WISE GUIDELINES
1 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 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. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
Paul was writing to Timothy regarding the church in Ephesus. Timothy was the pastor and was responsible for the placement of leaders within that church. Paul lists the qualifications required of church leaders. The term church leader is used in the NLT, while other translations use the term overseer. There seems to be a distinction between the overseers and the other church leaders Paul referred to as deacons. More was expected of the overseers.
In looking at these guidelines we can determine that these leaders/overseers carried some responsibility and were subject to stricter standards. To whom much is given, much is required.
A church leader was to live a life above reproach. In other words, a leader’s life must not give opportunities to those outside the church to disregard his character. People can always lie, but a life lived above reproach tends to silence the enemies. Faithful to his wife. This was the second guideline Paul mentioned. We have seen the effects of unfaithfulness in marriage and how it causes a great amount of harm. The other qualifications paint the picture of a leader who is not only talking the talk but walking the walk.
Some of these guidelines could be seen as nitpicking, but God does not do things flippantly. Paul was writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so we can not look at these qualities as Paul’s personal list. These are qualities that allow someone to not just enter leadership but stay there.
One of the qualifications could easily run contrary to today’s standards but is still considered vital for church leaders. This is the ability to manage their homes. Other translations, including the New King James and King James, use the word rule their homes. I can hear the screams already. But if we look further into the word rule, it is translated lead. So the church leaders need to be able to lead their own homes and not have out-of-control children. The premise is simple. If a man can not lead his own home, how will he lead God’s church? If he can not take care of his own family, how can he take care of God’s family?
But, the idea of a man leading his home is not a problem if we look at the other qualities necessary for a church leader. He must live wisely, have a good reputation, and not be someone who abuses alcohol. The church leader must not be a violent man but be a gentle man. One translation reads not a bully. Someone who is not quarrelsome and does not love money. The church leader must have a good reputation outside the church. When we look at all these qualities, we see someone who will be a good leader of his home. There is a big difference between a leader and a dictator. God is not looking for dictators in His church or dictators over His daughters.
Not choosing a new believer is another wise guideline that will eliminate the big personality people who have recently come to Christ. Having an abundance of natural skills and a high IQ did not make the list for leading God’s people. God is looking for heart and a level of maturity. Young believers may have huge potential, but exalting them too early can lead to pride, and we know pride is not a good quality in a leader.
APPLICATION
After being a pastor for 28 years, I can attest to these guidelines. One, because they are God’s Word. And the second, from experience. When we have ignored the guidelines in choosing church leaders we have paid the price. But when we follow God’s guidelines and the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we wind up with some outstanding church leaders. God does not create lists for His people because He has run out of things to do. His wisdom is timeless. His wisdom was applicable in Paul’s day and is still relevant today.