WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP at CHURCH
Michelle Connolly
1st Timothy 3
In 1st Timothy 1 we learned the key
ingredients to discover and demonstrate our ministry as women, as well as the
expectations for each of us with-in and around the church.
In Chapter 2 we learned about the importance of prayer.
Our best of gifts and worship offerings as a woman, is prayer for those around
us, whom can’t pray for themselves, for those who don’t have a personal
connection with God and for ourselves, allowing for a one on one relationship
with God.
Now in 1st Timothy 3 we will learn about
qualifications of leadership. The Pastors and deacons of the church.
This
chapter while it can pertain to us personally it is overall the qualifications
that we want the leadership of our church to maintain just as we want the same
leadership from our bosses at our jobs and even from our husbands, ultimately
the Leadership Christ shows the Church. Many of the qualifications that are
listed in this chapter specifically speak to the responsibility of a male
leader must have, but we can always find application for women to aid in our
representation of leadership; following the same qualifications described here,
while we represent our love and faithfulness to God.
I Timothy 3: 3-13
Here is
a trustworthy saying: Whoever
aspires to be an overseer desires
a noble task.2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not
given to drunkenness, not
violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must
manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do
so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If
anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of
God’s church?) 6 He must
not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must
also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and
into the devil’s trap.
By definition a Pastor or Bishop is said to be “overseer, guardian, bishop. It is used
in reference to Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 2:25 and in other places of individuals
who have a function of leadership in the church ( Acts 20:28 ; Php 1:1 ; 1 Tim 3:2 ; Titus 1:7 ). Also means, to take care of, to oversee, or
to care for.
The first responsibility
God has given the overseer is to watch over the flock. Acts 20:28a says;
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers"; and Hebrews 13:17b says, "They keep watch over you."
The idea is one of spiritual alertness, being on watch, being ready. Overseers
watch for the souls of those entrusted to them in the Lord. They know that to
protect them, constant attention is necessary.”
A second responsibility of the overseer is to
shepherd the flock of God as instructed in 1 Peter 5:2. To shepherd carries the
idea of tending, caring for, feeding, protecting, and leading. All these tasks
are involved in the overseer's service of ministry to the spiritual flock of
God. Responsibility is not a compulsion but something that the overseer has
entered into willingly.
The qualifications the Bible gives for the
overseer strongly emphasize character in all aspects of life, both personal and
public. Titus 1:6-9. That the overseer must be above reproach appears to be an
overriding qualification, expressing the idea that the overseer should
demonstrate integrity in every area Paul mentions. His life and reputation are
of such a nature that he is not open to attack or censure. No fault can be
found in him that would disqualify him from office or open him to discipline by
the body (cf. 1 Tim 5:19-20 ).” Pastors or Overseers
lead, pray, teach and guide so
How do we as
women represent this same role in our personal lives and those responsibilities
we have within the church?
Examples of women who
were leaders for God…
“After
this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming
the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil
spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of
Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
Luke 8
The women who went with
Jesus knew that following him could mean death, could mean that their lives
would be on the line and yet for the love of God and the people they
represented, they demonstrated leadership.
The story of Ester…. 4:11"All the king's officials and the people of the
royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the
inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put
to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their
lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.
5:1" On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner
court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his
royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.” 5:2 “When he saw Queen Esther
standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold
scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the
scepter.”
Ester represented her people and
demonstrated leadership. She took care of their needs by standing firm and gracefully
walked into the court knowing her life would be at stake, but knowing the
importance of the needs of her people be heard and represented; she risked her life for the good of others.
Are we making sure that there is
no question
that we hold true to these qualifications as a woman of God?
In what ways are you maintaining these qualifications in your role as
a leader?
I Timothy 3:8-13
8 In the same way, deacons[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much
wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear
conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as
deacons.
11 In the
same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious
talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A
deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his
household well. 13 Those
who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their
faith in Christ Jesus.
Deacon by definition is “to serve or minister or attend
to the needs of someone, take care of, look after, as in nurse, treat, help,
assist and administer to” “The role or office of deacon was developed in
the early church primarily to minister to the physical needs of the members of
the body of Christ.” .
“After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the
church began to grow so fast that some believers, particularly widows, were
being neglected in the daily distribution of food and alms (giving to others as an act of virtue, either materially or in
the sense of providing capabilities). Also, as the church expanded, logistical
challenges arose at meetings simply because of the size of the fellowship. The apostles, who had their hands full caring for the spiritual needs
of the church, decided to appoint seven leaders who could tend to the physical
and administrative needs within the body.” (Christianity.about.com)
“So the Twelve
called a meeting of all the believers. They said, "We apostles should
spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so,
brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit
and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend
our time in prayer and teaching the word." (Acts
6:2–4, NLT
A Deacon could be anyone, man or woman; that met these
qualifications. Paul called to Phoebe one of the
first appointed women deacons “I commend to
you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.” Romans 16:1 “Scripture makes it
clear that ministering as a deacon is a rewarding and honorable calling in the
church”
Even if we don’t have an appointed role in the church we are
all, in some way a deacon. Women are especially good at the role of deacon(ness) because we naturally have the instinct and nature to take care of those who are
in need. Whether it is a physical need or a spiritual need, we as women are
able to meet the needs and serve
“For it will be like a man going on a journey,
who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five
talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then
he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with
them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made
two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the
ground and hid his master's money. MT 25:14-30
How do we take care of those we are caring for,
serve, nurture or help?
While this part of scripture splits up the definition of
Deacon and talks about the separate qualifications for both men and women it
really is one in the same qualification. In fact the scripture states that
women are to “in the same way…” remember what is expected of them and that
through this it brings you into “excellent standing and great assurance in
their faith in Christ Jesus” So that we may hear “His
master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your
master's happiness!' Mt 25:21
In What ways are you a
Deaconness in your life?
I Timothy 3: 14-16
14 Although
I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am
delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s
household, which is the church of the
living God, the
pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond
all question, the mystery from
which true godliness springs
is great: He appeared in the flesh, was
vindicated by the Spirit,[d was seen by angels, was
preached among the nations, was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
Paul often, in the closure of his letters reiterates the
point of his letter, which in this case was to be aware and stay true to how
one “conduct themselves in God’s household” We
must remember that we can and are equip to administer, approach, care, guide,
teach and navigate as a representative of “the
church of the living God” and to always be in awe of the true nature and
greatness of our one true God who sent his son here on earth as only God could
be represented and then taken up to Heaven. If our purpose on earth is but only
a breath and but a glimpse in regards to eternity then it is our gift from God
and our responsibility to represent Him well.
How will you represent
God as He prepares His kingdom?
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