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PART 4: LEADING WITHIN THE CHURCH

For the most part, the emphasis in this section is on the leadership that is involved in the spiritual aspects of the church - that is, the aspect that deals with people's relationship with God. However, the other aspect - the relationship of people with people - is not totally absent. They are too interrelated for that. (There are also specific leadership roles that deal with this issue.)


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A. GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE JOB

  1. It's Nice to Desire the Position... - 1 Timothy 3:1 [But see the verses that follow!]

  2. But You must Qualify

  3. Great Judgments Await the Person Who Doesn't Qualify

  4. There Are Also Promises/Awards for Those Who Do Qualify and Who Do Their Job Well

  5. Being Appointed to Leadership

  6. Different Types of Leadership/ "Servants/Ministers"

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B. MISC. COMMENTS ABOUT THE JOB, NOT IN ANY OTHER CATEGORY

  1. About the Fruitfulness of One's Ministry

  2. Financial Security

  3. Being "Shrewd," "Good" and "Innocent" - Matthew 10:16; Romans 16:19

  4. Dangers in One's Words and Actions

  5. A Willingness to Do Things That Many Consider "Undesirable"

  6. Faithfulness - Colossians 4:7

  7. Not Quitting - Colossians 4:17

  8. No Place for Favoritism; Impartial in Obedience - 1 Timothy 5:21

  9. Treating Others as "Family" - 1 Timothy 5:1-2

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C. LEADERSHIP AS A CALLING/GIFT OF GRACE FROM GOD

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D. THE EMPHASIS OF WORKING TOGETHER UNDER/FOR GOD

  1. Being a "Fellow Worker" Both to God and to Other Christians - 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1a; Philippians 2:25; Colossians 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:2

  2. Not "Sponging" off Another's Work; Being Careful How One Works, and Giving Credit to God for Your Work - Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; 2 Corinthians 10:15-18

  3. Working in Behalf of the Church (The Church Not Having Active Participation)/Working with it (The Church Having Active Participation) - Acts 11:30; Acts 15:2,4,6,22-23

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E. GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF A LEADER TOWARD HIMSELF

  1. Watch/Persevere - Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16

  2. Continuing in the Word of God - 2 Timothy 3:14-17 [context: contrast with false teachers]

  3. Impartial Obedience to the Word of God; No Favoritism - 1 Timothy 5:21

  4. Diligent, Purposeful, Focused, Self-disciplined - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

  5. A Willingness to Flee/pursue/fight/take Hold - 1 Timothy 6:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:22

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F. GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF A LEADER TOWARD THOSE BEING LED - THE "FLOCK"

  1. Watching Over - Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17-18; 1 Peter 5:1-4

  2. Caring For - John 21:16

  3. Protecting from "Wolves" - Acts 20:29-31

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G. THE REQUIRED "OTHER-CENTERED" GOAL/ATTITUDE IN ALL THAT A LEADER DOES

  1. Compassion - Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34

  2. Love Within the Context of Truth - 2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1

  3. Strengthening and Encouraging - 2 Corinthians 9:5; 2 Corinthians 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:2

  4. Building Others up - 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Ephesians 4:11-15

  5. Being an Example - 1 Timothy 4:12

  6. Living "Commendably" and Willing to Endure "Anything" for Others - 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 2 Timothy 3:10-17 [in contrast with the apostates...]; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 [in contrast with those who want to make themselves look "great"]

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H. JOB DESCRIPTION "SPECIFICS" (EMPHASIS ON THE "ELDER," THOUGH NOT EXCLUSIVELY SO) [...in addition to those mentioned above in "qualifications"]

  1. Primary Focus Is on the Word of God/Explaining it

  2. The Contents of this Message

  3. Prayer [There is a strong emphasis in the Bible on prayer ... but most of the verses apply to EVERYONE, not just to leadership!] - Acts 6:2,4; James 5:14

  4. Other Types of Activities - If They Are a Legitimate Part of Your Function (Example: Being a "Deacon") - Acts 6:1-4

  5. Being a Servant - The Attitude That Permeates Everything

  6. Willingness to Strongly Oppose False Teaching/False Teachers

  7. Persecution (It Will Come If You Are a True Leader of the Church)

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I. MISC. PASSAGES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE PROPER WAY OF LEADING (CONTEXT IS NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO CHURCH LEADERSHIP)

  1. The Illustration of a Shepherd vs. A Hired Hand - John 10:11-13

  2. The Teachings Regarding Slaves and Masters - to Illustrate a Leaders' Obligations Both As...

  3. A "Physical" Example of "Lording Over" People - to Illustrate a "Spiritual" Concept That must Be Avoided - Acts 19:16 [overpowered = "lorded over"]

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Dennis Hinks © 1994

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