Leadership Matters (Part 2): Spiritual Integrity

What qualifies one for leadership in the church?  This question is best answered looking from the perspective of the most often used picture of the church, that of the flock. As a flock, the church does not, and should not, blindly and mindlessly follow anyone, but should assess whether the shepherd is qualified to lead them, protect them, and care for their souls.
 
Reading the list of character qualities in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the most striking thing on this list are the things that are not included.
 
Here’s the list:
·       Above reproach
·       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
·       Manages household well
·       Children are in submission
·       Not a recent convert
·       Not puffed up or conceited
·       Well thought of by outsiders
 
Surprisingly, these did not make the list:
·       Charisma
·       Entrepreneurial spirit
·       Business acumen
·       Extroversion
·       Uniqueness
·       Rebellion
·       Being an ex-youth minister (ok, that made me laugh)
 
Interestingly, these are often the things that do make for a leader in the business world, and they are often the traits that people think make one a leader in the church (these were the things I was asked about when assessed as a potential church planter in the state of South Carolina). Granted, some of these things matter. 
 
Here’s the point: leadership in the church is about character not charisma…spiritual integrity and not leadership savvy.
 
And the character traits that should be evident are the normal outcomes of a life redeemed by the gospel of Christ. As Mark Dever stats, leaders should function in the church to be a motion picture of what it means to follow Jesus. 
 

• Philippians 3:17 – “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”            
• 1 Timothy 4:12 – “set the believers an example”
• 1 Peter 5:3 – “being an example to the flock”
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

 
The list could go on and on.
           
I used to think these were highly arrogant claims, but now it makes since. If I am following Jesus and I ask you to follow me, fundamentally you are not following me, but you are following Jesus. If I follow him well, so do you. If I don’t, there are consequences for you.
 
Leadership starts with, and is motivated by, intimacy with Jesus.
 
Without it, the train wreck is inevitable. Twelve years of vocational ministry have proven that many (more than I care to admit) of those who serve within the local church simply don’t walk with Jesus. The shrapnel in their lives and families only serve to foster this point.
 
Therefore, leaders watch your life closely, repent quickly, and don’t supplant intimacy with God with your selfish aspirations to be the next big thing in the world of the church.  Walk with great fear, awestruck humility, and passionate pursuit of your Savior.
 
And, church, be careful who you follow.  Weigh carefully the outcome of their faith (which is difficult to discern quickly).  Ask them questions. Spend time with them. Pray for them. Confront sin in them. Be careful lest you, as a sheep, follow a shepherd off a cliff.