Hello Advent Family,

One of the important things in the early church is how they established leadership.  They were just getting started with this new thing and the church grew rapidly.  They needed instruction on how to organize as they formed churches in cities all over.  Paul was one of the primary church planters and therefore establishes this structure in churches he plants.  Let’s look together at his words to Timothy, a young church planter, about leadership.  

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

Paul’s qualifications for leadership are significant.  Our leaders are so important to the health and success of a church.  The Pastors and staff handle the day to day of the church but any church will tell you they live and die on the strength or weakness of their leaders.  God calls all of us to lead and serve in one way or another and the church is at its best when everyone is doing this.  Today pray about how God wants to use you to help lead His church.  He wants to use you!  He simply asks us to be willing, He will provide the strength.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave