Why Is Christian Leadership Such a Big Deal?

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Are you a Christian leader?

Maybe you’re not a pastor, but you lead a small group, teach a class, or disciple some friends. If so, 1 Timothy 3-4 is a must-read. As Walter Liefeld notes, “In chapter 1 Paul urged Timothy both to teach truth and to live a life appropriate to his teachings. In chapter 2, he stressed the importance of conduct that befits God’s truth on the part of both men and women. Now Paul takes another step to address the problem of false teachers by ensuring that the church has leaders who are morally qualified and ‘above reproach.’”^[1] In 1 Timothy 3:1-5, he says,

¹ This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” ² An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. ⁴ He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 

In other words, there are standards to Christian leadership. N.T. Wright says, “If someone is to hold office within the church, their life must reflect what the church is all about.”^[2] They can’t be one person in front of Christians and another at home. Their lives must have synergy and consistent Christian character.

Keep in mind that Paul writes this at a time when male influence over a home was dominant. This was certainly true in Judaism, but it was also true in Roman culture. “In principle, Roman fathers maintained the right of life and death over their children, although this was barely ever exercised in this period except with newborns and would not be relevant in Ephesus. Nevertheless, the principle illustrates the degree of authority that ancient Mediterranean society accorded fathers.”^[3]