Effective Church Councils Training: Character Traits & Operational Values for Leaders

EFFECTIVE CHURCH COUNCILS

A TRAINING SESSION FOR HEALTHY LIFE-GIVING LEADERS

LEADING HEALTHY LIFE-GIVING CONGREGATIONS

SESSION 2: CHARACTER TRAITS & OPERATIONAL VALUES

FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS

IS 

HOW

 THE BUSINESS OF

GOD’S CHURCH CONDUCTED

JUST AS VITAL AS 

WHAT

 IS

ACCOMPLISHED?

WHO IS SELECTED

TO BE A DEACON

(DEACONESS) AND

ELDER WITHIN THE

CHURCH WILL

DETERMINE THE

DIRECTION OF THE

CHURCH.

CORE

CALLING

CHARACTER

COMPETENCIES

THE ROLES OF

DEACONS AND

ELDERS

•

Acts 6

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Romans 16:1 (Phoebe)

•

Philippians (Written to overseers and deacons)

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1 Timothy (only place deacons are described)

DIAKONOS

 - DEACON

•

Used 31 times.

•

Most often in reference to a minister of the gospel.

•

6 times used to denote the person who serves a

congregation.

•

one who promotes the message of the gospel by serving.

Definition—one who runs errands; an attendant or waiter

ACTS 6:

DESCRIPTION OF DEACONS

Notable: Stephen, who is one of the 7 deacons, becomes a preacher of the

word and the first martyr

DESCRIPTION

OF ELDERS

•

Acts 6 - Prayer and minister of the Word

•

1 Timothy 5:17 - teaches and directs affairs of the church

•

Old Testament - seasoned, wise, respected, looked to for guidance

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Acts 20:25-31 & 1 Peter 5:2 - shepherds who care for, protect and

lead the flock

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1 Peter 5:3 - an example to the flock

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1 Timothy 3:2-7

“Above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to

teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of

money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him…

He must not

be a recent convert, … He must also have a good reputation with outsiders.”

1 Timothy 3:8-10

“In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and

not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear

conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve

as deacons.”

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Titus 1:6-9

“An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children

believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and

disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be

blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to

drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must

be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-

controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the

trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage

others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

Our character traits either reflect the ways

of Christ or the ways of the world.

The selection of deacons and elders is vital

to the future of the church.

It is better to have unfilled positions than to

have underqualified stewarding God’s

resources.

The way we conduct the business of

God’s church is just as vital as what is

accomplished.

Church culture should reflect the values

and virtues of Jesus rather than those of

the world.

IMPORTANT

OPERATIONAL VALUES OF

LEADERS

FIRST: PRAYER

•

Earthly leaders must seek the Leader (the triune God) so we can follow His plans.

•

James reminds us, “You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2).

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Our prayers must be more than perfunctory opening and dismissal prayers.

VIP APPLICATION: Pray before making any major decision.

SECOND: PREPARATION

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Treat the work as a matter of excellence

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Learn to plan ahead

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Not reactionary but intentional

Read all documents before the meeting,

Complete tasks assigned to you from previous meetings.

Write out questions before a meeting

VIP APPLICATION: Always come to a meeting prepared

THIRD: SPEAKING TRUTH

•

Leaders believe their plan is best.

•

Learn to listen

“be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to

become angry.” - James 1:19

VIP APPLICATION: Always speak the truth, but in love

•

Draw out quiet members to find missing points

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Be committed to transparency

VIP APPLICATION: Always deal with conflict

FOURTH: DEAL WITH CONFLICT

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List of character traits include “not violent, not quarrelsome,

not overbearing or quick-tempered.”

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Selfish desires are the cause of quarrels  (James 4:1-6)

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Resolve conflicts no matter who’s at fault (Matthew 5:21-26)

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No room for triangulation or gossip

•

Handle issues directly and honestly

VIP APPLICATION: Under promise and over deliver

FIFTH: SUPPORT ONE

ANOTHER

•

The goal is for everyone to be successful

•

Built upon relationship and trust

•

Be consistent

•

Keep your word by following through

SIXTH: SEEK THE MIND

OF CHRIST

•

Seek consensus not personal desire

•

Work for unity

•

Destroy “Them” and “Us” replace with “We”

•

When a decision is made stand united

VIP APPLICATION:

seek what is best for the Kingdom of God

THESE ARE NOT

THE ONLY

OPERATING

PRINCIPLES, BUT

THEY PROVIDE A

CONSTRUCTIVE

FOUNDATION FOR

A UNIFIED AND

GOD-HONORING

GROUP.

Do our current elders and deacons match the

character qualities from scripture?

1

How well do we do in these operational values?

2

How can we strengthen our operational values?

3

QUESTIONS FOR

DISCUSSION