What are the primary characteristics of a spiritual leader?

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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.