The world tells us many things about what makes a good leader. Leadership traits that are often commended include a charismatic personality, the ability to influence others, clear and compelling communication, good people skills, and an overall aptitude for the task at hand. Whilst these are good traits to possess, it is crucial to think biblically about leadership so that that our views of leadership are fundamentally defined by Scripture. A biblical paradigm of leadership differs from the world’s approach in significant and fundamental ways. In this article we consider what the book of 1 Timothy teaches us about Christian leadership. We will see that what makes a good leader is not charisma and communication skills, but godly conviction and character: what we might call ‘head’ and ‘heart’.

1. Head

Throughout 1 Timothy, Paul emphasises the importance of sound doctrine for Christian leaders. Paul begins with a command to Timothy to oppose teachers of false doctrines (1:3). As the letter continues, Paul explains what sound doctrine looks like:

• The Mosaic law is not given that we may earn God’s favour through our obedience, but as a mirror to highlight the sin of lawbreakers (1:9-10; Romans 7:7)
• The antidote to our sinful hearts is the gospel. No amount of religiousness will save us (1:12-14; 3:16-4:5).
• The gospel is the news that Christ our King, came into the world to save sinners through his death and resurrection (1:15; 2:5-6; 3:16).
• The right response to the gospel is to believe in Christ and receive eternal life. Preaching the gospel for selfish gain is a sinful distortion of the gospel (1:15-16; 6:2b-5).
• The gospel is the one, true foundation of the church (3:14-15).

As well as describing the character of sound doctrine, 1 Timothy is also littered with warnings for Timothy to watch himself. He must persevere in believing the truth (1:18-19; 4:16). He must flee from anything that seeks to destroy or distort the truth of the gospel (6:11). He must not stray away from the foundational truth of the gospel (6:14) but rather, guard the gospel (6:20-21).

This emphasis on believing and teaching sound doctrine is instructive. It’s not enough for a Christian leader to be kind, compassionate, good with people, or a good communicator, as important as these character traits are. A Christian leader must have a good grasp and conviction of the basic foundational truths of the gospel. To abandon sound doctrine is to become like Hymenaeus and Alexander who have made a shipwreck of their faith (1:18-20).

2. Heart

In addition to a commitment to sound doctrine, 1 Timothy emphasises the importance of the heart of the Christian leader. The Scriptures regularly show us that our actions reflect what is in our hearts. For example, our heart’s desire to control over our lives can often show itself in anger when things don’t go our way. Our heart’s desire for approval and success can often show itself in an unhealthy devotion to our career, which leaves little room for anything else. For this reason, Paul exhorts Timothy to select leaders who demonstrate godly character. Elders are to be temperate, self-controlled, respectable, and gentle, amongst other character traits (3:2-7). Deacons are called to be sincere and honest, amongst other character traits (3:8-13). Paul urges Timothy himself to train himself in godliness, setting an example of good conduct to his church, in love, in faith and in purity (4:7-12).

Thus, it’s not enough for the Christian leader to be able to recite the Heidelberg Catechism, or to recite a gospel tract like ‘Two Ways to Live’, or to be heavily involved in church activities, or possess a natural gift of teaching or relating to people. A Christian leader must possess godly character.

It is significant that apart from the requirement of being “able to teach” (3:2), there is no other mention of other gifts or skills required for Christian leaders. With this lack of emphasis, Paul warns us that the one’s gifts or abilities are not necessarily a good measure of what’s going on in someone’s heart.

3. Head and Heart

Having seen the importance of godly conviction and character for a Christian leader, we may ask which is more important? The answer is neither. Both are equally important because they are intricately related. Throughout 1 Timothy, Paul’s exhortations to sound doctrine are almost always followed by exhortations to godly character. For example, Paul’s explanation of God’s desires the salvation of all is preceded by an exhortation to pray for all, and followed by exhortations that men should pray, and women should adorn themselves with decency and propriety (2:5-11). Similarly, Paul’s explanation of how Christ is the true foundation of the church is immediately followed by an exhortation for Timothy to set an example in character before his church (3:14-4:12).

The connection between head and heart is especially clear in 1 Timothy 4:16, where Paul exhorts Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching”. Timothy was not called to watch his heart whilst his mind was permitted to wander from the truth. Neither was Timothy called to watch his doctrine while his heart was permitted to produce ungodly behaviour. Paul exhorts Timothy to watch both his head and his heart, because the convictions of our head will always be reflected in the desires of our heart and the behaviour it produces.

4. An Impossible Task?

Paul’s emphasis on sound convictions and godly character as essential characteristics of Christian leaders may at first seem unattainable. We may ask how much godly character or grasp of sound doctrine is required for Christian leadership? Must we with reluctance settle for one or the other?

However, a closer reading of 1 Timothy indicates that Paul is not demanding perfection. In 1 Timothy 4:15, Paul commands that Timothy be diligent so that the church may see his progress. This verse indicates that even Timothy himself is a work in progress. There will always be a need to grow in our character and grasp of sound doctrine. Christian leaders will still sin and sometimes fail. It is ‘progress’ not ‘perfection’ that we should be looking for.

What should we do when Christian leaders fall? Paul explains in 1 Timothy 5:19-25:

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

~ 1 Timothy 5:19-25

On the one hand, these verses protect the integrity of elders, emphasising the importance of finding clear evidence of sin before pronouncing judgement. At the same time, these verses encourage us to take seriously the sins of leaders, not minimising them due to care or relationship with the person but judging objectively. Recognising the damage that a leader can do to the gospel and to the church when they fall into serious sin, Paul encourages patience and caution in appointing people as Christian leaders. Flaws in character and doctrine emerge over time and are not usually evident or clear at the beginning. Thus, we must take care to properly observe and test leaders before appointing them to positions of leadership among God’s people.

Conclusion

Christian leadership involves a firm commitment to the truth of the gospel evidenced in a life of godly obedience. We should look for progress, not perfection. But at the same time, we must be slow and careful in appointing leaders, knowing the harm that can be caused when Christian leaders fall. Let us strive to be such leaders and pray that God would raise up such leaders for his church.