Checklist for a Church Boss
1Trust me when I tell you this. If anyone really wants to become a top church leader, [1] great. It’s good work to do.2Here’s the catch. A church leader has to live a life that’s squeaky clean and above suspicion. He needs to be a one-woman man, good-mannered, even-tempered, respectable, approachable, and a gifted teacher. 3We don’t want church leaders who get drunk all the time. We’re looking for leaders who are kind, not violent or always getting into arguments. And we sure don’t want church leaders who have fallen in love with money.
4A church leader needs to do a good job of running his own household. And his kids need to act respectfully and do what he says. 5I mean, come on, if a man can’t manage his own family, how can he manage God’s church, full of families?
6Also, recent converts are not candidates for the job of a top church leader. That could make them conceited and an easy target for the devil. 7One more thing. Folks outside the church should think highly of a top church leader. We don’t need leaders with high disapproval ratings. That would be an invitation for the devil to start setting traps.
Checklist for Associate Ministers
8Associate church leaders, [2] like their supervisors, need to be respectable. Here’s what they don’t need to be: gossips, drunks, and money grabbers. 9They need to hold on to the faith even though part of what we believe is a mystery to us. They need to live life with a clean conscience.10Carefully vet the candidates. Give them the job only if they meet the highest standards of respectability. 11Wives of associate church leaders should earn the respect of others. The ladies shouldn’t go around bad-mouthing people. Instead, they should be good-mannered and dependable. [3]
12Associate church leaders each need to be a one-woman man who does a good job of managing his household and his kids. 13Folks who end up doing a good job as associate church leaders will earn themselves a fine reputation. And as their confidence grows, their faith in Jesus the Messiah will get stronger.
A Song about Jesus
14I decided to write this letter even though I’m hoping to come and see you soon. 15In case I’m delayed, I wanted you to know how God’s people should behave. They are the church of the God who is very much alive. And this church holds up the truth, like pillars and support beams raise a roof. 16No doubt about it, our faith is one big mystery:
Jesus was [4]
Sent in the flesh.
Approved by the Spirit. [5]
Seen by angels.
Presented to the nations.
Believed by the world.
Lifted to glory.
