Leadership Qualities

March 13, 2011

Background Scripture: 1 Timothy 3
Lesson Passage: 1 Timothy 3

What qualities do you look for in a leader? Better yet, if someone seeks your advice in finding someone that they could follow what leadership qualities would you suggest they pay close attention to? I believe that the latter question offers a better perspective since we are often more adept at giving advice to others than we are at thinking about how we make decisions for ourselves. Either way the question remains the same. What qualities should one desire in a leader? Christians should thank God that we don’t have to figure that one out. God has provided guidelines for Christians to follow when it comes to the officers of the local church. These guidelines probably came about as a result of a growing number of members in the local church at Ephesus. Whatever the reason, Paul found it necessary for the Ephesian church to be organized to have officers in place to serve the membership. Therefore, he instructed Timothy, who had been given the charge of caring for that local congregation, concerning the qualifications that should be found in those that would be placed in the two offices of the local church. First and foremost, he addressed the qualifications (or qualities) for the spiritual overseer of the local church. The bishop is singularly accountable to God for all that transpires relative to the local church. The title bishop means overseer or pastor. When Paul addressed the Ephesian elders prior to his departure, he reminded them of their responsibilities towards the local church and he told them that it was God who had purchased the church with His own blood and He had made them overseers of His flock. Here in the text, Paul addresses qualities that affect four areas of the person’s life. These areas include public reputation, family life, interpersonal relationships outside of the family, and experience living as a Christian. He stressed the danger of placing someone who is new to the faith in such a prestigious position where they could be taken advantage of and condemned by the devil. Nothing in the list suggests that the person has to be perfect in order to serve as an officer in the local church but the list itself certainly points to the need for the person to be spiritually mature. The qualities or qualifications for those that would be appointed to the office of deacon are linked directly to those of the overseer through the adverb “likewise”. This basically states that the qualifications are in a similar fashion. However, it is of interest that the wives of the deacons should also possess certain qualities of spiritual maturity. Perhaps this is best understood in light of the duties assigned to the seven men that were chosen to assist the apostles in Chapter 6 of the book of Acts. If indeed a great deal of their service would involve direct contact with needy women in the congregation, then their wives would certainly need to be spiritual women in order to assist in maintaining an environment where decency and especially propriety would prevail. If the qualities outlined in our lesson today are found in the leadership within the local congregation and their wives, then behavior within the household of faith should be according to God’s desire.


Robert C. Hudson
March 3, 2011