Leadership is lifestyle. Somehow that truth has been largely lost amidst emphasis on decision-making skills and the art of persuasion. But, first and foremost, leadership is lifestyle, or character.
Titus chapter one contains a checklist of qualifications for elder leadership in the church, and notice how many pertain to character:
"if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." (Titus 1:6-9)
Lifestyle in areas of family, temperament, business, and spiritual discipline are all vital qualifications for those entrusted with oversight of the body of Christ. This foundation of lifestyle pre-qualifies those selected to make sound, spiritual decisions for the good of the body of believers.
Lest we come away with a mistaken notion, these qualifications are not for the "spiritually-elite", but rather for all followers of Christ. Elsewhere in the Bible we find that all followers of Christ should be cultivating a lifestyle characterized by these qualities (i.e, Galatians 6:22-23). Elders are selected who exemplify these vital lifestyle qualities that all are striving to attain.
Character is front and center. The apostle Paul prefaces this right at the beginning of this short letter when he refers to "the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness" (Titus 1:1). Truth, so highly prized, is in evidence when godly lifestyle results. An elder, then, is one who exhibits the fruit of truth in his life.
Character formed through truth is the priority for every believer. This side of the kingdom, character will never be perfect, but it should be increasingly evident. It's a bit like the new orange tree in my back yard; it is bearing fruit, but the oranges are smaller than they will be when it grows to become a mature tree. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives may look like the small oranges on my little tree, but the fruit should be discernable. Regardless of the size, an orange will look like an orange. And so it is with the fruit of the Spirit: it may not be there is abundance, but it will be discernable as spiritual fruit.
The fruit of truth is godly character. As Jesus said, "you will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:20). Behavior can be faked for the short-term, but character becomes evident in time.
Leadership is lifestyle. The greatest impact we will have on others will be the leadership shown through a godly lifestyle resulting from passionate love of truth. May He mightily use us through our lifestyle today.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
Titus chapter one contains a checklist of qualifications for elder leadership in the church, and notice how many pertain to character:
"if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." (Titus 1:6-9)
Lifestyle in areas of family, temperament, business, and spiritual discipline are all vital qualifications for those entrusted with oversight of the body of Christ. This foundation of lifestyle pre-qualifies those selected to make sound, spiritual decisions for the good of the body of believers.
Lest we come away with a mistaken notion, these qualifications are not for the "spiritually-elite", but rather for all followers of Christ. Elsewhere in the Bible we find that all followers of Christ should be cultivating a lifestyle characterized by these qualities (i.e, Galatians 6:22-23). Elders are selected who exemplify these vital lifestyle qualities that all are striving to attain.
Character is front and center. The apostle Paul prefaces this right at the beginning of this short letter when he refers to "the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness" (Titus 1:1). Truth, so highly prized, is in evidence when godly lifestyle results. An elder, then, is one who exhibits the fruit of truth in his life.
Character formed through truth is the priority for every believer. This side of the kingdom, character will never be perfect, but it should be increasingly evident. It's a bit like the new orange tree in my back yard; it is bearing fruit, but the oranges are smaller than they will be when it grows to become a mature tree. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives may look like the small oranges on my little tree, but the fruit should be discernable. Regardless of the size, an orange will look like an orange. And so it is with the fruit of the Spirit: it may not be there is abundance, but it will be discernable as spiritual fruit.
The fruit of truth is godly character. As Jesus said, "you will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:20). Behavior can be faked for the short-term, but character becomes evident in time.
Leadership is lifestyle. The greatest impact we will have on others will be the leadership shown through a godly lifestyle resulting from passionate love of truth. May He mightily use us through our lifestyle today.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 8:21 AM
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