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CHAPTER 4:
QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEADERS;
Qualifications are not natural abilities. They are qualities of character and conduct. Biblical
qualifications for leadership are qualities of character and conduct described for leaders in God’s
Word. They are evidences of a godly lifestyle.
People often consider a leader’s abilities as most important and ignore their qualifications for
leadership. For example, people may judge a pastor on the basis of his good preaching. But
while he might be able to impress people with his speaking abilities, he may be seriously lacking
in the Biblical qualifications of a godly lifestyle which is required for leaders.
Spiritual leadership should be developed and evaluated on the basis of Biblical standards. The
test of any ministry is not by spiritual gifts, power, or natural ability. Ministries are to be
evaluated on the evidences of a godly lifestyle, also called “spiritual fruit”:
Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them… (Matthew 7:20)
The fruit, or spiritual qualities of a person, reveals what he is like inside:
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather
figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is
good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that
which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
(Luke 6:43-45)
A man may have personal appeal (charisma) that can be mistaken for spiritual power. He may
even do miracles in the name of the Lord. But Jesus said:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom
of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.
In that day will they not say unto me have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)
Jude warned against those who would “creep in” to the church and teach false doctrine. He said
one way to recognize them was by the lack of fruit in their lives:
…These are…trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked
up by the roots. (Jude 12)
The important thing in any ministry is the fruit because… “By their FRUITS ye shall know
them.”
Thank you