Being a “Leader” in the Lord’s Church

God’s design for congregational leadership is summed up in Acts 14:23, where Paul and Barnabas, having planted churches in multiple Galatian cities, appointed “elders” (plural) in every “church” (singular). Qualifications of these church leaders (variously designated elders, presbyters, overseers, pastors, shepherds) are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.¹ While not everyone can serve in this official capacity, and there are those who should not serve in any leadership role, the listed criteria relevant to character and observable behavior provide a commendable standard for all Christians.

Not every congregation of the Lord’s church has a plurality of qualified men who can function as a scriptural eldership. But no congregation is without leadership.² Faithful men and women, fulfilling their respective God-given roles, will always ensure the Lord’s work gets done. In whatever capacity in whatever ministry one serves, basic leadership qualities are necessary.

Leadership Development in Rome

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Rom. 12:4-5). Every member of the Lord’s body has something to contribute, even though we cannot and should not all be doing the same things. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:6-8).³ Whatever gifts one might have, and whatever functional qualities are necessary to exercise those gifts, ought to be recognized, developed, and implemented.

“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14). The verb nouthetéō, descriptive of one’s counsel to avoid or stop improper conduct, means “admonish, warn, instruct” (BDAG 679). The responsibility is given to “you” (plural), all the brethren, yet with two prerequisites: “full of goodness” and “filled with all knowledge.” No one is capable, with divine sanction, of effectively engaging in this important work who is full of goodness but lacking knowledge or is filled with knowledge but lacking goodness. Both are necessary. Neither is optional.

Leadership Development in Corinth

Parallel to Romans 12, in Paul’s letter to the Corinth church, he also used the imagery of the body of Christ comprised of functioning members (1 Cor. 12:12-27). He then writes, “I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men” (1 Cor. 16:15-18).  

The verb translated “devoted” here is étaxan (from tássō), meaning to “appoint,” “assign” or “put in charge” (BDAG 991). It would appear that Stephanas and associates had appointed themselves to the ministry of the saints, not that they usurped the wishes of the congregation but they saw what needed to be done and got to work. Paul says, “submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.” The criterion is twofold: “work” [ergéō] (‘activity of work’) and “labor” [kopiáō] (‘vigorous effort’). These men were not self-appointed leaders but self-appointed workers, which Paul identifies as the quality of true leadership (cf. also 1 Thess. 5:12-13). The Corinthians were instructed to “acknowledge such men.”

Leadership Development in Philippi

In his letter to the saints at Philippi, including overseers and deacons (1:1), Paul encourages and challenges the brethren with the examples of Christ (2:5-11), himself (2:17-18), Timothy (2:19-24), and Epaphroditus (2:25-30). He further writes, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (3:17). The apostle serves as a model worth following in so far as he is modeling Christ, while other faithful disciples (“who so walk”) are also worthy of emulation.

Conclusion

Before a man is appointed to serve as an elder, he is already exhibiting observable leadership qualities (1 Tim. 3:2 ff.). Brethren who are mature (1 Cor. 2:6), spiritual (Gal. 5:22–6:1), strong (Rom. 15:1), and faithful (2 Tim. 2:2) are recognizable, as “the good works [of some] are clearly evident” (1 Tim. 5:25). When members of the church show commitment and faithfulness by their regularity, involvement, hard work, and caring spirit, they demonstrate true spiritual leadership as servants of the Lord (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ See K. L. Moore, “Qualifications of Elders: Part 1,” Moore Perspective (16 June 2021), <Link>. Unless noted otherwise, scripture quotations are from the New King James Version.

     ² See K. L. Moore, “Congregational Leadership Without Elders,” Moore Perspective (6 Feb. 2025), <Link>.

     ³ The word “gifts” [charísmata] applies to whatever God has provided for the benefit of his church and for accomplishing his purpose. The gift of “prophecy,” the proclamation or forthtelling of divine revelation, is the only miraculous gift listed here. In the absence of the complete NT, prophesying in the fledgling Christian movement was a necessary component of revealing and communicating the divine will but would no longer be needed and would discontinue when God’s revelation was complete. See K. L. Moore, “Duration of Miraculous Gifts,” Moore Perspective (29 July 2020), <Link>.

*Originally prepared for June 2026 summer series, Ripley MS church of Christ.

Related Posts:

Related articles:

 

Image credit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/202002/are-you-working-hard-enough