refers to thoughts and desires that will sink your ministry calling. The fact is that you will never have enough money. You will never have the perfect church; you will never have the perfect family or spouse. Where you are now may not be as good as where you were a year ago. Imagining that the future may be better than now may not help you. Effective Christian leaders are content even while they are seeking to improve. Called leaders are to be content with who they are and where they are.

14. Leaders who Lead in Their Homes and Are Respected

The issues of leadership are a microcosm of the issues of leadership in any church setting. If you can give appropriate leadership in your family, including your spouse, this will directly translate to the church.

If your children do not see that you are a biblical leader who commands respect, people outside your family will have a hard time seeing that as well. All the issues of your leadership have a foundation in your family.  Someone's reputation in their family is huge in how they will be received in the church. The apostle Paul even quips, "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?” (1 Timothy 3:5)

15. Leaders Who are Settled in Their Walk and Doctrine

The apostle Paul observed many early leaders who fell away from the faith. If you are called to ministry, you want to be settled in your walk and your doctrine. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:6, "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” When you are unsettled in your walk or doctrine, you are open to attitudes and ideas that leave the biblical worldview.

If you or your spouse are a recent convert, go slowly into pursuing your ministry calling. Later in 1 Timothy 3, the apostle Paul encourages that deacons be tested. "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." (1 Timothy 3:9-10)

Leaders need to be tested. Where have you been tested?  How have you done? What did you learn?

16. Leaders Who Are Respected in Their Community of Relationships

The same principle applies here that applies to a leader's family. If someone is interacting with people and they see that that leader is fair and honest, this is an indicator that this person could be qualified to be a pastor. On the other hand, if the community has experienced that the leader treats people badly, one would question if the person is ready to be a pastor or church leader.

Assessment

If you are a new student at Christian Leaders Institute or College, I want you to read prayerfully each of these 15 qualifications and to develop an honest assessment of where you are now. Then I encourage you to develop a plan to grow in these qualifications. You will never be perfect, but a teachable attitude led by God's grace, His Word, and Spirit will transform you into a Christian leader who will be used by God to change the world. Have your spouse, mentor, sponsor, or trusted friend, go over each one of these qualifications with you. Aspire to BE these qualifications.

Some of you need to rebuild your reputation, some need more consistency in your character, and all of us will be useful in our communities if we grow in these character traits.