Lesson 2: Biblical Qualifications for Leaders

Some people believe that because we are all equally important to God, no one should have authority over others in the church. Other people say they believe in leadership but act as if they are free from any spiritual authority.

► Does the Bible teach that there should be authority in the church? Give examples.

The Bible refers to church leadership in many places.[1] (Some examples are Hebrews 13:7, 17; Titus 1:5, Romans 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:40, and 1 Timothy 5:17.)

Defining leadership as influence helps us to see the roles of leadership in the church. Some specific roles are designed by God so that leaders can help the church to fulfill its purposes.

► A student should read Ephesians 4:11-12 for the group.

[2]Not all ministry roles can be identified with specific callings in this list. For example, a musician or worship leader may not be one of these. However, every ministry leadership role should be focused on helping the church to fulfill its purposes.

Leadership roles are not limited to preaching, teaching, and evangelism. The responsibility of the church is broader than these. The people of the church also work together to meet practical needs. A person who leads people to share equipment for gardening is helping the church fulfill its purpose of taking care of its members. The responsibilities of the church make necessary many leadership roles beyond what happens in the church building.

The scripture we study in this lesson applies specifically to pastors and deacons. However, most of the qualifications are about character, not abilities. All Christians should have the character described here. Leaders will be more effective if they have this character. As you look at each character quality, think about how it affects a person’s influence.

The Apostle Paul appointed leaders for new churches wherever there were groups of converts (Acts 14:23). Many of these new pastors had been converted for only a short time. It is certain that they did not meet all of these qualifications completely, but Paul appointed the best leaders available. They were people who had potential for development. God can use a person who is devoted to Christ and the ministry, even if not all qualities are fully developed.

We have two passages about the qualifications of pastors and deacons. They were written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy and Titus. Timothy was over the churches of Ephesus, and Titus was over the churches of Crete. They had the job of appointing pastors for each local congregation.

► A student should read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 for the group.

(1) Blameless

The pastor is not to be guilty of wrongdoing. The pastor cannot lead others to do right if he is not doing right. The pastor must be a person who has shown a consistent Christian life over a period of time. This is necessary so that the church can trust him to have a good testimony in the community.

In a place where the church has not been established long, the pastor may not have been a Christian for long. He may not have all of the characteristics of maturity, but he should show a life that is dedicated to God. He should be willing to admit mistakes and correct his own behavior.

For several years, a pastor in Asia was mightily used by the Lord in a certain village. His success tempted him to pride and spiritual carelessness. Late one night a young woman asked to ride on his motorcycle with him. He foolishly agreed, even though he knew it would cause him temptation and could damage his reputation in the community. When his members learned of his action, they lost confidence in his integrity. He eventually had to resign from his ministry. By God’s grace, this pastor humbled himself before God and those he had hurt. He accepted the discipline of his spiritual overseer. Gradually trust was restored, and his ministry effectiveness increased.

► What happens if a leader is not trusted?

(2) Husband of one wife

In many parts of the world, polygamy has been a normal custom. God’s design is for a man to have one wife. Pastors should set the example. This requirement implies that the pastor should do his best to be a good husband. He should be faithful and loving to his wife.

[1](3) Serious

The pastor must be serious about his ministry. He should not be an impulsive person who makes decisions too quickly or with his emotions. He must be able to think calmly about important issues. He must not allow his mind to be distracted from his ministry by personal concerns, entertainment, or temptations.

(4) Well-behaved

The pastor should have orderly behavior. He should not behave in a way that is inappropriate. His behavior should be consistent with the principles of godliness that he teaches.

A pastor should learn to show respect for the customs of the place where he serves. If he realizes he has made a mistake that offended someone, he should be humble and apologetic.

(5) Hospitable

To be hospitable means to meet the needs of a person who is traveling and needs food and lodging. The pastor must be a person who responds to the needs of others. He should be willing to share. He should be friendly and helpful even to people he meets for the first time.

► Why is this quality important for a leader?

(6) Able to teach

The pastor must be able to explain truth so that people can understand it. He must take responsibility to read and educate himself.

(7) Not drunken

The pastor should not allow himself to be influenced by wine. His behavior should never be like a person affected by alcohol. This principle would apply to any other substance that has a similar effect.

(8) Not violent

The pastor should not try to get his way by the threat of force. He should not be ready to hurt someone who offends him. (See also 2 Timothy 2:24-25.)

► What are proper ways for a pastor to show the right kind of anger?

(9) Not greedy

Lawyers, salesmen, politicians, and other people in similar occupations are often tempted to set aside truth so that they can please people. A pastor is also tempted, because the truth of God’s Word does not please everyone. A pastor must be faithful to truth whether it benefits him financially or not.

A pastor must desire to see the ministry of the church supported financially. He must lead the church to function like a family caring for its members, rather than always thinking of what they should give him.

(10) Ruling his house well

The pastor’s leadership ability should be demonstrated at home. He should have his children under control. If he cannot direct his own home, he will not be able to direct the church. It does not mean that his children must have perfect character, but that the pastor is faithfully leading and correcting them. This does not include children who are adults and away from his authority, because he is not still responsible for them.

(11) Not a new convert

If a person is put into a position of authority too quickly, he will be tempted to pride. Pride is the sin that caused Satan to fall. Promotion should come gradually with experience.

► What damage happens if a person is put into position too quickly?

(12) Having a good reputation

Before a man is appointed to be a pastor, he must have a good reputation among people outside the church. They must know that he is honest and faithful in all that he does. If he had a bad reputation before he was converted, he needs time to establish a better reputation before he becomes a pastor.

A pastor in Africa preached his Sunday morning sermon, then boarded the bus to go home. After paying the fare, he noticed that the conductor had returned too much change. Because he was a man of integrity, he handed the extra change back to the conductor saying, “Excuse me, sir, you accidentally gave me too much change.” The conductor replied, “No, I didn’t do it accidentally. I was standing outside your church and heard your sermon about honesty. I decided to see if you lived it!” The Bible says that a good reputation is one’s greatest wealth (Proverbs 22:1). What comes into the minds of others when your name is mentioned?

► A student should read Titus 1:5-11 for the group.

Most of the qualifications for a pastor listed in Titus are also listed in the passage from 1 Timothy.

► What additional characteristics of a pastor are in the passage in Titus?

(13) Vigilant

The passage emphasizes the ability of a pastor to respond to false doctrine. A pastor can be compared to a shepherd who guards his sheep. He is the protector of his congregation. He should be on guard against false doctrines and wrong influences. He must teach his people so they are secure in their doctrines. He must be ready to warn individuals of spiritual danger. He should not allow harmful doctrines to be taught in the church.

The pastor must be well-trained in true doctrine and be able to explain persuasively. The purpose is to correct those who are in false doctrine, but even more importantly, to protect the congregation from being led into error. A pastor should continually add to his knowledge through study.

► A student should read Acts 6:1-6 for the group. What problem is described in this passage?

The first deacons were appointed soon after Pentecost. The apostles needed to focus on prayer and preaching. Seven men were appointed to help with the details of managing the church.

A deacon helps the pastor with the details of ministry. A deacon may be a preacher, but preaching is not necessarily part of the work of a deacon.

► What were the qualifications of the first deacons?

The men were required to have good reputations and be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They would manage money for the church, so a reputation for honesty was necessary. Their work would have spiritual effects in the church, so it was necessary that they be filled with the Holy Spirit to have his guidance, anointing, and purity. They would deal with many difficult situations, so wisdom was important.

The Apostle Paul listed some more detailed qualifications for deacons.

► A student should read 1 Timothy 3:8-13 for the group.

(1) Respectable

The deacon must be a person who is respected in his relationships with family, friends, and community.

(2) Sincere

The deacon’s beliefs and actions should match his words. The deacon must be a person who is reliable in all he says. He must be a person who is honest.

(3) Not drunken

The deacon must not be a person who is affected by alcohol. His behavior must be respectable and consistent.

(4) Not greedy

A deacon will be responsible to manage money for the church and to care for needs of people in the church. He must not be a person who tries to benefit himself from his ministry.

(5) Holding good doctrine with a good conscience

When a person falls into sin, he often begins to believe wrong doctrine. If a person lives in spiritual victory, he will be more likely to hold true doctrine.

(6) Experienced

Before a person is given the position of deacon, he should have the opportunity to show that he is wise and trustworthy in ministry. Wise leaders will give people opportunities to serve before giving them positions of authority.

► What are some examples of ways a person can help the ministry of the church before he has a position of authority?

(7) With a faithful wife

The deacon’s ministry is harmed if his wife is not a good example of a Christian in her speech, attitude, and behavior.

(8) Ruling his house well

Like the pastor, a deacon should be able to manage his home well.

► Discuss the importance of each point, beginning with the question, “Why is this trait important?”

1. His loyalty is not divided among other organizations.

2. He is willing to build a ministry team and use the abilities of other people.

3. He leads his congregation to share life as a spiritual family that is concerned about all needs.

4. He serves his church out of love for God and the people, rather than for personal profit.

5. Spiritual priorities like worship, evangelism, and spiritual growth are the focus of his ministry.

6. He has the trust and confidence of his people.

7. He is willing to build the church as a permanent institution that does not belong to him.

8. He leads the church to maturity, teaching tithing and fellowship that meets needs.

9. He is honest in all things, including the use of money.

10. He demonstrates the ability to manage money and staff well.

A person selected to lead a project or business for the church should have these qualities. The leaders of the church should work to develop these qualities in members who can help with the responsibility of the church and be added to the leadership team.

► Discuss the importance of each point, beginning with the question, “Why is this trait important?”

1. He is faithful to a local church—in attendance, tithe, and participation—and has a respected Christian testimony.

2. He is already investing his effort and passion in the local church.

3. He has complete honesty and a high sense of ethics.

4. He already shows initiative and motivation to do his best.

5. He is personally disciplined, self-motivated, and constantly improving.

6. He demonstrates the ability to organize and lead others, not just the ability to work when directed by someone else.

7. He has the competence needed for his role in the project.

► How do you expect to change your goals or actions because of this lesson?

1. God has designed the church to operate under spiritual leadership.

2. Many leadership roles are needed for the responsibilities of the church.

3. Most of the qualifications for leadership relate to good character.

4. A pastor or other ministry leader should continually develop good qualities.

5. A ministry leader needs to be reliable, motivated, and trustworthy.

1. Write a paragraph summarizing a life-changing concept from this lesson. Explain why it is important. What good can it do? What harm could result from not knowing it?

2. Explain how you will apply the principles of this lesson to your own life. How does this lesson change your goals? How do you plan to change your actions?

3. Memorize the Five Summary Statements for Lesson 2. Be prepared to write them from memory at the beginning of the next class session.

4. Before the next session, read 1 Samuel 2:12-36. Write some observations about Eli’s leadership.