Qualifications of Lay-Leadership
Below are some biblical guidelines for the selection and nomination of Governance Board Members. The Governance Board shall be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Church and its members. It shall have general oversight over all aspects of the church and its ministries and shall prayerfully implement God's will for the church. In (Acts 6: 1-6) the Greek word translated 'deacon' signifies servant, and is so translated in John 12: 26. Also translated 'minister' or "servant" in Mark 10:43, 1 Cor 3:5, 1 Thes 3:2. Stephen and Philip are two of the greatest examples in the scriptures (Acts 6: 8-8:2, 22:20, 8:26-40).
Church officers and Governance Board members shall in their private and public lives strive by the power of the Holy Spirit, to conform to the principles of Christ and a right relationship with the Lord as stated in the Scripture including but not limited to the following: (Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 3:16-18, Psalm 15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:13-16, Ephesians 4:22-32, 5:1-33, Philippians 2:1-8, Colossians 3:5-11, 1 Peter 3:8-12, 5:2-3, Titus and 1 Timothy 3:2-13 outlined below).
OUTLINE OF QUALIFICATION
1 Tim 3:2-13
v. 2 - must have a good reputation,
v. 2 - faithful in marriage,
v. 2 - must be self-controlled, (2 Tim. 1:7)
v. 2 - sensible, well-behaved, (1 Pet. 5:8)
v. 2 - friendly to strangers,
v. 2 - able to teach,
v. 3 - must not be heavy drinkers,
v. 3 - not troublemakers,
v. 3 - must be kind and gentle,
v. 3 - not love money,
v. 4-5 - must be in control of their own families, and
must see that their children are obedient and always respectful
v. 6- must not be new followers of the Lord. (1 Tim 1:20, 5:15, James 4:7, 1 Pet 5-8)
v. 7- must be well-respected by people who are not followers. (Gal. 6:10, Col 4:5, 1 Thess 4:12)
v. 8 - church officers should be serious, v. 8 - not be liars, (Prov. 6:16-19, James 3:1-18)
v. 8 - not heavy drinkers, (1 Tim 3:3; 5:23; Prov.. 20:1, 23:29-35; Rom 14:13-15:3)
v. 8 - not greedy for money. (Prov.13:7; Mark 8:36, 1 Tim 6:6-10),
v. 9 - must have a clear conscience,
v. 9 - hold firmly to what God has shown us about our faith. (1 Tim 3:16; Matt 13:1; Heb 11:1,6)
v. 10 - must first prove themselves. Then if no one has anything against them, they can serve as officers.
v. 11 - women must also be serious, they must not gossip or be heavy drinkers, and they must be faithful in everything they do.
v. 12 - church officers must be faithful in marriage. They must be in full control of their children and everyone else in their home.
v. 13 - Those who serve well as officers will earn a good reputation and will be highly respected for their faith in Christ Jesus.
1. Leaders who will serve tables. (James 4;6,10; 1 Pet. 5;5-7)
2. Leaders are respected in the church and the community. (Prov. 22:1; 2 Cor. 8:21)
3. Leaders full of the Holy Spirit. (John 7:37- 39; John 13:17; Gal 5:16-26; Eph 5:18)
4. Leaders full of wisdom and gifted for ministry. (Ex. 31:1-5; James 1:5)
Contemporary English Version
Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "You are not to be called teacher, for you have one teacher, Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant." (Matt. 23:11-12). Paul wrote to the church at Rome: "Let love be your only debt! If you love others you have done all that the Law demands." (Rom. 13:8). Whether one is a pastor or a lay leader, who is humanly equipped to assume these roles? Who is sufficient to these things? Our sufficiency is of God! Let us draw upon His inexhaustible resources (Pet. 2:6; 2 Cor. 2:14-16; 3:2-6; 12:9-1)