Keith Malcomson
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Qualification's For Leadership

By Keith Malcomson

Blameless" (I Tim.3:2;  Tit.1:6-7), This means to be un-rebukeable, un-accused, un-reprovable and above  reproach. After investigation nothing can be laid to their charge. No one can  lay hold of or seize on anything in their life. Now we know there are false  accusers and those who will look for anything and accuse of anything, but this  term means to be blameless before God and the Scriptures, as well as before the  Church that judges righteously according to the Word of God. 

"The husband of one  wife" (3:2, 12; Tit.1:6), Literally this means 'a one woman  man.' This qualification has been more argued over than any other. Some have  disqualified single men from leadership because of this statement, which would  have disqualified the apostle Paul. Others have disqualified widows from  leadership because of this, and still more so others have disqualified those  divorced or married to someone divorced (This many times will be correct to do  but Scripture and Christ is clear that divorce is allowable on the basis of  adultery alone. Mt.5 and 19). Like the rest of these listed qualifications it is  talking of present characteristics. This speaks of a man (if he is married) who  has his heart and focus set on one woman, he is not a flirt or womaniser. The  term "one" speaks of unity and oneness. It is possible for a man to be  married to the same
woman for life but to be disqualified by this statement  because he is not "one" with her, or he is too loose or casual with  other women. This term also deals with the error of Rome who would place on  those who minister the regulation of  'no wife' which is a doctrine of  demons (I Tim.4:1-3). 

"Vigilant" (3:2), A  literal translation of this is to 'abstain from wine' or 'be free from its  influence.' This means one who is watchful, sober and ALERT. There is no  influence of this world upon him that would hinder him from keeping watch on  duty over the flock of God. This also is given as a quality for deacons wives,  v11, and older men in the church, Tit.2:2. 

"Sober" (3:2;  Tit.1:8), This means to be 'sound or whole in mind.' To be self-controlled best  defines this. This will be a man who is able to curb and control his feelings,  thoughts and emotions. This instruction is given as well for the older men and  woman in the church, Tit.2:2 (temperate), 5 (discreet) as well as the young men,  Tit.2:6 (sober minded). 

"Of good behaviour" (3:2), When believers look upon him what they see is a good or beautiful lifestyle. This word "good" means beautiful, virtues or valuable. This word is used by Christ in the parables for good ground, good fruit, good seed, good pearls and good fish. We could say that this man is beautifully ordered or that he conducts himself in a rare way. 

"Given to hospitality" (3:2; Tit.1:8;), This means 'a lover' or 'friend  of guests or strangers' or 'to entertain strangers.' This is a quality expected  of all the members of a church and to be given to other believers around them,  (Rom.12:13 I Pet.4:9). But for these leaders this is to be shown especially to  those who come in from the outside. Of course this does not mean to be unwise or  foolish with invites or to be very careful of who comes into your home. But we  are told in Heb.13:1-2, "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained (lodged)  angels unawares."

 "Apt to teach"(3:2; II Tim.2:24-26; Tit.1:9-11), He must have the ability to teach. He may not be greatly dynamic or profound but he must  teach the people. Today there is a move away from leadership who preach the  Word, Preach Christ and Preach
Truth. Yet this is a fundamental thing for  leaders. He must have the ability to correct those who oppose and disobey the  truth of the Word. He must be able by sound teaching which he has learned to  rebuke those who challenge the truth of the Gospel. He must be able to rebuke  sharply and stop the mouths of those who are coming into the homes of the local  believers with false doctrines and fictional stories.  (Tit.1:9-14).

"Not given to wine"  (3:3; Tit.1:7), "Given to wine" means to 'stay near wine' or to  'tipple.' It speaks of a characteristic and attitude, it is one who stays in the  vicinity of drink, who has a casual relaxed attitude around it and is at home in  such an environment. This means much more than not getting drunk. A leader in  the church realises the dangers and fruit of social drinking and will avoid it. 

"No striker"(3:3; Tit.1:7), A striker is one who will break forth in  a quarrelsome way to the point of coming to blows. This term literally means to  flatten and pound. He will strike and smite with the fist, he is violent. But an  elder cannot be one who settles issues by fighting or who is willing to use his  fist or the threat of it to get his own way. This is not how a godly leader  deals with problems. Any man who could do this is certainly not ready for  ministry. 

"Not greedy of filthy lucre" (3:3; Tit.1:7), "Not a lover of money." This means that  he is not to labour or desire to labour in the church for money. Now we know  that Paul teaches a number of times that these local leaders aught to be  provided for financially, but this qualification shows that the money is a  practicality. This is not a job or a means to make money. Peter instructs in  5:2, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,  not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready  mind;" Again Paul speaks of those who go from home to home "teaching  things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Paul say's that these  itinerant preachers were teaching things that were wrong in order to gain money.  There is to be no greed for shameful money, we know that money is not shameful  or evil, but your desire for it and how you get your money can be a great shame  before all. (I Thess.2:5; II Pet.2:3, 14; Lev.10:8-9).

 "But patient" (3:3; II Tim.2:24), This is the characteristic of being mild and gentle. Tit.3:2, "...but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." Gentleness of spirit is shown by  meekness to those around you. Phi.4:5 "Let your moderation be known  unto all men. The Lord is at hand." (Jm.3:17)

"Not a brawler"  (3:3; II Tim.2:4; Tit.3:2), You cannot be gentle and a brawler at the same time, these two are opposites. A brawler is one who disputes, quarrels, strives and argues. II Tim.2:14, "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the  subverting of the hearers. And in v24, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" 

"Not covetous"  (3:3), The previous qualification concerning money had to do specifically with  the ministry. This one has to do with his love of money in his own heart,  lifestyle and home. Those who are covetous will not inherit the kingdom of God  and this will especially be a mark of the 'last days.' A love of money  is the product of a love of self (I Cor.6:10; II Tim.3:1-2). Peter speaks of  those who have "an heart exercised with covetous practices." These have  given themselves to this one task of making money. This love of money is very dangerous and those who desire or think about getting rich or gaining this  worlds goods are in great danger. I Tim.6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things" (Lk.16:13-15; I Tim.6:5-10). To be covetous is broader than the desire for money. It can be for another man's wife, house, land  or job (Ex.20:7). 

"One that ruleth well his own house" (3:4-5; 3:12; Tit.1:6), The order of your home will  either prepare and qualify you or obstruct and disqualify you from leadership.  The home is the basic building block of the church. This is one who 'stands  before' his family to lead them and care for them in an excellent manner. If  this is done with "all gravity" or with dignity and honour, in a fair  manner or honestly, the fruit will be children who respect him and obey him.  "..having faithful children (those who believe and trust in Christ) not accused of riot or unruly (without rule)." (Tit.1:6). "For if a  man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of  God?" This ability to rule his own home will enable him to take care of the  church. "He that ruleth with diligence." This means quickly, in other  wards he will not neglect dealing with issues quickly or leave them undone.  (Rom.12:18; I Tim.3:12) 

"Not a novice"  (3:6), The literal meaning is 'newly planted' in the sense of a newly planted  tree that is only beginning to grow. The root meaning is 'newly born' or  'youthful and fresh.' This speaks of a new convert, one who is not long saved.  In v10 instruction is given concerning Deacons, to let them be "first  proved" before making them such. This means to 'test, examine and  scrutinise' in order to make sure they qualify. Now it goes on to tell us the  reason, "lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the  devil." Lest pride cause a smoke that gets in his eyes and so causes him  to fall just as Satan did through pride over his exalted position, who was then  condemned and cast out of heaven. It is worth remembering that the mature Paul  was given a thorn in the flesh to stop him getting proud over the revelations he  was receiving, (II Cor. 12:7).

"He must have a good report of them which are without" (3:7), that is  'them that are outside the church, the unsaved.' He must have a good testimony  or report with the unsaved. The reason given is "lest he fall into reproach  and the snare of the devil." If he loses his testimony and good standing  through open sin or bad character he then has fallen into the devils trap who  wants to discredit the church before the world. All of this will hinder the work  of evangelism in a community. As far as possible we must maintain a good  testimony in the community as long as it does not mean compromise or curtailing  our God given responsibilities. Again it is possible even when in the midst of  enemies to give a good report, I Tim.6:13, "Christ Jesus, who before Pontius  Pilate witnessed a good confession;" John in his third letter speaks of  Diotrephes who was a leader who loved to be first, he would not receive any of  the apostles into the church and threw out any of the disciples who disagreed.  John contrasts this man with another faithful brother who may have suffered  through this proud man, "Demetrius
hath good report of all men, and of the  truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is  true." (III Jn.1:12).

"Not selfwilled"  (Tit.1:7), That is, 'not self pleasing.' A self pleasing person is dominated by  self interest, they are inconsiderate of others and they tend to assert their  own will. Basically they are selfish with a high opinion of themselves. They  think only of their own pleasure. How contrary this is to the Gospel of the  Cross. Such tend to be arrogant and confident, they are not scared to speak,  they walk after the flesh. It is interesting that one of the main thoughts in  the Greek for the term self is a 'baffling wind.' But Christ's servants  are not such, for them self must die, they are marked by self-denial. Paul says  in Gal.2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I,  but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live  by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."  (Rom.6:6; 8:4; II Cor.4:10; 5:15; Gal.5:24; 6:14).

"Not soon angry"  (1:7), He is not prone to anger or aroused to anger quickly. A leader who gets  angry easily and gets hot at the slightest thing will be feared rather than  loved. Despised rather than helped. (Prov.14:17; 15:18; 16:32: Ecc.7:9; ). If a  man cannot control his own self how can it be expected that he control good  order in the local church? This does not exclude righteous anger for Paul  writes:  "Be ye angry, and  sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."  (Eph.4:26-27). There is a type of anger that contains no sin, but it comes slow  and goes quickly. James gives two helps to a slow anger: "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" (Jm.1:19-20).  

"A lover of good men" (1:8), He is a lover of good men or good things. One of  the great marks of a man is who does he keep company with; the type of men he  gathers around him reveals much. Paul gathered men like Luke, Timothy, Titus and  Silas. This is especially important for leaders. Also there are strict commands  in Scripture of who we should not keep company with "I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator,  or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with  such an one no not to eat." (I Cor.5:11). But wider than this, we must be  "lovers of good things", as it is in the Greek. We must have a heart to  love all good things. "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish  judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto  the remnant of Joseph." (Amos 5:15), If such Elders who sit in the gate  establish judgement in the Church they are overseeing, then God may well be  gracious unto His whole Remnant in the land and send revival. 

"Just" (1:8), He is  righteous or upright in all his dealings. He walks straight in all his affairs.  "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:  for, The just shall live by faith." (Gal.3:11), This is a righteousness  produced alone by faith in Christ's work upon the cross. What a blessing a  righteous leader is for God will answer his prayer for the sheep, "The  effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (Jm.5:16).

 "Holy" (1:8), they  are hallowed, consecrated and sanctified. To qualify for ministry they must be  separated from sin and consecrated to God. The word "consecrate" means  to be set apart for a task or dedicated for a purpose. In the Old Testament if a  man came to minister for God who was unholy, God would slay him. (Ex.40:13;  Lev.20:7; Josh.3:5; Neh.13:2;
Mal.3:3).

"Temperate" (1:8),  This means 'to stand, or stand against, with vigour, might and strength.' This  shows that he will have a strength to stand against compromise and to stand firm  when circumstances, peoples opinions and even his own fears and thoughts rise up  to try and move him off course. "But none of these things move me, neither  count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and  the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of  the grace of God." (Acts 20:24). "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye  stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch  as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Cor.15:58). 

"Being ensamples" (I Pet.5:3), In the  Middle East the shepherds lead the flock whereas in the West we drive the flock  accompanied by dogs. The Eastern picture of a shepherd is always to go ahead and  to lead; the sheep hear his voice and follow his example. One of the great  responsibilities of leaders is to set an example. This term "ensample"  literally means 'a mark, scar, or resemblance.' As leaders follow Christ and  become more like Him then they become marked with characteristics which other  believers can follow. It also means 'example and pattern.' (Phil.3:17; 4:9; I  Thess.1:5-6; 2:14; II Thess.3:7, 9; I Tim.4:12; Tit.2:7; Heb.6:12; 13:7; I  Cor.4:16; 11:1). "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but  being ensamples to the flock." This "lords over" means to 'exercise  dominion over.' It speaks of the control of a leader and the subduing of Gods  sheep. This was never God's way. Any leader who does this is wrong. No man has  such power or right, yet we find them taking such. (Mt.20:25-26; Mk.10:42-43; II  Cor.1:24). So a good leader will not abuse or lord it over others, but will be a  meek example to the sheep of what it is to follow Christ.