Leadership Foundations
Course 2
Represent the Kingdom Well
“Christian leadership is based on biblical values and carries with it eternal consequences;
it’s a noble task that lives according to high standards.”
-Dan Reiland-
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 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? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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.”
Leadership Qualities
Even though these qualifications are listed for Elders and Deacons in the church, they are character qualities that everyone in the church should strive for, especially anyone in leadership.
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"above reproach, blameless, above criticism, without fault"
This does not mean that I must be perfectly sinless. But it does refer to consistent, mature Christian living which gives no occasion for public reproach. The Greeks used this word to communicate the idea that you gave nothing that which your enemy/adversary could take hold.
This is the main character quality the rest flow from.
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Representing the kingdom well takes place in all the private areas of my life as well as the ones seen by others. A follower of Christ recognizes that Christ is Lord of every area; when I am alone, in my home life, on my social media, when I drive, when I communicate to others, or when I go shopping.
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Jesus says "Among you it will be different." He is referring to His followers and how they are to be leaders in this world. We don't lead by worldly leadership standards and ideas, we lead by God's. This means we are called to be different. We are called to be servants.