Life: The character of leadership

 • This LifeWay Bible Study for Life lesson for Feb. 10 focuses on 1 Timothy 3:1-15.

It’s something that almost certainly has been said and heard in every church. When strategizing or problem-solving, someone will say, “Well, in the business world, the way we would handle this situation is to … .” Certainly, we can learn from other nonchurch organizations or institutions with regard to leadership. And, certainly, business people don’t stop thinking that way just because they attend church. However, even in the first century, the Apostle Paul knew standards had to be established for church leaders.

In some ways, it shouldn’t matter too much as we study this text whether Paul was referring just to pastors and deacons. Certainly, those who serve in those positions should meet these qualifications. Yet many leaders in every church—Sunday school teachers, committee members, team leaders and so on—wield enormous influence in the life of the church. Should they not also be held to these same standards?

More often than not, when things go badly in a church, an honest examination of the facts will lead back to the church’s failure to expect the standards Paul lists in its leaders. Nearly all church problems are, in one way or another, a failure of leadership.

A whole series of lessons could be created using each of the qualifications Paul lists as the characteristics of good leaders. Since this text is meant to be covered in one lesson, it would be a good thing for the teacher to outline the lesson in three or four general sections for the sake of discussion.

A great way to start the lesson, perhaps before even reading the Scripture, would be to ask some of the class members to talk briefly about the most influential church leaders they’ve known. It would be interesting to see how those descriptions line up with what the Scripture discusses.

In short, the apostle says church leaders should be people of character beyond reproach. His or her character should stand up to the test of public exposure, not only in the church, but also in the community. If it is known, for example, that a man is a deacon in a local church but dishonest in his business dealings, the fact he is a deacon will become a serious impediment on that church’s witness in the local community. One of the most important tests for any church leader is how he or she handles himself or herself when away from the church.

It is impossible to read this text without taking note that Paul places a great deal of emphasis on church leaders being healthy family leaders, too. Families come in all shapes and sizes. It is not possible to conclude from this text that only married people can serve as church leaders. Single adults certainly have as much to offer in leadership as do married people. Whether a person’s family consists of one or several, the question is how he or she handles family responsibilities.

All families have problems. That isn’t the question. The question is whether or not church leaders handle their family problems in a Christ-like manner. Most people tend to behave better in public than they do at home. If a person does not behave well at home and manage his or her family responsibilities in a Christ-like manner, there is very little chance they will handle the family of God in the church any better.

One of the mistakes churches often make is to ask a person to serve in a leadership position who has just joined the church. Perhaps they are very successful in their private business dealings. Paul says their qualifications should include more. They should be people of deep faith, holding “the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” It goes without saying, though it shouldn’t, that people who lead others in the church should be people well-grounded in Scripture.

They should be able to verbalize the gospel clearly. It is not essential that church leaders be professional theologians. They should be people who are faithful to Scripture and who know it well. Without a clear and growing understanding of Scripture, how can a leader possibly hope to give direction to the church founded on the truth of Scripture?

Church leaders should be those who lead others toward reconciliation, not those who contribute to division. Though they may have opinions or ideas that differ from others, good leaders know how to seek the common ground in difficult situations. They are more interested in the unity of the church family than they are in their own positions.

No greater compliment can be paid a congregation than to say that it is “healthy.” Too often, we are focused on whether a church is growing numerically when, in fact, growth not rooted in health is not sustainable. Healthy churches begin with healthy leaders. The Apostle Paul knew that 20 centuries ago, and his words are as true today as they were then.