Many people will say, "if they are gifted leaders, let them be used," but Paul tells the church in (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1), "let us first examine their character and then use their leadership gifts to bless the church."
Why does it matter? Because, Paul understood rightly that a person's character paves the way for their natural abilities to be rightly used by God, for his glory. The measurement of a person's character as the qualification for leadership is essential, especially in the church. The chief end of the church is to glorify God and rightly display Christ's image for the world to see. God is literally making his appeal to the world, through his Church (2 Corinthians 5:16-20).
While the pragmatic approach to leadership cares more about a person's ability than their character, Paul instructs the church to care first about their character and then about their ability. Many gifted leaders have fallen from grace, due to moral failures, because the church failed to examine their character before setting them free to use their natural leadership abilities.
While the pragmatic approach to leadership cares more about a person's ability than their character, Paul instructs the church to care first about their character and then about their ability. Many gifted leaders have fallen from grace, due to moral failures, because the church failed to examine their character before setting them free to use their natural leadership abilities.
Instead of saying, "I want to be used by God in his church" try saying "I want to be the kind of person God can use in his church."
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