What must a leader know?
What are the biblical requirements for one who is appointed to lead a ministry? We see from scripture that two primary points of understanding are required…
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Leaders understand the gospel of Christ, the big picture of what God is doing to save people through Jesus.
The words “Jesus” or “gospel” can mean so many different things and evoke a variety of images. Scripture even says it is quite possible to distort the gospel or be led astray from pure-hearted devotion to Christ for another “Jesus,” another spirit, or another “gospel.”
It’s absolutely critical that our leaders hold firmly to the biblical gospel. Why? First, God saves through the gospel! (Romans 1:16) Second, the gospel of grace is what motivates us to live godly lives and to lead with zeal. Thirdly, holding to the gospel enables a church leader to speak about Jesus to strengthen and motivate members of their group or team. We want our teams to be places where people don’t just serve – they grow.
And they will do so as they serve under gospel-inspired, gospel-centered leaders.
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Leaders understand God’s intended design and plan for His Church.
Those entrusted with leading in God’s church must understand God’s intention for His church.
Understanding the nature of God’s Church, knowing the biblical descriptions and metaphors, and comprehending the role of the Church in God’s salvation plan, will enable a church leader to lead in a way that aligns with Jesus, the head of the church, and his plans for the Church He promised to build.
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Character matters!
In the Bible, when leaders were needed, character and maturity took precedence over skills and abilities. The majority of passages that handle leadership qualifications focus on character qualities: The heart and maturity of the leader.
The Bible clearly leads us to believe that leadership is more about who you are than what you do. Here are two succinct qualifications that summarize what a leader should be...
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Leaders live godly and exemplary lives by the power of the Spirit.
Church leaders are imperfect people who sin, but they can still “walk by the Spirit” and live above reproach. We can follow the way of Jesus with the
Spirit’s help. The Spirit continues to refresh and strengthen us (John 4:13-14; Eph 3:13-19), pointing us to Jesus and progressively transforming us, so that we walk more and more like Jesus, to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:26-27)
As we “keep in step with the Spirit”, meaning daily and continuously yielding to his leading, the results will be the fruit of the Spirit, the Jesus-like character qualities, and a life that is above reproach (Galatians 5:16, 25, 1 John 2:6).
The fruit of the Spirit is attractive in any follower of Christ, but men and women who lead in God’s church must set an example of walking by the Spirit and above reproach.
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Leaders exemplify humility and zeal, motivated by God’s rich grace.
Paul wrote to all the believers in the church in Philippi, including church leadership, urging them to walk with gospel-shaped humility that serves the interests of others. Church leaders are to submit humbly under King Jesus, head of the Church. Leaders are to align with His agenda and His ways as they serve others.
However, humility does not mean weakness and passivity. A leader holds both lowly, Christ-like humility and fiery, white-hot passion and zeal. When Paul described the variety of gifts God gives His church body, he included leadership, writing, “the one who leads, with zeal” (Romans 12:8).
A few verses later, we read, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11). There is no place for half-hearted indifference, apathy, or slothfulness in church leaders. Instead, they are to lead with eagerness, fervency, and diligence.
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Titles and Tasks
In the Bible, leaders aren’t just given titles; they’re given tasks. There are specific positions that require unique competencies and specific skills.
Every leader needs to know what they are doing.
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Leaders oversee a specific ministry and can team-build.
Team Leaders
Team leaders don’t serve alone - they mobilize a team of volunteers. They are able to foster teamwork and train others to accomplish the vision. They also provide a level of organization as they oversee their single ministry team.They ensure that the diverse gifts of Christ’s body get activated to advance God’s kingdom and glory (Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:1-16).
These team leaders are never domineering or exacting. Jesus’ example makes it clear that leadership in the Kingdom is servant leadership. We who lead are called to serve and prioritize the well-being of others.
As Jesus washed feet and laid down his life, we have the same mind among ourselves as we lead.
Group Leaders
Group leaders create a life-giving Community Group where discipleship, care, and mission take place. As group leaders, they take a “shepherd’s posture” toward the people in their group. They operate with a guardianship concern for “their people,” those entrusted to their leadership.As the first level of care for people, they pray regularly for their people, notice when they are missing and follow up, ensure group members are caring for one another, and bubble up important people news to staff members and elders.
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Leaders have a specific skill set to achieve a specific ministry task.
See the specific role description of each team leader for the skills and competencies required for their role.