教会里的属灵领袖
提多书一章5至9节
5我从前留你在克里特，是要你将那没有办完的事都办整齐了，又照我所吩咐你的，在各城设立长老。
6若有无可指责的人，只作一个妇人的丈夫，儿女也是信主的，没有人告他们是放荡不服约束的，就可以设立。
7监督既是神的管家，必须无可指责，不任性、不暴躁、不因酒滋事、不打人、不贪无义之财；
8乐意接待远人，好善、庄重、公平、圣洁、自持；
9坚守所教真实的道理，就能将纯正的教训劝化人，又能把争辩的人驳倒了。
信息分享
保罗清楚列出教会领袖需要具备的素质。他必须无可指责并诚信可靠；他必须专一爱护妻子，又有教导儿女的智慧；他不会坚持己意，也不会性急易怒。牧养的工作实在需要很大的耐性。
积极方面看，作领袖的人要热心款待客人，爱好美善之事。初期教会经常与热心款待拉上关系，所涉及的，当然不单是本地的信徒，还包括外地的访客。即使在今天，若能在家中款待他人用饭，对许多来教会中的人也会是莫大的帮助。
接着，保罗继续强调，领袖需要庄重、公平、圣洁和自持；他必须值得别人信赖，富有怜悯之心。不论是在公众场合，还是独自一人，都要谨言慎行，学像基督的样式。教会若有这样的领袖，必能兴旺发展。
除了个人品格之外，领袖还要懂得坚持真理。教会中的领袖、教师或传道人，都要有坚定不移的信仰，都要明白圣经、相信圣经和谨守圣经的真理，以至能驳倒传播假教义的人。
主啊，求你赐我们更多这样的领袖和教师。阿们。
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH
Titus 1:5-9
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
Message
Paul’s list of requirements for these leaders is plainly stated. That person must be blameless and of unquestioned integrity. He must be a faithful husband and a wise father. He will not merely insist on his own way and he must not be quick-tempered. Pastoral work requires enormous patience at times.
On the positive side, a leader must be generous in hospitality and a lover of good things. Hospitality is often mentioned in connection with the early church. No doubt it covered not only church members but visitors to that town as well. Even today no greater help can be given to many in our churches, than to be invited to someone’s home for a meal.
Then Paul continues the list of qualifications in short, strong terms - self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Leaders must be trustworthy, sympathetic, Christ-like, and continually careful of their behaviour, public and private. Any church with leaders like that will prosper.
Paul has listed personal qualifications. Now he turns to the leader’s stand for the truth. These points should be true of every leader, teacher or preacher in any church. “He must have settled convictions. He must know the Bible, believe the Bible, and hold fast to the truth of the Bible.” He must be able to speak out against false doctrine.
Lord, give us more leaders and teachers like that. Amen.