Church Leadership

The biblical basis for church leadership is founded upon numerous passages of Scripture located throughout Acts and the Epistles. These passages reflect the intentions of the founding apostles and can be summarized as follows:

1. Each church was to have its own body of elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
2. Elders were to shepherd (pastor) the local church body as undershepherds of Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd (Head Pastor) (Acts 20:17-31; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-5).
3. Elders could be assisted in their duties by giving qualified, designated servants* charge over practical ministerial tasks.

The number of elders needed for a church is determined by Christ, the Head Pastor, who places a desire in the hearts of qualified men through His Spirit. As such, any man deemed qualified and having a God-given desire to serve as elder should be appointed to its office (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:12-14; 3:1). As a steward of God's household, an elder must be:

Above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6,7) - free of any factual charge of misbehavior.

Respectable (1 Tim. 3:2) - recognized as leading a well-ordered, disciplined, and honorable life.

A good reputation with those outside the church (1 Tim. 3:7) - has favor with those in the community as well (a leader with a bad reputation brings disgrace upon himself, the church, and the cause of Christ).

The husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2,12; Titus 1:6) - [assuming he is married] a man who remains faithful to his wife.

Having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion (Titus 1:6) - [assuming he is a father] one whose children demonstrate their having been raised in the discipline and instruction of the Lord; children who are true to the faith, not charged with leading a wild, self-indulgent lifestyle or being
disobedient to authority (Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6).

Managing his household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (1 Tim. 3:4-5,12) - a man who tends to business and family-leading at home. (One who cannot manage his own household will be unable to handle the more difficult and demanding task of managing God's church).

Gentle (1 Tim. 3:3) - meek (with the implication of being forbearing, humble, and kind).

Temperate (1 Tim. 3:2,11) - stable; one who curbs his desires and impulses.

Self-controlled (Titus 1:8) - one who is in control of his thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Prudent/sensible (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8) - a balanced, rational, and wise man.

Just (Titus 1:8) - a man who conducts himself in accordance with what God requires.

Devout (Titus 1:8) - devoted to expressing properly his religious beliefs and practice.

Dignified (1 Tim. 3:8,11) - honorable in character, modest in dress, serious in purpose.

Hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8) - opens his home to the saints, providing for their physical and material needs as for his own.

Loving what is good (Titus 1:8) - devoted to goodness (both in attitude and action).

Free from the love of money (1 Tim. 3:3) - not a seeker of worldly treasure.

Not fond of sordid gain (1 Tim. 3:8; Titus 1:7) - not loving dishonest increase or advancement; not covetous.

Not addicted to wine (1 Tim. 3:3,8; Titus 1:7) - not a substance abuser.

Not pugnacious (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7) - not belligerent.

Not self-willed (Titus 1:7) - not self-pleasing, obstinate, independent, stubborn.

Not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7) - not expressing anger in an uncontrolled fashion.

Not double-tongued (1 Tim. 3:8) - does not say one thing to one person and something different to another; does not say one thing and know another.

Not a malicious gossip (1 Tim. 3:11) - not a deliberate spreader of harmful information or rumors about others.

Uncontentious (1 Tim. 3:3) - not quarrelsome; peaceable.

Not a new convert (1 Tim. 3:6) - not a babe in Christ (lest he become prideful of his high position of honor and authority).

Faithful in all things (1 Tim. 3:11) - reliable in all matters; consistent.

Holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience (1 Tim. 3:9) - adhering to the revealed truths of the Christian faith without hypocrisy.

Holding fast to the faithful Word (Titus 1:9) - constantly committed, adhering whole-heartedly to God's word.

Able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2) - having knowledge of the Scripture, readiness to instruct, and the capacity to communicate.

The purpose of church leadership, then, is to glorify God by undertaking the awesome responsibility and wonderful privilege of overseeing the needs of His church. The goal of church leadership is to faithfully meet those needs, which include:

1. Protection against false teachers and their teachings (1 Tim. 3:15; Titus 1:9).
2. Assistance with temporal needs in times of distress (Acts 11:29-30).
3. Leadership in resolving controversy (Acts 15:13-22).
4. Counsel in spiritual matters (2 Tim. 3:16).
5. Prayer and healing (James 5:13-15; cf. 1 Cor. 11:25-32).
6. Exhortation in sound teaching (Titus 1:7-9).

*The New Testament (greek) word for "servant" is diakonos, often trans-literated "deacon." During the time of the early church, diakonos was a generic term that was used to simply indicate an officially recognized servant of the church.