There are positives and negatives of qualifications for overseers and deacons. There are 5 negatives that 1 Timothy 3 states. They are:
For the overseer: For the Deacon:
- not given to drunkenness Worthy of respect
- not overbearing or quarrelsome Sincere
- not quick-tempered; not violent, not given to drunkenness
- not a lover of money; not pursuing dishonest gain, not pursuing dishonest gain
- not a recent convert tested
The positives are:
For the overseer: For the Deacon:
- The husband of one wife Husband to one wife
- Gentle
- Temperate; self-controlled; disciplined (wives) temperate; not malicious talkers
- Hospitable
- One who loves what is good; upright and holy (wives) trustworthy in everything
- Able to teach; holding firmly to sound doctrine holding to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience
- A good manager of his own family a good manager of his family
A church leader must not be given to drunkenness. Read 1 Timothy 3:3,8; Titus 1:7. Scripture warns of the danger of drunkenness. Read Proverbs 20: 1; 23:29-35. It records the shame of Lot, who, while drunk, committed incest with his daughters. The pagan nations of Moab and Ammon were the results of drunkenness (Genesis 19: 30-38). In biblical times, drunkenness was considered disgraceful to even the pagans. How much more should Christians be aware of alcohol? Those who get drunk damage the church’s reputation and disqualify themselves from leadership.
Did Jesus and the apostles drink fermented wine? What kind of drinks are there today that wasn’t back then?
A church leader must not be overbearing or quarrelsome. Read 1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7. An overbearing leader is a self-willed person who demands that he always gets his own way. Basically, they please themself. They are not willing to do anything any other way but their way. This type of leadership is common today. If they are overbearing, then they are a quarrelsome leader.
God’s leader must be a servant. The leader is overseeing their household, not his own life. Jesus tells His disciples that they must lead by serving, not in the way of ruling over others.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Jesus’ leadership of servanthood. I pray that the leaders who place will not be overbearing to the people they are serving.
In Jesus Name
Amen
