What are the primary characteristics of a spiritual leader?

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. This is what having integrity means—consistency between the faith we profess and how we live. Leaders apply the truths of God’s word to every aspect of life. Leaders pursue their own spiritual maturity. They prioritize a personal, vibrant relationship with Jesus, and they minister out of the overflow of that relationship. Leaders demonstrate emotional maturity, exercising self-control in anger, conflict, ambition, finances, and substance use (such as alcohol). Leaders are responsible in how they manage relationships, especially their family relationships. They value people, serve people, and act as gracious hosts. Leaders are competent in ministry. They are knowledgeable and skilled in communicating God’s truth and care to others. These high standards do not mean that spiritual leaders are faultless; however, they do mean that good spiritual leaders are committed to bearing the fruit of faith in all of life.