Good evening, Zane.
The predicted rain has arrived and is hammering our roof at present. I hope it’s not to be hammering the roof tomorrow morning as I need to knock out some urgent sawmill work. And the mill is still set up out of doors.
I think the checklist presented below really is a good checklist for testing our own personality, character, and lifestyle…even though you’re not married or not a church leader…yet.
Hope you had a good day. Hope it included church. Have a good night.
Love and prayers—Tua (Ray)
Reading this chapter could prompt one to reason, “This is not relevant for me personally—after all I’m not a pastor (overseer) or a deacon (church leader).” Hey—just a minute! Let’s understand that we have here a list of exemplary qualities to look for across the spread of Biblical Christianity (The Church/ The Body of Christ) that make one eligible for official positions of church leadership. After all, everyone is a leader—even faulty ones. These are, in fact, standards that should be upheld and pursued by all. I think it is appropriate to affirm that GOD DOES NOT EXPECT OR DESIRE MORE OF PASTORS AND DEACONS THAN HE DOES OF YOU AND ME.
In order for us to grade ourselves against this checklist of qualities presented here by Paul, I will simply list the main ideas, putting some entries in my own words. Please bear in mind that this is not intended to be a guilt trip. Think of it as a goal trip. To be sure, we can all confess to some sad violations in our past—but we are in error to allow our past to dictate our future.