Checklist for Leaders in the Church!

Passage to read: 1 Timothy 3: 1 - 7

"What I say is true: Anyone wanting to become an overseer desires a good work."

(1 Timothy 03: 01)

The Church is one flourishing and struggling system that has to be led by committed and faithful servants of God! And the leaders chosen in the churches should be people who have the willingness to hear the Voice of God, listen to Him Whispering and feel His own Emotions! 

It has become such a common scenario nowadays to see that the church, as a system that is willing to progress day by day, has set its focus in bringing into the leadership the experts in the affairs that are important in this world. Yes! The church, indeed, needs such leaders who will remind the church that the church is part of this humanity where people live. 

It is important to have leaders who know what the world outside the church needs and make the church a blessing to the outlines of needs around. But, there is something more; more than what we think it should be. And we find that Paul comments on this, in his first letter to Timothy that the people who are wanting to become a leader in the church are desiring a good work. And this work should be done out of the commitment to God!

While reading 1 Timothy 3: 1 - 7, a checklist for us to have a look at before selecting our leaders, we realise that Paul gives a lot of importance for the minimal unit of the church, and that is the individual and the family spiritual well being. A leader being chosen in the church to lead the congregation has to first conduct his individuality and family in the proper way. Now this is not to keep away the ones who have had weaknesses and falls in the past and are now willing to live a spirit-filled life in front of God, but an encouragement for those who are still willing to be a spirit-filled leader in the church. 

Since the individual's spiritual walk and the family's spiritual well being (through the institution of marriage) becomes the most important factor for the church, a leader at church should first know to conduct himself/herself and the family, in the proper way. This not only makes a leader a witness at church, but also in his/her family. 

We read in 1 Timothy 3: 1 - 7 that "An overseer must not give people a reason to criticize him, and he must have only one wife." This shows how much of discipline is needed in a person's individual life and family life. Only a person who knows to have self discipline and discipline in his family life could be able to lead a church in its discipline. Paul also reminds that a leader must be self-controlled, wise, respected by others, ready to welcome guests, and able to teach. He must not drink too much wine or like to fight, but rather be gentle and peaceable, not loving money. He must be a good family leader, having children who cooperate with full respect. Such an all-inclusive list that would even provide the definition for a Christian Leader. 

Something more important is told in the following lines. "An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church so he will not be criticized by others and caught in the devil’s trap" (1 Timothy 03: 07). Wow! That summarises the entire comment. A leader at church should not only be a great witness within the family and church, but also a great man / woman of example in the society; in the world outside. Not only a spirit-filled, spirit-led man in the affairs of the church, but also in his/her professional and social life. The people outside the church also should appreciate and wonder at the great example that a leader at church sets. Testimony in Individual, Family, Social and Professional life! And that is what makes a great Christian Leader! Only then we will be having leaders in the church who will lead the parish through the world, by setting example of Christ Jesus in all walks of their life. And that is when the church becomes a blessing in the place where it is planted!

It is good to see members at church wanting to become a leader, and they are, indeed, desiring for something good; a good work. And we as fellow worshippers should encourage them more and more to grow as a leader with Christ-like values.

I pray that God will lead the church to be blessed with great spirit-filled, spirit-led leaders, who will hold a testimony in front of everyone and would lead the church to be a great blessing to the entire world!

May God bless you.

Yours in Christ,