Basic expectations of anyone in a visible or leadership position.
Philippians 3:13 - 14 (NKJV) 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
None of us are perfect. If we were we would be sitting on the throne. BUT, we are expected to strive for what is right in God’s sight. God expects us to work towards Holiness.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT) Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2 Timothy 2:19 (NLT) But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.”
Praying for and protecting the Pastor.
Every time the pastor or his family come to mind, pray for them. If you are in a position where you can spend a few minutets then pray a hedge of protection around them, thank God for increasing his wisdom and thank the Lord for guiding him. Thank the Lord for giving them wholeness and wellbeing in all areas of their lives.
If you are in a hurry, at work or in some situation you can not spend time, then just thank the Lord for taking care of whatever their need is.
How to confront gossip Biblically.
If some one comes to you saying something about the pastor or his family –
1 Timothy 5:19 (NKJV) Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
Find out if they witnessed it themselves or if they heard if form someone else. If they heard it, then from whom, offer to call that person. If the person gossiping knows they are wrong they will not tell you who told them or they will balk at you calling. At this point rebuke them with a gentle humble attitude. By not reviling their source they are partakers in the backstabbing sin of gossip.
Romans 1:29 - 30 (NLT) 29Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. …
Proverbs 6:16 - 19 (ESV) 16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
The next step is to escort them to the pastor or at least call the pastor while they are with you. For the word of God tells us if you have something against a fellow Christen you are to go to them in private. This person by coming to you has gone against God’s Word.
Praying for and protecting the Flock.
The expectation here is very similar to what we do for the pastor. Every time one of the congregation comes to mind pray for them even if it is only a quick thank you Lord for helping them. When praying for the body, thank the Lord for his protection and for helping each and every one of his children to become more Christ like.
Protecting them from satanic gossip works the same.
1.Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. This is what should be done.
2.Find out if the person coming to you saw it for themselves or if it was relayed to them.
3.If they heard it from some one else they should be willing to tell you who so that you and they can go confront that person, with gentleness.
4. Lastly go to or call the person being talked about with the one who came to you or with the one who started it.
How to handle discord {disagreement} Biblically.
James 4:1 - 3 (NLT) 1What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
Ephesians 5:21 (KJV) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Philippians 2:3 - 4 (NKJV) 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:14 - 15 (ESV) 14Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Romans 14:13 (NLT) So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
If it is not a matter of spirituality, Biblical principles, then the one that bows his will to the other is the more spiritual and stronger in the faith.
What to do when you find your brother or sister overtaken in a fault.
Matthew 18:15 - 17 (ESV) 15“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Galatians 6:1 - 3 (NLT) 1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
If someone has done something to hurt you, they have wronged you, or you have found someone sinning, then you are to go to them privately in humble love. If they will not accept the Word of God you are bringing to them then you are to confront that person a second time with one or two other people. In this case it would be wise to get people that are leaders in the church, Strong spiritually.
The third step is to go to the pastor with the witnesses you took on your second visit.
Basic conduct {behavior} a leader should show.
2 Corinthians 6:3 - 4 (NLT) 3We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
1 Corinthians 8:11 - 13 (NKJV) 11And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT) 12You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
1 Corinthians 6:19 - 20 (NLT) 19Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Romans 12:14 - 21 (NLT) 14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. 20Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
