SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP- 1 TIM. 2:1-2

Being a leader in the church carries with it heavy responsibilities. In speaking to the elders at Ephesus, Paul stressed the seriousness of their duties- Acts 20:28-31. The Holy Spirit had put them in the position of overseers of the church. They must guard their members from teachers who come in like wolves in sheep clothing, not sparing the flock. They must watch those who rise up from among the membership, preaching error and drawing away disciples to themselves.

Paul tells Timothy to instruct the people to pray for government leaders and to include all men in their prayers. Paul urges that public prayers should constantly be offered by all men, not restricted to church leaders.

Paul also lists the requirements for the offices of a bishop and deacon. In the New Testament times, the bishop was an overseer in the local church. Unlike today, he was not a clergyman over ministries in several churches. The bishop was also known as an elder. The apostle commends those who aspire to serve in positions of church leadership. They desire a good work. For the bishop, the duties include both teaching and administration. The ministry is still earth's highest calling. The church today as in the days of Paul should exalt the ministry before its youth.

In order to qualify for Church leadership, a person must meet certain qualifications. Some of them concern his family life. The Church is to set before mankind, both by example and by precept God's ideal for the home, the first institution the Lord provided to maintain order in the society.

The bishop must be husband of one wife. He is not to be divorced and remarried person whose former companion still lives. Though Paul's words certainly prohibit a polygamist from the ministry, his concern here is something else. Polygamy was not practiced in the first century by Romans, Greeks or Jews. It was against the law for anywhere in the borders of Imperial Rome. The apostle says by example the preacher is to counter divorce, a thing that God hates- Mal. 2:14-16.

At home, the bishop was also to manage the affairs of his household well, financially and otherwise. If he is a poor administrator there, he will not do well in overseeing things at church. Paul says let him also lead his children in dignity. If their subjection to him is from fear of his ruthless conduct, he will likely demand the same at church.

The apostle also declared that the bishop must not be addicted to wine nor greedy of money. He must be self-controlled, wise, respectable, not given to violence, gentle, not quarrelsome and above reproach in his conduct.

Furthermore, the bishop must be a mature Christian or believer. He is not to be a newly converted person. The temptation to be proud in a leadership position in the Church can be damaging to the young Christian. His pride may lead to his downfall as Satan did in the beginning.

The other office in the local church for which Paul  lists qualifications is that of the deacon. Deacons are servants who attended to routine church matters such as administering the welfare program for widows as at Jerusalem- Acts 6:1-7. They were assistants to ministers of the word much as the Levites helped the priests in the Old Testament times.

As with the bishop, the deacon must be a man of dignity, not given to wine, not greedy of dishonest gains, and irreproachable in his conducts. He too must be the husband of one wife, and a man who managed his household well. He too must have been a believer long enough to demonstrate the permanence of his faith and the sterling quality of his character.

In addition to what was said of the apostle about the bishop, the deacon must not be double-tongued. He must be sincere and consistent in what he says. With conviction, he is to hold the truth and the correct doctrine.

Many churches today use a committee to nominate prospective deacons or board members for consideration by the congregation.

Paul gives specific attention also to the wives of deacons. Since the Greek word here is the common for women, some conclude that the apostle had the view of deaconess. Phoebe was such a servant of the church at Cenchrea- Rom. 16:1-2.  Rather than being an administrative position, the deaconess likely worked with the deacons in things like caring for the needy as Dorcas did-m Acts 9:36-41. Indeed, the deacons' wives may have acted in the capacity of deaconesses.

The wives of deacons are to be worthy of respect. They are not to be given to malicious gossips. Since the very word ''devil'' means slanderer, they must not join him in one of his chief works. They are to be trustworthy and self-controlled in everything. This is applicable to both the bishops' wives and the deacons' wives.

Paul promises two rewards; first, by this service, one obtains a good standing both in the sight of God and man. Second, he gains confidence or assurance in his approach to God. His boldness in the faith is  also demonstrated in his witness for Christ.

To conclude his comments on spiritual leadership, Paul turns to the matter of the conduct of the minister. A lot could be said in conducting oneself in a becoming manner in the house of worship. Reverence, dignity and orderliness are much to be desired. Distract talking and rough behavior are entirely out of place.

The church is like a family as the household of God. It is also similar to an assembly of citizens in transacting business for God. The church is divinely instituted to support the truth. The church is not the source of the truth, it merely supports what God reveals. The apostle speaks of the gospel as the mystery of godliness. It contains truths once hidden but now revealed. It is in the good news of incarnation- that God was manifested in the flesh. Coming in the flesh as Jesus, He was crucified like a criminal by men, but Paul says He was vindicated by the spirit at  the resurrection. He deserves worship, another element of the gospel, as indicated by the song of the angels on seeing His birth in Bethlehem.

Such good news should be preached among the nations, Paul's song suggest. Evangelism is an essential part of the gospel, and this leads to Jesus' being believed on in the world. The final element of the gospel on which the apostle focuses is the Ascension when Christ was received again in glory. All this is included in the truth the church supports.

Leadership is more a position of servant-hood than lordship. It is desirable, and yet it should not sought after for selfish means. It has its rewards, but it also has its requirements.