SECTION FOUR

Lesson 16

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

Sometimes we refer to this as LEADERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS.

For several reasons we prefer to refer to them as LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.

Our reason for this is that most times when we  refer to Leadership Qualifications we have in mind two important passages, namely, 1 Tim 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.

First, these are two important passages, but they are not the only passages vital to understanding the qualities elders and deacons should possess.

Second, we usually take the contents of these two passages and add them together to form a list of "qualifications" elders should possess.  
There is a problem with this approach!
When Paul wrote 1 Tim to Timothy in Ephesus, he had not yet written Titus.  
Besides this even when he wrote Titus to Titus in Crete, Timothy did not have a copy of Titus.
Each of these letters, 1 Tim and Titus, stands on its own in its own right.
We also notice that the qualities listed in each letter differ somewhat.  They are basically the same, but they do differ.  
This suggests that they were context or need specific and that Paul was emphasizing what was obviously lacking in the elders in Ephesus and Crete.

Third, as we have mentioned, although these passages are great, they leave out some other vital qualities that Paul did not mention, possibly because he did not need to mention them.

What we will do in this lesson is examine a number of Scriptures and draw a conclusion from these as to what kind of persons should be elders and deacons.

To begin, David Lipscomb, great preacher of the past and past editor of the Gospel Advocate (a well known Christian religious journal) once stated that you do not make a man an elder, you only recognize him for what he is already doing!

From this we can conclude that elders are quality Christian examples before they become elders!

LET'S LOOK AGAIN AT 1 TIM 3 AND TITUS 1

The point we wish to make on this slide is that in both 1 Tim3 and Titus 1 the qualities that follow "above reproach" and "blameless" merely describe what it means to be "above reproach" and "blameless".  They modify "above reproach" and "blameless".

This conclusion does not nullify the importance of these qualities, but shifts them from qualifications to necessary or desirable qualities.


PETER MAKES A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO ELDER QUALITIES:

The point to be stressed her is that elders do not lead by domineering their people, but by personal example.
Their leadership is one of overseeing, that is, guarding, protecting, caring for their people.
Episkopos, translated Bishop or Overseer does not mean "the boss", but the one who guards and protects.


THE MAN OF GOD!

Notice that the man of God is righteous, godly, full of faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
The elder is a man of God!
The man of God is defined by spiritual qualities!


TIMOTHY AS AN EXAMPLE OF A MAN OF GOD

Surely the qualities expected of Timothy should be expected of elders!
Notice the emphasis on teaching the Word of God and personal faith and life!


PAUL'S PERSONAL EXAMPLE

Surely what is expected of Paul in his personal life should be expected of an elder!
Paul was an ordinary Christian who served as an Apostle.
Paul expected Timothy to follow his example!
Elders are ordinary Christians who serve as shepherds.
Notice again the balance between teaching the Word of God and personal life and conduct.


OTHER DESIRABLE SPIRITUAL QUALITIES ELDERS SHOULD MANIFEST

The above are several other qualities elders should manifest before they become elders!
Remember David Lipscomb said that you do not make a man an elder, you merely recognize him for what he has been doing!


SUMMARY OF LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
Before we consider this summary there are a few comments we wish to make:

1. We are reminded that we are considering a composite list of qualities desired in leaders, not a list of qualifications.
2. This is a summary, not a definitive list.  There may be other qualities that need emphasis in certain circumstances.
3. These qualities are a reflection on the nature of Christ and mature Christian characteristics.
4. Sociological and religious needs in congregations may determine that certain qualities need more emphasis than others.
5. Elders are seldom if ever perfect.  People grow into mature Christianity even as elders.  The ideal is to have someone who manifests most of the necessary qualities.  No-one short of Jesus will manifest all of these qualities in their full measure.


COMPOSITE SPIRITUAL QUALITIES FOR ELDERS
This composite summary of the ideal qualities for elders is a summary of several texts that address leadership in the Scriptures.  It is not exhaustive, but suggestive of what one would hope to find in elders.