1. DEAR TIM: ABOUT APPROVING CHURCH LEADERSHIP --I Timothy 3: 1-12

2. What an Church Leader is --NOT!

3. 1 Tim. 3:1-12 –The New Living Translation It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. [2] For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. [3] He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money.

4. 1 Tim. 3:1-12 –The New Living Translation [4] He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. [5] For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? [6] An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall. [7] Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil's trap and be disgraced.

5. 1 Tim. 2:1-7 –The New Living Translation [8] In the same way, deacons must be people who are respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers and must not be greedy for money. [9] They must be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith and must live with a clear conscience. [10] Before they are appointed as deacons, they should be given other responsibilities in the church as a test of their character and ability. If they do well, then they may serve as deacons.

6. 1 Tim. 3:1-12 –The New Living Translation [11] In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not speak evil of others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. [12] A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.

8. Lord, thank you for a church family with dedicated leaders. I will honor them by being a ready and willing partner and follower. Commitment:

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS

10. Worship in Song

11. SHEPHERDS AND SHEEP. AN OLD, OLD MODEL OF MANAGEMENT AND CARE. The 23rd Psalm sets the standard for direction, tending, discipline, purpose and love. ● R est ● R efreshment ● R estoration ● R ighteousness ● R eadiness for tough times

12. ● You Shepherds just look out for yourselves while the sheep suffer. Do you really care? ● You haven't strengthened the weak, healed the wounded or sought the scattered. ● You have been brutal and harsh. ● You will pay for your faithlessness!! GOD'S PLAN FOR SHEPHERDING DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK AS IT SHOULD --Ezekiel 34

13. THE CHURCH HAS SHEPHERDS TOO --AND A MUCH BETTER ROLE MODEL, JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. ● Knows his sheep by name ● Takes them out to pasture ● Feeds them ● Protects them from the enemy ● He lays down his life for the sheep

14. SHEPHERDS HAVE A BIG JOB. PROTECTING, DIRECTING, TENDING AND OTHERWISE LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHURCH ● Ministry of the Word and Prayer --Acts 6 ● Overseers of the Flock, Shepherd the church of God --Acts 20:28

15. SHEPHERDS HAVE A BIG JOB. PROTECTING, DIRECTING, TENDING AND OTHERWISE LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHURCH ● Warn the church of Enemies and False teachers --Acts 20:29-31 ● Direct the Affairs of the Church --I Tim. 5:17 ● Preach and Teach --I Tim. 5:17-18

16. ELDERS AT OUR CHURCH Veterans ● Steeped in the Word ● Wise and Discerning ● Teachers, Preachers ● Team Players ● Love the Christ ● Love the Church ● Trusting ● Protecting

17. The Basics of what we all affirm.

18. COMMUNION= This table is always open to every believer!

19. Confession: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.

20. Worship in Song

21. DEACONS. FIRST DISCUSSED IN ACTS 6? ● Protected Widows ● Gave Apostles opportunity to focus on other spiritual matters. Prayer and the Word

22. DEACONS AND DEACONESSES DESIGNATED SERVANTS ● Not the only workers ● Entrusted with a vast array of duties, many requiring discernment, discretion and faithfulness ● Receptive to assignments, big and small

23. GOD'S PLAN FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP ● Qualities of the Called ● Not Qualifications ~ The Pharisee and The Tax Collector ● Patient and Loyal ● Not Greedy or Given to Temptation ● Not Violent but Gentle

24. GOD'S PLAN FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP ● Guide to the Family ● Understand Deep Truths of the Faith with a Clear Conscience ● Able to Teach ● Serving With Hands and With Word

25. GOD'S PLAN FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP ● Set Apart but Not Stratified ● What is bureaucracy??? ● "The worst method of mass management besides all other methods.“ ● Christ's Body ~ Not Bureaucratic

26. GOD'S PLAN FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP ● Christ's Body ~ Not Bureaucratic ● Call to Quality ~ Integrity ● Setting Apart of Leaders ~ Accountability, Fellowship & Guidance ● The Washing of Feet ~ A Sobering Reminder

27. GOD'S PLAN FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP ● An Arrow Takes Flight ● John 18: 22 ~ "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me."

28. GOD'S PLAN FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP 1 Corinthians 15 ~ "The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

29. Worship in Song

30. PRAYER & PRAISE

31. Worship in Song

32. Your Offering: “ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” --Jesus

33. Worship in Song

35. Lord, thank you for a church family with dedicated leaders. I will honor them by being a ready and willing partner and follower. Commitment:

36. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. --Paul to Timothy Go and help others know Jesus.