In 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives Timothy a list of qualifications by which he should measure a leader of the church. Here are the qualities: be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that rules his own house well, having his children in subjection with all gravity, not a novice, must have a good report of them which are without. (1 Tim 3:1-7) As you can see this is no small list. Paul is strategic about who can be a leader within the church. A lead pastor must also be strategic about whom is placed in leadership.
Belleville states, “They are not qualifications, however, of which today’s society would immediately think. There is no mention of education or degrees, no talk of job experience, and no request for formal references. Instead, the key issues are character, family, and lifestyle.”[1] A safe leader will be of good character, have strong family values, and live a godly lifestyle. Stetzer provides this wisdom, “Some of the most impressive candidates outwardly have some of the biggest character problems; they have just learned how to mask the issues with charisma and leadership.”[2] Ott suggests having the value of character over charisma where one focuses on spiritual maturity over dynamic personality.[3]Spurgeon adds, “Sometimes the evil is in the family of the minister; his sons and daughters are rebels against God, bad language is allowed even amongst his own children, and his reproofs are simply like Eli’s mild question to his wicked sons, “Why do ye such things?”[4] Spurgeon gives this as one of the reasons a church does not see an increase. It is crucial that a church planter be a leader not only in the church but also the home.
While qualifications of leadership are important, diversity of leadership is just as significant. The team church plant model is seeing more and more use due to a diversity of gifts being at the grasp of the church. Ott describe the team planting model as follows: “A church-planting team is formed and prepared; team members have diverse gifts but the same vision and calling.”[5] When people come together to use their diverse gifts for the Kingdom it is a wonder to behold. Malphurs discusses using personality assessments to initially assess a lead church planter.[6] An assessment of the team members of the church plant holds just as much weight. A team is less likely to fail when they have strengths on the team to cover the weaknesses of other team members.
Vision is a critical component of strategic leadership. Vision is a vital competency for each church planting pastor. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Habakkuk 2:2 states, “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Vision must be given. It should be conveyed with such clarity that busy people can understand and get behind it. Clifton emphasizes vision with this:
A friend once advised me that no one wants to be the last person to write a check to a dying organization. If people don’t believe that your church will actually come to fruition, they are extremely unlikely to support it or participate in it. Visionary leadership is especially important in recruiting Christians to serve on your core team and for soliciting support from churches, individuals, and other organizations.[7]
Without people supporting the new church, its longevity and sustainability will be severely affected. Tripp pens this statement, “You are called to a position of leadership, influence, and prominence, but in that position you are called to ‘humble yourself under the mighty hand ofGod’”[8] Church planters must be people of influence. They must be able to take the vision God has given them and strategically put it into action.
[1] Linda Belleville, “Commentary on 1 Timothy” in 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews, vol. 17,Cornerstone Biblical Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009), 1766–67, Logos.
[2] Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im, Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Planting Churches That Multiply (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2016), Logos.
[3] Craig Ott and Gene Wilson, Global Church Planting: Biblical Principles and Best Practices for Multiplication (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011), 172, Logos.
[4] C. H. Spurgeon, The Soul Winner: How to Lead Sinners to the Saviour (New York; NY: Fleming H. Revell, 1895), 41–42, Logos.
[5] Craig Ott and Gene Wilson, Global Church Planting: Biblical Principles and Best Practices for Multiplication (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011), 128, Logos.
[6] Aubrey Malphurs, The Nuts and Bolts of Church Planting: A Guide for Starting Any Kind of Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2011), 28, Logos.
[7] Clint Clifton, Church Planting Thresholds: A Gospel-Centered Guide (Nashville, TN: New CityNetwork, 2016), 6, Logos.
[8] Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012), 214, Logos.
Comments