1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is
Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
The Holy Bible places a significant emphasis on leadership,
particularly strong, godly leadership. This is clear in the roles and
responsibilities men are called to assume within the church. However, the
concept of strong men leading the church goes beyond physical strength. It is about spiritual power, moral integrity, wisdom, humility,
and servant leadership. This is not to take away from women, who have their own excellent roles and gifts, encouraging and making the man whole.
In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the Apostle Paul details the qualities required of a 'bishop' or 'overseer' – a term
often used to denote a church leader. "The saying is trustworthy: If
anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore,
an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded,
self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not
violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his
own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if
someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for
God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with
conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. He must be well thought of
by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."
This passage underscores several key attributes that are
essential for strong men leading the church, but the overall context is that a
strong leader must be able to manage their own household well, be a good respectable
husband and a healthy father. This points to the importance of personal
responsibility, accountability, and leadership within the family context. If a
man cannot lead his family with dignity and respect, it raises questions about
his ability to lead the church.
The issue of women's roles in the church has been a topic of
considerable debate within Christian circles. This debate often centres around
the interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:12, where the Apostle Paul states, "I
do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be
quiet." Paul's instruction may be specific to women who were trying to
dominate men or usurp authority inappropriately. This aligns with Paul's
teaching in other letters that all believers should live quiet lives, and with
Jesus' teachings on leadership, where He said, "whoever wants to become
great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26).
The first-century Ephesian church, to which Paul wrote this
letter, was in a city known for its worship of the goddess Artemis. The temple
of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and a
priestess served it. This cultural backdrop may have influenced some women in
the Ephesian church to assume roles of authority and teaching that were not in
line with the biblical model of church leadership.
As we apply Paul's writings to our context today, it is
important to promote unity, mutual respect, and love within the church, recognising
the valuable contributions of all members, both male and female. We must be
careful not to limit the gifts and calling of women but to affirm and encourage
their vital role in the body of Christ.
In conclusion, the role of strong men leading the church is
crucial in the Christian faith. However, this strength is not about dominance, but about spiritual strength, moral integrity, wisdom, humility, and
servant leadership. As we strive to develop and nurture such leaders within our
churches today, let us remember these biblical principles and pray for God's
guidance and wisdom.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging our
need for strong, godly men to arise and lead our church. We recognise that the
strength we need is not of this world, but a strength that comes only from You.
It is a strength that is rooted not in power or dominance, but in spiritual
maturity, moral integrity, wisdom, humility, and servant leadership.
Lord, we pray for the men in our church, that they may
aspire to the noble task of leadership. We ask that You would stir up a desire
within them to serve Your people and to shepherd Your flock with gentleness and
humility. May they seek to be above reproach in their conduct, sober-minded,
self-controlled, and respectable, modelling a lifestyle that is consistent with
Your teachings.
We pray You would grow them in their faith, that they would
not be recent converts, but mature believers who are well-grounded in Your
Word. Grant them a deep understanding of Your scriptures and the ability to
teach and guide others in their spiritual journey. May they lead not out of
conceit, but with a servant's heart, following the example of Your Son, Jesus
Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.
We also pray for their families, Lord. May these men manage
their households well, leading their families with dignity, respect, and love.
As they care for their own families, may they also learn to care for Your
church.
Father, we pray outsiders would well think of these men, so
that they may not fall into disgrace or into the devil's trap. May their lives
be a testament to Your grace and a beacon of light in our community.
We ask for Your wisdom and guidance as we nurture and
develop these leaders within our church. May we always remember that the
ultimate leader of the church is You, and may we strive to follow Your will in
all that we do. In Jesus' name. Amen.