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Sunday, September 25, 2005
So, Ya Wanna Be a Church Leader, Huh?!
Eugene Peterson begins his paraphrase of I Timothy 3 in The Message with the words, "If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good!"
BUT...
Huh? I hate that word. Why does there always have to be a 'but'?
The writer then gives us some modern day listings of things that Paul says are an absolute must for church leaders today. Peterson calls them "preconditions".
Monday mornings are always a great time for a reality check. As church leaders, we must take the time periodically to measure ourselves against the standard. I'm asking that we all take fifteen minutes this morning to self-evaluate how we're doing. It could make a big difference in your week; and in your ministry.
Take some time right now. Don't just skim this list... read each item individually. Write down some action steps on your weaker points. And thank God when you're doing well in others.
OK... here we go. A leader must be...
1. well-thought-of
Are there people in your church right now that you need to clear the air with? Are there people you are trying to lead who don't think well of you? How can you make it right this week?
2. committed to his wife
How close is your relationship? Sure, you may feel totally committed to your wife, but does she know that? Do whatever you need to this week to make your spouse feel vibrant and a useful part of your ministry.
3. cool and collected
Have you blown your temper lately? Have you held a grudge? Again... is there someone you're trying to lead who you are ticked at? Pray for God's help to stay cool and collected even under pressure.
4. accessible
Is your office door open or closed right now? Are you accessible to your staff? to your church? to other pastors in your community? to those who oppose you?
5. hospitable
Are you friendly? Do people feel comfortable around you? How long has it been since you've opened your home to new people?
6. he must know what he's talking about
Are you well-researched? Do you really know what you're talking about, or do you do a good job 'snowing' people?
7. not be overfond of wine
Is this a temptation of yours? If so, watch out.
8. not pushy but gentle
Are you a leader or a manipulator? Are you motivational or abusive?
9. not thin-skinned
Are you sitting around this morning consumed by bad comments from yesterday? Think about the positive things that were accomplished yesterday. Truth be told, many more people were ministered to in a postive way than were upset about something that went wrong.
10. not money-hungry
Are you consumed and motivated by money?
11. handle his own affairs well
What personal affairs are in shambles? Take some time to do your best to get your personal affairs in good shape today so you can concentrate on ministry.
12. attentive to his own children and having their respect
Don't place your ministry over family. Spend some time with your kids today. Quality and Quanity.
13. must not be a new believer
Not much you can do here... hopefully you can check this one off your list! :)
14. outsiders must think well of him
What does your community think about you? Who cares, you ask? Evidently, it's important... because Paul stuck it in here. Make a list of things you could do to help people in your community have a good impression of you!
There you have it... how did you do?
FOR DISCUSSION: Was there a certain area that God really spoke to you in? What are you struggling with? What are you doing well with? (Feel free to post anonymously if need be). How important is it to follow these guidelines in your own ministry?
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Comments
number 12 should be changed around in the comments---right? Or am I reading it wrong?
Posted by: john | Sep 26, 2005 9:19:57 AM
12. attentive to his own children and having their respect
Don't place your family over ministry. Spend some time with your kids today. Quality and Quanity.
IS THIS WHAT YOU REALLY MEANT TO SAY? I DON'T THINK SO.
Posted by: Greg | Sep 26, 2005 9:23:31 AM
good suggestions! I am sure that you meant "don't place your ministry over family", not the other way around for number 12.......
Posted by: glenn | Sep 26, 2005 9:24:16 AM
Thank you for a good reminder on Monday morning. The Holy Spirit spoke to me directly in one specific area, and confirmed something I was burdened about. THANKS!
Posted by: Richard | Sep 26, 2005 9:25:19 AM
Regarding number 3...
There is an assumption made here that all ministers are male - therefore they need to care for their "wife". Perhaps you might change that wording to be 'spouse' - then it would be inclusive to all people trained in ministry and it would not appear paternalistic nor exclusionary. Thanks, Jan
Posted by: Jan Magray | Sep 26, 2005 9:29:54 AM
I got 100% of those down pat...so why aren't people following me?
Posted by: Rick | Sep 26, 2005 9:31:03 AM
Great list! One question for clarification:
12. attentive to his own children and having their respect
Don't place your family over ministry. Spend some time with your kids today. Quality and Quanity.
Was the point to not overserve your family, too much sports & other family based activities that ministry to others is crowded out (or)Was it a typo, that would mean to say don't place ministry over family, overserving the church and community in ministry that your own family is neglected? Both are unhealthy balances, just wanting to clarify the statement.
Posted by: Keith Branson | Sep 26, 2005 9:33:16 AM
Regarding number 3: Not only are you assuming that all church leaders are male, you (and Jan) are assuming that all church leaders are married. I am a single, never married, female who is just as called to ministry as you are. And I do have family members to watch over -- parents, siblings and nieces and nephews -- so of which live with me and for whom I provide. Please don't make this a "boy's club only" list. Thanks, Cindy.
Posted by: Cindy | Sep 26, 2005 9:37:02 AM
I've fixed the "ministry over family" mistake. Oops! :)
Todd
Posted by: Todd Rhoades | Sep 26, 2005 9:37:19 AM
#12 Spoke to me directly even though I feel it is turned around I do spend alot of time in my work and then my ministry and after that it is sometimes hard to find time for the children and I know now I have to make that time. You see I receive no compensation as a minister by choice and I work a full time job where I am also oncall 24 hours a day so Finding time is not an option I have to clear away and make the time for my children and my wife
Posted by: Rev.Donald E.Paul Jr. | Sep 26, 2005 9:37:49 AM
Thanks Eugene for the article...but it seemed that you didn't want me to complete it - I stopped reading after #2 - I understand the scripture but your comments is what troubled me...I happened to be a woman...your thoughts regarding that don't matter - what matters is the audience you are reaching - is this a men's only site?
Posted by: Debbi B | Sep 26, 2005 9:38:58 AM
Um. . . there ARE WOMEN who are leaders-called by GOD, by the way. They are married and single. Good grief, MMI!!
Posted by: CM | Sep 26, 2005 9:50:29 AM
You know what... let's not make this a men vs. women issue. All I'm doing it quoting I Timothy where Paul says that an overseer should be a "husband of but one wife". You can take issue with Paul; or with the individual translations (all of which use the masculine here); but if you're a woman, please don't take offense simply because I sited scripture. :)
Todd
Posted by: Todd Rhoades | Sep 26, 2005 9:50:52 AM
Thanks for the checklist... I believe I faired very good in all areas. But, not excellent as I think I should. Though I'm striving for excellence I just can't seem to get there. Am I human or making excuses.
Please advise..........
Posted by: Warren | Sep 26, 2005 9:52:55 AM
It is not a men VERSUS women issue. It is an all inclusive issue for people who are CALLED to serve God's people in a leadership capacity.
By excluding women, your way of thinking DOES make it a battle of the sexes.
Posted by: CM | Sep 26, 2005 9:58:07 AM
Great reminders-- again!
I have thought about everyone of these points for over a year (legnth of time searching for new digs) Now, the search is over and I will take the same issues to a secular job. Ministry as a career is over! While I have enjoyed 20 years of service, the truth is this: we all agree with the above issues-- its scripture! I dare say that many, many of the people that we serve are absolutely clueless about real "leadership" never the less, lead on!
Thanks,
Don
Posted by: Don Solin | Sep 26, 2005 10:07:13 AM
Todd,
Thanks for the challenge. I really struggle with two areas. On #2...I want my wife to know I love her and how valuable she is to me, but I feel I often assume she knows instead of taking the time to speak her love language. On #3...I feel I have learned a lot about being a leader, but I feel I really often miss it. I don't want to hurt anyone, but through poor leadership I do. Lately i have been crying out to God to change me in both of these areas, and make a person who demonstates love to my wife and my church. After all, if Christ demonstrated his love for me while I was yet a sinner, can't I at least love those who are lovely? Thanks again for the ministry.
Neil
Posted by: Neil Appell | Sep 26, 2005 10:10:25 AM
I liked the examination. I feel that we all do this kind of self exam on monday mornings after you preached your heart out and then you do not get a response :( oh well the response is up to God and not us. Personally I liked the idea of the way we examine the way we are viewed by those on the outside. I believe that we are too wrapped up in what those on the inside think of us and we forget about those that may want to come in and worship with us. We all need to be cool and collected and then we can make an educated and prayerful response. Thanks for the mirror test.
Posted by: Allen Ballard | Sep 26, 2005 10:28:19 AM
Interesting. Great points and yet we still fuss over the gender issue. Either Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit or he wasn't. If God chose that pastors would be male, who are we to argue? We submit to God and His Word or we don't. God's ways are not man's [or woman's] ways. [For instance, tithing makes no sense at all to many people and yet we teach it and are blessed by it.]
Barak was chosen by God to lead Israel and he got cold feet so God permitted Deborah to serve. Even Deborah warned Barak that he would lose the glory. Man and woman are equal in the eyes of God for personhood and salvation but do function differently. A man can be a husband and father. A woman can be a mother and wife. Even Paul taught that the husband functioned as the head of the wife. If the local church is a family, who functions in the father role in the physical, daily realm?
Let me take it one step further. The family has suffered from the removal of the man - father, husband functions - and the children have been impacted. I know many single mothers who have done super jobs as single parents but still the damage is done. How do they succeed? They find male role models for the children (uncles, church members, etc).
Just my thoughts.
Posted by: Dan Moore | Sep 26, 2005 10:31:14 AM
Thank you for the encouragement. I follow my Saviour with joy and hang on His every word.
Posted by: Gary | Sep 26, 2005 10:40:06 AM
I'm a single female in ministry who took NO offense to the article whatsoever...just wanted you to know...I enjoyed it and think it would be a fabulous passage to print out and keep in an accessible place to look over once in awhile and keep oneself in check on. Thanks!
Posted by: Jennifer | Sep 26, 2005 10:52:11 AM
Thanks for the thoughts Todd. # 9 hit just where I needed to be hit this morning. I am a young pastor leading a church plant that is in month 4 of a 12 month "pre-launch" development.
I am usually pretty thick skinned but have found in the last few months that i am letting the few negative comments or the "well, I just have a concern..." comments (I hate that phrase by the way, what a horrible way to begin "one of those" types of conversations) eat my lunch like never before. It really sucks that we, I, so often allow the few less that overly positive comments or people to dictate my emotional health and outlook.
I need better balance here. I either tend to be too thined skinned and let things get to me too much or I don't really hear peopel's concerns and can tend to make moves and make decesions that don't at all take into account how some people may be feeling or what they may be thinking.
--Learning to lead
Posted by: Craig | Sep 26, 2005 11:04:28 AM
I am so much imp[ressed with such views on leadership. I think paul,s views on leadership should not be lightly taken. For Todd to comment on this, he,s very right. I am a young unmarried pastor and don't have a family but I don't take this as a failure in the ministry. Thanks, Daniel.
Posted by: Daniel | Sep 26, 2005 11:17:58 AM
Being 1/2 of a clergy couple, I find the male-oriented language to be offensive. There are many great female leaders of the church, and we should be including them in our discussions.
Posted by: Mark | Sep 26, 2005 11:18:44 AM
First of all I am not a minister, however I was studying to be and few of these points pulled me back. My mother is also a minister and has been since I was 12. At any rate, this tranlastion does raise a few questions:
1. In regard to the gender issue. We most read this scripture in it historical and literal context. Men and the words that refer to it, whether directly or indirectly, where used in both Greek and Hebrew (as is with latin and spanish) whenever a mixed gender group is described. Also you have to look at the role of a man in that day in age from a "secular" and "jewish" standpoint (which the people paul is speaking to fit in to one of those 2 groups).
2 The wine issue ( 7. not be overfond of wine
Is this a temptation of yours? If so, watch out.)
what exactly do we feel this means? I only ask because my wife and I are avid wine collectors. (we don't drink heavily or see it as a temptation but we do find it intersting)
We study the history and have a good collection going (esp. since we spent part of our honeymoon in Sonoma Valley).
Does this put me in a position that would not allow me to be a leader in anyway? including Sunday school, choir, or band (which I do currently play the drums!) or anything like that?
I understand that to be a minister in a denomonation you should adhere to its rules and I respect that, that is why I have not become a minister, but am I allowed to hold voluntary leadership positions?
I really see no solid answer here but I am interested in opinions!
Posted by: David | Sep 26, 2005 11:36:22 AM
