CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Title: The Believers Study Bible

SPIRITUAL REALITY
Church leaders must possess the reality of the presence of Jesus Christ in their lives. Having experienced the saving grace of God, the leader ministers in the power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the gifts of God. First and foremost, the leader is a genuine Christian who walks with God and ministers out of the overflow of union and communion with Christ. Worship, prayer, and a firsthand, personal knowledge of God are absolutely essential. Men of God must be in vital touch with spiritual realities and demonstrate powerful faith in God.
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
Much is discussed and debated today regarding the subject of authority. Just what is the authority of the pastor and other leaders of the church? It should be abundantly clear that Jesus Christ is the absolute head of the church (Eph 1:22; 4:15). No one has the right to usurp His authority.
It should also be noted that God has called, chosen, and therefore authorized spiritual leaders to administer the church under His divine direction (1 Thess 5:12, 13; Heb 13:7, 17). That authority is given by the Word of God and is also limited to the Word of God. The God-given authority of the pastors, elders, and teachers of the church should never exceed the authority of the Scripture, nor should personal opinions be imposed on the people. Biblical leadership does not demand or dictate, but rather patiently perseveres in the teaching and application of the Word of God. Biblical leadership is best expressed in faithful, loving service to the congregation. It includes accountability to Christ, to the Scripture, and to the local congregation.
PERSONAL INTEGRITY
No one can lead God’s people effectively without personal integrity. Sincerity, honesty, and credibility must be modeled. A high and holy standard is required. First Timothy 3:1-13 describes that scriptural standard as it is applied to both pastors (bishops) and deacons. In 1 Timothy 4:12 the apostle Paul gave a young leader by the name of Timothy the charge to be an example "in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, In purity." in all public and private matters the leaders of the church should exemplify the very best in behavior. With leadership there is great responsibility because leaders will be held in more severe judgment than followers (James 3:1). The leader is set apart by standards which require inward and outward character which is Christ-like. In particular the leader must exhibit a quality family life with a strong, healthy marriage, if he is married; he must live in a godly way with the children and each member of the family.
MORAL PURITY
A primary characteristic of the leader’s life is purity. The leader must be pure in heart and lead a holy life. in a day in which moral standards are constantly lowered and accommodated to sinful society, Christian leaders are not immune to temptations. However, if one is to lead God’s people effectively, he must maintain moral purity in the power of God’s Spirit, who is holy. Any sinful habit or questionable behavior should be discarded (1 Tim 6:11). Many people, including children and teenagers, are looking to church leaders for guidance and a godly example and should be able to expect a consistent testimony and blameless life from their leaders. A virtuous life is the platform upon which all of ministry rests. "Be clean, you who bear the vessels of the LORD" (Isa 52:11).
PRACTICAL HUMILITY
The Christian leader is a servant: a servant of God and a servant of the people. The Lord Jesus was the greatest leader of all time. He is the Lord of all, yet He humbled Himself and took the posture of a servant and even died shamefully on a cross in sacrificial love for us (Phil 2:5-8). He never considered Himself too good to mix with common people, to touch a leper, to wash his disciples’ feet. Church leaders should demonstrate that same Spirit of Christ today. A Christ-like attitude of gentleness and the disposition of humility should be exercised in practical service which helps to heal the hurts of broken humanity. Christian leaders are not celebrities, but servants. God uses humble servants who are willing to sacrifice self and prideful pursuits for the sake of God’s people. God’s servants lead with love and by faithful ministry toward those in need.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF FOLLOWERS
Church leaders obviously are dependent upon followers who are willing to respond positively to leadership. Since leaders have a great responsibility to lead effectively, members of the church also have a responsibility to those leaders.
The first of these responsibilities is to pray for church leaders (Heb 13:17, 18). Even the Lord Jesus requested that His disciples "watch and pray" in the garden of Gethsemane as He submitted Himself to the way of the cross. Pastors and church officers are under attack from Satan; the world is becoming increasingly resistant to the message of the Bible; many are discouraged. Pray that God’s champions will stay strong in faith, in love, in purity. Pray that the gospel will be preached with conviction and boldness. Pray daily for your minister and his family and God will bless you for it.
Another responsibility is to honor leaders with love and respect. The Bible says to give honor to whom honor is due (Rom 13:7). First Timothy 5:17 says, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." Be very, very careful about criticizing a spiritual leader. Churches honor themselves and present a positive witness to the community when leadership is treated with respect and admiration. This should include adequate compensation for those ministers who labor full-time for the Lord and the church (1 Tim 5:18).
A third responsibility is to follow spiritual leaders (Heb 13:7). Paul admonishes his followers to "imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). The sheep should follow a faithful shepherd. In Hebrews 13:17, believers are admonished to obey those who watch over their souls. Assuming the leader is godly and is leading according to the Word of God, the members of the church should lovingly and sincerely seek to follow the pastor and church leadership.
Finally, leaders should be encouraged. The best way to encourage your pastor or spiritual mentor is by growing in your own Christian life and becoming an effective witness for Jesus Christ. If you are blessed by the ministry of another, do not hesitate to express that affirmation personally and spread the word to others of your appreciation. By doing so you will strengthen the reputation of your church and bless the heart of your minister. The impact of such encouragement is inestimable!
The church in every generation is dependent upon its leadership and its followers to effectively maintain its mission on earth. In this day of both crisis and opportunity, God is looking for leaders who recognize the authority of Jesus Christ, who will lead with vision and boldness, with courage and conviction, and who will take the message of Jesus to the world. Such leaders make an eternal difference as they faithfully follow the Lord and lovingly guide His church. It is with deep gratitude that we lovingly and prayerfully support our godly and gifted leaders, knowing the church and the kingdom will prosper with such Christ-like and competent direction.

Contributors
Bible Study Articles
Dr. W.A. Criswell
Criswell Center for Biblical Studies, Dallas, Texas
Dr. Jack Graham
Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas
Dr. Joel Gregory
First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas
Dr. O.S. Hawkins
First Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Dr. Richard Lee
Rehoboth Baptist Church, Tucker, Georgia
Dr. John MacArthur
Grace to You, Santa Clarita, California
Dr. James Merritt
First Baptist Church, Snellville, Georgia
Dr. Dorothy K. Patterson
Criswell Center for Biblical Studies, Dallas, Texas
Dr. Paige Patterson
Criswell Center for Biblical Studies, Dallas, Texas
Dr. Dwight "Ike" Reighard
New Hope Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Georgia
Dr. Adrian Rogers
Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tennessee
Dr. Jerry Vines
First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida
Dr. Ed Young
Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas
Study Notes
David Allen, Ph.D.
Richard D. Land, D.Phil.
John Paul Avant, Ph.D.
David E. Lanier, Ph.D.
William E. Bell, Jr., Ph.D.
Charles Lowery, Ph.D.
Preston Bernhardt, Jr., M.A.
Shawn Madden, M.A.
Ricky Brantley, D.Min.
Kenneth Mathews, Ph.D.
John Burns, Th.D.
Eugene H. Merrill, Ph.D.
L. Russ Bush, Ph.D.
H. LeRoy Metts, Th.D.
Paul Carlisle, Jr., Ed.D.
William E. Nix, Ph.D.
Lamar Eugene Cooper, Th.D.
Luis L. Pantoja, Jr., Th.D.
Gerald P. Cowen, Th.D.
James Parker III, D.Theol.
George B. Davis, Th.D.
Wayne Poplin, Th.D.
George Davis, Jr., Th.M.
John L. Pretlove, Ph.D.
David Dockery, Ph.D.
John C. Shanks, Ph.D.
Huber Drumwright, Th.D. (deceased)
Bruce D. Smilie, M.A.
H. Leo Eddleman, Ph.D.
Kirk Spencer, M.S.
Keith Eitel, D.Miss.
John B. Stepp, Th.D.
Weldon Estes, Ed.D.
Chuck Ward, D.Min., Ph.D. (cand.)
Gary A. Galeotti, Th.D.
C. Richard Wells, Ph.D.
George L. Klein, Ph.D.
James Wilson, D.Min. (cand.)
Edmund E. Lacy, Ph.D., Th.D.
Paul C. Wolfe, Ph.D.