Standard of Leadership

Read 1 Timothy 4: 6-16, 1 Timothy 6:3-5

In the secular and corporate worlds, leaders are chosen based on their expertise and experience. When you apply for a job, you submit a resume which lists your qualifications. The employer considers those qualifications and how you would fit in with the company environment and hires you.

In the Christian world, especially those who are Pentecostal and Charismatic, we look for the anointing of God working in a person’s life which is important as God wants us to have power. Yet, that doesn’t mean that we should also seek qualifications of understanding and properly living out and applying God’s word.

In 1 Timothy 3:7, Paul makes this statement: As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

He speaks of those who are using different doctrine. He is charging Timothy to correct those who bring unclear and/or untrue doctrine. As a believer in Christ, we must have clear doctrine, but even if we are in the secular realm, we must know clearly the doctrine (goals or beliefs) we want to express in our businesses.

As leaders, we must have both power, and sound doctrine and if we are leaders in the church, we must clearly be able to discuss what we believe and why with a basis in God’s word.

Read 1 Timonthy 1: 12-17

Paul speaks about the mercy he needed since he was formerly one who persecuted the church. Paul’s ability to own his mistakes is one of the things that makes him a great leader. It is a lesson that we can also learn. In the big and the small leaders should own their mistakes. It sets a good example for our teams and it keeps us humble. Good leaders own their failures and try to make things right.

Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4

As a leader you will be entrusted with the hearts and minds of God’s people. Additionally, you will also hear things about other leaders. Do you cover and protect people or do you gossip about them. As a leader, don’t simply be concerned enough to talk to others about the situation but to God. He is the only one that can change things.