May 19, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Marks of Church Leadership
Scripture: 1 Timothy 3(NIV)
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
Devotional
Paul had appointed Timothy to be a pastor of the church in Ephesus. Much of this letter to him is aimed at giving him insight in how to lead the church. In the first two chapters he challenged Timothy to stand against false doctrines and corrupt practices within the church and in the surrounding culture. Here in chapter three, he encouraged Timothy to make sure that the church had the right people in place to lead the church.
As Paul was establishing churches in cities throughout the Roman Empire, he knew how important it was to have solid leadership. Before he left a city, he regularly appointed elders/overseers to guide the community of believers.
Five years before writing this letter, Paul was in Ephesus for the last time when he gathered the elders together and instructed them, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Did you see that? Being a spiritual leader in the church requires double duty: keeping watch over yourself and keeping watch over the congregation.
Go back through verses 1-13 in today’s reading. Which of the character attributes are primarily about the leader’s…
…personal life?
…family life?
…relational life?
…spiritual life?
…professional life?
A few chapters later, Paul told Timothy, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching… Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning” (1 Timothy 5:17-20).
What did you learn about being a spiritual leader in the church? How can you pray for your leaders?
Poem
Self-Disciplined Life
Nine fruit of the Spirit
‘Oft spoken abroad
Love, kindness and goodness
Peace, gentleness, joy
There’s goodness and faithfulness
These eight steal the show
Self-discipline, last one
Misses ‘oft lime-light glow
To manage the temper
To rein in the tongue
To be sober-minded
To be spouse of one
To open your life up
Let others join in
To be gentle not quarrelsome
Respectfulness win
To care well for others
To let others be first
To always be gen’rous
To quell anger’s burst
To ward off temptation
To vanquish all strife
The call to embrace the
Self-disciplined life
