While it is a great responsibility to be a leader, it is an even greater honor to be a leader in God’s house. What is required of being a Spiritual Leader? What is required of being a Pastor? In 1 Timothy 3, Paul lays out the requirements of being a leader that you can apply to any sphere of your life.
Are you a business leader? A coach? A mom? I believe wherever you are, you are still leading spiritually in your sphere of influence.
Here are 6 requirements of a leader according to Paul:
1 A LEADER LIVES ABOVE REPROACH
- Great leaders are marked with integrity and character - there are no asterisks or question marks regarding their integrity.
- They don’t have a sketchy reputation. As time goes on, great leaders are building trust with people.
- The behavior of someone living above reproach is someone who exhibits self-control, righteousness, and uprightness.
2 A LEADER IS RESPECTED
- Respect is something everyone wants, but we must give respect to receive it.
- Leaders work hard to build trust and respect.
3 A LEADER IS RESPONSIBLE WITH MONEY
- We can’t be spiritual leaders and not give to God what is His. When you take care of money appropriately, God trusts you with spiritual riches.
- Leaders don’t love money, they steward money.
4 A LEADER IS REALLY GREAT AT HOME
- Nothing reveals your leadership more than your home.
- It’s not easy, but how can we lead God’s house if we can’t lead our own home?
- A strong leader leads a home that bears good fruit.
5 A LEADER RECOMMENDED BY OTHERS BECAUSE OF PROVEN CHARACTER
- God will always use proven character.
- As leaders, we're after proven character, not perfect character.
- A good leader has shown others that their character is developed and persistent.
6 A LEADER IS REPENTANT
- Paul says that a spiritual leader is “...not violent but gentle.” One of the key signs the Holy Spirit is working in your life is gentleness. Gentleness should flow out of your life. You don’t strive or earn that, you receive that. Sometimes, the hardest part of being a spiritual leader is being spiritual.
- A strong leader allows the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through repentance.
Today as you reflect on the kind of leader that you are, and the kind of leader you want to be, identify which areas you need God to help you with.
PS: You're doing better than you think you are!
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