What are the Requirements for Leadership? 1 Timothy 3:1-7 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; (4)One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

The Greek word for bishop “episkopos” literally means an overseer, and comes from the word “skopeo” which means to “look” or “watch” (Philippians 1:1, I timothy 3:2,  Titus 1:7 and I Peter 2:25).  The word for elder (presbuteros) is another term for bishop or overseer, except it indeicats a more mature spiritual experience and understand for those so described (Acts 20:17).  According to divine will and appointment,  there were to be elders  in every New Testament church (Acts 14:24, 20:17, Titus 1:5, James 5:14).

Requirements for Leadership in I Timothy 3:1-7 gives us sixteen qualifications of an overseer, and it would be a great asset to the church if these qualifications were held , not only by ordained ministers, but all lay leaders in the church. The sixteen qualifications are outlined as followed.

Requirements for Leadership:

1.  BLAMELESS - Describing conduct as one who is honest and cannot be justly accused.

2.  HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE – He is not a polygamist

3.  VIGILANT - Alert to dangers of all sorts that would hinder his Christian life , his influence on the church

4.  SOBER - Of sound mind, discreet, prudent , moderate, temperate of self controlled.

5.  OF GOOD BEHAVIOR - Not a trouble maker, not mischievous or a sower of discord or dissension.

6.   HOSPITABLE – A warm and open welcome to strangers, having an open door and open heart for others

7.   APT TO TEACH - Capable of giving instruction and guidance in Scriptural principles.

8.  NOT GIVE TO WINE – Not frequenting wine, wine has no draw or hold on him.

9.  NO STRIKER - Not quarrelsome, not eager for reverent or “getting even”  when wronged, does not persecute or slander those who differ with him.

10.  NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE – Not wrongly Motivated Toward Money, not using wrong or deceptive methods to raise money or increase personal income.

11.  PATIENT - Meek, gentle, humble, and slow to speak and react toward accusations.

12.  NOT A BRAWLER – Not contentious, but quiet and peaceable.

13.  NOT COVETOUS - Not a lover of material things over spiritual things, not desiring office for personal gain or gratification.

14.  RULER OF HIS HOUSE – Not a Tyrant, but a responsible leader of his family, having the love and respect of his children. Please note that that particular emphasis is placed on the person’s ability to manage a family and the Scripture infers that if one cannot rule his own house, he is not capable of caring for the church of God (I Timothy 3:5).

15.  NOT A NOVICE - Not a new or recent convert who has not had sufficient experience in his Christian walk to know how to resist the devil and temptation.

16.  OF GOOD REPORT – Well spoken of from those outside the church (Non-Christians) whose life is respected by the community in general; this includes paying bills and not incurring excess debts so as to cause financial problems.

Pastor Kirt Eure – Requirements for Leadership