Renewing Your Mind About Leadership

The crucial component in any organization, institution, or business is its leadership. Good leadership can lift an organization to the heights of success, whereas poor leadership can plunge it into the depths of ruin. Not surprisingly, a vast amount of material is available for those wishing to sharpen their leadership skills. Leadership is treated as an essential element because it is. God is even more concerned about leadership in His kingdom. The Bible, both in its teaching and the examples it presents, speaks about leadership.

The pastoral epistles set forth the high standards for leaders in the church (1 Tim. 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). This should be your first question to a prospective pastor. Ask them how they specifically fulfill the biblical criteria for leadership. All of those requirements are summarized in the requirement that a leader be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6). The standards are high because the responsibility is great. Before giving them the priorities for leading the church, Paul laid a foundation by summarizing his own ministry at Ephesus. Yet, he opened on a sad note, informing them in Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming/preaching the kingdom, will see my face again. The term kingdom encompasses God’s rule in the sphere of salvation(cf. Acts 28:31). Proclaiming/preaching the kingdom meant proclaiming the gospel, the good news that sinners in the realm of Satan, death, and destruction (“the kingdom of darkness”) could enter the realm of salvation, life, and glory (“the kingdom of God’s Son”). Paul preached this gospel thoroughly and clearly, as he indicated in verses 20 and 27. He had served with them for three years, and his work with them was done. Having been taught and discipled by the apostle, they were ready to minister on their own.

• This is a sad time for me because today my 11 years with you is coming to an end. I leave knowing that the strength in this congregation, from the elders to fruit of the Holy Spirit evidenced among you, testify to God in your midst and His hand upon you for the future.

Because Paul thoroughly fulfilled his obligation to teach, he could testify to them in verse 26, that he was innocent of the blood of all of you—both Jews and Gentiles. He had not only taught the church but also evangelized the lost. He had not been unfaithful in any aspect of ministry. We see Paul toward the end of his ministry among these people looking back and pointing out, not in any boastful manner but rather in an honest way, what he considered to have been the important features of his work, those blessed by God and for which he praised God (Boice, J. M. (1997). Acts: an expositional commentary (p. 344). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.)

• I leave you today not because of failure, or conflict, but because I believe that I have fulfilled what God has called me to do here and He is calling me to minister another group of His flock

Paul declared himself innocent as he says in verse 27, because he did not shrink from declaring to them the whole counsel/purpose of God. The implication is that those elders must follow Paul’s example of preaching a complete gospel of God’s redemption of sinners or face God’s chastisement. That is still true for all pastors. Daily, for two years, Paul had faithfully preached and taught at the lecture hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9–10)! Why? Because he understood that there can be no growth in Christ without the transmission of truth. (Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 349). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.)

• In my time here, I have endeavored to proclaim and call forth the breath of God’s expectations. I pray in your search for a new shepherd to consider the life and teaching of this man in detail. Is there a doctrine or biblical practice that he is reluctant to proclaim or call for? Resist the urge to decide on him from an initial impression but come to know in character and teaching where he stands. If a ministry is not from and on the word of God, then He will neither honor or use it.

As you now consider God’s will and direction for your future as a congregation, I present before you today God’s expectation for leadership. Although I wish to celebrate what God has done among you, I pray you go forth today with both excitement and clarity of purpose.

After that personal note from verses 25-27, in Acts 20:28-38, Paul charged the church leaders in Ephesus to maintain five priorities that should shape any godly ministry. Leaders must: 1) Be Right with God (Acts 20:28a), 2) Shepherd the flock (Acts 20:28b), 3) Guard the flock (Acts 20:29–31), 4) Study and pray (Acts 20:32), and 5) Be free from self-interest.