The church is God's family. To qualify for leadership in the church family, a man must have a model family. Don't expect him to make good things happen in church unless good things are happening in his family. A leader must be faithful to one wife, and his wife must be "worthy of respect." He must be "a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient" (Titus 1:6). If a man's marriage is failing or his children walk away from God, he should not be a church leader.

In our society--even in many churches--families are in bad shape. We need mentors and models of Spirit-filled family life. We need pastors, elders, and deacons with integrity and credibility. The church needs leaders who are respected most by those who know them best--their families. Nothing less will do.

If church is a business, anyone who can organize programs is qualified to lead. If Christianity is a show, anyone who can charm and entertain is qualified to lead. If ministry is a profession, anyone with education and ability is qualified to lead. But church is God's family, not a business. Christianity is God's life and love, not a show. Ministry is helping others walk with Christ, not a profession. Therefore, a church leader must have a model family that radiates God's life and love as they walk with Christ.

PRAYER--Lord, raise up church leaders with godly character and model families. Protect leaders and their families from Satan's attacks, and bless them. Amen.