‘If someone aspires to be [a leader]…’ 1 Timothy 3:1 NLT
The Bible outlines specific qualifications for leadership in the church.
‘An elder 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… must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot mange his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced… and fall. In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity… They must be committed to the mystery of the now revealed faith and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do… Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.’ (1 Timothy 3:1–13 NLT)
SoulFood: Joel 2:23–32, Acts 2:1–21
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2024
