The qualifications of deacons and elders in 1 Timothy 3 gives a great list of attributes that are necessary for any Christian whatever their position in the church. The point of Paul’s directives here is that the leaders in the church must be leaders by example and character. He is not saying they need to perfect. Rather, they must have good momentum in their personal walk with God to be able to lead others. You can only lead others if you are moving somewhere yourself. Someone who thinks that they have it all together is not moving anywhere for they think they are ‘there’ already. Such a person can never make a leader. Leaders are to be the ones who have the greatest momentum of personal change. They are, therefore, to be the first to recognise their own failings. I would encourage you to read through this list of attributes slowly thinking about one attribute at a time and asking God to show you where you lack in these things. The point of realising your shortfalls is not to beat yourself up and despair. The realisation of our failings is the doorway to the Holy Spirit. The more willing you are to see your faults, the more open you are to the restorative work of the Holy Spirit. What matters most is not how far along the road of change you are, but how much momentum of transformation is at work in you. Living things grow. If you are growing, then the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit is at work in you.
Do what I have suggested here and ask God to show you what most needs to change in your life.
Read 1 Timothy 3
