“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach.” (vv.1-2)
“Do as I say, not as I do,” is the worst kind of leadership example their is. Through it, everyone is left with no clear example to follow, and all will end up scratching their heads and may even resort to sarcastic comment like, “Hey, why don’t you practice what you preach!”
The example of leaders is powerful in the church, whether for good or for bad. When leaders make bad choices, churches are deeply wounded by their hypocrisy, sometimes even causing good people to leave the church, or even to doubt the gospel. But when leaders make good choices and lead exemplary lives, they inspire all those watching.
That's why the issue of personal conduct is the root of many of these qualifications for overseers and deacons before us today. Surprisingly though, in this list here in 1 Timothy, it has little to say about what leaders should believe. But it has much to say about how they should live. While it's often easy to assert what we believe, it's much harder to prove it by our actions.
Christian leaders should know that their conduct and character—whether public or private—cannot be separated. God sees and knows all, and He is just as concerned with our attitudes as He is with our actions. Therefore, leaders must lead an exemplary life, for Christ and His church.
It takes time for someone to establish these kinds of credentials, and it takes maturity not to be carried away by the power associated with leadership. This explains why the elder needs to have a good "track record" in the faith, and usually a few gray hairs on his head.
Therefore, while our text tells us that, “if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” It also tells us, “An overseer must be above reproach.” Though none of us are perfect, to be in church leadership, one should lead "an exemplary life."
The Truth: “As God's steward, an overseer must be above reproach--not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.” (Titus 1:7)
