“This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s Church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/1ti.3.1-6.CSB

The desire for spiritual leadership is never condemned in Scripture. Even when the disciples wanted the powerful positions of God’s right and left hand, they were not condemned for wanting such places. God made us in His image, and He is the great ruler of all; therefore, it makes sense that men wish to rule. God defines the criteria and the place for our leadership, beginning with our need to remember that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The greatest of all is to be the servant of all, not the one who dominates all. Today’s Scripture about leadership includes purity of character and demonstrated humble leadership in the home, which is proven by a marriage that lasts and children who exhibit self-control, for they are under the management of their father. In addition, the leader must exhibit Christlike character in the marketplace so that pagans who hear of his position in the Church are not surprised or led to malign Christianity. Integrity in the home and the marketplace, defined by Biblical values recognized by our family and community, is the essential leadership criterion for the Church. Unfortunately, such a man is hard to find and is becoming more difficult. Child rearing has been usurped from Biblical principles and made subservient to the pagan psychologist and culture whose principles are antithetical to Scripture, leading to more and more children walking away from the truth as they get older. Fathers are no longer leaders of their homes whose purpose is to drive their families toward greater knowledge and obedience to Jesus; instead, they pursue careers and pleasure trying to be ‘good’ dads by being friendly and permissive, following their wives, weakening their own Christian resolve and thus character exacerbating our leadership problem.