A Word from the Apostle Paul to those who would be in Church Leadership

Paul would be appalled at some we place in leadership in Churches today...even some on TV, even some leading large churches. They are NOT qualified according to Paul. Take special note that Anointing, Signs, Wonders, Miracles, Preaching a great Sermon, being a Great Prophet (ouch) are NOT listed in the qualifications. IF we did use this measuring rod...many pulpits and TV programs would be vacant today. (from The Message paraphrase which puts this in rubber meeting road context)

1 Timothy 3

If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions:

A leader must be:

• well-thought-of,
• committed to his wife,
• cool and collected,
• accessible, and
• hospitable.
• He must know what he's talking about,
• not be overfond of wine,
• not pushy but gentle,
• not thin-skinned,
• not money-hungry.
• He must handle his own affairs well,
• attentive to his own children and having their respect.

For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church?
He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up.

Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church:

• serious,
• not deceitful,
• not too free with the bottle,
• not in it for what they can get out of it.
• They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith,
• not using their position to try to run things.

Let them prove themselves first.
If they show they can do it, take them on.

No exceptions are to be made for women—same qualifications:

• serious,
• dependable,
• not sharp-tongued,
• not overfond of wine.
• Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses,
• attentive to their own children,
• and diligent in looking after their own affairs.

Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to Jesus.