How can we discern God's chosen leaders in our church community? The verse that centers our study “Since the day I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there, nor have I chosen a man to be leader over My people Israel.” (2 Chronicles 6:5) A starting insight from 2 Chronicles 6:5 • Leadership begins and ends with God’s initiative, not ours. • If He withholds choice until the right moment, so must we learn to wait and watch. • The next verse (6:6) shows the pattern: “But now I have chosen Jerusalem… and I have chosen David.” Timing and selection belong to Him. God’s consistent pattern of choice • 1 Samuel 16:7 — He looks at the heart, not outward appearance. • John 15:16 — “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” • Acts 13:2 — The Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul.” Whenever God picks leaders, He does it personally, purposefully, and publicly enough for the faithful to recognize. Signs that God is pointing out a leader • A clear inner call confirmed by outward fruit (Jeremiah 20:9; Matthew 7:16). • Gifts that edify the body, not spotlight the individual (1 Peter 4:10). • A life that naturally draws people closer to Christ, not to the leader (John 10:4-5). Scriptural qualifications we cannot bend (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) • Above reproach at home, at work, in community. • Faithful in marriage, disciplined with addictions, gentle with people. • Able to teach sound doctrine and refute error. • Not a recent convert, lest pride destroy the work. Essential character evidence • Servant-heartedness — Mark 10:43-45; leaders serve first. • Humility — James 4:6; God opposes the proud. • Consistency — Luke 16:10; faithfulness in small tasks precedes larger ones. • Spiritual fruit — Galatians 5:22-23; love, joy, peace, etc., show the Spirit’s fingerprints. Community confirmation • Acts 6:3 — “Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” The church family watches for Spirit-filled reputations. • Acts 14:23 — Prayer and fasting accompany appointment; so does laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14). • A leader’s legitimacy is strengthened, not created, by communal recognition. A word on doctrine and truth • 2 Timothy 2:15 — Rightly handling the word of truth marks a leader. • Titus 1:9 — He must “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught.” If a teacher strays from Scripture, God did not place him; God never contradicts Himself. What to do while discerning • Pray earnestly (Colossians 1:9) for wisdom. • Compare candidate lives to the biblical checklist, not personal preference. • Wait for unified peace in the congregation (Acts 15:28 — “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us”). • Watch for the long-term fruit of their ministry, not the flash of early success. Keeping our hearts aligned • Honor imperfect leaders God has already given (Hebrews 13:17). • Stay teachable; God often works through unexpected people (Amos 7:14-15). • Remember: Authority rests on God’s call; influence rests on Christlike character. By sticking to God’s revealed standards, listening for His timing, and watching for these unmistakable marks, we can joyfully recognize the men and women He raises up to lead His church today. |
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