Qualified Leadership

There are height requirements for rides at the state fair, prerequisite classes that must be taken in order to register for advanced courses, and certain conditions that must be met before applying for certain jobs. It can be disastrous for someone to be accepted into or allowed to do something for which they are not fit or ready. At best, the operation will not be what it was intended. At worst, people get hurt. The same is true when a church selects and affirms leaders. In fact, far more is at stake, namely the good of God’s people and the glory of Christ (1 Timothy 3:1-16). Only those who meet the biblical requirements may serve in the church as an elder or deacon (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:7-9). This is because only qualified leaders can properly protect the church from immaturity, sin and division. And only qualified leaders can properly provide the oversight and care deserving of Christ’s church.

It is for this reason Paul goes into such great detail about the character and giftedness of the local church leader. Paul is deeply concerned for the well-being of the Ephesian church. Unfaithful, even devious, leaders have already had a harmful effect on this church (Acts 20:29-30) and Paul knows that a resurgence of qualified leadership is the key to recovery. Whether this charge equipped Timothy to confront existing leaders or was used to recruit a new batch, we do not know. In either case, the job descriptions of those who would fill these important offices were published for the whole church to see, and to it every leader would be held accountable. It is far too common to think of church leaders as the oil in our cars, merely an assumed necessity or the talented staff of vision-casting ministry experts, instead of the sanctifying and safeguarding influence they are designed by God to be. From this point forward, God’s objective standard would equip every local church to more actively affirm and appreciate godly servant-leaders, while defending itself from the damning and diluting influence of unqualified leadership (John 10:10).

Verses one through seven are qualifications to serve as an elder - the authoritative, overseeing and shepherding branch of local church government (1 Thessalonians 5:12). This office is uniquly reserved for qualified men and ultimately answers to the Lord for their leadership and teaching of the entire church (Hebrews 13:17). Verses eight through thirteen are qualifications to serve as a deacon - the support-oriented ministry-leader branch of local church leadership (Acts 6:1-3, Philippians 1:1-2). *This office is open to both qualified men and women. These overseers and servants are Christ’s gift to His churches, for It is by God’s grace that churches have qualified leadership in the first place, both as evidence of the power of the Gospel and examples to be followed (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). Together, officers manifest God’s comprehensive leadership of His people: His transcendent, sovereign oversight (seen best in the elders) and His imminent, practical care (seen best in the deacons). Only when faithful leadership is provided by both branches can the congregation grow safely, with freedom and the confidence that Christ is honored and His Spirit is powerfully at work. 

Elders and Deacons work together to provide three fundamental elements of spiritual leadership: leading, feeding and protecting. This is no optional service; but is vital to the spiritual blessing of the church. While Christ is the head of His Church and every local church, He has appointed servant leaders to the ministry of theological protection and spiritual guidance (Colossians 1:8, 1 Peter 5:4). In their own way, either with an authoritative emphasis or in the context of serving and equipping the church, elders and deacons lead the church both by loving rule and by their model maturity. Together, they feed the church by teaching sound doctrine, to entire the gathered congregation in an authoritative manner or in groups designed to maximize discipleship and accountability. And together, they protect the church from both internal and external influences that produce immaturity, sin and division. Without even one of these aspects given conscious care and attention, the church is vulnerable. And when they work according to God’s express will for His church (1 Timothy 1:14-15), His people are best positioned for growth and Christ is glorified. 

And it is the glory of Christ that abruptly comes rushing to Paul’s mind following the topic of qualified church leadership. Verse 16 is a hymn, a song, affirming the incarnation, declaring the Gospel and glorifying the risen Christ. Does this surprise us? It should not. It would only be odd if such careful concern and specific instruction is given for something about which Christ does not care. However, the church is the very body of Christ, bought with His very life (Acts 20:28), filled with His very Spirit, and the company through which the fullness of the wisdom of God is made known both on the earth and to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). No wonder Christ comes to mind as Paul outlines the proper management of and care for the churches. If our thoughts of church-work, even church-offices, aren't compelled by the glory of Christ, we don’t see it how we ought! As Hendriksen writes, “Great is the church because great is its exalted head, Jesus Christ. It is [Christ] who is great, and this confessedly, that is, thus acknowledged by the church in its daily witness, preaching, and as here, in its hymns.”

*Verse 11 may well be translated, “Likewise, women…” Also, Romans 16:1 mentions Phoebe as a Deacon of the church of Cecherea. There are other references to women playing key ministry leadership roles throughout the New Testament.