Understanding Qualifications for Church Leaders in Biblical Context
Exploring the biblical qualifications for church leaders outlined in 1 Timothy and Titus, emphasizing the importance of qualified leadership for the spiritual health and protection of the church. The background of these epistles and the differences in the churches they addressed provide insights into the contextual application of these qualifications. The focus is on personal maturity, godly leadership, and the ongoing process of growth and restoration in individuals seeking to serve as elders or deacons.
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Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
A reminder to consider others Please: Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only Turn off sound to all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)
Biblical Qualifications for Church Leaders 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9 Qualifications for being in a church leadership are determined by the Scriptures and personal preferences Every Christian should strive to meet the qualifications for a Deacon or Deaconess since they mark maturity
The Necessity of Qualified Leaders Biblically qualified leaders are the only human protection a church has from aberration, heresy & apostasy Every pastor is eventually replaced, his legacy is in the godly leadership he leaves behind
Background of 1 Timothy & Titus Both books written for similar reasons ~ A.D. 65 to correct & strength a church / churches The Ephesian church was founded ~ A.D. 51 and had a long history of good teachers & was mostly mature
Background of 1 Timothy & Titus The churches on Crete were younger and without good teachers & had a lot of immaturity Timothy gives qualifications for those that desire to be Elders while Titus personally appoints Elders
Background of 1 Timothy & Titus Neither list of qualifications requires perfection - God continues to bring people to ever greater maturity Stumbling in something does not mean being characterized by it - God delights in restoration
Qualifications for Elders 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 1) Desirable personal qualifications. 2) Absence of undesirable personal qualifications. 3) Social qualifications. 4) Spiritual qualifications
The Preliminary Requirement 1 Timothy 3:1 Bishop / Overseer ( ejpiskopoV / episkopos); Elder (presbuvteroV / presbuteros); Shepherd / Pastor (poimhvn / poim n) refer to the same person (elder) holding the same office (bishop) doing the same work (pastor)
The Preliminary Requirement 1 Timothy 3:1 A man must aspire - to stretch / reach - for the office of an overseer with a strong desire to do the work The verb must (dei: / dei) in 1 Timothy 3:2 applies to the rest of the passage - for deacons & deaconess too (vs. 8, 11)
Six Desirable Personal Qualifications 1. Above Reproach (ajnepivlhmptoV / anepil mptos) (1 Tim. 3:2) and Blameless (ajnevgklhtoV / anegkl tos) (Titus 1:6-7) & for deacons (1 Tim. 3:10) Cannot be accused, and if accused will be found blameless in a fair investigation
Six Desirable Personal Qualifications 2. Temperate / Vigilant, nhfavlioV / n phaloios, (1 Tim. 3:2) - holding no wine - sober, restrained 3. Self-controlled / disciplined, ejgkrathvV / egkrat s, (Titus 1:8) - ability to rule over himself
Six Desirable Personal Qualifications 4. Prudent / Sensible, swvfrwn / s phr n (1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:8) - wise, discerning, mature, sound mind 5. Respectable, kovsmioV / kosmios, (1 Tim. 3:2) - order, well mannered life
Six Desirable Personal Qualifications 6. Gentle, ejpieikhvV / epieik s, (1 Tim. 3:3) - related to being gracious & forbearing - a mark of maturity
Does not have Six Undesirable Personal Characteristics 1. Not Given to Wine, mh; pavroinon / m paraoinon, (1 Tim. 3:3 & Titus 1:7) - not beside wine Deacons (1 Tim. 3:8) - Not addicted / attending to much wine. Deacons can have more wine than Elders
Does not have Six Undesirable Personal Characteristics 2. Not Pugnacious / violent, mh; plhvkthn / m pl kt n (1 Tim. 3:3 & Titus 1:7) - not a striker, not a bully
Does not have Six Undesirable Personal Characteristics 3. Not in Love with Money (1 Tim. 3:3), Not Fond of Sordid Gain (Titus 1:7) & deacons (1 Tim. 1:7) Hebrews 13:5 - a character free from the love of money and being content with what you have
Does not have Six Undesirable Personal Characteristics 4. Uncontentious / Not quarrelsome, a[macoV / amachos (1 Tim. 3:3) - not combative in conflict of ideas 5. Not Quick Tempered, mh; ojrgivlon / m orgilon (Titus 1:7) - not short fused, unable to control temper
Does not have Six Undesirable Personal Characteristics 6. Not Self-willed, mh; aujqavdh / m authad (Titus 1:7) - stubborn, demands own way
Has Four Social Qualifications 1. Husband of One Wife, mia:V gunaiko;V a[ndra / mias gunaikos andra, (1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:6) also deacons (1 Tim. 3:12) - one woman man A character quality of the present that applies regardless of marital status Making this = not divorced is contrary to both the text and the context
Has Four Social Qualifications 2. Managing well household & children (1 Tim. 3:4) & deacons (1 Tim. 3:12) - superintend, rule, protect, guard, aid Titus 1:6 - faithful children contrasted with children accused of dissipation or rebellion. Reflects a character quality of the dad, not the salvation status of child
Has Four Social Qualifications Neither marriage or children are required - otherwise present participle would require at least two children (plural) under his rule disqualifying him before he has two kids and after kids grow up and leave
Has Four Social Qualifications 3. Hospitable, filovxenon / philoxenon (1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1:8) - love for strangers, freely shares 4. Good Reputation with those Outside (1 Tim. 3:7) - good witness & integrity among unsaved
Has Five Spiritual Qualifications 1. A Lover of What Is Good, filavgaqoV / philagothos (Titus 1:8) - strong affection for moral goodness 2. Not a New Convert / Novice (1 Tim. 3:6) - Deacons must be tested (1 Tim. 3:10) - maturity takes time
Has Five Spiritual Qualifications 3. Just, divkaioV / dikaios (Titus 1:8) - fair-minded, impartial and objective without any favoritism 4. Devout / Holy, o{sioV / osios (Titus 1:8) - personal life marked by being separated from sin unto God
Has Five Spiritual Qualifications 5. Able to Teach (1 Tim 3:2), Hold fast faithful word, exhort in sound doctrine, refute those who contradict (Titus 1:9) - can communicate Scriptural truth so others can understand and apply
Qualifications for Deacons 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13 A Deacon, diakonoV / diakonos (table waiter) is a servant assisting the Elders serving the church & people Dignified, semnovV / semnos (1 Tim. 3:8) - serious minded, steady, behave in an honorable manner
Qualifications for Deacons 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13 Not to be double tongued, m;h dilovgouV / m dilogous (1 Tim. 3:8) - consistent & righteous in speech Only significance difference between Elder & Deacon: *Elder s ability to teach; *Deacon can have more wine
Qualifications for Deaconesses 1 Timothy 3:11 A deaconess assists the Elders & Deacons as directed ministering to the church & congregation
Qualifications for Deaconesses 1 Timothy 3:11 General qualifications of a godly woman fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23; modest, discreet, humble - 1 Timothy 2:9-15; reverent in behavior, sensible, pure, kind, not enslaved to much wine, subject to own husband, correct priority at home - Titus 2:3-5; respectful, gentle - 1 Peter 3:1-6
Qualifications for Deaconesses 1 Timothy 3:11 Context better supports women servants (deaconesses) than deacons wives which Paul could have stated clearly 1 Timothy 1:11 - a woman servant is dignified & temperate as noted above.
Qualifications for Deaconesses 1 Timothy 3:11 Not a malicious gossip, mh; diabovlouV / m diabolous - does not slander or falsely / ignorantly accuse Faithful in all things, pista;V ejn pa:sin / pistas en pasin - she keeps her word / commitments
Conclusions These qualifications are also the character qualities of a mature Christian Identify your areas of weakness and strive to develop these qualities reflecting greater maturity and enabling greater service to Christ
Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
