2. Teach Them The Bible
What training should we give church leaders? “And teach the people God’s ordinances and laws… ” (Exo 18:20).
Those acquainted with Church Seminaries and Bible Schools know all too well that many of them cover every topic except the Bible itself. Often, Theological Seminaries turn into “Cemeteries,” where the spiritual vitality of countless aspiring church leaders is left to fade away.
A basic choice was presented Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden:
“…the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge… ” Gen 2:9).
Eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge leads to sin and death. Yet, in spite of this biblical caution, the Church consistently turns to this tree for its training programs.
What are the consequences?
The Apostle Paul succinctly stated, “Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth” (1 Cor 8:1). Training programs that fail to prioritize the Bible as their main resource result in arrogant, spiritually stagnant, and ineffective leaders, whose only accomplishment after graduation is to oversee a church that dwindles in size each year.
That which has no life cannot and will not grow. The tree of knowledge only produces death.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye are in error, because you do not know the scriptures… ” (Matt 22:29).
The Scriptures keep us from error and produce life.
“…the flesh proflteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life ” (John 6:63).
It is the words of God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) recorded in the Bible that bring life to us.
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life… ” (Rev 22:14).
a. Academic Achievement Is Not The Goal.
Programs focused primarily on intellectual attainment and academic degrees are unlikely to cultivate the leadership necessary for reaching those who are lost or for fostering thriving churches.
The more weight given to academics, the less effective the leadership tends to be. Prioritize biblical teaching. Equip church leaders with a strong foundation in Scripture. Make the Bible the cornerstone of your training curriculum.
The question was asked about Jesus, “…How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? ” (John 7:15).
The Jewish people were astonished by Jesus’ understanding of the Scriptures, especially since He lacked any formal academic qualifications that would typically honor someone in either religious or secular circles.
This serves as an important lesson for us: academic accolades are not the ultimate aim. What truly matters for a church leader is a deep knowledge of the Scriptures and the power of God (Matt 22:29).
b. Look For “Leader-Laborers”.
The early apostles were not known for their academic achievement.
‘Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled: and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Not one of Jesus’ apostles graduated from the Theological Seminary of the Pharisees or Sadducees. His standard for church leaders was this: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). The effective church leader is one who has proven he knows how to work hard. He has callouses on his hands. He has learned the discipline of strenuous productive labor.
By contrast, the Seminary graduate is often arrogant, too proud to work, lazy and unproductive. Such are not fit to represent Him Who washed His disciples’ feet.
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Find a “leader-laborer” and you will usually have a productive church leader.
This is why Jesus selected individuals like Peter and John, who were fishermen, as well as professionals like Matthew the tax collector and Luke the doctor. They possessed practical skills and a strong work ethic. Such individuals can be taught the Bible and become effective leaders.
