God's Design for the ChurchNäide

Church Leadership

It’s a shocking reality that in many churches, leaders are appointed because of their wealth, status, or social and political connections, rather than because of their Christlikeness. There’s no denying that leadership is a crucial element in the success (or disaster) story of every church, and leaders should be carefully considered, trained and appointed with integrity.

In Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, he lays out the qualifications for elders. These leaders are spiritually mature; they love, serve, and manage their own households well; they are upright and reputable in the wider community; and they are able to teach God’s Word with precision. As leaders in the church today, we need strategies for spiritual growth and accountability in all these areas.

As the first-century church grew, deacons were appointed to help the elders with some of the practical and administrative tasks at hand. Our twenty-first-century churches need qualified deacons, too – not just ‘yes men’ who will agree to the personal agendas of the eldership, but believers with insight, integrity, trustworthiness, and practical skills.

Ultimately, church leaders should humbly serve their congregations, imitating the greatest leader of all time and the head of the church, Jesus. Only mature, godly leaders can take the church where God wants it to go, using it to bring His Kingdom on Earth. Wherever there are self-serving, domineering, manipulative, or arrogant leaders, you’ll find casualties – hurt people leaving the church and possibly hurting others along the way.

Spend time in prayer for yourself as a leader, and for other church leaders in your life. Pray for irresistible humility and selflessness, and for energy and wisdom. May we be quick to recognize those who are qualified to lead (and not be swayed by popular opinion), thus preserving the godliness of the church. And may we constantly look to the chief shepherd, Jesus, as we lead and love His flock.