[ecko_quote source=" 1 Timothy 3:2"]So, a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach [/ecko_quote]
Paul says to Timothy that it is a faithful saying that if a man desires the position of a leader (bishop), he desires a good work, but he must be a man that is temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, and hospitable. He must be a man who can teach the Word of God. He must be blameless.
All of these conditions apply to us. There is no point in casting out demons, praying for the sick, performing signs and wonders, If we do not live by what we preach; the Word of God. The Lord makes it very clear that a leader should not be given to wine, is not a drunkard or a winebibber, is not greedy for money, is not quarrelsome, and is not someone who covets what their brother has. They should be humble without pride and arrogance. It is sad to see in these times some believers giving others wine bottles as a gift and a token of gesture. I could not understand the rationale and wisdom beyond these forbidden gifts. It came to my notice once, and I objected it in the light of the above verse, and they have shown me the exit door.
A leader is someone who rules their house in such a way that their children are obedient and respectful. He must be respected among those around him as a person of God. If you want God to use you in the realm of faith, in the area of signs, wonders and miracles, you first need to get your own house in order. Sadly, some leaders pay the least attention towards their children but desire to look after the congregation. Their children's lives seem to be going downhill in every aspect yet they least bother to address it. Nevertheless, they are always eager to address and whine about others children. So far, my top ten inches could not comprehend about what sort of preaching they would do and who will listen to them. My dear ones’ leadership is a serious Christian aspect, and we do not have any luxury to play around with it. Take the example of Moses who led the Israelites for forty years to the promised land, but unfortunately, he barred to enter the promised land because only once he did not follow God’s instruction.
If a child is still under his parents’ authority, his behaviour will disqualify his father from being an elder if it is openly insubordinate and publicly harmful to the man’s reputation, and so the reputation of the church and Christ. Secondly, it causes people to question whether or not the man can give oversight to the church.
All children disobey their parents. Most children can be wild and unruly at times. The point is not that an elder’s children never disobey him; the point is that the father leads his home through consistent, godly instruction, and discipline which leads to children who generally obey and submit to him.
If an elder/minister cannot even train his own children to be grounded in the truth so that they will not depart from it when they leave his household, how can he be expected to train others to be grounded and settled in the true faith? (Proverbs 22:6). Leadership is the key to the spiritual life of those in the church. They are the reason the church grows or decays!
Please remember this! First, we need to get our house in order before, we go out and tell others about our blessed Redeemer. That is when people will listen. Let’s work on our personal holiness first. Our dress code- your appearance is important to God because as His children, God wants your best in all areas of life. Our language- there is no place in the kingdom of God for a man who professes to be an ambassador for Jesus and yet uses filthy and hurtful language. Humility- preferring others to yourself; always going that extra mile for your fellow man.
Clearly, the offices of elder and deacon are important in the church. Ministering to God’s people in word and deed is a serious responsibility for a man to take on, and it should never be done lightly. A biblically unqualified individual should not occupy either the office of elder or deacon; the church/fellowship deserves better.
[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gGKDvrqiiYc/S9xbF-MoxqI/AAAAAAAAACs/TV_W6dxFKs0/s1600/his+voice-hand+of+sean.jpg]
