Leadership Issues / Conflict management

Church leadership is a Dictatorship

Throughout Biblical history, God’s leaders have been appointed by

the Holy Spirit – not voted in democratically.

1Sa 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I

should do this thing unto my lord, the LORD’S anointed, to put forth

mine hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’S anointed.

1Sa 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the

LORD had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave: and

some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S

anointed.

1Sa 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can put forth his hand against the

LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?

1Sa 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should put forth mine hand

against the LORD’S anointed: but now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse

of water, and let us go.

Act 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Act 5:2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part,

and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath

Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto

men, but unto God.

Jas 3:1 My brothers, do not be many teachers, knowing that we shall

receive the greater condemnation.

Dan 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living

may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest

of men.

1Co 12:27 And you are the body of

Christ, and members in part.

Decision Making

Php 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in

everything by prayer and supplication, with

thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

David constantly prayed to God for direction.

Jesus is the ultimate example:

Luk 6:12 And it happened in those days that He went out into a mountain to pray, and He was spending the night in prayer to

God.

Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people

fall: but in the multitude of

counsellors there is safety.

2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many

witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able

to teach others also.

1Ti 3:1 Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1Ti 3:2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, soberminded,

orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1Ti 3:3 no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not

contentious, no lover of money; 1Ti 3:4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his

children in subjection with all gravity; 1Ti 3:5 (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1Ti 3:6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the

snare of the devil.

Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and

appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; Tit 1:6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one

wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.

Tit 1:7 For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not selfwilled, not soon angry, no brawler, no

striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; Tit 1:8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good,

soberminded, just, holy, temperate; Tit 1:9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the

sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

Bishop = superintendent

Elder = senior / leader

Act 14:23 And when they had appointed for them

elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting,

they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had

believed.

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,

especially those who labour in the word and in

teaching.

Mar 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise

lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be

your minister: Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the

chiefest, shall be servant of all. Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to

give his life a ransom for many.

Pastor = shepherd

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and

some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the

body of Christ: Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the

faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the

stature of the fulness of Christ:

1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now

returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

JESUS

Conflict Management

1Ti 5:1 Do not sharply rebuke an elder, but

exhort as a father, and the younger ones as

brothers …

Mat 18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For it is necessary that offenses come; but woe to that man

by whom the offense comes!

1Co 11:18 For first of all, when you come together in the church,

I hear that there are divisions among you, and I partly believe

it. 1Co 11:19 For there must also

be heresies among you, that the approved ones may be revealed

among you.

Mat 18:15 But if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have

gained your brother. Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear you, take one or two more with you, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be

established. Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them,

tell it to the church. But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen and

a tax-collector.

Mat 18:21 Then came Peter, and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin

against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?

Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until

seventy times seven. Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of

heaven likened unto a certain king, which would make a reckoning with his

servants.

Mat 7:1 Judge not, that you may not be judged.

Mat 7:2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever

measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again.

Mat 7:3 And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider

the beam that is in your own eye? Mat 7:4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let

me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?

Rom 14:4 Who are you that judges another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. But he

will stand, for God is able to make him stand. Rom 14:5 One indeed esteems a day above another day; and another esteems every day alike. Let each

one be fully assured in his own mind. Rom 14:6 He who regards the day regards it to the Lord; and he not regarding the day, does not regard it to the Lord. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, does

not eat to the Lord, and gives God thanks. Rom 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no

one dies to himself. Rom 14:8 For both if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore both if

we live, and if we die, we are the Lord's.

Rom 14:9 For this Christ both died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead

and living. Rom 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or also why do you despise your brother? For all shall

stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Rom 14:11 For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall

confess to God." Rom 14:12 So then each one of us will give account

concerning himself to God. Rom 14:13 Then let us not judge one another any more, but rather judge this, not to put a stumbling-

block or an offense toward his brother.

1Co 6:1 Do any of you dare, when you have a matter against another, to go to law before the unjust, and not before the

saints? 1Co 6:2 Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you

unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 1Co 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels, not to

mention the things of this life? 1Co 6:4 If, then, you truly have judgments of the things of this life, set those who are least esteemed in the church to

judge. 1Co 6:5 For I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not a

wise one among you, not even one in your midst who shall be able to judge between his brother?

1Co 6:6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

1Co 6:7 Indeed then there is already on the whole a failure among you, that you have lawsuits with yourselves. Why not

instead be wronged? Why not instead be defrauded?

1Co 5:1 On the whole it is reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even named among the nations, so as one to have his father's wife.

1Co 5:2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, so that he who has done this deed may be taken

from your midst. 1Co 5:3 For as being absent in body but present in spirit, I

indeed have judged already as though I were present concerning him who worked out this thing;

1Co 5:4 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, with my spirit; also, with the power of our

Lord Jesus Christ; 1Co 5:5 to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of

the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1Co 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

Jealousy is often an issue for leaders:

Jesus was crucified because of jealousy:

Mat 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Pro 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the

flesh: but envy the rottenness of the

bones.

Son 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death;

jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement

flame.

Mat 5:10 Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake!

For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Mat 5:11 Blessed are you when men

shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you

falsely, for My sake. Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly

glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who

were before you.

Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,

and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you,

Mat 5:45 so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and

on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Mat 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do

the same? Mat 5:47 And if you greet your brothers only, what do

you do more than others? Do not even the tax-collectors do so?

Mat 5:48 Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in

Heaven is perfect.

Mat 13:27 And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in

thy field? whence then hath it tares? Mat 13:28 And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that

we go and gather them up? Mat 13:29 But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather

up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and

in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to

burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Rev 3:1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things. I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead. Rev 3:2 Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God. Rev 3:3 Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Rev 3:4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. And they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Gender in church

leadership

1Co 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.

1Ti 2:11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.

1Ti 2:12 But I permit not a woman to teach, so much as to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. 1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed,

then Eve; 1Ti 2:14 and Adam was not

beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into

transgression:

1Co 11:5 But every woman praying or prophesying with

her head unveiled dishonoureth her head: for it is one and the same thing

as if she were shaven.

Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh

holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own

husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Paid Ministry?

Luk 10:3 Go! Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

Luk 10:4 Carry neither purse nor bag nor sandals. And greet no one by the way.

Luk 10:5 And into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace to this house.

Luk 10:6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest on it. If not, it shall return to you,

Luk 10:7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things shared by them; for the laborer is

worthy of his hire. Do not move from house to house. Luk 10:8 And into whatever city you enter, and they

receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia,

so also do ye. 1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of

the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may

prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to

break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged

his speech until midnight.

2Co 9:7 Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not

of grief, or of necessity, for God

loves a cheerful giver.

1Th 2:8 So affectionately longing for you, we were willing to have

imparted to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls,

because you have become beloved to us.

1Th 2:9 For, brothers, you remember our labor and toil. For

laboring night and day in order not to put a burden on any one of you, we preached the gospel of God to you.

2Co 12:13 For what is it in which you were inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I

myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.

2Co 12:14 Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burden you, for I do not seek your things, but you. For the children

ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.

2Co 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls, even if loving you more

and more, I am loved the less.

2Th 3:8 neither did we eat any man's bread freely, but we worked with labor and travail

night and day, so that we might not be heavy on any of you

2Th 3:9 (not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example

to you, to imitate us). 2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you,

we commanded you this, that if anyone would not work, neither should he eat.

Act 18:1 And after these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth.

Act 18:2 And finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome)

Paul came to them. Act 18:3 And because he was of the same

trade, he stayed and worked with them; for they

were tentmakers by occupation.

1Co 4:11 Even until this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted

and have no certain dwelling place.

1Co 4:12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being

reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;

1Co 9:7 Who serves as a soldier at his own wages at any time? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock and does not partake of the

milk of the flock? 1Co 9:8 Do I say these things according to man? Or

does not the Law say the same also? 1Co 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox threshing grain." Does God take care

for oxen? 1Co 9:10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? It was written for us, so that he who plows should plow in hope, and so that he who threshes in hope should be

partaker of his hope. 1Co 9:11 If we have sown to you spiritual things, is it a

great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

1Co 9:12 If others have a share of this authority over you, rather should not we? But we have not used this

authority, but we endured all things lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

1Co 9:13 Do you not know that those who minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And those attending the altar are partakers with the altar.

1Co 9:14 Even so, the Lord ordained those announcing the gospel to live from the gospel.

1Co 9:15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so

to me; for it is good for me rather to die than that anyone nullify my glorying.

1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, no glory is to me. For necessity is laid on me; yea,

woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a

reward; but if against my will, I am entrusted with a stewardship.

1Co 9:18 What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may make the gospel of

Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

1Co 9:19 For though I am free from all, yet I have made myself servant to all, so that I might

gain the more.

2Co 11:9 And being present with you, and in need, I was not a

burden to anyone. For the brothers from Macedonia made up completely my need. And in every way I have kept myself

from being burdensome to you, and I will keep myself.

1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a

holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might

speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness

into His marvelous light;

Php 1:27 Only let your conduct be as becomes the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come

and see you, or else am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you

stand fast in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the

faith of the gospel,

Php 2:1 If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses

and mercies, Php 2:2 then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having

the same love, being of one accord and of one mind.

1Pe 3:8 And finally, all be of one mind, having

compassion on one another, loving the

brothers, tenderhearted, friendly.

Truth is a package deal – not just doctrinal purity, but includes

moral and attitude purity.

Most times in scripture, truth relates to morals and attitudes

more than what we know.