Biblical Leadership

The New Testament theology of leadership can be understood from looking at the following scriptures:

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. (Holy Bible, New International Version â Copyright ã 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society)

The word translated has appointed in verse 28 is tithemi {tith’-ay-mee}. It can be found in Strong's Concordance under number 5087 and means:

It means to make (or set) for one’s self or for one’s use

or

to set, fix establish, to set forth, to establish, ordain

This expression is in the middle voice, which indicates the subject, performing an action upon himself (reflexive action) or for his own benefit. (Tense Voice Mood, (Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship) 1994)

It is also in the Aorist tense which is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. (TVM)

This shows God chooses certain people to fulfill certain roles for His own benefit. Both the Aorist tense and the context show that this was not a once for all ordination of certain offices, but an ongoing process of calling in each generation. God has called, is calling and will call the people He chooses to do the work He has determined. This includes missionaries as well as elders, and evangelists.

Ephesians 4:11-13 also highlights this same New Testament theology.

Ephesians 4:11-13

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (NIV)

The challenge is to sort out from the myriad of ideas around us those which will please God. Some people would like us to believe that leadership positions are those specified in the by-laws, congregational leaders are chosen by members, and accountability follows money. The Bible says that the leadership gifts are: Apostle, prophet, evangelist, Pastor/teacher, these gifts are given by God to those whom He chooses as leaders for His church, and all accountability is ultimately to Him.

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