Monday, July 02, 2007
Leaders
MMI recently posted "How to Spot Potential Leaders in Your Church." They list 5 questions that should be asked
I believe the Timothy passage makes clear that the first thing we look for in church leaders is character and maturity. It's true, very true, that the church is in deparate need of leaders. But frankly one of the things that has most hurt the mainline denominations is using leaders that while excellent leaders, were not of the character that Paul tells Timothy should be evident in the leadership of the church at Ephesus.
The other thing fascinating about this approach to leadership is that it is about finding leaders instead of making them. As with any spiritual gift, leadership is somethig the church should be actively encouraging and shaping. And yet, we fail to do so not only in our congregations, but also in our seminaries and other training institutions. We do teach people to manage, but leadership is something quite different indeed.
What little I know about leadership I have had to learn from sources outside the church. I find that truly troubling. Under such circumstances, is it truly surpising that the church has been pulled in directions other than where it should be headed?
Related Tags: church, leadership, Paul, Timothy, elders, deacons
- Who has a history of leading?
- Who’s listening?
- Who’s missing?
- Who’s in charge?
- Who’s leading now?
I find this fascinating. While these questions do not really contrast this passge:
1 Tim 3:1-12 - It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside {the church,} so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.I find that presenting such questions without even passing reference to this passage disturbing.
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.
I believe the Timothy passage makes clear that the first thing we look for in church leaders is character and maturity. It's true, very true, that the church is in deparate need of leaders. But frankly one of the things that has most hurt the mainline denominations is using leaders that while excellent leaders, were not of the character that Paul tells Timothy should be evident in the leadership of the church at Ephesus.
The other thing fascinating about this approach to leadership is that it is about finding leaders instead of making them. As with any spiritual gift, leadership is somethig the church should be actively encouraging and shaping. And yet, we fail to do so not only in our congregations, but also in our seminaries and other training institutions. We do teach people to manage, but leadership is something quite different indeed.
What little I know about leadership I have had to learn from sources outside the church. I find that truly troubling. Under such circumstances, is it truly surpising that the church has been pulled in directions other than where it should be headed?
Related Tags: church, leadership, Paul, Timothy, elders, deacons
