If you were to ask around in your congregation, “Who is supposed to give leadership in your church?” I am sure that ninety-nine percent of the people would respond, “The minister!” Not all that long ago I heard someone say, “You certainly hope they (referring to a vacant congregation) get a minister soon because they need leadership.” When we turn our attention to Holy Scripture, however, we get a different picture. All officebearers are called to lead and govern the church of Christ according to the specifics of their task. The minister is called to lead but he is not the only one who has this responsibility. In fact, it would be wrong for the minister to take this upon himself or for elders and deacons to demand this of him. Deacons, elders and ministers must work together as equals and as a team of leaders. Being in the lead is indeed a task of every officebearer.

Importance of Leadership⤒🔗

The task of leadership cannot be shrugged off or taken lightly. Leadership is vital to the life and wellbeing of the church. Many problems develop where leadership is lacking or misdirected. Without proper leadership, the body of Christ loses its co-ordination and will not function properly. Leaders who fear the Lord must offer guidance to the people they serve.

Wise leaders seek to honour God by fostering and furthering the upbuilding of the congregation. If that ingredient is lacking the people will nor fair well. Take the time of the judges as an example. There was no king in Israel, no person to lead and guide, and the people did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Later, Israel received kings but when they failed to give direction, Israel went astray and was sent into exile. Wise guides keep the people they lead on one course: to fear God and to keep His commandments.

In the development of the early Christian church the overseers and deacons are acknowledged as the leaders appointed by the Lord. Thus Paul writes to the Philippians, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” Paul’s usage of these terms indicates an accepted recognition of official designations for church leadership positions (offices).

Officebearers as leaders must set goals, give direction, correct, affect change, and motivate people so that the congregation seeks the honour of God and the furtherance of His kingdom.

Characteristics of Wise and Godly Leaders←⤒🔗

Although this is not an exhaustive list, the following characteristics must be found in those who are called to be in the lead.

First of all, prayer is a priority for wise leaders. It is a good practice and custom that meetings of council and consistory are opened and closed with prayer but that’s not where it should end. Leaders are men steeped in prayer. The needs of the congregation are brought before the Lord in their personal prayers. Faithful leaders ask the LORD for direction and guidance so that they are given the wisdom, strength and insight to equip the members of the congregation for service. Prayer is absolutely essential in the life of a leader. Yet it can easily slip to the backburner. If you are called to leadership pray for direction, for the wisdom to speak the right words, to solace those in need of consolation, to be firm with those who need rebuke. If you have difficulty relating to an individual, take the problem to the Lord in prayer. As an officebearer you must turn to the Lord for the simple reason that no one but the Lord can accomplish what needs to be done.

Secondly, officebearers as leaders follow the right policies. They do not govern by the general insights of man but they follow good principles, that is, Scriptural norms. Their policy is built on righteousness, justice and equity.

Those who lead and guide must keep in mind the purpose and goal of their ministry in the congregation. Christ commissions them to govern the church in submission to His will and way; to see to it that all things are done in peace and good order. They are Christ’s servants. Leaders in the church are first and foremost followers. They sit at Christ’s feet and listen to Him before they go out and serve. No human “mission statement” can or may replace Christ’s instructions to His officebearers. They are to lead the congregation down the right path by walking that path themselves. If you are not taking the right path, every step you take just gets you to the wrong place faster. You may be very busy, efficient, and get new things implemented in the congregation but what does it mean if you do not keep in mind why you are doing your work?

Following the right policies, leaders in the church are to base their actions on the doctrines of Scripture. These doctrines have been summarized for us in our confessions. The doctrines of the Word of God are the basis for the actions of the officebearers but also for the life of the congregation because, by definition, the church of Christ is a confessing church. Anything contrary to the policy of Scripture must be refuted.

The third characteristic of God-fearing leaders is closely related to the previous one: they do not compromise on principles. It is so easy to give in and to make concessions just for the sake of keeping the peace. There are areas in which we can make compromises to come to an agreement but there is always a temptation for an officebearer to take that one step farther and stray from what the Bible teaches. Yet if he is serious about his task he will want to see the congregation stay on the course directed by Christ.

In the fourth place, a wise officebearer leads with authority. That’s not the same as thinking you have all the answers or that everything has to go your way but you point the congregation to the will of the Lord for their lives. A person with authority knows what he is talking about and means what he says. What kind of authority, leadership and guidance can deacons, elders and preachers give if all they can do is suggest? The Lord leads His people by command because He wants us to find everything in Him. You know the expression: “If God would not want to be obeyed He would have given us the ten suggestions and not the ten commandments.”

Officebearers shouldn’t be unsure and indecisive about what they are doing. Paul instructs Timothy, “Command and teach these things” (1 Timothy 4:11); teach and urge these duties. Leaders are not dictators. Rather than dictate they direct. They do not bind the consciences but they appeal to the members to follow God’s Word which is given to them for their good. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

The fifth characteristic of a godly leader is that he is trustworthy. The apostle Paul writes, “Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2). An officebearer gains the confidence of the people he leads by giving evidence that he has their best interest at heart. This takes time and effort. You will be hard pressed to develop a relationship of trust if you have very little contact with the members in your ward or the young people of your congregation.

In his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey compares a relation of trust to a bank account. He writes:

We all know what a financial bank account is. We make deposits into it and build up a reserve from which we can make withdrawals when we need to. An Emotional Bank Account is a metaphor that describes the amount of trust that’s been built up in a relationship. It’s the feeling of safeness you have with another human being.

If I make deposits into an Emotional Bank Account with you through courtesy, kindness, honesty, and keeping my commitments to you, I build up a reserve. Your trust toward me becomes higher, and I can call upon that trust many times if I need to ... But if I have a habit of showing discourtesy, disrespect, cutting you off, overreacting, ignoring you, becoming arbitrary, betraying your trust, threatening you ... eventually my Emotional Bank Account is overdrawn. The trust level gets very low.(188)

Covey suggests six major deposits that build the Emotional Bank Account and build relationships of trust: Understand the individual, attend to the little things, keep commitments, clarify expectations, show personal integrity, apologize sincerely when you make a withdrawal.

Once leadership starts meaning that you are on an ego trip, people will stop trusting you. Leaders must be trusted. It’s shattering for people to find out that those whom they thought cared for them, didn’t; that those whom they confided in have breached their trust.

Finally, a god-fearing leader also guides with enthusiasm. The origin of the word enthusiasm is in God. Leaders who fear the Lord are filled with the Spirit of the Lord and that reflects in their zeal. Their work is not done for personal gain or glory but for the Lord and that will reflect in how they do their work. If you guide with enthusiasm those whom you serve will want to have what you have.

Leaders as Shepherds←⤒🔗

Scripture uses the metaphor of a shepherd to describe the work of those who lead. The overseers are to feed and tend the flock taking care that no one goes astray. The deacons are to serve the sheep showing to them the mercy of Christ, making sure no one suffers under the pressure of sickness, poverty or loneliness. Therefore I think it is wrong to simply call the minister the pastor of the church. The elders, deacons and ministers are all pastors under the chief Shepherd Jesus Christ. Paul encourages the Ephesian elders: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock” (Acts 20:28). Peter writes:

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker of the glory that is to be revealed, tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.1 Peter 5:1-3

Where there is no leadership the sheep are scattered, become confused and each turns to his own way. Those who lead the flock are to guard the sheep and protect them against the attacks of false shepherds and wolves. Being in a position of leadership means protecting the flock against wolves in and outside the congregation. Paul says to the Ephesian elders:

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.Acts 20:29, 30

An elder “must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it.”Titus 1:9

That requires a solid grounding in Scripture but it also entails being familiar with the Three Forms of Unity as a tool to refute the false Christianity that is colourfully packaged on radio, television and in books and magazines. You have to know your “stuff” to refute false doctrine. Too often people who are Arminian are hailed as Reformed and Biblical scholars. It’s especially alarming, to say the least, if the leaders in the church no longer know the difference.

Having the charge to guard the flock the elders must keep their minds on the church being watchful, observant and attentive at all times to the spiritual wellbeing of the people. They must watch out for people who are wandering and for new believers who are struggling to survive. Godly leaders are up-to-date and know the new trends and doctrines that are influencing the people.

Note well, the elders and deacons are to take care of all the flock. They will have to know what the young people are thinking; what is being studied in the various societies and study clubs; what kind of education the children are receiving. Nothing is left to run on its own steam. The consistory has to give leadership to the young people, the Home Mission Committee and other organizations of the church. Sometimes we can criticize the direction taken by certain individuals but have we given good, sound, Biblical, reformed leadership?

All overseers must have the ability to teach the doctrine of Scripture. If you feel you don’t have that capacity you must train yourself so that you can do it. Through the pro-active approach of teaching, “negatives” and problems are avoided. Without it the ministry of the local church is more like emerge in a hospital – you’re always bandaging and fixing problems. Many of the pastoral needs of the congregation are met when the elders teach and educate with the Word. The elders task of teaching isn’t limited to reading a sermon if the minister is away. What about teaching a Bible class for the congregation? How about leading the societies? In this way, you get to know what the people are thinking.

Protecting the flock also involves disciplining sin, exhorting those with improper attitudes and behaviour, seeking the lost. A healthy growing flock of sheep doesn’t just appear; it is the result of the shepherd’s skilful management of sheep and resources. He knows sheep and is skilful in caring for them. A good shepherd elder or deacon knows people. He knows how sensitive they are. He knows their needs, troubles, weaknesses and sins. He knows how they can hurt one another, how stubborn they can be.

Watching Over Souls←⤒🔗

Spiritual leaders are given an awesome responsibility. They are to watch over the souls of those in their charge. Thus Hebrews 13:17 says: “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account.”

Officebearers in the church keep watch for the spiritual welfare of the congregation. Like the ancient city watchmen or shepherds of a flock, you must always be keenly alert, conscientious, and diligent. Watchfulness demands tireless effort, self-discipline, and selfless concern for the safety of others.

Officebearers are held accountable for what happens to the sheep. If we do not warn them of wrong and guide them in the truth we are held responsible. A watchful leader does not take control of everything but directs the membership to fulfil their role. He does not take the responsibilities out of the hands of others but equips them for service. For example, the deacons aren’t functioning as leaders by visiting all the poor, lonely and sick themselves but by encouraging the congregation to practice the communion they enjoy and celebrate at the table of the Lord. A minister does not have to take over the duty of parents and give young couples weeks of premarital training (as good as this training maybe) but he should teach the parents to fulfil their God-given duty.

Leaders are Servants←⤒🔗

Those who are in a position of leadership have no reason to feel proud or haughty. Instead, they are to be humble servants of the Master, Jesus Christ. Matthew 20:25, 26 says:

Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so with you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Jesus led His people by serving, always showing that He had their best interests at heart.

In the same vein, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:1: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

In a certain sense every officebearer must learn to be a deacon – to be a person who serves not his own interests but Christ’s. Every church leader must be committed to work together in humble submission to Christ. He does not lead to control people, to promote his own views, or to gain a position for himself; rather, he serves Christ and His people.

In the congregation officebearers serve the cause of Christ showing compassion, washing one another’s feet, loving as Christ loved us.

Sharing the Duties of Leadership←⤒🔗

Leadership in the church is not a one-man show but a shared responsibility. The burden shouldn’t be on one or two or a handful who take their task seriously. It is never good for too few men to have too much power. Officebearers may not let a minister take control or direct things the way he wants things to go. They shouldn’t think: “As long as the minister does it, then at least I don’t have to do it.”

Holy Scripture documents the benefits of shared leadership. Moses appointed able men to assist him in his task. The book of Proverbs says in chapter 11:14:

Where there is no guidance, a people falls; but in the abundance of counsellors there is safety.

The supervision of the apostolic churches was a team effort and not the sole responsibility of one person. The Lord Jesus Christ appointed and trained twelve men. The advantages of shared leadership is also illustrated in Acts 6 with the appointment of seven deacons who relieve the apostles of some of their responsibilities. Thus the deacons together with the elders form a collective leadership council.

Officebearers are to work as a team of men who have the same goals and the same aim. They are not representing the views of a certain segment of the congregation. Council meetings are meant to strengthen each other to go out into the congregation to fulfil the respective duties.

Deacons, elders and minister must present themselves to the congregation as working as a team. Although it is a standing practice, I don’t think it is really wise that a minister or an elder, in an official capacity, visits or counsels a member on his own. James 5:14 says: “Is any among you sick (which means: spiritually weak and exhausted)? Let him call the elders of the church and let them pray over him...” Notice the plural, “Let him call the elders.”

Shared Leadership is Good for at Least Three Reasons:←↰⤒🔗

1. It takes the burden off the minister. Too often the minister gets overburdened with work that doesn’t belong to him. The danger is real that the minister wants to leave because the work is too much or he becomes ineffective because he is suffering from severe fatigue. A church does not belong to the minister. Officebearers must work together, bearing the work load together, taking the heat of the criticism together.

2. It balances each other’s weaknesses. We all have our strong points and our weak points. Ministers, elders and deacons make mistakes. There are things which we can learn from each other. Team leadership allows for a pool of talents and strengths to be developed.

3. It provides accountability. Most people like to take control. That possibility shrinks under shared leadership. Officebearers can be lazy, forgetful, fearful, or too busy to fulfil their responsibilities. It is tempting to avoid members who are hostile and unpleasant. Leaders need colleagues to whom they are answerable.

Church councils need to reflect the value of shared leadership when they plan to call a minister. Sometimes the calling church will ask questions about the minister such as: “Does he visit in the congregation? How is he with the young people? Is his wife also active in the congregation?” But are these questions really pertinent? A minister may be busy in the congregation visiting a lot of people but not getting to any spiritual issues. Is he doing his task just because he visits? Perhaps it would be more constructive if a calling church would find out from the church council and from the minister himself what he is doing in the congregation; what does he himself see as the focus of his work and how does he carry it out. Moreover, it would be beneficial to review what shared leadership entails.

The Qualifications for Leadership←⤒🔗

Contrary to the opinion of some, the offices are not open to all men in the congregation. Those ordained to office must be good leaders meeting the specific qualifications outlined in Scripture. In 1 Timothy 3 the ability to lead is set forth prominently as a qualification for the selection of an officebearer. Without this ability an overseer cannot properly carry out his work. We must insist on maintaining the qualifications for office as listed in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 and 1 Peter 5 before and while serving. The Lord wants us to take these qualifications seriously. He has entrusted officebearers with the task of managing and ruling His house. They are assigned the care of His children. A church council shouldn’t be quick to nominate those who have just entered the congregation. Let them be tested for a period of time. The congregation should have the opportunity to get to know those who are nominated. The qualifications for office may not be passed off lightly. Are those nominated to the offices blameless? Are they able to teach and defend the faith as men committed to the apostolic doctrines? Do they hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience? The congregation will benefit if they are trained to look for such qualifications in their officebearers. This can be done through the preaching or at congregational meetings where this topic is addressed.

Being an Example←⤒🔗

Officebearers are to be examples of Christian living to the rest of the flock. Paul writes to Timothy:

...set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.1 Timothy 4:12

Peter says: “Tend the flock ... not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock”1 Peter 5:2, 3

That’s why elders, deacons and ministers have to weigh every decision, also in their personal lives. Even if you are convinced that it will not harm you, what will it do for those souls placed in your care? Leaders do not sit in their ivory towers and dictate what the congregation does without applying it to themselves. Officebearers must give leadership by example. They must be with the sheep, going through the valleys and travelling the path walked by the sheep. For example, how can a minister preach against materialism if he has an extravagant lifestyle?

Leadership and the Congregation←⤒🔗

The congregation must view the offices Biblically and not as “those guys in church council.” The government of the church is not done through a democratic process. Hebrews 13:17 summons us to obey and submit to our spiritual leaders. Submitting to leadership is questioned within society and that will undoubtedly influence the church so that members feel they have a right to protest every action and decision made by the church Council.

Members of the church are to yield to the authority of the officebearers even when they have a difference of opinion. A spirit of submission to the authority of your leadership is essential for growth, peace and joy in the congregation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13 and 1 Timothy 5:17 the congregation is taught to esteem highly, honour and love its leaders. Both leaders and those who are led should make an effort to work and pray together to achieve oneness of mind and purpose.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

The duty of leading the flock of Christ is an enormous responsibility. Are the men appointed and ordained up to such a task? Absolutely not! They all fall short. The hands which bless God’s people on the Lord’s Day are defiled with sin. The voices that admonish, comfort and encourage are not always instruments of righteousness. Every officebearer can only do his work when he looks to the Lord for help. He must pray each day for strength and guidance. Ask the congregation to remember you in their prayers.

A Challenge to Officebearers for Further Development:←↰⤒🔗

1. In our consistory, we have been taking fifteen minutes to review a particular aspect which applies to our respective offices. A paper is handed out beforehand so that we can come prepared. Such an exercise gives food for thought and discussion and we would highly recommend it as a positive way of “in house” and “on the job training.” Develop some forum whereby you are not only doing the “business” of the church but also discussing the aspects of your duties.

2. Take an evening, or part of a meeting to brainstorm where you believe there are weaknesses in the leadership of the church and come with suggestions as to how this can be improved. Think of ways in which you can share the duties more effectively.

3. We all have busy schedules. What can we do to be more effective leaders in the church of Christ?

4. At some point in your meetings discuss how familiar you are with the Three Forms of Unity. Are there ways you can improve your knowledge of these confessions?

5. Spend an evening with the congregation to discuss this topic with them.

May the words the Lord spoke to Joshua as he took on the task of being leader of the Lord’s people incite us to be wise and godly leaders:

Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you goJoshua 1:9