Who Should Lead the Church? | Shepherded by Design Wk03

In Week 3 of *Shepherded by Design*, Pastor Rodney explores an important question for the church: **What kind of person does God say should be entrusted with the responsibility of shepherding His people?**

Looking at 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5, we see that biblical leadership is about far more than having the right title, personality, experience, or leadership ability. Scripture places the emphasis on **character, spiritual maturity, faithfulness, and a life that has been shaped by following Jesus**.

Paul’s qualifications for elders and overseers show us that the church should look for men who are above reproach, faithful in their homes and marriages, self-controlled, gentle, hospitable, spiritually mature, able to teach, and firmly anchored in God’s Word. These qualities aren’t created when someone receives a leadership position. They should already be visible in the ordinary patterns of that person’s life.

That means the church doesn’t create shepherds simply by giving people titles. Instead, we prayerfully recognize the men whom the Chief Shepherd has already been shaping to care for His flock.

As First Castroville continues considering what elder leadership could look like in our church, this message reminds us that we shouldn’t begin by asking, “Who can fill the position?” Instead, we should ask, **“Who is God already forming?”**

Where do we see faithfulness over time? Where do we see humility, gentleness, hospitality, self-control, healthy leadership in the home, and a deep commitment to Scripture? Who is already caring about the spiritual health of others without needing a title to make them care?

These qualifications also point beyond church leadership. The character Scripture describes in an elder reflects the kind of Christian maturity that every follower of Jesus should desire. Elders are called to be examples to the flock because their lives should make visible what it looks like to continually follow and submit to Christ.

Ultimately, every elder is a sheep before he is a shepherd. Every elder needs the grace of Jesus, must listen to Jesus, must submit to Jesus, and will one day answer to Jesus. The qualities we recognize in faithful spiritual leaders should be the result of years spent being shepherded by Christ.

If we are going to be **Shepherded by Design**, we must be committed not only to God’s design for how His church is led, but also to God’s design for **who is entrusted to shepherd His people**.

📖 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
1 Timothy 3:1–7
Titus 1:5–9
1 Peter 5:1–4
Acts 6
Acts 20

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