Requirements for Church Leadership

[jaslaw]

Wanted to get some opinions from other Christians. Just a little question.

Can people who have been divorced and have tattoos be called to preach? I am sure Timothy and Leviticus will enter into the discussion a bit but I was just curious what everyone thought.

 

[Adullam]

Churchianity does not use biblical criterion for leadership. Education and oratory skills trump the bible for these.

However, a leader must be blameless. This doesn't mean that a person has never sinned...just that said sin has been forsaken. A person who represents the Body while living in less than a blameless way draws attention to his error and not to Christ.

A divorced and remarried man should not represent the church to the world although he can still function in his gifts within it. Someone with tatoos is not limited unless these distract from the message.

 

[jaslaw]

Churchianity does not use biblical criterion for leadership. Education and oratory skills trump the bible for these.

However, a leader must be blameless. This doesn't mean that a person has never sinned...just that said sin has been forsaken. A person who represents the Body while living in less than a blameless way draws attention to his error and not to Christ.

A divorced and remarried man should not represent the church to the world although he can still function in his gifts within it. Someone with tatoos is not limited unless these distract from the message.

I understand what you are saying. My ex wife walked out on me and though I tried prayer and counseling she filed for divorce anyway. I kept praying even after she filed but prayer did not keep her from going through with it.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[glorydaz]

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

I believe the Word says we become new creatures when we are saved.
The world may leave it's mark, but we're brand new. IMHO :angel3

 

[Michae1]

There is nothing that a born again Christian cannot do in the Church. All sin is treated the same, and all sin is forgiven.

If the Lord has given someone the gift to lead, and the Holy Spirit is drawing them into that roll, then God will surely be with them to do His work.

I believe that all of us represent the Church, and what better way is there than to look past another's old forgiven sins and to work with them in the the name of the Lord to glorify God.

 

[glorydaz]

There is nothing that a born again Christian cannot do in the Church. All sin is treated the same, and all sin is forgiven.

If the Lord has given someone the gift to lead, and the Holy Spirit is drawing them into that roll, then God will surely be with them to do His work.

I believe that all of us represent the Church, and what better way is there than to look past another's old forgiven sins and to work with them in the the name of the Lord to glorify God.

Amen, brother. We need only look at Paul for proof of that.

 

[jaslaw]

Thank you all for replying. I will continue to pray and be ready to serve God where ever He leads me.

 

[toddm]

Churchianity does not use biblical criterion for leadership. Education and oratory skills trump the bible for these.

However, a leader must be blameless. This doesn't mean that a person has never sinned...just that said sin has been forsaken. A person who represents the Body while living in less than a blameless way draws attention to his error and not to Christ.

A divorced and remarried man should not represent the church to the world although he can still function in his gifts within it. Someone with tatoos is not limited unless these distract from the message.

I understand what you are saying. My ex wife walked out on me and though I tried prayer and counseling she filed for divorce anyway. I kept praying even after she filed but prayer did not keep her from going through with it.

Thanks for the reply.

Even so, clearly you're the victim here and tried to reconcile the relationship. From what you've said, I'd say that you hadn't sinned against God.

And all pastors on staff at my church have tattoos, but they all demonstrate our faith. :yes