Quality Assurance: Not Quarrelsome
Issue #107, June 3, 2013 Paul continues to raise the standard for servant leaders and continues his quality assurance checklist by telling Timothy that a godly leader must not be “quarrelsome” (1 Timothy 3:3). Quarrelsome is a habitual inclination to disagree and stir up contention. The writer of Proverbs paints a colorful picture of a […]
Quality Assurance: Not Violent but Gentle
Issue #106, May 22, 2013 Paul next turns his attention to a heart issue of great importance to all leaders, “not violent but gentle.” (1Tim 3:3) In that short phrase, Paul radically redefines what it means to lead. Most cultures honor military heroes, warriors who destroy all opposition by force and we honor those who […]
Quality Assurance: Not Given to Drunkenness
Issue #105, May 7, 2013 Paul’s list of qualifications next mentions that the leader is “not given to drunkenness” (1 Timothy 3:3). It seems obvious that Paul does not want to see leaders staggering after drinking too much alcohol. But his statement should cause even those who drink no alcohol to think more deeply about […]
Quality Assurance: Able to teach
Issue #104, April 22, 2013 Paul’s quality checklist to Timothy next calls for leaders who are “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2). Many associate this skill with only a few select individuals who are gifted and called to public speaking and teaching. But Paul is convinced that all leaders should have this ability. He agrees […]
Quality Assurance: Hospitable
Issue #103, April 9, 2013 The next instruction Paul gives young Timothy about the type of leaders who are worthy to be called servant leaders is "hospitable" (1 Timothy 3:2). To be hospitable is to be friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests. What in the world does what happens at home have to do […]
Quality Assurance: Respectable
Issue #102, March 27, 2013 Paul’s next instruction to Timothy is to find leaders who are “respectable” (1Timothy 3:2). Being respectable is much deeper than looking good on the outside or impressing people with charisma or leadership skills. Paul recognized that followers will not long follow a leader they do not genuinely respect. He understood […]
Quality Assurance: Self-Control
Issue #101, March 13, 2013 “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (1Timothy 3:2). The fourth quality Paul lists as essential for those who desire to lead like Christ is “self-controlled.” He recognized that before seeking to exert influence over others, the […]
Quality Assurance: Temperate/Sober-minded
Issue #100, February 25, 2013 After calling leaders to be blameless and to honor marriage commitments, Paul adds to his quality assurance list; the leader must be “temperate” (1 Timothy 3:2). My first response is “What?” Temperate is not a word I use often! Other translations use “vigilant” and “sober-minded.” The main idea is the […]
Quality Assurance: Husband of One Wife
Issue #99, February 11, 2013 After the general quality “above reproach” Paul quickly focuses his checklist on an area that deeply impacts all servant leaders who are called to be, “the husband of but one wife” (1Timothy 3:2) At first glance most of us who are married would go ahead and mark this requirement as […]
Quality Assurance: Above Reproach
Issue #98, January 30, 2013 Every manufacturing business is concerned with the quality of their product because they recognize that substandard products will hurt their reputation and ultimately destroy their business. So they invest large amounts of time and money in quality assurance programs to protect their profit. Christian leaders should be even more concerned […]