Date:   04/18/2010

Text:   1 Timothy 3:1-7

Title:   Leadership Qualities (2)

Theme: Since church is God's visible kingdom on earth, therefore the leaders are held to high standards.

Introduction:

After last Sunday's sermon, one person emailed me these words, “ Today we essentially have no recognizable, respectable authoritative figures or institutions.” How true this statement is. We don't trust nor respect those in leadership positions, including presidents, his advisors, senators, congressmen and congresswomen. The Christian church is no exception to this. congregation members complain about their leaders; deacons, elders and pastors. The leaders complain that no one listens to them.

To be totally honest with ourselves, very often it started out with leaders. We are not what we are supposed to be or do what we are supposed to do. Early last year, a well respected pastor in HK, Chan Hay Him, wrote a book called, “ ??? ?? ???? ” His main theme is that the church leaders, pastors/elders and deacons have to take a large responsibility for the unhealthy condition of today's Chinese churches. I completely say amen to this. For this reason, the longer I am in the pastoral ministry, the more I see the importance of 1 and 2 Timothy. What we read in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 are not just 10 suggestions or recommendations for elders, they are standards and qualifications for anyone who is being considered to be an elder or pastor in a church. Not only this, as was brought to my attention by another brother last week, that these qualifications are standards by which he manages his office. Many non-Christian writers would incorporate these qualifications in their best selling management books. So, its not just for church leadership. If you are a manager in your company, or if you have your own company, these are qualifications to go by.

Last Sunday, we studied that as an elder or pastor, one is to be a person of good reputation, a husband to one wife, having evidence of self-mastery and Hospitality.

Before we continue, we need to remember that because the work of an overseer, an elder and a pastor is noble, it is doing God's work on God's behalf, therefore as leaders, we a re held to high standards.

5.   Teaching ministry. In the middle of moral qualities; good reputation, fidelity in marriage, self-mastery and hospitality; a single ‘professional' qualification is mentioned. The leader, the elder or pastor is to be able to teach. In Acts 20 we read about one responsibility of an elder is to guard the congregation from the attack of false doctrines. In order to guard, the elders/pastors will have to study the word. They are to be students of God's word so they can easily spot false doctrines. Not just knowing God's word and to set it as a standard against the false doctrines, the elders must be able to teach and communicate the truth to God's people. Paul further expands this in Titus 1:9, “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” There are all kinds of platforms for teaching. There is the preaching, teaching Sunday School or in small groups or family setting.

  In this and other churches, it is always an encouragement to see many believers involved in the church's teaching ministry; teaching adults, youth and children. We certainly understand that not everyone can teach, and that not everyone who teaches is an elder or pastor. But every pastor or elder should teach.

6.   Drinking Habits. The 6 th qualification is about the person's drinking habits. He must not be a drunkard. As we know, alcohol is a depressant. It can make us lose control of ourselves; the very opposite of self-mastery.

  In the OT there are plenty of warnings against excessive drinking. Priests were forbidden to drink while on duty. We learn in Leviticus that apparently alcohol was the cause of Aaron's two sons offering unauthorized fire before the Lord, leading to their punishment from God. Proverbs 31:4 instructed the kings and rulers not to drink, less they forgot the country's laws and be oppressive to their people. People in leadership positions are expected to be clear headed and not let alcohol confuse them.

   Paul also highlights this as a requirement for the spiritual leaders, elders and pastors. On Feb 24, Bishop Margot Kaessmann, the leader of Germany 's Lutherans, resigned after she had her driving license revoked for driving while intoxicated. She was found to have a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit. She said, "My heart tells me quite clearly that I cannot stay," Not only her heart, but the Bible is also very clear on this.

  Paul is not advocating that we cannot drink, or advocating total abstinence. He is talking about self control and moderation. However, if you are prone to alcohol's influence, a little sip can cause you to lose control and be hyper, then the best thing to do is to stay away.

7.   Temperament. Vs.3, “….. not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,….” An elder/pastor, a spiritual leader must be not violent, and quarrelsome, but gentle. In 6:4, we learn that the false teachers, “ he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,” Just the opposite of the elders and pastors.

It is good to remember that gentleness does not mean you are soft spoken. I have heard quite a few comments about myself: William is a very gentle person because he is very soft spoken. When I was younger, I bought into it, until I remember the movie Godfather I. You remember how soft spoken Don (played by Marlon Brando) was? Being gentle is often described as gracious, the capability of being easily led and taught. Not stern, harsh or reactive. This is the quality Jesus used to describe himself. Matthew 11:29, “ 29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." A gentle person is one at peace with him/herself. Paul wrote in 2Corinth 10:1, “ I, Paul, myself entreat (appeal to) you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ..” it is also one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

  Once there is gentleness, then the other two can easily be taken care of. Not violent and not quarrelsome. This can be physical or verbal violence. We know that others' words can make us cry, and lose our self-esteem. Recently Captain Holly Graf, commanding officer of a US warship was released of her duty. The reason: being verbally abusive to her subordinates. Sailors described how her words destroyed their self confidence and their desire to serve the country.

About two years ago, a former member of our church called me. He had moved to another state and that afternoon he shared this with me: “in a recent deacon's meeting, our pastor lost his temper, banged on the table and started to scold the deacons. What should I do?” I felt so sad for this. For I know that there are similar incidents in other churches. With pastors or elders like that, who wants to come and serve in such a church? A spiritual leader, an elder and pastor, under no circumstance, is to be verbal or physically abusive to anyone.

  Being quarrelsome means repeatedly entering into arguments with others. This is more than expressing my perspective. I want to convince you to come to my side. I want you to think like me. It goes back and forth. Quarrels ruin unity and harmony and are not pleasing to God.

  The scripture is so clear on this; an elder/pastor is to be a person without violence and quarrelsomeness. I think of a pastor friend who passed away a few years ago. I knew that from time to time he was mistreated and misunderstood in the deacons' meeting. Yet I never heard him losing his temper, getting mad or complain. He often said, it's OK, God knows. He was a gentle person. If you are an elder or pastor, there must be evidence that you are controlling your temper. There must be evidence that each day you are more gentle and patient than the day before.

8.   Attitude towards money. In this letter, we learn that money was a major issue in the church at Ephesus. Here, it is clearly spelled out that as an elder, pastor and spiritual leader, one must not be a lover of money. One must not be greedy. So what is the proper attitude towards money? In Dan Duncan's memorial service about one week ago, (Dan was an oilman and philanthropist in Houston), his wife said, “Dan understood that he had been given much money, and the purpose is for him to give away.” This is the Bible's teaching, we are given, so we can give to help others in need.

  As a spiritual leader in a church, this is our attitude towards money. We are not to hoard money for personal gain, watching our bank account, or for that matter, the church's account getting fatter and fatter. The attitude is not that we keep saving the money for ourselves. Instead, our attitude should be this: the more God has given us, the more we are to give to others in need. And we are to thank God for the opportunities that we can give. The more we have, the greater is our responsibility to others. Sometimes when leaders in other churches brag to me about how much reserve money their churches have, my heart literally sank. This is not stewardship. God gives so we can give out to others.

  Some time ago I heard of a church starting a building project. The leaders of that church decided for every dollar they spent on their new building, they would donate one dollar to mission work. There are also churches, at the end of the fiscal year, that would take a look at their surplus. Then decide to which organizations to donate the surplus money. This is the right attitude towards money. A leader's attitude towards money will be reflected in the church's priority. Remember, our heart follows the money. If all the money is in the bank, that is where our hearts will be.

9.   Family discipline. Vs. 4, “ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?” Paul looks at the local church as God's family. It is like one's own family. An elder/pastor is the leader of the church. He is to manage God's family as a servant leader, to lead by example. Where does he get the training? At Home. When we manage our family well, we are respected by our wives and children. They listen to us not because we are a tyrant, but because we are gentle, servant leaders at home. If at home, I expect my wife to serve me hand and foot, if I do not lift a finger at home, it will be very difficult to be a servant leader at church. If when I see a dirty paper on the floor at home, and just walk over or around it (expecting my wife to pick it up), I cannot be a servant at church. This is what Paul meant. If you are to be a servant leader at church, begin at home. I always remember Howard Hendrick's words, “if it doesn't work at home, don't export it.” If a person doesn't know how to manage his family, don't expect him to manage the church well. Ministry begins at home. To the wives of elders and pastors, you have a very important say in whether or not your husband is suitable to be an elder or pastor.

10.   Spiritual Maturity. Vs.6, “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” It is assumed that an elder/pastor must be a convert. A person who confesses and professes faith in Christ. Don't take this for granted. There are times when we look at elders and pastors' conduct, we would question are they true believers? As an elder or pastor, not only must one be a convert, he must not be a recent, new Christian. The word for overseer means a person who is advanced in age, an elder. A person with life and spiritual experience; with enough time to let faith in God become rooted in one's life. The danger of being an elder/pastor soon after conversion is too much responsibility too soon, which can easily lead to pride. One important mark of spiritual maturity is humility. Humility means seeing others better than me. Humility means I don't insist on my rights. There is none of that “I know more than you; what do you know” attitude. We notice that both gentleness and humility are among the qualifications we expect from leaders. If we want to do God's work on behalf of God in God's church, BE GENTLE AND HUMBLE.

Conclusion:

  In a recent pastoral search committee meeting, the members asked, “what kind of questions should we ask the references?” I looked up a file which I downloaded several months ago. There are altogether over 30 questions. Then I came upon this passage in 1 Timothy. There are basically 10 questions or 10 qualifications to look for in a spiritual leader, an elder and pastor in this and other churches.

  We want to know about the person's reputation. What is the quality of his marriage? Is this person demonstrating evidence of self-mastery? Does he open his house to those in need, those who cannot afford to invite him back? Does he teach? How about his drinking habits? Is there evidence of him controlling his temper? Do people around him consider him as humble and gentle? Is he generous in helping those in need financially? What does his family say about him? Do we see spiritual maturity in this person? Or has he changed much from 10 years ago? In what ways do you see his humility and gentleness?

  These are certainly high standards, and every church is looking for such elders and pastors. Yet who can claim to have arrived? Now, as we take a second look at this, if we look at this from a different perspective. Aren't these qualities a portrait of our lord, Jesus Christ? At his trial, no one could find anything he was guilty of. He was sinless. He was humble and gentle par excellence. He called himself the good shepherd.

Now, this Good and Great Shepherd is looking for someone to shepherd His flock on His behalf. When president Obama sends someone to another country to represent him in talks and negotiations, whom would he look for? He wants to make sure this person thinks like him, with similar convictions. The same with the Great Shepherd. He is looking for someone who is like him to shepherd His flock, his people. This is the reason he gave us these standards, qualifications to follow. By developing such qualifications in life, we'll then be able to shepherd His flock, His way.

  Yes, we can try real hard, yet there will be times when we will let others down. And the congregation may feel disappointed with their elders and pastors. Such disappointments should point us to that great shepherd for this church, our Lord Jesus Christ. Human shepherds can and will fail, but not our great shepherd. For this reason, we, as spiritual leaders of this and other churches, our charge is not to bring others to ourselves, but to our lord Jesus Christ, that great and good shepherd.