Qualities of a leader

This Sunday, CDC had the privilege of Pastor Micky give the message on the Qualities of a leader from 1 Timothy Chapter 3.

There are many books on leadership in the world today, and most of them focus as essential characteristics, things like vision, mission, goal-oriented, strategic, effective communication and motivation. However, as Paul teaches in his letter to Timothy, the most important aspect of a good Christian leader is his character!

Many of us may perhaps say that “leadership” is not applicable to me. However, all Christians are called to leadership. We are destined to be the head and not the tail. Just as leaders influence those around them, we are called to influence those around us towards God! Not all of us are church leaders or Pastors, but all of us have leadership roles in some capacity or other. As parents, we are leaders to our children. As elder brothers and sisters, we are leaders to our siblings. At work, some of us are leaders to our subordinates. Some of us are leaders to our maids at home. We can be either a good leader or a bad leader.

Furthermore, the qualities listed by Paul are important not only to church leaders but to all Christians, and we would do well to desire and build on these aspects of our character.

(i)                 Above reproach:- A good leader must have a good reputation, not only in church, but at work, and especially at home. What do others say about me?

(ii)               Morally pure:- A good leader must control himself well and abstain from sexual immorality or impurity

(iii)             Temperate:- A good leader must be calm, cool and collected, in control of his emotions, and balanced in his outlook of life.

(iv)             Self-control:- A good leader must be able to control his own anger. He should not react in anger to others or keep resentment in his heart and look for revenge. Instead, he should pour out his heart to God in prayer, and let Christ free him of his anger.

(v)               Not addicted:- A good leader must not be addicted to the things of the world. Food, drink, shopping, TV, computer games, and any other hobbies must be controlled. If you get very angry, when you can’t get access to it, this could well be a sign of addiction

(vi)             Not violent but gentle:- A good leader is not aggressive or pushy in his ways

(vii)           Not quarrelsome:- A good leader is not divisive

(viii)         Respectable:- A good leader is orderly and well-behaved

(ix)             Hospitable:- A good leader is friendly to strangers, open to people with needs

(x)               Not lover of money:- A good leader is generous, and willingly give tithes and offerings

(xi)             Able to teach:- A good leader must be ready to share God’s truth with others

(xii)           Manage his family well:- A good leader must manage his family first before managing others.

(xiii)         Not new convert:- A good leader should be humble and willing to learn from others before assuming a role of leadership

In closing, Pastor Micky gave us three challenges to develop ourselves in aiming for leadership in life.

(A)  Focus on serving

(B)  Develop spiritual maturity in God’s Word and Prayer

(C)  Have a mentor

God bless,

Jason