The right stuff

“I am writing you these instructions so that ... you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”  1 Timothy 3:14-15

When the United States launched “Project Mercury,” its first attempt at manned space flight, NASA evaluated several military test pilots for their suitability to the program.  After a series of grueling mental and physical evaluations, only those meeting demanding criteria were selected.  As captioned in the title of Tom Wolfe’s book chronicling the initiative, NASA needed astronauts with “The Right Stuff.”  At stake, after all, were national defense, international leadership, scientific exploration and ultimately hundreds of billions of dollars.

Coaching Timothy in church leadership, Paul established context for him, reminding Timothy what was at stake – “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”  This church of Christ Jesus carries his truth into our communities and throughout the world.  In his name, the poor are fed and clothed.  In his name, the suffering are healed and sheltered.  In his name, the illiterate are taught and the oppressed are freed.  And in his name, life – eternal and abundant – is available for all.

So in perhaps a bit of an understatement, Paul observed Christian leadership to be “a noble task.”  Then what “right stuff” might be needed for such a noble task – an overseer in “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth”?  Understandably, the list of character qualities is thorough enough ...

... self controlled ... hospitable ... able to teach ... not violent, but gentle ... not quarrelsome ... not a lover of money ... not a recent convert ... good reputation with outsiders ... not overbearing ... not quick-tempered ... loves what is good ... upright and holy ... disciplined ... above reproach ... temperate ... respectable ... not given to drunkenness ... manages family well ... does not pursue dishonest gain ... holds to deep truths of the faith ... sincere ... tested.

Or, in a word, “sanctified.”  For if leadership requires a goodness of our own making, we need not apply.  Our sinful nature disqualifies us.  But when we put off our sinful nature and put on Christ, over time the Holy Spirit of God changes us into the likeness of the Son of God.

And the more we become like Jesus, the better suited we are to leadership ... or any other noble task to which we are called.

[The text for the weekly Wednesday blog post is the same as last week’s, 1 Timothy 3.  To read it, click here.]