1 Timothy 3:2 - The Bible's leadership standards test

2 For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money. 4 He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? 6 An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil's trap and be disgraced.

I think I can consider myself well and truly in a position of 'eldership' (read: leadership) within the church. In reading this, though, I realise that I don't fully live up to the Biblical Benchmark on Being a Big Cheese. So here's a running inventory:

1. ...whose life cannot be spoken against. Generally this is true. Hopefully from now on it will always be true. (Talk about an acid test).
   
2. Faithful to his wife. No problems here. She's my imaginary friend (cheaper that way).
   
3. Exhibit self-control. Pretty good in this department, maybe with the exception of my finances.
   
4. Live wisely. This is very subjective, but I do have a stable job, investment property and I have appropriate measures of accountability and growth in my life so maybe I can say yes to this one?
   
5. Have a good reputation. Pretty sure I'm okay here - apart from the small minority of women who think I'm a coffee whore (I do coffee with too many different women).
   
6. ...must enjoy having guests in his home. Love this, no problems.
   
7. Be able to teach. That's my full-time job.
   
8. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. Check and check.
   
9. He must be gentle, peace loving. If anything I'm too gentle.
   
10. ...not one who loves money. God's working on this in me.
    
11. He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. My children haven't complained so far.
    
12. ...must not be a new Christian. Definitely okay here.
    
13. People outside the church must speak well of him. I like this one. This is very important to me. I think it's a great test of someone's character - and it's very important. I really don't want to be perceived as yet another one-dimensional Christian with no personality or life. And I don't want to be known as a hypocrite who doesn't practice what they preach. Two very important things.

So that's me. If you think I've lied for any of the questions, you're welcome to make your point known of course. :)

Peace out.