Leadership Qualifications?

In this article, Presbyterian pastor Bryn MacPhail discusses the episode found in Acts 6:1-7 in which there is a complaint in the early church over the neglect of Grecian widows in the daily distribution of food. MacPhail argues that the apostles responded to this situation out of their own sense of calling: they were to pray and minister the Word, not perform administrative duties. In light of this, the apostles responded to the complaint by telling the people to gather together a team of seven people who would take care of the task at hand. The only qualities that the apostles demanded they have were to have a good reputation and to be full of the Spirit and of wisdom. In other words, the apostles cared more about the spiritual maturity and integrity of those who would be appointed to the task than their administrative experience or food distribution expertise. While this may have been important, the apostles wanted their leaders to be Spirit-led before all other prerequisites.

While worldly experience in jobs or roles is a good thing, it should never guarantee that a person fits a similar role within the church. Similarly, people with this kind of experience should never hold to a sense of entitlement when it comes to roles within the church. Leadership roles should be given first and foremost to those who have experienced life with the Lord, not to those with high social status, wealth, or power. In this way the Gospel will increase in the world.