Whenever I teach about a topic at Life Bridge, I’ve learned to boil down the concepts into a single sentence or statement that we can go back to over and over again. It helps reinforce the concept and gives an outline for the Bible study or class. When it comes to leadership, this is what I say: “Leadership in God’s Church is not about power, position, or politics. It’s about walking together with God and helping others do the same.” There’s a lot in that statement that we can unpack over the next few weeks, but for now I just wanted to get it out there.
In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. (1 Timothy 3:8 NIV)
Perhaps the most difficult concept with leadership in the church is that it is different from leadership in the world around us. In the world, we are shown many different ways people lead. All of them seem to be valid as long as they can get the votes (politics), the promotion (position), or the role of supreme boss of all the fiefdom (power). In the church, however, the process of getting there seems to be more important than “arriving.”
Let’s take the list above as an example. As a hiring manager in the business world, I could check references and backgrounds for a candidate to see if he is respected, a truth-teller, or a thief. It starts to get a little more difficult to check up on whether they got drop-dead drunk this past weekend. As long as they can show up on time and ready to work on Monday, it’s really none of my business.
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. (1 Timothy 3:9-10 NIV)
In a business environment, however, I can’t ask them if they believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. I can’t ask them if they have asked Jesus to be the Lord of their lives. I can’t ask if they have repented of their sins and gone down into the waters of baptism. I would probably get fired as a hiring manager if I asked those kinds of questions.
In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. (1 Timothy 3:11-12 NIV)
If we had fired every person who gossiped (with malicious talk) around the water cooler, the whole place would have been cleared out eventually. Had I asked a new hire whether he was sleeping with anyone other than his wife, I not only would have been fired. I would have been sued.
In God’s Church, however, these questions are not only acceptable. They are required. That’s because leadership in God’s Church is not about getting hired for a position. It’s about walking with God so you can help others do the same. If you don’t know how to stay strong with God, how can you hope to help another stay strong. Team Builders, then, start by leading themselves to walk together with God. Then they build into others as well.
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13 NIV)
How about you? Do you walk together with God? In what areas is your walk consistent enough that you have insight and wisdom to share with others?
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