|
Leader and His relationships -2
II. Leader and Home
This is another area of utmost importance. Home often acts like a shock-absorber. This is true more of a public person, which a church leader is. Thus a thought as to how our homes ought to be is of importance.
In all the lists of the qualifications for the Christian leadership in 1 Tim and Titus, there are references to the family life of the leaders. Though the passage speaks about the elders and ministers it is applicable to all who are in some kind of leadership capacity in the local assemblies. The following are the qualifications expected.
- One – Women – Man ( 1 Tim.3.2)
Paul says that the leaders should be “the husband of but one wife”.
This does not mean that believers can have polygamous relationships. Neither was Paul prohibiting second marriages for an elder who is a widower. But it upholds a monogamous relationship (Mt.19.4; Gen.2.20-25; 4.23). More than that, it calls for high moral standard. One should not entertain any unholy thought about another female (Jb.31.1; Ps.101.2, 3; 1 Thes.4.3-8).
Love and submission as seen in Ephesians chapter 5 should be cultivated.
Family life is sometimes compared to a garden. To make a garden at least three acts are necessary- weed out, water and fertilize and fence. This can be applied to family situations.
- Deal with the problem of ‘wandering affections’.
- Strengthen the relationship.
- Set the word of God as rule for life. Pro.24.3,4.
- Hospitable (1 Tim.3.2)
‘Philoxenos’ means ‘a lover of strangers’. Jb.31.32; Gen.18.3; Jud.13 etc
Rom.12.13; Tit.1.8; 1 Pt.4.9; Acts.2.46; Hb.13.2
“Hospitality has nothing to do with impressing people, but everything to do with making them feel welcome and wanted”.
Hospitality is an activity in which the whole family can play some part (Gen.18). Christina ministry is facilitated by such families. Open homes are a means of evangelism as well.
- Ruling Well the Family (1 Tim.3.4,5; Tit.1.6,7)
In Greek ‘rule’ means ‘to preside’, ‘having authority over’, ‘stand before’ ‘manage’ etc.
Running the assembly, rather than running a business or office, is more like running a family.
This involves love, discipline and godliness in the home. Family alter also have a part in nurturing godliness. A family that prays together stays together.
When the entire world rejected Noah’s ministry, his family accepted it. He was respected there. What a contrast we have in some of the leaders in the present time!
Christian leadership essentially has to do with relationships. If he is not a success in the family how can he keep other interpersonal relationships? “That he may be able” (Tit.1.9)
III. Leader and Believers
| 