Question 1

What are the primary characteristics of a spiritual leader?

Accepted Answer

1 Timothy 3:1-7This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.Titus 1:7A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.Paul lists numerous characteristics for church leaders. The primary one is consistency between what they believe and how they live. Leaders apply the truth of the Good News to every aspect of life. This is what “integrity” means and it can be observed in four primary areas. Leaders are maturing in the following: (1) personal spirituality, exhibiting a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ and ministering out of the overflow of knowing God more and more deeply; (2) emotional maturity, exercising self-control in anger, conflict, ambition, finances, and the use of alcohol; (3) relational responsibility in valuing people, especially their family relationships, and being gracious hosts; (4) ministry competency, being knowledgeable and skilled in communicating God’s truth and care to others. These high standards do not mean that spiritual leaders are faultless but that they are committed to bearing the fruit of faith in all of life.

Question 2

What do elders need to watch for while leading?

Accepted Answer

Acts 20:28-31“Guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.”Spiritual leaders are engaged in spiritual battles. In additional to the normal functions of providing for the people’s welfare and direction, elders must keep watch for false teachers who threaten to entice the people away from God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:3-4). It is also noteworthy that leaders weep in concern, compassion, and love for those they lead.

Question 3

What’s the difference between the offices of elder (or church leader) and deacon?

Accepted Answer

Acts 6:2-4The Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”Acts 14:23Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.Titus 1:7A church leader is a manager of God’s household.1 Peter 5:1-4Now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I [Peter], too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.In the New Testament, we can observe elders, sometimes referred to as church leaders, and deacons fulfilling different functions among their local community of believers. The first deacons were chosen to serve needy widows in the community so that the apostles could devote themselves to teaching God’s Word. Among these first deacons, we also see them performing miracles, preaching, and spreading the Good News all over the Roman Empire (for example, Stephen, Acts 6:8–7:60; Philip, Acts 8:4-40). Elders were responsible for preaching and teaching and caring for a local community of believers; elders, alongside the apostles, were responsible for guiding and leading the church on doctrine. Today, different churches define these roles in different ways, but modern-day elders and deacons still share these same responsibilities first described in the New Testament.

Question 4

Why should someone want to be an elder or a deacon?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 4:11-13These are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.1 Timothy 3:1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”1 Timothy 4:14Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.All believes are given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit, and we should exercise those gifts in the Body of Christ, both the universal church and our local church. Some believers are given gifts that help them guide and serve the church from leadership positions. When someone has been given one of these gifts, then they enjoy leading and serving God’s people.

Question 5

Why does the Bible have so much emphasis on elders?

Accepted Answer

Titus 1:5I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.Local churches need spiritual leaders, godly and gifted individuals who will lead, teach, and care for the other believers in a local congregation.

Question 6

How can I know if I should be an elder or church leader?

Accepted Answer

Acts 20:28“Guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”The most important indication that someone should be an elder or leader is if that person has been called by the Holy Spirit and appointed to that role.Romans 12:6-8In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.1 Peter 4:10-11God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.We should also seriously consider being an elder if we have been given the necessary spiritual gifts. God wants us to use our spiritual gifts for his glory and to build up his church.

Question 7

How should elders relate and respond to church members?

Accepted Answer

Acts 20:28“Guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”1 Peter 5:1-4A word to you who are elders in the churches. I [Peter], too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.Elders should set a good example of faith in Christ and lead out of love for Christ and his people, not out of a sense of obligation or duty or desire for power. And while leading a church, they should lead with love and humility, not condescending to members because of their authoritative position. Their goal should be to guard and protect the people from those who might harm or mislead them.

Question 8

How should I relate and respond to elders and leaders in my church?

Accepted Answer

Hebrews 13:17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.We can trust and follow our church leaders because, ultimately, they are accountable to God, who calls them to love and care for his people with gentleness, patience, and respect. This work is heavy, so we can relate to our leaders similarly so that caring for God’s people is a joy, not a burden.1 Peter 5:5You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”Often church elders and leaders will be older because of their life experience and spiritual maturity. Regardless of age, members should “accept the authority of the elders” with humility.1 Timothy 5:17-20Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.Teaching elders and pastors should be treated well and compensated for their work. Accusations against elders brought by multiple witnesses should be taken seriously. Elders who are credibly found to have sinned should repent and bear just consequences for their wrongdoing.

Question 9

What are the qualifications of an elder or church leader?

Accepted Answer

1 Timothy 3:1-7This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.Certainly, elders should be those with the necessary spiritual gifts. This passage lists several additional qualifications that leaders need. Above all, elders and leaders must live virtuously.

Question 10

What are the qualifications of a deacon?

Accepted Answer

1 Timothy 3:8-13Deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.The spiritual and moral qualifications for a deacon are similar to those of an elder.

Question 11

Can I be an elder if I have had some past moral failure?

Accepted Answer

Galatians 1:13-16You know what I [Paul] was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.1 Timothy 1:15-16This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I [Paul] am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.God’s grace is real—no one deserves his favor—and his forgiveness is complete. A person’s past sins and mistakes should not disqualify that person for a church office if they repent and turn from their sins. Consider the apostle Paul who, in his own words, was the worst sinner of all before he began serving Christ.