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By Van Sprague

Acharacteristic required of a bishop (Elder, Titus 1:5) in the church is that he “rules his own house well” (1 Tim 3:4).

“Rule” comes from a compound word that would literally mean “to stand before.” Does that mean a leader must stand in front of people to lead?

Yes and no. Standing in front of someone does not make you a good leader, but having a life of faith with fortitude, persisting in trial, withstanding scrutiny, yielding when possible, and being unyieldingly compassionate and gracious – living an example that stands – does.

When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek, in the making of what we call the Septuagint (LXX, for short), the word had a range of uses, from referring to leadership, like someone being over or placed over something, to just meaning someone who literally stood in front.

Two hundred and fifty years later, in the time of Christ, similar compounds held similar meanings. In John 11:25, Jesus mentioned the people who were “standing by.” Physically, this refers to those who are around. Figuratively, the word has to do with going around something or avoiding it. Like when Paul encouraged Titus to “avoid foolish disputes.”

Before an elder may be in front of a congregation as a leader, he must stand before his family as a godly leader. The role God designed for fathers is at the head of the house (Eph 5:23). For a man to be qualified as an elder, he must be a godly leader of his home.

This kind of rule is not a careless, authoritarian leadership. It is translated as “maintain” in Titus 3:8 and 14 and parallel with care in I Timothy 3:5. “…(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house well, how will he take care of the church of God?).” This is the same word for “took care” and “take care” in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35).

We are left with the picture of a leader who is given his role, driven by compassion for the well-being of those he leads, and stands as an example and help to accomplish a common goal.

In the case of Fathers, their role is inherent through God’s design of the family. They should be “heirs together of the grace of life” with their wives and bring their children up in the “training and admonition of the Lord” (1 Pet 3:21; Eph 6:4).

Elders are chosen by the Holy Spirit for their service, inasmuch as they are appointed according to God’s Word (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-13). They should be an example to the flock, emulating the chief shepherd for the well-being of the souls of the congregation (1 Pet 5:3; Heb 13:17). That is how leaders stand.

Van Sprague is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. Come Visit! Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.