Essential Attributes of a Spiritual Leader
There are virtually thousands of books that have been written through the years on leadership: principles, techniques, styles, and application. What I choose to write in this essay is the “Essential Attributes/Characteristics of a spiritual leader,” specifically the overseer/elder/pastor.
Choosing a church and a pastor, in this writer’s belief and understanding, is one of the most important aspects of our Christian walk. To qualify that statement, I see the church and pastor thereof as someone who will be my role model or mentor if you will, an example for me to follow by his teachings and his personal way that he lives. He is the one who is appointed and called by God to teach me and help me to grow and mature in my Christian walk.
If I do not know or understand what to look for in a spiritual leader, it can be detrimental to my spiritual life. All through the old and new testaments, God’s word warns us to be aware of false teachers, hypocrisy, and false doctrines. In the Book of Acts, Chapter 20 and verse 29, it describes this warning by stating, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
Why this warning? Some key people in leadership roles will attempt to build their own kingdoms by taking advantage of people in the church to fulfill their own selfish ambitions, pride, greed of money, power, and even popularity. (Note: 1 Timothy 3:1-10, 4:12) and by the church (1 Timothy 3:10)
People who profess to be called of God to be pastors are to be evaluated by the members of the church (according to the standards of 1 Timothy 3: 1-13, 4:12, and Titus 1: 5-9). The individual’s desires, educational level, or his ability is NOT to be the sole criterion for appointment as a pastor.
Pastors are responsible as leaders to:
1) Promote the faith by feeding the flock (church) in teaching them the word of God (Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 1:19, 2:9, and Revelation 5:9).
2) Guard the faith by keeping constant watch of the flock (congregation) for spiritual enemies whose aim it is to distract, deceive, or destroy them spiritually. They also need to be aware of and teach the flock to be aware of false teaching and teachers. (See Acts 20: 15-31, Matthew 10:16)
3) Jesus teaches us that pastors will be held responsible for their teachings to the flock (Acts 20: 26-28, Ezekiel 3: 20-21, 34: 1-10, 2 Timothy 1:14, and Revelation 2:2), and for their attitude toward God’s word (Acts 20:32). Pastors must share the Holy Spirit’s passionate concern for spiritual purity. (Acts 20: 18-35)
4) Pastors must be a model of faithfulness, truth, honesty, and purity. A pastor must reflect Christ’s character and live by the principles that Jesus taught. In the parable of the talents, Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25: 21, “…well done thy good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”
5) Pastors must be an example to the believers (1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Peter 5:3). In other words, an example of faith and conduct which shows through their lives – the highest example of consistent Christlike character (faithfulness, purity in the face of temptation, loyalty to Christ and his message. (See 1 Timothy 4:12, 15, 1 Corinthians 11:6, Philippians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:7, and 2 Timothy 1:13)
6) Pastors must be consistent in their daily walk in servanthood, humility, and be responsible in their home, marriage, and family relationships, (1 Timothy 3:2, 4:5, Titus 1:6) and also be blameless and have a good report, (1 Timothy 3: 2,7)
There are several areas that teach us about leadership in the Old Testament and the necessary attributes. Let’s take a look at a few of these for an example:
1) In Exodus 18: 13-24, we learn from Moses’ father in law, Jethro, an important aspect of spiritual leadership. That is, being able to delegate authority to others.
2) Leviticus chapters 21 & 22 teach us about the sanctity of the priesthood.
3) In 1 Samuel 2: 27-36, we learn that God sees all, knows all, and will judge us for our actions. In this section we see the prophecy of doom to Eli. Eli failed to deal with his corrupt children and he paid the penalty with his death.
4) Nehemiah shows us in his book, 7:2, that another important aspect of leaders is to be faithful and to fear God.
5) Jeremiah shows us in 3:15 that Pastors and leaders who will live by God’s word will feed us with knowledge and understanding. He further shows us that false prophets and teachers will be dealt with and judged by God in Jeremiah 23: 9-32.
6) Hosea shows us God’s sentence in Chapter 8 and verses 1 through 14 for those false prophets.
7) Zephaniah 3: 3-4 tells us that God’s word revealed four categories of leaders in Judah: Princes, Judges, Prophets, and Priests. God condemned and judged these leaders of influence for failing to follow him and be holy. (in other words, morally pure, spiritually whole, and separated from evil).
8) In Malachi 2: 1-7 we see the warning to the priesthood. Verse 7 sums it up stating, “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.
So, we see in Old Testament times, leadership qualifications/actions played a major role in walking with God. To summarize, we need to delegate responsibility, to sanctify ourselves, know God will judge us and hold us responsible, be faithful, and fear God. We need to feed the flock with knowledge and understanding, be morally pure, spiritually whole, separated from evil: follow God and be holy. Did any of that change by the New Testament? NOT AT ALL! Please refer to Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect…” and 1 Peter 1:16, “…be ye holy…”
These scripture verses are by no means a detailed listing of all responsibilities mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. It is just some of the major verses I find important to mention. These are a great number of leader models to emulate from. Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Esther are just a very small percentage of role models for us to learn from. Joseph is perhaps my favorite because it shows great dedication to God and leadership while in slavery, in prison, and in triumph!!
1) Empathy (1 Peter 3:8, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 13:3, Luke 6:31)
2) Good Achievement (Philippians 3:14, Ephesians 3:1, 10-11, 2 Timothy 3:10)
3) Competence (2 Peter 1: 5-10, 2 Timothy 2:15, Proverbs 12:27, 22:29)
4) Emotional stability (Ephesians 4:31, 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:5)
5) Group Membership (1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4)
6) Ability to share leadership (1 Thessalonians 1: 2-4, Colossians 4: 7-14, Ephesians 5:21, and Philippians 4:13)
7) Consistency and dependability (Luke 9:62, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Colossians 5:1, and Ephesians 4:14)
8) A sense of God’s calling and his purpose
9) Aware of being a channel of Christ’s love to all
10) Utmost dependance on the guidance of the Holy Spirit
In conclusion:
1) Leaders must appreciate people (Exodus 18: 13-26)
2) Leaders must grow and help others to grow (Acts 19:11)
3) Leaders must be able to communicate by:
a) Words of instruction (Joshua 2:1, 3:2-4, 8:38
b) Words of encouragement (Joshua 3:5, 10: 24-25, 23:5)
c) Commands and orders (Joshua 6:16)
d) Information and teaching (Joshua 24: 1-13)
e) Persuasion and exhortation (Joshua 23: 6-16, 24: 13-24)
4) Leaders must solve problems and make decisions (Nehemiah is a great example of this in the Old Testament)
5) Leaders must accept responsibility (Esther as Queen was a great example of this in the Old Testament)
6) Leaders must work toward objectives (1 Peter 5:1-4) by humility, understanding needs of others, understanding the flock is God’s people and not their own, motivating people for Christian service and be conscious of their goals
7) Leaders must be motivated and be able to motivate others
When we become a pastor, these are definite, integral parts of that leadership position.
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